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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Did something spontaneous... now regret and feel stupid!

244 replies

cavycavy · 26/09/2018 20:16

So I am a very sensible, professional, 39 year old mother. I’m not (totally) boring but I’ve never really done anything really spontaneous.

But at the weekend I decided to be spontaneous and get a TATTOO.... so I got a very small one on my lower back of a bluebird.

The picture I took in was a black line drawing, similar to that you would see in an old nature book. Kind of sketched but realistic.

Went to the best tattoo shop in town and checked out the artists work. All looked amazing with loads of nature pictures. On Facebook he had countless rave reviews and a few people a know who have tattoos confirmed his good rep. He appeared totally confident and I booked in to have it done the following day.

So in a go, and he does it. It’s very small (50p sized) and it hardly hurt at all.

He told me to keep it wrapped for 1 hour then uncovered or very loose clothing until fully healed. Wash/cream etc.

Firstly, I’m not that happy with it but it’s hard to know what it will look like when fully healed. The proportions of the bird look a bit off and very different to the picture I took in and the transfer he printed off. Also the skin behind the tattoo immediately become very red and sore and all the lines became really swollen so I couldn’t really tell what it really looked like even straight after.

Since then (4 days later) it has become even more red and swollen. It actually looks like it has been drawn by a child with black felt tip!

Looking at all his other tattoos the lines are so thin and precise! There’s a tiny spider (literally about the size of a 20p) and you can see the individual hairs!!

Anyway, have seen a practice nurse and a GP today who both confirmed it is definitely not infected or an allergic reaction, I just have delicate, pale skin which has effectively been injured by the tattoo.

However, I still totally regret having it done! I feel like MASSIVE wanker for thinking I’d be spontaneous, not doing any proper research etc, only for it turn out a bit shit.

The few people I have shown have said “oh that’s lovely” but I can tell they are just being nice bless em!

Anyhoo... my AIBU question is:

AIBU to go back and ask to have it corrected? Can it even be corrected? I have since learned of an amazing artist in a nearby shop who apparently can work magic so is it worth going somewhere else... ? The only problem is, I can see they are friends on Facebook....

The other thing is my tattoo artist posted pictures of all the other work he did that day but not mine!! He obviously wasn’t that proud of it! :(

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
LydiaLunch7 · 26/09/2018 20:37

In for pics

DailyMailFail101 · 26/09/2018 20:38

We need a picture!

sorryimgettingemotional · 26/09/2018 20:38

I’d wait until it’s healed, you can’t do anything about it until it has anyway, you probably just think it looks bad because it’s swollen.

Elphame · 26/09/2018 20:38

It does sound very tiny. Mine is bigger than I'd had in mind but the tattooist said it wasn't possible to get the detail I wanted if I had it any smaller. He was definitely right.

LydiaLunch7 · 26/09/2018 20:38

Have you researched the normal healing process, OP? Because a lot of what you described sounds very normal, just that you obviously weren't prepared for it. I'm sure a quick google will show you what tattoos usually look like in the few days/week after they've been done, and then you can compare it to yours.

GlitteryFluff · 26/09/2018 20:39

Oh that's a shame.
It's horrible if a tattoo doesn't turn out how you expected.

SpoilsburyToastGirl · 26/09/2018 20:39

Most decent tattoo artists have a fairly long waiting list so I would think that anyone who could fit you in spontaneously probably isn't terribly good.

Gigis · 26/09/2018 20:43

I suppose one of the fun things about being spontaneous is that sometimes you get a good story from it! At least yours is more interesting than the standard 'I was 18 and bored'. Hope it heals better than it looks now

Vonvon222 · 26/09/2018 20:46

My skin reacted the same and also on my lower back. That was 9 years ago and it's still slightly raised. I forget I have it most of the time to be honest. Give it some time to heal, it might not be as bad as you think.

Original poster
cavycavy · 26/09/2018 20:47

Ok, I’ll be honest. I slightly lied about what the tattoo was of and where on my body due to being paranoid about being identified. I really don’t want to offend the artist. Also, I think some of my work mates are on mumsnet and they would know immediately that it’s me! Lol

It’s actually not a bird but is another living being and is not on my back but is on my foot. It is the size of a 50p though, the the head/body proportions are wrong, and it looks all chunky and thick.

