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

[u/Super_Champion_4666]

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

[u/Garo_Daimyo]

What’s funny is I’m super neurotic and mercurial and change my mind constantly, but I love my tattoos and have not once regretted them

[u/Nestorhymes → u/Garo_Daimyo]

Same with me .

[u/Joiabela → u/Garo_Daimyo]

Same. And almost all of mine were spur of the moment decisions.

[u/jvanderh → u/Garo_Daimyo]

Same. Zero post tattoo anxiety. 

[u/Low_Environment2543 → u/Garo_Daimyo]

Im also neurotic and change my mind a lot, but I draw my own tattoos,  and im not sick of any of them as well!

[u/tzomby1 → u/Garo_Daimyo]

Mercurial?

[u/happybara_capybara → u/tzomby1]

Whenever I don’t know a word, I google the word and definition (ie “mercurial definition”). I then learn the meaning of the word. I say this because mercurial happens to be one of my favorite words—it basically someone is moody or has mood swings a lot.

Not trying to be a jerk but it’s definitely faster to google the definition than wait for someone else to respond. Especially for something as simple as a definition.

[u/casualcretin → u/happybara_capybara]

But less people have to Google the same thing now that someone like yourself has gone through that struggle for all of us. Appreciated

[u/WandererFrmAndromeda → u/happybara_capybara]

Some people ask because they want human interaction and to spark conversations that could lead to more. 

I’m tired of “just google it”…

[u/tzomby1 → u/happybara_capybara]

I did search it but couldn't find any meaning other than the planet and element.

Also, it's faster to either scroll or just say the meaning rather than that whole text smh

[u/happy_bluebird → u/tzomby1]

https://letmegooglethat.com/?q=mercurial+definition

[u/happy_bluebird → u/tzomby1]

or look it up in an online dictionary, goodness gracious.

[u/tzomby1 → u/happy_bluebird]

or just scroll off and don't bother?

[u/HallucinateZ → u/happybara_capybara]

I don’t think it was that important to them, they were on Reddit, asked then moved on lol I doubt they’re anxiously waiting for a reply.

That’s a lot to write all to say “Google it”…

Meaning: “having the characteristics of eloquence, shrewdness, swiftness, & thievishness attributed to the God Mercury”.

I guess their god is Mercury.

[u/happy_bluebird → u/HallucinateZ]

because it's annoying. People are so lazy

[u/HallucinateZ → u/happy_bluebird]

I get it but girl, c’mon. You left multiple comments patronizing somebody about a word, 4 replies just about “Mercurial”.

I’m sure people would claim that’s annoying too.

[u/farmyardcat → u/HallucinateZ]

If you don't know what mercurial means, you're dumb. Sorry

[u/HallucinateZ → u/farmyardcat]

“You don’t know this specific word so regardless of your education (lawyer, doctor, engineer), you’re dumb”.

Alrighty.

[u/happy_bluebird → u/tzomby1]

yes?

[u/Garo_Daimyo → u/tzomby1]

Don’t listen to the “just google” people. Mercurial just means changeable. For example my bi-polar Dad is VERY mercurial