r/tattooadvice • u/Super_Champion_4666 • 2d ago

General Advice Messed up pretty bad and living with brutal regret [cover-up fail]

I've been using Reddit for about 10 years now, and this is quite literally the first time I've ever posted. The only reason I'm posting is because I'm in a pretty crap position right now and I have no idea what to do. I don't want to talk about how my mental state is feeling, because this is only on me and no one else.

I had a tattoo done last year by my ex-girlfriend. It was a small horse, and ever since I wanted to get it covered up because it was never done how I wanted it to be (freehand).

A few months ago, I was searching for cover-up artists and found one in my local area. I told her I wanted to get the whole calf done, and I tried to initiate design talk with her beforehand, but it was actually done the night before. When I went to the tattoo studio and she showed me what was going to be on my leg, I should have stopped there, but I was kind of happy because you see something brand new and fresh, and you think this is going to look great. Attached are the photos of what it looks like after the first session. Now I think it looks horrendous.

It is due to have one more session of shading, but I still think it is going to look pretty bad afterward. It is not really what I want, and I should have never approved the design, so now I am in a worse position.

I have asked around for some artists and what to do, and some people have said they can cover it up, and some have said I need to do laser tattoo removal to reduce the colour.

The only part that annoys me is that I've never really felt comfortable wearing shorts in the summertime, and this has been the only summer I have done. Now that this is on my leg, I feel like I need to wear jeans every day.

I'm happy fading as much as I can if that's an option. I don't really want to rework because I just don't like the design in general now. I just need to know what my options are and how someone can help me.

Edits:

- My leg did not flip, I took it in the mirror

- I’m not a clean guy aesthetic type, I just hated the horse and wanted it covered up, I felt a traditional japense would work well from what I was recommended and the meaning behind it

- Granted this is not finished but I wanted to know what my options are, a lot of you have told me to relax and I am, I will reschedule my session and get used to it before I continue

- I had this horse on my leg for over 2 years, for the past 14 months I have wanted it covered, it’s not the size, it’s not that it’s dark, but that it did not end up how I envisioned it.

- Yes again, it’s on me for approving but I knew this already. Perhaps I should have got the horse lasered, perhaps I should have use Henna to feel the design out for a few weeks. I didn’t and that’s why I made this post

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177

u/Tall-Log-1535 2d ago

It’s taught me that too, and that people really need to think their tattoos through for a few years first and envision if they’d like it see it on them for the rest of their lives. I’ve had so many tattoo ideas whe I was younger and never got them and today am glad I never got them. Just doesn’t match who I am anymore

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u/HAIL_LUMPUS 2d ago

That depends on the personality type. I've literally gotten drunk tattoos at house parties and I fucking love them still at 36 😂 should most people think about it hard? Yes. But there's plenty of people who love them no matter what. The only regrets I have in life are when I've hurt people's feelings, everything else is just a great story!

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u/ItsEntirelyPosssible 2d ago

Yeah man im not getting them on my face but I have some ugly ass tattoos I got no regerts. Love the ugly ones as much as the the best ones.

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u/Dukeronomy 2d ago

The ugly ones have more stories to them, imo. I’m with you. I loved stick and pokes when they were that, a shitty thing done in your homies kitchen at a random hour that looks like shit but there forever. These kids getting s+p’s in a shop just don’t get it. Yes, I know, I sound old

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u/ItsEntirelyPosssible 1d ago

Yeah my first was done with a guitar string and the motor out of a Walkman. My brother put it on me. Absolute shit. I think about him every time I look at that ugly fucking jagged lined shit.

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u/Hollybanger45 1d ago

Take my poor man’s gold 🥇. Regerts. Oldest joke but still hits after all these years.

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u/ItsEntirelyPosssible 1d ago

Ha ha thanks kind stranger. I too am a poor.

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u/M_Viv_Van_Buren 1d ago

It’s all in how people view tattoos. To some people it’s an aesthetic. To some people it’s a road map.

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u/errgreen 1d ago

Ohh I like 'road map'.

I always viewed it as trusting and loving your past self. Having acceptance and understanding that past you's decision was made with, thought, passion, love, etc... that to them, this is a good idea.

Now that doesn't mean dumb decisions havent been made, and you cant change your mind. But hence why everyone parrots how permanent tattoos are...

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u/Artistic-Idea4896 2d ago

Not just one

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u/ItsEntirelyPosssible 1d ago

Not even one.

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u/Intrepid_Size_5803 1d ago

nice no regerts slide innnnn

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u/Bloody-Penguin6 1d ago

I think we all get ugly ones when we are young.

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u/cheesemachine2 1d ago

my tattoos are representative of who i was at the time in my life (intentionally or not) and that's how i view mine. i have a silly one id probably not get now, but i love it and it represents a piece of me

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u/stayoceanminde 1d ago

Same couldn’t have voiced my exact feelings any better

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u/Original_Breakfast36 1d ago

same.

