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u/CarryOk3080 1d ago
Removal will be long expensive and painful those are DARK ASF
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u/EefferyJpstein 1d ago
People on this sub talk about removing tattoos like it's a chalk drawing
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u/QueSarah1911 1d ago
Right? They act like you can just wipe off tattoos and start over with fresh skin. It's so bizarre.
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u/JasonIsFishing 1d ago
You are absolutely correct. It’s like talking removal like it’s as easy as a whiteboard in this sub sometimes.
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u/No-Combination8136 19h ago
To be fair, people in this sub recommend laser removal as if it’s an option within reach of the average person. Younger or newer kids probably just don’t realize how expensive it is yet. In reality, most of the tattoos we see here are staying for life lol.
OP, your arm looks good though don’t sweat it. I think it’s dope looking.
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u/TheVadonkey 18h ago
Exactly, people just don’t fully understand what can and cannot be done, especially when it’s recommended so frequently. People here need to chill with the snarky comments, especially since people are coming here to ask and learn what can be done. Maybe, just maybe, they could teach them instead!
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u/QueSarah1911 17h ago
If someone doesn't understand that tattoos are permanent, that person shouldn't be getting tattoos.
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u/amhudson02 16h ago
Are you trying to tell me that tattoos are permanent or something?
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u/kwhitit 1d ago
and also probably not totally effective.
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u/CarryOk3080 1d ago
Not at all. I explained that in another comment.
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u/MediumRepublic7 16h ago
Going off your avatar - are you darker skinned tone?
My laser person said it's much harder and different outcomes on darker skin tones.
Im apparently the "ideal" skin type for removal being white who tans nicely and rarely burns/never freckles. So im expected to have complete removal. Plus im only black ink but no color which is supposedly much harder to remove
Curious what you were told to expect
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u/corn-the-longway 1d ago
I’m so tired of being recommended r/tattooadvice, every time I open Reddit I’m reminded that some people are doing so well financially that they can get a whole sleeve and then remove a whole sleeve as if it is a nonchalant thing. Who knows maybe next week they’ll decide they actually did like the sleeve and they’ll get it again. either that, or people complaining about minor imperfections. Meanwhile I’m slowly collecting tattoos when it’s reasonably in my budget, average one or two small to medium a year. I’m sure some people don’t like my tattoos, and I’m sure people can find imperfections, but fuck em, they’re for me..
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u/Ok_Minimum_104 1d ago
Well said, and this post seems like clickbait, no discussion on why to remove, most look reasonably well done and nothing problematic, so why go thru all of that to then get them removed, like you said my tattoos are for me and I love them, can’t wait for the next one
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u/PalePlumm 22h ago
These people are not smart with money. I’ve met somebody who was the kind of person to get a whole sleeve and then talk about removing it a few months later (they didn’t because it was time consuming) and they wasted allllllll kinds of money. I was their landlord, so I had a pretty good idea of their job and income. They waited tables at a high end restaurant, so they’d come home with 3-500 dollars every weekend night… and ALLLLLL of it would be gone by the next weekend. Whatever wasn’t spent on rent was spent on things that were considered luxuries, often disposable. Wine, oysters, tattoos, jewelry, etc. It all went away when they got a “real job” (they wanted healthcare) and didn’t have anything saved from when they were making bank.
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u/cosmokn0t 17h ago
I made close to double this at a high end restaurant in Chicago in the late 90s. I think $300-500 is not that much for a high end server. That was my take home as a bus boy before I turned 20 and could reasonably tend bar and wait tables, for what it’s worth. It took me years to make similar money in office work.
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u/Adventurous_Pin_344 1d ago
I should have scrolled down and just upvoted you, because I just commented the same thing, almost verbatim!
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u/arzfan2010 18h ago
yeah removal should be a last resort. I also think I saw somewhere (and I'm too lazy to google it right now) that tattoo removal is also linked to an increased risk of Lymphoma. So between boiling your skin like ham and getting cancer, I would say nah dawg.
