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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How many of you regret getting a tattoo?

28 replies

Vagabond · 09/08/2012 22:47

I have always been equally repulsed but fascinated by tattoos. I loathe really visible ones like on people's necks or huge sleeves of ink, but I still kind of envy them for their nonchalant approach to permanence and general skin deterioration. Still get judgy-pants though. It's a twisted envy which I appreciate makes me a weirdo....still.

I'd love a tattoo but can't think of anything permanent enough to want to etch into my skin without it being gobsmackingly awful.

OP posts:
UKSky · 09/08/2012 22:54

Each to their own. I have 3 tattoos, none of which are generally visible. Each means something important to me.

Yes they will fade, but the better the tattoo artist, the longer they will last. My first tattoo is 20 years old and still has brilliant colour.

MakeItALarge · 09/08/2012 22:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mangomadness · 09/08/2012 22:59

I love my tattoo, it's deeply personal to me and is incredibly special. My late fiance and I designed it before he was killed. It's unique and I had it done 3 weeks after his death. I love it, when I see it, I am reminded of the night we spent designing it.

Glitterknickaz · 09/08/2012 22:59

I like the ones I have now.
I regretted a couple I had done in teenage immaturity off a tattoist's wall, but my very good friend and talented artist has designed the most beautiful cover ups that are completely unique to me and I'll always love them.

Meglet · 09/08/2012 22:59

I have five small tattoos, all done approx 15yrs ago.

I regretted one within about a week . I still love the others.

Sirzy · 09/08/2012 23:00

I love mine, small enough and discrete enough to cover if I want to

SPsFanjoSponsorsTheOlympics · 09/08/2012 23:00

I have 2. One hidden on my back that I like but forget I have at times. I also have a visible one on my wrist that I'm not so keen on.

I want more though.

Cloudbase · 09/08/2012 23:04

Ah. I had several tattoos done on my upper arms when I was in my skinny twenties and was often complimented by men on my 'grooviness'.

Two children, a divorce, gallons of comfort eating and 5 stone later, I no longer look fey and 'groovy'.

I look like a docker.

I am hoping to remedy this by the end of the year, but in the meantime, it's lots of cardigans and long sleeves...

Original poster
Vagabond · 09/08/2012 23:08

What's an invisible tattoo? And if it's invisible, why are you not keen?

Love all the stories though. I think tattoos that are deeply meaningful (mango - so sorry for your loss) will never lose their meaning and will never be regretted. What do I know though, I'm too chicken-shit to find anything to commemorate on my ageing body!

OP posts:
Original poster
Vagabond · 09/08/2012 23:09

D'oh....visible! Never mind. Brain fart!

OP posts:
Krumbum · 09/08/2012 23:18

I really like my tattoo. I do not like how quickly it's faded. I need it going over again.
Even if I didn't like it as much it doesn't reasly matter. I forget it's there most of the time. I don't get when people hate them, just ignore it.

LittleBugsMum · 09/08/2012 23:24

I hated mine until recently. Actually I still hate it but my DS1 really likes it and is amazed that I have a picture on my back, he looks at it for ages.

I think they're called 'tramp stamps'. Nice.

angryfurball · 10/08/2012 03:11

I have two, one of them is completely meaningless so I will probably regret it one day but at the moment I still like it. My second was to mark my recovery from something and I actually regret that one because it only serves as a reminder of what I went through! I will probably get it covered.

Sharksandfishes · 10/08/2012 03:56

I regret mine, DH hates it and DS (3) keeps asking me who has dreamt on me!
I must have subconciously known I would regret it because it is on my hip where it can only be seen if I am totally naked (ie if wearing knickers it's covered)!Blush

Sharksandfishes · 10/08/2012 03:57

Drawn on me!!

HarlettOScara · 10/08/2012 04:18

I don't regret getting tattoos. I slightly regret the design of 2 of them and may have them covered up but they are well executed and not poor quality or embarrassing or anything. Mine are all placed to be easily covered by clothing so people only know I have them if I choose to reveal them.

I'd love another tat but cant decide on what to have or where to have it.

fragola · 10/08/2012 08:52

I had mine done about 17 years ago. It's crap and I hate it but I try not to think about it. If I had the money I would definitely get it zapped.

samandi · 10/08/2012 08:52

Still happy with mine, over ten years on. It's simple and can be covered if necessary. Positive comments over the years have far outweighed any negative ones.

Don't understand the attitude that you'll hate them when you get old - you'll be all wrinkly then anyway, what's the difference?

Ahhhtetley · 10/08/2012 08:54

I had mine done 12 years ago and dislike it now, it's on my back so people only really get to see it if i'm in a swinsuit so I can generally forget about it.

I have thought about getting it extended into something I like, BUT, i'm worried I'll hate that too and it will be even bigger then :)

catgirl2012 · 10/08/2012 08:55

I still like mine 15 years on

Although the one on my stomach looked a bit better pre DS [GRIN]

fruitysummer · 10/08/2012 10:14

Shit, this thread has just made me realise i've had mine for almost 20 years.

It's only small and on my hip and I do genuinely forget it's there. I'd like to extend it but it would still be hidden.

I love tattoo's and would like another one - either on my foot or the base of my spine.

I don't like tattoo's in certain places though which makes me a bit of a hyprocrite really

ArtyJennie · 10/08/2012 10:17

I regret mine (I got it when age 20) luckily its hidden. I have a tribal squiggle on my stomach- looks great on my 9 month preg belly (haha!)

PhoneyMEDALWINNER · 10/08/2012 10:20

I regret where mine is (tramp stamp) but not having it.

FanjoPingpong · 10/08/2012 10:24

I've had mine for about five years, and I love it. I got it to celebrate getting through a mental breakdown, and to help me with my depression. I also kind of got it as a way of 'reclaiming' my skin after being r*ped.

I'm looking forward to getting more.

rainbow2000 · 10/08/2012 12:02

I got my first when i was 17 and now im 39.I dont regret any of them as such but one or two id like to be covered up..I have 12 at the minute looking forward to getting my sleeve finished once i stop breastfeeding.

Dp has only 2 but would like more,the kids like looking at them and dp doesnt mind them.I suppose ive had them so long they just dont see them anymore.