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Anyone else regret their tattoo?

23 replies

CatYawns · 28/12/2024 10:12

I got mine in what I now see was a period of temporary insanity after being thrown into deep grief. During that same time period I also gave myself several piercings at home, and nearly lost my marriage. The piercings are practically closed and my marriage was saved, but I’m left with this tattoo. I’ve had 10 laser treatments to remove it and it’s still here, albeit now a fuzzier, slightly patchy version of itself. No idea how many more treatments it will take or if it will ever truly go. What a god-awful decision I made 😖 It’s not a horrible tattoo in and of itself, I just don’t want it and it reminds me of that dark period in my life. I wonder how many people are truly happy with their tattoo many years after the fact.

OP posts:
ByQuaintAzureWasp · 28/12/2024 11:06

Don't have any. I look at them and think it's utter madness. Put a picture on the wall instead.

stripeystripedstripes · 28/12/2024 11:11

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 28/12/2024 11:06

Don't have any. I look at them and think it's utter madness. Put a picture on the wall instead.

What a helpful comment to someone who’s already got a tattoo they regret…

OP I am also going through laser treatment and I really understand how you feel. I am removing two tattoos that I hate, keeping one that I love, and living with one that I dislike but can’t be bothered to have removed as well.

Every time I have a laser appointment I go through this awful spiral of regret and self loathing. DH has very sweetly pointed out that I’m not alone or they wouldn’t have invented tattoo removal, which has helped a bit, and I try to be kind to myself about it but it is difficult.

I sometimes browse the tattoo removal page on Reddit. Lots of people going through the same. You’re not alone.

I remember feeling very daunted by how long removal it would take, but figured the time would pass anyway. Now really glad I’ve started along the road to having these ones gone.

SkaneTos · 28/12/2024 22:12

@CatYawns
I'm sorry to hear that you have had a difficult time, but I'm happy to hear that you are feeling better now.

I don't have any tattoos, but if you want to read about and discuss tattoo removals, there is a subreddit on Reddit that's called TattooRemoval.

(I see now that @stripeystripedstripes mentions that subreddit, too.)

Also interesting tattoo discussions in the subreddit TattooAdvice.

Good luck!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Beauty
Beezknees · 28/12/2024 22:15

I have over 50 tattoos and there was only one I regretted. Had a few laser sessions to lighten it and then a cover up. I'm in my mid 30s and still love all my others.

mooncloud1 · 28/12/2024 22:23

Well, I'm around 15 sessions into laser tattoo removal and reckon 2 more will do it 😬 it's a long process!

Catsmere · 29/12/2024 02:04

I have two, not visible to anyone else. One is fine, the second - by the same tattooist - is not, because he took liberties with my artwork and put shading in that ruined it. It's very blurry now (I've had it nearly twenty years) and it's only a mild annoyance on the occasions I look at it. It's on my upper arm, and since I never wear sleeves short enough to show it, I only see it when undressed.

ByHardyAquaFox · 29/12/2024 02:19

No, sweetheart you are not the only one who fucks up in life.
I don't have any tattos thankfully but I do know a few people who have regretted it.

StarlightLady · 18/08/2025 14:23

I have one tattoo, a small one on my shoulder, it was designed by someone who was very special to me and no regrets at all. It was done in my early 30s. 40s now.

l had my nose pierced last year and one nipple pierced the beginning of this year. I will have the second one done after summer’s gone. I don’t want to interrupt sea swimming.

JamesWebbSpaceTelescope · 18/08/2025 14:36

Got my first tattoo aged 21 and I now have 5 in total. Very happy with them all - they don’t really have any deep meaning just that l liked them (only one has a meaning).

I’m 48 now and never regretted them.

nobodysdaughter · 18/08/2025 15:24

I’m sorry to hear your tattoo reminds you of a dark time, as a tattooist myself, I can tell you it’s quite common. What I offer, and many good tattooists do, is the option of “reworking” it. It may be worth having a no obligation consultation with a well respected tattooist, whose work you love, to can talk you through options. Personally I would ask you to think of imagery you find empowering and that could symbolise your overcoming a painful past. Certain meaningful flowers, animals, words, etc all be worked around and into an a less than desirable tattoo.
Unfortunately laser treatments are marketed as a much more effective solution than they actually are, and often people are left with the existing tattoo still, albeit a more blurry/patchy look. Tattoo culture is really rich, varied and interesting when you delve into it, so maybe it’s worth having a fun deep dive into what designs you'd actually love to wear.

MorrisseysMisery · 18/08/2025 15:44

I bitterly regret mine.
Cast your mind back to the late 90s.....
There was a dodgy tattoo parlour in the next town to me where one could just go in and simply request a tattoo no questions asked.
I was 15 and thought myself very grown up so I naturally chose ying yangs, dolphins butterflies 🦋 and a salamander lizard. Mostly on my back and on at the very top of my arm, so they can be hidden nowadays.
They have over the years faded to a blue black and red smudges (I'm 43) and I'm deeply embarrassed about them.
Conversely, my beautiful, lovely DiL is a tattooist with outstanding artistic talent. She is absolutely covered in them. My son, as the partner of her is also well decorated. It seems to be the the done thing and I don't just either of them in the matter. DiL and DS (both 25) hold down decent professional jobs travelling all over the world.
My sister is a huge Courtney Love fan and has two full sleeves attesting to this.
Each to their own

MinnieCauldwell · 18/08/2025 15:53

Not sure why a couple of posters talking about how much they love their tats when it's about regret.

