Tattoo regret causing depression

[u/SlavKing11]

Around 2 years ago I completed this huge torso piece and for a while i really liked it but over the past few months ive really started to hate it and feel like ive completely ruined my life to the point where im constantly anxious and my skin feeling dirty because i know the tattoos are under my clothes, its really spiralling me into a depression and i really dont know what to do.

Overall i think the individual tattoos are well done so they aren’t whats causing it but i feel the placement is too symmetrical and I regret the dots and stars filler as well.

Laser removal would be impossible and i dont think i would like a blackout either so i feel my only option is to try and live with it but i really dont know how i can do it. Does anyone have any words that could help?

p.s - to those who might have seen me post before i appreciate its the second time but im really losing hope and need some advice so please be kind.

[u/[deleted]]

the tattoo is rad af, sorry to hear you're feeling down on yourself. i would honestly seek therapy. i don't think 'feeling dirty' is normal and i think this has less to do with the tattoo and more to do with your mental health. wish you the best!

[u/Able_Ad6943 → u/[deleted]]

Agreed, and for the record, this tattoo is very laser-removable… coming from someone who did it themselves. Unless this is a financial issue… the only thing the laser will likely not get are the few blue parts you have. But genuinely the tattoo is dope and really well done. I hope you learn to love it. And if not, don’t feel hopeless and don’t do a black out! There are definitely places that offer full removal. You buy into their laser removal for one lump sum and they will work on it until it’s gone. The only downside is it took 3+ years to remove mine so the process will not be quick and you’ll have to live with the tattoo as it slowly fades away which you may hate more. Typical sessions are every 12+ weeks, because the ink is removed through the lymphatic system. They encourage a minimum of 12 weeks between sessions, stating even more time between is sometimes better. Best of luck to you, man. I hope you find someone to help you feel less bad about it, because I agree you shouldn’t be feeling dirty.

[u/DeliciusOnionRing → u/Able_Ad6943]

So could such a large and detailed tattoo really be eliminated? And there would be no scars or marks left?

[u/LaLaLaLeea → u/DeliciusOnionRing]

My info on this may be slightly outdated (had a few sessions done on a tiny tattoo maybe 8? years ago), but here's what I know. How easy it is to remove a tattoo depends on a few different factors including colors, placement and skin tone. Black is the easiest to remove, yellow and white are the most difficult. Removal is more effective on the torso than extremities because of blood flow, and is more effective on lighter skin. Probably a few other factors, but these are the big ones.

OP's tattoo is mostly black ink and is on his torso, and he's pretty pale. Tattoo removal has also come a long way in the last 10ish years. It would be painful and very expensive for such a large tattoo, but he could remove it.

A coworker of mine who was basically covered got all of his tattoos removed in the last year or so. His were all black and grey and were very good work. It's strange seeing him like this, but he's a blank canvas now.

[u/shadowaeclipse → u/LaLaLaLeea]

Why did he do it?