Do you regret your tattoos

[Moominfan]

Been wanting a tattoo for years but I know I'm a fickle soul. I'll go through a phase of wanting a certain theme and it passes. I'd like a tattoo for a tattoos sake, but would hate to regret it. Does anyone regret their tattoos how long did you wait until you decided on one?

I only really regret 2 of them.Ones a whale and woodstock.But they have faded somewhat and should bee easy enough to cover.So i will do that when i have some money because i want some big pieces.

But overall i dont regret them.

I regret one of mine. I was 18 and I didn't go to a very good artist. It put me off for a long time. I'm 28 now and have had another last year which I love and I will be getting more.

Do lots of research into the artist, pick one with a style you like. Look closely at their work for things like even lines and good shading. There are some exceptional a tattoo artists out there, don't settle for anything less and you will get something you are unlikely to regret. Be willing to travel and pay a bit more for quality.

Once you find an artist who's work you truly love, give them a general idea of what you want, which of their pieces you like the most, and let them do their thing and design you something. Eg. I found an artist and I really loved the birds they did, so I asked them for a bird.

My advice is don't be tempted to just get something small either. Get something the right size to work with the area and design.

Have a look at the "UK top tattoo artists" instagram

Yes I regretted mine. Had a dragon going down my spine and a chinese symbol on my belly that got all misshapen when I was pregnant! I had them both lasered off over a period of two years. It was much more expensive and much more painful than having them done in the first place! I now just have a small Prince memorial tattoo which I'm happy with I would have more in the future but would have to be really certain of them...

I should also say that while the designs were spur of the moment, I had researched shops in our area for the ones I liked the work by and made sure they all had good reviews etc. I wouldn't just walk into a shop willy-nilly and get a random design.

I got my first when I was 14 and have gone on to have several quite large tattoos. I have a beautiful bright floral sleeve, a large cult movie tattoo, a personal piece that my kid drew for me for mothers day and I see it every day and every single day it makes me smile and remember how much I am loved. I also have a few others. I love them. I have had one covered up but that was because I wanted another in the same place. Currently thinking of getting a feminist tattoo but dithering over designs. All of mine are well done and have lasted beautifully. I am 40.

I remember when tattoos were for people like Hell's Angels, Maori warriors and Henry Rollins. Now every boring cunt is covered in silly doodles.

About the only tattoos (on people who aren't actually in a tribe or something) I don't judge are those commemorating the death of a child. That's not the sort of thing you'll look at 20 years later and say "What was I thinking? I don't even care about that person anymore."

@JustGettingStarted

Yes 100% hate them!! I'd love to get rid of them, I'm just glad I got them in places I can cover

Sadly my talents lie elsewhere wizard

Not at all. I have 3 on my back and one on my shoulder. I forget about them most of the time to be honest!

I have them for personal reasons and they are all original designs.

My advice would be to start with something small, and have it placed somewhere that's easy to cover. People at work are always really surprised to find out I have tatts.

What are they? Why do you hate them return?

I regret the placement of one of mine, but not the actual tattoo. It's of my DS heartbeat but I wished I'd had it put elsewhere.

Yes, so much so I had it cut out (I did a post on AMA about it). For me it drove me mad. And I feel ridiculous even admitting to it now! But having something on myself I ended up not liking drove me round the bend.

I have another one I love, which is just as well really, because its not in a suitable excision area.

So - think very carefully!!!

No, I adore them

DH would love a tattoo but doesn't know what of just knows it would have to be custom, he's clean skinned because of this.
I've got 4 but have had 6...2 are cover ups of ones I had young & grew to hate & had lasered at some great pain. I love all the ones I have now.
Basically if you're not sure then don't.

No. And i have over 80% of my body tattooed. (And did before it was trendy!).

No, I like them, but now that I’ve done it the “yeah let’s get a tattoo!” thing has worn off a bit. Almost like something I wanted to do, I’ve now done, and I forget about.

My DS likes them

I got mine when I was 18 - I had been out all night and me and a friend went straight to the tattoo parlour when it opened. I chose the first thing I saw on the wall. I immediately regretted it - I got it on my shoulder and I didn't wear a vest or strapless top ever. A few years ago (about 20 years later) I got it removed. It was incredibly painful and expensive but definitely worth it. I can wear strappy tops again!

Just

My “silly doodles” make my lovely DS smile and mark special memories for me, I couldn’t give a toss if you think they’re boring!

I've told my DDs to be different and not get any.

I'd be interested to know what all these tattoos will look like in 30-40 years. Probably big black splodges. Everyone will be queuing to get them lasered off.

I have quite a few small ones, easily hidden. I regret one purely because I could have used that space to put something so much better and now I don't have the spare cash to get what I would like by a decent artist.

I have 7 so far, from my foot to the back of my neck. Got my first at 19 but still don't regret any of them as they all have specific meaning. I have at least another 4 planned when I can afford them. People say when i'm 90 i'll regret them...if my tattoos are the only regret in my life by that point i'll take that as a win

Not in the slightest but mine were never “spur of the moment” tattoes - all were carefully planned.

I have had a cover up on my leg from a small to a massive piece because the original got damaged