I’m putting bapanthen on it.

I’m so embarrassed by it. Don’t really want to post a photo! And what if the daily mail do a feature on this post and the whole U.K. sees it?

(See how I’m over thinking this?!)

I will wait a few weeks and then reassess.

At least it’s on my foot so will be covered until the summer.

I like that some people have even learned to love their rubbish tattoos. Maybe I will learn to love this weird swollen blob.

OP posts:
AuntBeastie · 26/09/2018 20:49

I would definitely see how it is when healed, it might turn out ok!

FissionChips · 26/09/2018 20:49

If the tattooist has done a shit job then why would you care about them being offended? Confused

AlphaBravo · 26/09/2018 20:51

Wait until its healed fgs. Tattoos can take 3 weeks to heal if not longer.

Original poster
cavycavy · 26/09/2018 20:51

Well yes exactly.... so now, AFTER the event and some more actual research it turns out the guy in the other shop has a really long waiting list. He announces a booking day and people literally queue for hours just to be booked into his diary.

I’m such a twat!

OP posts:
Trumpelina · 26/09/2018 20:52

healing process

Neenook · 26/09/2018 20:52

I can really relate to you! Professional 45 year old, have always been very outwardly conservative but harbouring a secret rebelliousness...after my Grandmas's death I decided to just get on and get that tattoo I had been thinking about on and off for years. I can be very impulsive and just booked it and went. It's on the inside of my wrist.

Some days I love it, other days it makes me cringe slightly (what was I thinking)...
Also slightly bigger than I thought it would be and I regret not having it at more of an angle - palm up its offset which I like but if I wave or have my palm facing forward its very central and I don't think it looks right.
Have to try very hard some days not to obsess about it.

No advice really except it represents my impulsive streak (which I rather like and inherited from Grandma) and reminds me of the need to grasp every opportunity, not to toe the line or be hung up on what people think and not to judge by appearances.
😉💐

Fiffyshadesofgreymatter · 26/09/2018 20:52

It could be totally fine once healed and not distorted by swollen areas. And maybe, because your skin damages easily so was swollen, that's why he didn't post a picture of it. Since people would just notice the swelling.

If it doesn't all look good once it's healed, you at least still have it as the proof that you can be spontaneous. That you don't need to plan everything and stick to it. It's nice to have a reminder that you can let loose.

Original poster
cavycavy · 26/09/2018 20:52

Ok will be patient and give it 3 weeks before passing judgement.

It’s just embarrassing to show people in the mean time!

OP posts:
GlossyGlossy · 26/09/2018 20:54

Give it time to heal before you freak out. If there's alot of swelling it'll take time to go down and your tattoo may look a bit distorted in the meantime.

If you're still unhappy with it once healed go back to the artist and discuss what you're unhappy about - a decent artist will talk with you about what's gone wrong and touch up/make small adjustments without charge.

Original poster
cavycavy · 26/09/2018 20:56

Neenook and Fifty

Thank you! And I do like that I was spontaneous and for a whole day my attitude was FUCK IT.

Now, I’m being the total opposite obsessing over zoomed in pictures of it.

It I could cover it with a sock that would be better but it’s still quite raw so think it needs airing.

OP posts:
safetyfreak · 26/09/2018 20:57

If you still not like it after its healed, then go to that good tattooist and see if he can help fix it for you.

Bimgy85 · 26/09/2018 20:58

Of course you would not be unreasonable to go back and have it corrected. You're entitled to a free touch up anyways. He won't have a problem I say

Original poster
cavycavy · 26/09/2018 20:58

It’s so good to hear it can be corrected or touched up a bit. I’m pretty certain it would be easy to correct the bit I don’t like by adding on a bit. Or maybe by adding something else like a flower....

OP posts:
Hodgehegg · 26/09/2018 20:59

Urgh I did this too. Mine was really shit. I put up with it for a few years and then chose a tattoo artist with a really good reputation to cover it up-except the cover up is much bigger than the original and to be honest I'm not even 100% keen on that! Basically just don't look at it (& be proud that you were smart enough to go small!)

xrebekah · 26/09/2018 20:59

Redness and swelling is normal, aslong as its not hot or oozing (infection). I would wait a few weeks to see how it's healing and go from there.

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