What is the cost of removal versus having them done, is it just as painful?

Aquabluemouse · 18/08/2025 18:37

Yeah I got a tattoo at 19 which I loved to start with. But by 25 I hated it as, like you OP, it reminded me of a dark time. So I had laser removal, which was excruciating, and expensive. I’m now 44 and I don’t regret getting rid of it. In fact I can’t believe I even got a tattoo in the first place as it’s not remotely my thing anymore and not something I would ever do again.

nobodysdaughter · 19/08/2025 10:37

@MinnieCauldwelli imagine to demonstrate that not everyone regrets their tattoos, and that maybe the OP could grow to love a rework/cover up. Laser is more expensive as you need multiple sessions, and depending on several different factors, it can be ineffective at getting rid of a tattoo completely. It’s also incredibly painful, more so than getting a tattoo, although the treatment is much shorter.

StarlightLady · 19/08/2025 11:49

MinnieCauldwell · 18/08/2025 15:53

Not sure why a couple of posters talking about how much they love their tats when it's about regret.

What is the cost of removal versus having them done, is it just as painful?

Because the post is headed “Anyone else regret their tattoo”. In my case the answer is no! The post is not headed “Tell me about your tattoo regrets”, which l agree would require a different response.

BobButtonsismycat · 19/08/2025 12:04

I love tattoos and would love some myself but at 52 I don't think I ever will now. The main reason I have always put it off was down to my late grandfather, he was covered in them, all done whilst serving in the second world war. He hated every single one, even the ones which were sentimental to him and the fact they faded so badly over time. His wrinkled skin changed the whole look of them, he covered up all the time even in Summer.

Although I have a Pinterest board full of designs that appeaI to me, I just can not imagine having any that would see my through a lifetime. I do look at so many people with these full sleeved tattoos or the black out ones and can not help but think they will despise them in later life but maybe they won't?

fthisfthatfeverything · 19/08/2025 12:05

Ive one, half lazered off
can’t make it out, wish it was gone as there are very few women without tattoos these days.

CraftyNavySeal · 19/08/2025 12:11

Yes and no.

I still quite like mine, they are quite inconspicuous but I don’t think I would get them again. One has lots of colours in it so would probably struggle to get rid completely which might look worse.

With tattoos I think you basically have to commit to the look or not bother. I still think well done sleeves/ big pieces are stunning but not for me.

IfYoureLeavingTakeMeToo · 19/08/2025 12:13

MorrisseysMisery · 18/08/2025 15:44

I bitterly regret mine.
Cast your mind back to the late 90s.....
There was a dodgy tattoo parlour in the next town to me where one could just go in and simply request a tattoo no questions asked.
I was 15 and thought myself very grown up so I naturally chose ying yangs, dolphins butterflies 🦋 and a salamander lizard. Mostly on my back and on at the very top of my arm, so they can be hidden nowadays.
They have over the years faded to a blue black and red smudges (I'm 43) and I'm deeply embarrassed about them.
Conversely, my beautiful, lovely DiL is a tattooist with outstanding artistic talent. She is absolutely covered in them. My son, as the partner of her is also well decorated. It seems to be the the done thing and I don't just either of them in the matter. DiL and DS (both 25) hold down decent professional jobs travelling all over the world.
My sister is a huge Courtney Love fan and has two full sleeves attesting to this.
Each to their own

Surely your DiL could sort out a cover up for you?

I'm test-driving a tattoo at the moment (basically drawn on with sharpie in the place i want it as its visible, so i need to know i like it there - I think I will commit. I have 4 others)

JamesWebbSpaceTelescope · 19/08/2025 12:17

MinnieCauldwell · 18/08/2025 15:53

Not sure why a couple of posters talking about how much they love their tats when it's about regret.

What is the cost of removal versus having them done, is it just as painful?

Because the OP asks us to. I wonder how many people are truly happy with their tattoo many years after the fact.

SpottyAardvark · 19/08/2025 12:21

My theory is that the number of people who will admit to regretting their tattoos is a tiny subset of the number who actually regret them. And that the person who invents an effective & relatively low-pain method of tattoo removal will become a billionaire very quickly.

Arsed · 19/08/2025 12:25

I’ve got one on my lower back… your typical 90’s monstrosity. I don’t regret it as I can’t see it and the only other people that ever do are family or close friends on holiday.

I’d absolutly regret it if it was anywhere more prominent! I did think about getting it removed but I just can’t be bothered.

GhostsInTheWindowsAndWalls · 19/08/2025 18:28

I know a few people who regret them. One has their football club tattooed on their forearm, one has lots of stuff like butterflies, birds and dragons which cover their arms and legs, one has something written in Latin which the apparently the artist got wrong (but I’m not sure if that’s true) and one has their now exes name on their chest which has to be the worst. 😬

I know someone who is considering a sound wave tattoo which does sound quite cool and I’m not a tattoo person.

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