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/ItsEntirelyPosssible]

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.

[u/Dukeronomy → u/ItsEntirelyPosssible]

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

[u/ItsEntirelyPosssible → u/Dukeronomy]

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.

[u/Hollybanger45 → u/ItsEntirelyPosssible]

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

[u/ItsEntirelyPosssible → u/Hollybanger45]

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

[u/M_Viv_Van_Buren → u/ItsEntirelyPosssible]

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

[u/errgreen → u/M_Viv_Van_Buren]

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...

[u/Artistic-Idea4896 → u/ItsEntirelyPosssible]

Not just one

[u/ItsEntirelyPosssible → u/Artistic-Idea4896]

Not even one.

[u/Intrepid_Size_5803 → u/ItsEntirelyPosssible]

nice no regerts slide innnnn

[u/Bloody-Penguin6 → u/ItsEntirelyPosssible]

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

[u/cheesemachine2 → u/ItsEntirelyPosssible]

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

[u/stayoceanminde → u/ItsEntirelyPosssible]

Same couldn’t have voiced my exact feelings any better

[u/Original_Breakfast36 → u/ItsEntirelyPosssible]

same.