Celebrity Tattoo Artist Jon Mesa Predicts Major 2026 Trends
With nearly two decades of experience inking skin, celebrity tattoo artist Jon Mesa has witnessed countless trends come and go. However, he reveals that what is set to make a significant comeback in 2026 might surprise many enthusiasts and casual observers alike.
The Cyclical Nature of Tattoo Fashion
"Trends have come and gone over the years," Mesa, 43, explained exclusively to the Daily Mail during a Healing Ink and American Friends of NATAL event. "I remember doing tattoos that were super popular a decade ago, like the little mustache on the finger that millennials loved. It seems silly now, but that's how fashion works."
He emphasized that trends are inherently cyclical, always returning in new forms. "There's going to always be trends. They come and go, and then they come back again," Mesa stated, highlighting the repetitive nature of body art fashion.
The Unexpected Return of Tramp Stamps
One of the most surprising revivals Mesa identifies is the return of tramp stamps. "I think now people are getting tramp stamps all over again, which is kind of wild because it was something from so long ago," he shared. "But trends repeat themselves. That's a big trend right now."
The Ink Master season 15 finalist elaborated that designs popular in the 1990s and early 2000s are experiencing a revival, executed with contemporary techniques. "Things that look like old biker flash, tramp stamps, and tribal designs are being done in a very modern way," Mesa noted. "A lot of younger people are getting those designs, which is kind of cool."
Current Trends in Tattoo Culture
Beyond nostalgic revivals, Mesa pointed out several other significant trends shaping the tattoo world. He observed a growing preference for smaller, more discreet tattoos. "People are into getting smaller tattoos and more of them, but they're just hidden," he explained, suggesting a shift towards personal rather than public display.
Another emerging trend involves extensive tattoo sessions under anesthesia. "A huge trend now is people getting huge tattoos while they're being put under anesthesia," Mesa revealed. "The intense process is usually done overnight, so they can have a full sleeve or a full back piece because you might have four or five tattoo artists working simultaneously."
Celebrity Influence on Tattoo Choices
Mesa highlighted the powerful impact of celebrities on tattoo trends. "There are people that are so influential. I'm going to say The Rock influenced a lot of people to get a big Polynesian-inspired tattoo sleeve," he said. "The David Beckham kind of angel on its back—I've done tons of these. The same thing with tattoos basketball players get. Other people want to get the same ones."
Behind the Scenes with Famous Clients
As the owner of No Idols Tattoo & Piercing on the Lower East Side, Mesa has inked numerous celebrities, sharing fascinating anecdotes from his experiences. He recalled a last-minute request from Pete Davidson that led to an unforgettable backstage session at Saturday Night Live.
"That was just so surreal to have Ben Stiller open the door and be like, 'What's going on here?'" Mesa remembered. "And you're like, 'This is crazy, dude. What is happening?' It was just a really cool experience... I was rewarded handsomely." During that session, he tattooed both Davidson and Miley Cyrus, adding to his list of high-profile clients.
In 2020, Davidson began removing over 200 tattoos, a years-long procedure costing approximately $200,000. Davidson explained to Variety in April 2025, "I used to be a drug addict and I was a sad person, and I felt ugly and that I needed to be covered up. So I'm just removing them and starting fresh."
Memorable Encounters with Icons
Mesa also shared stories of tattooing Jake Paul in a South Beach hotel suite in 2018, describing the professional boxer as "tough as nails" for enduring a six-hour session. Another highlight was receiving praise from rock legend Lenny Kravitz.
"One day I was tattooing, and Lenny Kravitz showed up to the shop," Mesa recalled. "I'm a very tattooed guy with dreads, so it was kind of cool to see the really coolest tattooed guy with dreads ever right there next to me telling me, 'Dude, I really like your work. It's cool.' So that was really, really awesome."
Even Rihanna has acknowledged Mesa's work, as she recently recognized him from a friend's phone photo at a bar and remarked, "Is that Jon, the tattoo artist? ...I follow that guy."
Healing Through Ink
Beyond commercial work, Mesa participates in charitable initiatives like Healing Ink. On February 26 in New York City, he joined other world-class artists—including Dean Sahar, Matt Buck, and Alex Trufant—at an event organized by Healing Ink and American Friends of NATAL.
The event provided custom tattoos to terror survivors and veterans, helping them reclaim their skin from trauma. American Friends of NATAL, led by CEO Maayan Aviv, is Israel's leading trauma resource, offering professional counseling from on-site therapists.
"I actually worked with Healing Ink before. I did a trip with them to Israel and I got to do tattoos to help people," Mesa said. "And it's such a rewarding experience to hear people's stories and what they've overcome."
Advice for Future Tattoo Enthusiasts
For those considering getting inked, Mesa offers prudent advice. "If you're going to get tattooed, give it a good thought and then think about, 'How will this be for me in the next 10, 20 years of my life?'" he insisted. "Because tattoos are forever."
Reflecting on generational differences, he added, "I don't know if it's just a time of change between what people saw in previous generations. And it's like I'm 43 years old. I'm sure that my son is going to look at me and be like, I don't want to look exactly like my dad."