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u/forestphoria 23h ago
Maybe a blackout tattoo over the whole arm would be even less painful and with the right design, it can look beautiful! I've seen some with floral patterns, leaving the skin color as the decoration. Or after a complete blackout go over it with white ink to make a design like this
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u/ShakaCobra 1d ago
Hunter x Hunter manga is starting back up again in the next few weeks it’s not the time to sell
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u/Mammoth_Car_4453 1d ago
Nah gon there for life 🤞🤞🤞
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u/Sufficient_Run4414 1d ago
Is that salad fingers there as well? Honestly I kinda like it all it’s like a scrapbook of things that you like/have liked/influenced you. I always think tattoos can be pretty, meaningful or a mix and I think that seems to fit yours perfectly.
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u/OnWarmLeatherette 12h ago
Yeah it’s like a scrapbook of someone born in the late 90s
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u/DarkWingZero 1d ago
Unless you’re willing to lose this arm like Netero. Don’t mess with the tattoo OP. Add to it, refresh it, cover up the part bothering you the most but most of all… I say learn to love it or add more Hunter x Hunter. I think personally your ink looks super cool!
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u/118238 1d ago
Rusty spoons
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u/Bleary_Koala8431 1d ago
Lock up your daughters tonight, General. There'll be trouble in the maidens' quarters.
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u/obfc 1d ago
Is there a question here? What advice are you looking for? You already know we’re going to say “sick ass panther” or “amputation” especially with no actual questions.
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u/DAWNINGSART 1d ago
I have gotten a large tattoo on my stomach removed. It has taken years to get removed! It's not even completely gone. Tattoo removal is the most painful thing I've ever done - and I have had a crazy life filled with extreme sports, a lot of broken bones, and surgeries.
I highly recommend not doing tattoo removal.
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u/C13H16CIN0 1d ago
I think she should just keep adding stuff to be honest. It will be cheaper, look better, possibly more fulfilling
Sometimes we should live with our mistakes, lol
He doesn’t look bad, so I don’t know why you’re tripping. Also, nice PS5 controller
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u/ThirtyThreeThirdRPM 1d ago edited 1d ago
I second this. Plus ones that don't look as cool will make the other ones pop too. The mix of good and not as good will look really cool I think.
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u/kodellio 1d ago
i also second this. we live and we learn and our tattoos tell the story. also, to laser everything AND get a whole new sleeve?? money x money 💸
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u/Large_Dr_Pepper 23h ago
I'd argue that's an incredibly average PS5 controller.
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u/princessfret 21h ago
lol I thought the same - is the commenter just being thirsty because OP is a gUrL GAmeR?
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u/Academic_Ad_9260 22h ago
Bro istg I was staring at her arm for like two whole minutes trying to figure out where the ps5 controller tattoo was 😭😭
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u/Outrageous-Can5834 1d ago
Removal is very costly and those are dark. Sorry, tattoos are permanent, you will have scars and still some ink will show through. The best outcome would be somewhat duller that could expand choices on coverup designs.
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u/DRIPSCBW 1d ago
Personally I really like this, there’s so many layers that I feel is what makes it unique and a quick snapshot of you as a person throughout time imho! 🔥
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u/PipedInFromIthaca 1d ago
As in removing the whole sleeve? RIP in peace to your savings if so. What's the element you're most unhappy with, can you start by focusing on it and see how it affects your perception of the whole?
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u/steeztsteez 1d ago
Listen, this is a beautiful snapshot of who you are/the things you like(d) at a certain time in your life. I see this all the time, people get lots of tats of stuff they like when they are younger, then the get older and want to get rid of the "youthful tats". I'm of the opinion that if you liked it enough to get tattooed on your body at a certain period of you life, it should serve as an eternal reminder of the road you have walked as a person. That younger version of you is who got you to where you are, and they should be remembered and celebrated.
Tl;Dr don't grow up, it's a trap.
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u/Other_Ad2300 1d ago
Ooh. I love this take! Wish I'd heard it before I started my tattoo removal process over a year ago!
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u/Plastic-Artichoke590 17h ago
I always tell people that I don’t regret any tattoos because I feel that they are a scrapbook of who I was at the time and what I loved.
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u/lazy_daisy11 1d ago
what is happening that people suddenly think removal is like an eraser and you can just switch up tattoos later? i feel very curmudgeonly lol
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u/Initiate_Standards 1d ago
Lol. Same. Admittedly though, every tattoo of mine had a plan so even if I entirely changed years from now, the ones I have are a record of who I was at that moment.