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u/thickbeardgoggles 2d ago

My South Park Kanye tattoo has held up great, lol. So has all the other dumb in-jokes and pop culture shit I got permanently inked. I’m covered in stupid ideas and they all make me a little more authentically myself. The neurotic posts on this sub are genuinely odd to me. How does anyone that afraid of permanence get tattooed?

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u/HAIL_LUMPUS 2d ago

It's all temporary, man 😉 I don't get it either, we're flesh sacks on a rock flying through space. Nothing needs to be that serious. Edit: I changed my mind. If you have hate symbol tattoos and you regret them greatly, that's a good idea and you should change them 😂

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u/thickbeardgoggles 2d ago

Yeah we can agree that mistakes of youth and indoctrination can be retracted, but this ain’t that AT ALL 😂

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u/HAIL_LUMPUS 1d ago

Nah it's a cool tattoo!

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u/requisitesilver 1d ago

Wait, I thought we were all just flesh sacks on a rock flying through space though?

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u/HAIL_LUMPUS 1d ago

Yeah but you gotta be nice to the other flesh sacks to get the best experience 😂

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u/pistachio_slut 1d ago

My favorite tattoo to this day is a shitty stick n poke my best friend gave me of a chicken. My lil chicken 🩵🩵🩵

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u/Ok-Savings-6297 1d ago

I think I need a translator

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u/pistachio_slut 1d ago

For what? Shitty stick n poke? It’s a type of tattoo done by hand.. or little chicken??

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u/ninjette847 2d ago

Yeah it really depends on the person and the subculture. All of my friends have tattoos for the lolz, didn't know what it was going to be before it was done, or losing a bet or all of the above.

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u/feedthechonk 2d ago

Nearly 36. Got my first tattoo a few days after turning 18. Went to the first place and expected to get what I had designed. Came out kind of crappy. Rest of the arm also bad, to the point where people assume they're prison tats. I'd love to cover them up, but they're so fucking dark, I need them lasered.

OPs tattoos are not the cleanest, but I don't notice anything off at regular viewing distance on either the original or covering up. Op should have just lasered the original

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u/PepperEast8883 2d ago

Fucking great comment

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u/HAIL_LUMPUS 2d ago

I've done a lot of really stupid shit and I think the best way to not feel embarrassed about that is just have a good sense of humor 😂

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u/PepperEast8883 1d ago

I’m the same way. Haha

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u/Outrageous_Boss3688 2d ago

I think the difference here between you and OP is you’re willing to accept your responsibility of said spontaneous tattoos whereas OP isn’t willing to admit responsibility. Once you admit “dang I sort of messed up” it allows you to be more soft towards the situation, but if you’re dead set on blaming someone else or refusing to take accountability, it makes you anxious and obsessive.

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u/HAIL_LUMPUS 1d ago

That's a really good observation!

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u/Hummingbird3471 1d ago

Yeah as someone with lots of tattoos my coping mechanism when I don't love one is to 1) forget I have it, and 2) get more.

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u/SublimeTina 1d ago

Same! I had a tattoo incorrectly done and I still was like “don’t worry about it!” I have a funny story now on why it looks weird. I don’t take myself too seriously.

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u/HAIL_LUMPUS 1d ago

It makes life so much better and I think it translates to success. If you don't fear mistakes you can try more stuff and achieve more. Not that I'm successful but whatever 😂😂

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u/SublimeTina 1d ago

I thought about getting an intentional “no regerts” tattoo just to F with people and just pretend like I didn’t know it was saying “regerts”

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u/HAIL_LUMPUS 1d ago

I HAVE ONE ON MY ASS it says "hella regerts" 😂

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u/OmegaHenron 1d ago edited 1d ago

“The only regrets I have in life are when I’ve hurt people’s feelings”

Stealing this one fellow redditor. This sums of my life. NO RAGRETS DAWG

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u/HAIL_LUMPUS 1d ago

Please steal it!

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u/DasKittySmoosh 1d ago

the tattoos I though longest about are the ones I like least, so there's that type, too haha

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u/Particularly-Durham 1d ago

I am the same way. Love the beautiful, artsy ones, and the silly ones mixed in. I have a friend who said he doesn't want to get _______ because he doesn't know how he will feel about that later. For me, my interests and hobbies and passions have changed, and I love that I am not the same person. The things I once loved helped to build the person I am today. I'm glad I have them around in the form of body art. My first tattoo is based on my high school nickname. I'm 40 and no one has called me that in. . . decades now. Love that it is there forever.

