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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think she will regret her tatoo?

68 replies

MissMap · 25/08/2011 14:19

My DN who has lived with us since she was a young teenager has announced that she is going to have a tatoo tomorrow. As she is an adult I cannot prevent her, but I am so concerned that she will regret it.

She has gone through lots of different phases eg Goth, a failed nose piercing etc.

Are most people that have tatoos happy with them?

OP posts:

WorzselMummage · 25/08/2011 14:59

I have one on my back that I got when I was 18. I don't mind it.. because I cant see it.

Tattoos date, mine is a fetching 90's sun shaped squirly thing.

If i had to look at it every day i'd be gutted TBH.

Xiaoxiong · 25/08/2011 15:00

Sorry meant to say I completely agree with you, Don'tGoCurly!

She may dismiss this, think that she'll never accept work that's so stuffy where they don't let you show tattoos, but it can come back to bite you in weird ways. My ex is an opera singer and has a large tattoo on his forearm - he didn't think it would be a problem when he was 20 as he had no intention of ever working outside music, but now he has had such success and is getting cast in leading roles, there are not many operas where it makes sense to have their leading tenor with a large visible tattoo. He has to cover it up with thick makeup which smears over everything.

worldgonecrazy · 25/08/2011 15:01

I am currently going through tattoo removal for a "small" tattoo that I had done at the age of 19, a butterfly and some roses on my shoulder just above the shoulder blade. At the time I loved it but by 25 I felt unable to wear strappy tops/strapless dresses when going anywhere 'posh'. At 19 I never thought I would ever go anywhere 'posh' but we all grow up don't we?

Now, at the age of 41 I am finally getting it removed, I hope. I say I hope because there is no guarantee that the treatment will get rid of the tattoo and there is a chance I will be left with scarring.

If she really wants one, then encourage her to get one where it is easily hidden by clothing, definitely not on the calf or the arm.

MoominsAreScary · 25/08/2011 15:03

I have one on my leg just below the calf that I wish I'd not had, unless it's somewhere it can be hidden I'd thunk long and hard about it, I also have two at the top of my arm I'm forever covering up one or the other as I don't like showing them both at once. Also they might have looked pretty cool in my 20 s but not so much now I'm in my 30s

ripstheirthroatoutliveupstairs · 25/08/2011 15:10

Excellent point about tattoos dating. I often smile when I see celtic bands and designs on peoples sacrums. They are so 1990s.

ripstheirthroatoutliveupstairs · 25/08/2011 15:11

Me and DD saw a woman about my age on the bus a couple of days ago. I thought she had lacy tights on, it was actually an intricate black lace design.

LaWeasel · 25/08/2011 15:11

I don't have any tattoos, but I remember one of the guys at work having to wear wrist bands to cover his tattoos - it was really hot and uncomfortable for him... and we worked in a coffee shop! Not the kind of place you'd think would necessarily give a stuff. I wouldn't want to have to wear thick tights everyday through summer if I had a boss that hated tattoos.

MadamDeathstare · 25/08/2011 15:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

nocake · 25/08/2011 15:14

I have a tattoo on my bum and have never regretted it. I would, however, discourage anyone from having one anywhere that isn't really easy to cover up. You never know what situation you might be in that requires you to hide it and you'll be completely stuck if you can't.

Melly20MummyToPoppy · 25/08/2011 15:25

My friend had one done a while ago, it starts on the top of her foot and works it's way up to halfway up her calf. She regretted having it almost as soon as it was completed!

itsallgoneabitMrBloom · 25/08/2011 15:26

I dont like tatoos I will be honest. As people have said they date.

Having worked in health I have seen some very dodgey tats, the ink goes smudey over time and what might look nice on fresh young skin normally looks not so nice on baggy old skin!
I was on the beach the other day and an attractive lay was there with a lovely figure. She had rose design that started on her back then trailed down her legs in a kind of thorn design, it looked like she had awful varacosed viens on her tanned legs.
I work with someone who has a loads and wears long sleeved tops even in high summer so not to show them as even though they love, them they feel they look unprfessional.

ToothlesstheDragon · 25/08/2011 15:28

i have 3, one on my arm and one on each shoulder blade. If she really knows what she wants or has some meaning to her, she should go for it. I love my tattoos. Im a bit of a fangirl about things so have 2 Lord of the rings themed tattoos and 1 harry potter. I can hide all my tattoos if i need to, most tattoos can be hidden.

