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Tattoos

Thinking about a tattoo or piercing? Find inspiration and advice on our Tattoo forum.

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Original poster

I have tattoo regret and it's making me depressed

16 replies

Poppet626 · 21/08/2023 15:14

Hi All,

I am suffering really badly with tattoo regret which sounds silly really.. I tell other people and they just say 'well why get it then?' well I wish I didn't. I liked the idea of it and saw how many women looked sexy with tattoos and was chasing a physical identity I now realize isn't me at all.

I have a few tattoos, I only regret one of them. I have two big ones on each forearm. One I got of some roses year ago which I don't love but I don't feel regret or any feelings about it at all. It's pretty and I'm happy to have it on my body. The other one I got two years ago during a rough time in my life.. its a tree which kind of morphs into a woman. It covers my whole forearm, it's huge and it just doesn't look feminine. With both inner forearms tattooed I feel extremely masculine, I feel like I can never look classy, I always look tacky when my arms are out and it sounds crazy but It almost gives me a dysphoria feeling, it makes me cry and feel ugly.

I want to state that this is in no way me saying that woman with big tattoos in these areas look how I am describing myself, I think many women look amazing with tattoos which inspired me to get them - I just hate the look on myself.

I know you can get laser removal done which I have looked in to but it's very expensive, and takes years. I understand that if I want it gone then I need to suck that up but I earn a minimum wage and I fear that my other finances would severely suffer if I committed to this, and they would suffer for a long time causing me more anxiety/stress etc.

I don't know what sort of answers I'm looking for here.. maybe somebody that feels the same way. It's not an easy thing to admit but it's having a big impact on my self esteem and my body image.

Peace and love to you all.

OP posts:

SaulsShitCar · 21/08/2023 20:05

Bless you OP.

Where does your thinking about it looking masculine come from? Lots of us have arm tattoos, you're female I assume? I'm just wondering why you consider it to look masculine.

Do you have many tattooed friends? Has someone said something negative to you? I'm not judging or discounting your feelings, I'm just wondering where they came from.

Are you generally happy with your appearance? Would a cover up to adjust the appearance of the tattoos make you feel different about them?

lovenotwar149 · 30/08/2023 14:01

Bless you OP. I am considering atm getting my first ever tattoo. I visited a tattoo shop today in fact. I think I would steer towards changing my perspective on it if I were in your shoes. Maybe think of it as 'a part of you' that you can learn to love. I am doing this with a part of my body that I have covered and criticised internally for a long time. In changing my perspective towards this part of my body , I interestingly DONT cover it like I used to and dont shudder when I see it in the mirror now and it doesn't disgust me anymore. Isn't that interesting. I can accept it now. Hope helpful :)

minion98 · 30/12/2023 22:20

Hi,
I read your text and I can totally relate. I have the exact same problem (also female).
It‘s so hard, especially in summer. I‘ve been dealing with it for several years now.
I know how you feel. If you read this, I would be very happy.

Best wishes!

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 30/12/2023 22:26

Would you consider getting a few sessions to lighten in and then get a different tattoo over it that you prefer?

OwlWeiwei · 30/12/2023 22:40

Tattoos are so popular these days I don't think many people would think they prevent you from looking classy.

Have you tried experimenting with lots of different looks, some which totally cover up the tattoos and some which show them off with great confidence? IMO one way to make this work is to pick a very classy outfit then add a slightly alternative or arty accessory that pulls together the very chic look and the tattoo.

You could also try waterproof, long-lasting concealers designed to cover up tattoos

JingleSnowmanTree · 30/12/2023 22:45

Is it actually the physical tattoo that's bothering you though, or is it what it makes you think of/remember?

Scarletttulips · 30/12/2023 22:49

Try some cover up make up when you have your arms out? See how it makes you feel then.

Superfoodie123 · 30/12/2023 22:50

I feel for you OP. I have a tattoo I hate too, luckily it's hidden away most of the time but I got it when really young and I regret it, its not me, i hate it so much. If I were you I'd save a little every month, even if it takes a couple of years before you get the cash you might feel a little better about it

May09Bump · 30/12/2023 22:57

You could cover it with specialist makeup and maybe like the other poster said save up each month until you can laser it off.

ANightmareBeforeChristmas · 30/12/2023 22:57

It sounds as though you perhaps have body image issues and are focusing them on the tattoos, rather than the tattoos in reality making you look masculine. So many women have similar, I honestly don't think you will look masculine.

Try to separate the issues - you no longer like the tattoos, rather than no longer liking your body - and look at what you can practically do to change/disguise/remove the tattoos in the short and long term.

Spendysis · 30/12/2023 22:57

Can you get makeup to cover it up?

PuffyShirt · 30/12/2023 23:00

Tattoo removal does not take years.

I had a tattoo removed and it took maybe 4 months.

AloneIsGood · 30/12/2023 23:26

You can get some good cover up creams these days. Maybe that is an immediate temporary fix?

Otherwise maybe see them as part of your journey through life and that they tell a story?

There's no quick fix other than covering up, unfortunately. Save for laser treatment?

fourelementary · 30/12/2023 23:30

Start saving and take heart in the fact it’s winter and covering up is easier? Perhaps look around the home to see if you’ve some bits and bobs you could sell on Vinted to make some cash? Or look in charity shops to see if you could buy to sell wee bits and bobs here and there?

Try to see if there are regular outgoings you could skip to put towards the tattoo removal fund, such as takeaway foods or even coffees, unused memberships, wasted foods etc… you may find you make some positive changes in the process of saving for your change.

AuntySueDoesntGiveAShit · 30/12/2023 23:33

Do tattoo removal places do payment plans ?

HarlanPepper · 01/01/2024 10:21

I felt similarly about a big forearm piece that if I'm honest with myself, I didn't like almost immediately after it was done. A few years later I ended up getting a big 'blastover' sleeve right over it, but that's only an option if you like even bigger/bolder tattoos! Problem was solved for me but I appreciate not for everyone. Sorry to hear, it's no joke, it can really affect you.

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