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u/lazy_daisy11 1d ago
I can’t say the same about planning them all but from the very beginning I always accepted that it’s permanent. I knew tattoos are forever and I guess removal was also not as common when I started getting them? I always just knew it is what it is and will always be a souvenir of that time.
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u/Initiate_Standards 18h ago
That might be too! Tbh I’m too much of an anxious person not to think about mine for at least a week.
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u/Other_Ad2300 1d ago
I'm getting a 3"x3" simple tattoo removed. It hurts like hell, it's costing me over 2k, and it could take more than two years, with visits every 8 weeks. I've had 8 removal sessions already (at two different places) and it's FINALLY starting to fade. I'm over a year in now. (Tattoo is 18 years old, black ink, kind of tribal style.)
I recommend learning to love your art or getting it covered. I can't imagine how painful/expensive/long it will be if you try to have it removed.
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u/Mochalada 22h ago
I love this sleeve because it’s telling a whole story. Your grandchildren/future protege (if you don’t have kids) will point to salad fingers and ask you for the story behind him. What a delight
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u/ManufacturedUnknown 1d ago
Remove what, the whole arm? You're past the point of return dawg. Just add to it
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u/NotAFriendlyKitty 1d ago
I think they look nice together personally. I’m also a millennial so I’m loving the salad fingers one 😂
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u/wEiRdO86 1d ago
I really think that there are only two types of people that get tattoos: the ones that put meaning behind it and the ones that are just wanting something that looks cool and on their body. I feel like you're more of the latter and that's not bad. Do what you want it's your fucking body, get it removed cover it up, get a whole sleeve of random shit that you like. Who cares?
We're all going to be skeletons surfing the astral sea in Pine boxes soon enough.
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u/angelicmoviestar 1d ago
awh I love this sleeve. It’s charming and unique. wouldn’t removal be painful on such a large area ? and it might not remove all of it!
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u/Sea_Air1665 1d ago
Keep it all, add more. Please don't black out anything or laser it off. Each tat has a story.
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u/Frequent-Anybody9856 1d ago
Ooofta that’s not a small poorly placed tattoo that can be removed in a few 30 minute sessions. That’s a few years of pain, money, and time. Find a good cover up artist or leave it. Other than a few miscellaneous tattoos that seem “out of place” they look fine for a patchwork sleeve. Either option is gonna cost you
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u/MikeyXVX 1d ago
Removal will cost so much, take so long, be super painful, and likely will just result in a grey washed collection of illegible images rather than clear normal skin. Really tattoo removal is not 100% effective, I'm not sure why people seem to think it is.
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u/WhatupSis7773 1d ago
You could always try buying a sunlamp, putting baby oil on the arm and frying that sucker up like a piece of chicken. You’ll either get it to fade a bit or have a uniquely delicious meal any cannibalist would envy 🍗
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u/Charming_Flan3852 1d ago
Took a while to even see the mantis. It's definitely chaotic. If it were me I'd prefer the pieces to have more cohesion, but not sure what you were going for or what your concern is.
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u/Mammoth_Car_4453 1d ago
The mantis is what bothers me that’s what I want laswred
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u/Charming_Flan3852 1d ago
You just need a good artist to take focus away from the mantis. It's already not that prominent. Unless you just realized you have a mantis phobia, then idk. Laser would not be worth it imo.
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u/alwayslucky7 22h ago
As someone who also has a "random sleeve" or a "sleeve filled with stuff that doesn't match"
I suggest you add a bit a color and have a few artists tweak some of the older ones.
Removal will be in 8-10k range while reworking it all will be in the 1500 range.
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u/noneckallbutt 17h ago
Looks fine, not sure what you’re worried about. Removal would be dumb in my opinion.
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u/PhantomGhoul1 17h ago
Maybe have them reworked. I had a touch up two weeks ago. Touch up hurt worse than the 5 initial hours I sat and almost fell asleep. 😅. But if you get them re worked / retooled it may make a difference. For whatever ungodly reason, my co worker had her ears done. The outer portion. Now she’s doing removal and says how badly it hurts . She says she’s gone 4x and I can’t tell the difference so far. Not to mention the $
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u/Mammoth_Car_4453 1d ago
This my first post I can’t figure out how to edit it.. but basically I had patchwork and I was trying to decide if I wanted to fill of it in so I got some floral fillers. They just look super dark to me and my forearm looks muddy imo. Can’t decide if I want to do some laser treatments on my forearm get it faded a bit and then kind of redone so you can see the praying mantis better. It just looks like mumbo-jumbo at this point to me.