Agree with the other poster mentioning going to a good tattooist. Tattoos can be works of art, or they can be terrible, the same design can look good or bad depending on the skill of whoever inks her. Make sure she goes to a reputable tatooist.

monoid · 25/08/2011 15:30

A friend of mine got a tramp stamp saying "princess" in big pink letters when she was 16 (her Mum went with her ) and she hates it now... only 3 years on.
I have a different friend who has a few tattoos now. She designs one. Then she sticks it on the fridge for 6 months, so she has to look at it every day and decides if she still likes it.
I suppose it would be more difficult to decide if you like a swiggle up your leg as much though...
Maybe ask her to wait for a length of time and see if she still likes the idea? How long has she been considering this?

Sofabitch · 25/08/2011 15:32

I don't regret any of my tattoos. Well only that I didn't just go for it and do them properly instead of the tiny ones I got at first.

She may regret she may not. As long as it's somewhere she can cover it with an item of clothing and doesn't contain a name then she should be ok.

Huffythetantrumslayer · 25/08/2011 15:34

I have 2 tattoos. I deliberately chose places where they could be hidden if I wanted to. Tell her to get one where she can cover it up if needed to start with before getting one on her leg. I think that might look odd? Or she could get something delicate on her foot I think that can look nice but not her leg. And she needs to think about it long and hard not just do it on a whim. I love my tattoos and don't regret them but I wanted them for years before I got them do e and really love the designs.

WhereYouLeftIt · 25/08/2011 15:43

I do like the look of tattoos but have never had one for the simple reason that I don't think I could love it forever. I'm sure I would get bored with it and want a different look - and I am as far from a fashion victim as you could get, but I still could not countenance doing something to myself that was PERMANENT. Especially where it would show when dressed 'normally'.

Couldn't your niece consider temporary/henna tattoos instead?

ragged · 25/08/2011 16:11

I think most tats, to look good in the long run, need maintenance; they'll need new inking to keep the colours bright and not go all smudgey.

Just keep in mind that there's a lot of interest in "tattoo removal" on the Internet. So plenty of folk do regret them.

escapeartist · 25/08/2011 16:25

I have three very small, very discreet tattoos. I had them done over several years and they each mean something to me.
However, I am also a professional (head of department +teacher) and I made sure that all of my tattoos can be hidden at work (one on my lower back, one close to my bikini line and another on my wrist on the side I wear a watch - all small enough to be hidden if needs be).
It is important, if she does decde to have a tattoo, that it can be hidden if she ever needs to hide it - most jobs (from waiters to office jobs) require you to look professional, which means no visible tattoos. It would be a shame for her tattoo to get i nthe way of her dream job in 5-10 years. :)

Fatshionista · 25/08/2011 16:26

I have tattoos, my first at 20 and I don't regret them as they are personal to me. I have more planned which are also personal.

Whatmeworry · 25/08/2011 16:28

Tattoos always seem like a good idea at the time, but a lot of people in my experience regret them 10 years later, in a different lifestage.

If she just has to have one, better to make it one that is covered by normal working clothes.

PinotsWolefCubs · 25/08/2011 16:31

I'd like a tattoo.

HTH.

SouthernFriedTofu · 25/08/2011 16:33

I have a female friend who is very pretty and has flowers up her back.

They are stunning- but she designed them so they are special and very pretty. She is somethign of an artist so it was easy for her to do and "means something".

You also can't see them in any way when she is dressed formally or for work. I think tattoos should be for the person who wears them not for the world. Your neice would be wise to remember that not all jobs will be happy with her wearing a skirt if they can see her tattoo. Fine if you like trousers and don't get too warm I guess! She may also want to wear a mid length dress at some point to a formal function (wedding, reception, anything) a squiggly line up her leg might ruin it.

pictish · 25/08/2011 16:34

I think tattoos have become passe.
I always used to want one, but never found the very design I could honestly say I'd love for the rest of my life, so never got around to it.

I'm pretty glad about that because nowadays it's individual NOT to have any. They are ten a penny these days. Everyone and their dog seems to have them.

Celtic and tribal designs (while lovely), are so 90s now, and look really dated. the latest trend seems to be foliage of some sort over the foot or up the calf - those are the next decade's tramp stamp.

Remember folks - as soon as Robbie Williams does it, it's over.

bakeyouhappy · 25/08/2011 16:38

I have bribed all my children with large sums of money to not get a tattoo before age 25. Not because I dislike tattoos, but because I think it is so easy to make a decision you will regret (for all the reasons pointed out here) when you are young. Now just hoping to have money before anyone turns 25 :)

HairyGrotter · 25/08/2011 16:38

I had my first tattoo done at 13, and still look at it and smile despite it being mishapen and faded. Happy days.

I don't regret any of mine and I have them on the inside of my forearms. Some will regret them, some won't.

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