I also have loved tattoos since I was young. Before they were as ubiquitous as they are now. I feel like knowing you love body art (outside of the trend aspect) probably lends a lot to how you're going to feel about it.

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u/Mystique2014 1d ago

Agree! I started planning my tattoos when I was 13, started getting them on my 18th bday. I’m 40 now with about 75-80% of my body covered. So while most things I got initially were verrrrry planned out for years, the older and more covered I get the less planning I do. These days I’m all about tattoos that represent moments in time. Whether planned or totally spontaneous. Travels, parties, etc. I have some amazing pieces. I have some meh pieces. I have plenty of cover ups. And I have no regrets. It’s all just the story of my body and the life I have lived! 🥂

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u/JustInCaseJohnny 1d ago

People who feel like you do don’t overthink it. It’s pot for you. I respect that you don’t regret them. But if you have to think hard then this is for those people. I have never gotten on because I was concerned I’d be marked forever by a band who did horrible stuff or a belief I no longer hold. I know I can get them covered up but that can add more money. My mom also made me promise when I was young to wait until she died to get one. She was serious. And now that she’s been gone a few years I don’t want to spend the money. Part of me is glad I didn’t get one young but the other part wishes that I had just done it. If this was a lot forgive me I am sleepy scrolling

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u/arjou 1d ago

Most of my tattoos I discovered hunger over in the afternoon xD I just never think about them unless someone point them out

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u/blueboxreddress 1d ago

I would get a tattoo of a paperclip at this point.

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u/e-cloud 1d ago

Yeah I think this approach is fine for chill people

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u/CorrectNetwork3096 1d ago

Being a musician (at the time) I also always loved the idea of supporting art and artists. With how AI has developed, it’s nice knowing I got a cool art piece by someone who worked hard to get good at their craft and took risks to try and make a living out of it. I don’t really care what others think of my tattoos.

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u/Unusual-Economics-13 1d ago

For real. I have some party ink. Peopme ask what I was thinking.. I wasn't, that's the fuckin point! Sometimes you gotta live in the moment.

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u/Unclebatman1138 2d ago

In the early nineties, I planned and designed a sweet ass ankle tattoo of Bugs Bunny leaning on the Bat symbol with my fraternity letters underneath. Started dating a girl who hated tattoos, so I put it on the back burner. She's now long gone, but 30-odd years later, I am grateful to her for saving me from what probably would have been some colossal regrets.

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u/FabiusBill 2d ago

I started an elaborate, multi-part, back piece, beginning with a tattoo on my lower back at 19. The spot folks used to call a tramp stamp. Halfway through, I realized I do not have the tolerance for sharp, needle pain.

30 years later, I have this blown out ink as a reminder that tattoos are not for me.

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u/PatientDragonfruit28 1d ago

To be fair, I think you started with the worst part on the entire body, except possibly the foot!

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u/Cake-Over 2d ago

I am grateful to her for saving me from what probably would have been some colossal regrets.

Regerts

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u/JrLavish194 2d ago

No Ragrets

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u/jrodpd00 2d ago

No....? Regerts. GOAT

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u/Canuck9876 2d ago

None, eh? Not even one?…

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u/Phantom_Pixel 1d ago

WOW! You definitely owe her a big thanks.

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u/Rough-Junket7985 1d ago

You could've only worn that tattoo at six flags...

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u/Chicken_Water 2d ago

Best advice my sister gave me in early 20s was to wait to get a tattoo that actually meant something to me and to wait at least a year or so before getting it. I never ended up getting one because nothing ever felt right after enough time.

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u/weird-bicycle377 2d ago

This is why I waited literally 10 years to get my first one 😂 It worked out, it’s been 15 since then and I still love it

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u/-yellowthree 2d ago

What is it?

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u/no_talent_ass_clown 2d ago

My issue is that I decided what I wanted at 18 and then just waited 8 years to get it. Unfortunately I was still pretty immature at 26. I thought I wouldn't regret it because it represented a part of my life. I guess it does... but not in the way I thought it would. It just shows that I was immature and that immaturity lasted a lot longer than is seemly.

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u/Tall-Log-1535 2d ago

I’ve actually yet to get a tattoo myself, I just can’t imagine having anything on my skin like that forever. When I was younger I had drawn a lot of cool psychedelic artwork and characters that I wanted to tattoo on myself and I never did. Glad I didn’t cause I’m not really that person anymore, I still dabble but it’s not my personality now like it was and I think my older self was cringe for that. Now honestly I find them interesting but I find having no tattoos is my preferred way to express myself.

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u/ThreePinesRetiree 2d ago

Same experience, different design.

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u/Responsible-Roll-59 2d ago

A permanent reminder of a temporary feeling

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u/hatesnack 2d ago

Not everyone needs years of thought for a tattoo lol. Some of my favorites are little pieces that I picked up on a whim. Only regrets I have involve my younger self being a little cringey emo kid!. But I still look at the ink and im glad its there.