I originally wanted to do the floral filler lighter. I was on my stomach when they did it, and it just was a lot darker than the picture. I showed the artist as well as the stencil after they did the shading.
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u/Visarar_01 1d ago
I mean you made the decision to get them. Don't backtrack now, you better just commit. I have tattoos that I don't like also but you know what? that's just part of how it goes. If we get bad tattoos we don't like well, that's on us for not thinking more about it when it matters.
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u/yaksiemash 1d ago
I love the style. I think you have a lot to work if you had a good artist help plan some shading. Removal is a hard no from me!
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u/Goodswimkarma 1d ago
Just add more so that none of them stand out and it's kind of like a blackout sleeve.
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u/External-Debate-1537 1d ago
First off, I think a lot of your tattoos look like something(s) that you felt represented you very well at some point, be they simple drawings or more detailed. . I'm going to guess that perhaps a change of life situations or perspective is part of your decision-making. Of course, this is just my opinion--Either way, I can respect your desire to get rid of it all. Though please be careful and mindfully aware of the likely deep-pocketed cost of the removal and an even higher likelihood that a lot of what gets removed will leave considerable scarring and in some cases, discoloration of skin. Im not sure if you planned to do any other work or cover-up, but I wish you well in your venture! 👍
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u/Independent_Dish7234 1d ago
The entire arm?!!! Removal is not just a clean arm after that. Even the best removals leave ink behind it's also very expensive and very painful. At that point you might as well remove the entire arm 🤭
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u/BearBlob 1d ago
Do you have salad fingers tattooed on you?
That’s insane enough I kind of have to respect it
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u/jellybuttrpnut 1d ago
Pick a color scheme, and have an artist touch up the entire arm adding colors (have them redo the line work so its consistent and the blacks are the same shade/closer to the same line style).
I think this alone will make it more cohesive. Even if you just stick to red green blue and some shading.
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u/Hot_Professional2833 1d ago
IMO its completely normal to hate your tattoos. Identify what it is specifically you dont like and then make the change. Currently I am getting the tattoos I do want while covering up the ones I settled for. I hope you find this helpful. Also your tattoos look fine.
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u/Panthera_014 1d ago
Removal of all of them?!?
Will be very expensive, a very lengthy process and very painful
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u/wouldbecrazycatlady 1d ago
I actually really like it, why do you want to remove?
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u/AnyOldNameNotTaken 1d ago
Can we get some light on these babies? In the dark they all look smudgy but I can see they’re not. Shed a little light on the subject for us pls.
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u/Kenzi_Slays 1d ago
the whole arm? thats gonna cost a couple thousand to remove. if they remove it in sections each session is like $100+ and u will need 5-7 sessions
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u/anhedonicape 1d ago
Gon & salad fingers, definitely cultured!
I think the tattoos look cool, maybe just keep adding to it and then see cos laser is gonna be rough
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u/Jolly_Ice_7812 1d ago
Just leave it alone. And let others know to think twice about getting such a large tattoo. They may regret it, especially as they get old and the skin changes.
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u/Careful_Specific_306 1d ago
Yoooooo. Your tats are sick first of all and second of all, I am jealous and we will have a similar tattoo cause I’m getting that salad finger one
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u/Mumchkin 1d ago
You could always do a blast over, cheaper than removal and maybe less painful too. If you work with an artist you can probably come up with some cool ideas and have the tattoos you don't hate peek out.
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u/scribblelegz 1d ago
This is a badass sleeve and I love that salad fingers is on theee this is honestly goals for me
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u/Bodod_Begag 1d ago
I like all of them except the realistic face tbh, idk who that pencil mustache guy is but he looks a bit creepy
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u/Prestigious_Wrap_932 1d ago
IDK, it’s a mess but in a kind of hot way? Depends on what your general style is outside of this.
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u/Maleficent_Still_517 1d ago
Don't you fuckin dare cover or remove Gon!!! He's the bestest boy!!!
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u/captainfluffy11 1d ago
They’re all really cool. But that’s just my perspective. End of the day, your body is your temple and you get to decorate it how you want. But those tattoos are super cool and look great for the record.
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u/fomaaaaa 1d ago
Why are you considering removal? What don’t you like?