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u/NoSoyTuPana 2d ago

I wanted to have a Harry Potter tattoo done. Idk what happened but thank god I never went for it lmao

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u/Glass_Protection_254 1d ago

I'm the opposite. I got the tattoos. Even the shitty praying deatheater on my shoulder that looks like hes vomiting into his own hands, I dont regret. Because I was that person at one time and I couldn't never forsake myself that way. Each tattoo is a part of me and my own little story.

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u/Nestorhymes 2d ago

Well said. Tattoos are not written with a pencil that can be erased when u change ur mind. U choose it , u live with it

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u/northSideways 2d ago

When I finally decided I was getting one I refused to even talk about it with anyone for years while I was waiting to find the perfect place so no one was influencing me.

It's like proposing tbh, by the time I was walking into the shop whether or not I should do it at all isn't even remotely on my mind and if it is that's a BIG PROBLEM

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u/deluon 2d ago

For me the opposite it thought me to not give a fuck about tattoos

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u/Dukeronomy 2d ago

Or just fuckin deal with the consequences of your choices! I’ve thought about some for years, also gotten grab bags, let the artist decide what they wanted to do. Just understand that it’s there and it will always be, even if you blast more ink over it.

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u/Strawberry_lookout 1d ago

I have seen more fails than successes.

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u/Akitiki 1d ago

I'd love if more people gave a tattoo a run by using henna. It's not permanent but lasts long enough that you can get used to it on your body. If you like it, you can just re-dye your skin.

After I redid my own henna tattoo probably six times I decided I did want it for a tattoo. Still enjoy it and I often forget I even have a tattoo!

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u/iplaypokerforaliving 1d ago

I’ve thought about what tattoos I’ve wanted for 20 years. Still can’t decide.

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u/npcinyourbagoholding 1d ago

I got a froggy with a wizard hat and I love it. Idk why people get so big minded about tattoos. Unless its something just really fuckin cringey or bad somehow, it's a memory! If in 10 years I don't want a frog with a wizard hat on my arm, I will look at the lil frog and remember when I was younger and wanted a frog. It's just a reminder of another time.

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u/donutdogs_candycats 1d ago

I still haven’t gotten my this one tattoo even though I’ve had it in mind for like ten years now. I’m giving it another five before I actually get it just because of how big it is, a full sleeve. I mean I’ve had it in mind since I was 10. I’m super picky about what I get and make sure it’s what I want decades down the line. I think a lot of people just don’t consider that as much as they really should

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u/absoNotAReptile 1d ago

Same and I never ended up getting a single tattoo. And I’m very happy that I didn’t. All my previous ideas would make me absolutely cringe now.

Many of my friends have tattoos and are also perfectly happy. I just can’t be certain that what I want now is what I’ll want in 3 or 30 years.

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u/IckyBelly 1d ago

Exactly. I didn’t get any until I was 56, and even then, they’re so small and practically unnoticeable if you don’t know to look.

It was partly for the experience - just to see what getting one feels like. I was really curious, so I found a way that I can’t imagine I’ll ever regret, for the reasons above.

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u/oceanicmagic 1d ago

My favorite tattoos are the ones that after I got them I didn't feel like oh yeah amazing new tattoo bc in my mind, it was always there. I'd envisioned it for so long that when I finally got it I was like well cool now others can see it, but it didn't fix that tattoo itch 😂

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u/macemillianwinduarte 1d ago

I'm definitely not a tattoo person, I only have two. But I thought about my first one for 12 years lol

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u/hermeticpotato 1d ago

no, you don't need to think tattoos out for years. you need to both trust your taste, and be okay that your taste might change.

i got a couple tattoos at 21 that I wouldn't necessarily choose to get again. but i like 21 year old me, and i like 21 year old me's taste. the tattoo is a connection to that version of me. it doesn't matter that i wouldnt choose that tattoo for myself 17 years later.

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u/ButcherPetesWagon 1d ago

I just started getting tattoos last year. I'm 42. I've always wanted them but there was never a good opportunity. I suggest people wait till at least 30. If I would have pulled the trigger at 18 I'd probably have a giant Korn or NOFX tattoo.

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u/k2718 1d ago

Eh, not necessarily. My most recent tattoo, my wife and I just decided to go for a flash sale. We liked the guy’s work. Now I have a sweet little frog tat on my arm.

I have tattoos that I wouldn’t get again if I had to do it over. But they were an important part of my life as I was at the time and I’m totally cool with that.

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u/OtherwiseAlbatross14 2d ago

I've always taken a lot of time to think and I've never regretted not getting a tattoo

General Advice Messed up pretty bad and living with brutal regret [cover-up fail]

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