Regrettable Tattoos and the Journey of Removal
In the highly popular tattoo removal community on Reddit—r/TattooRemoval—countless users share their tales of ill-considered choices and offer mutual support throughout the lengthy, agonizing, and costly removal process. Reading through the numerous accounts of severe depression and social anxiety caused by subpar tattoos is a somber experience and should be compulsory reading for anyone contemplating getting inked for the first time. Two crucial lessons? Ensure you're completely content with every detail of the final draft, and never ink a partner's name.
Below, six women disclose the background of their most regrettable tattoos, the reasons for ultimately choosing to have them removed, and the mistakes they vow never to repeat.
A Deformed Horse
“I currently have seven tattoos, but this was my initial one, acquired at 18. I simply strolled into a tattoo parlor with my college roommate and requested a silhouette of a galloping horse on the back of my neck. The artist presented me with some stock image options from Google, and I promptly selected the one that seemed most appealing. The idea of a horse wasn't entirely random – I grew up horseback riding and always yearned for a tattoo of my own horse, Curly, yet at that time, I was oblivious to how to find an artist whose style I fancied and collaborate with them on a personalized piece.
“I can't even recall inspecting the outline on my neck before he began the tattooing – I believe I merely relied on my roommate to ensure its proper positioning. Once it was completed, I loathed it instantly. It was far more substantial than I had envisioned, and the horse was overly plump, with a strange, udder-like abdomen. However, I wasn't overly distraught. I found it somewhat amusing how poor it was, and it became a source of jest among friends... they'd draw a unicorn horn on it or a tiny stick figure riding it. For the most part, it was effortless to disregard.
“Approximately six years later, while working as a beauty editor, I received an offer to test the new PicoSure laser with Dr. Roy Geronemus, and thus, I decided to remove the tattoo. The sessions were nearly pain-free, as he injected lidocaine around the area before laser treatment, but my neck was sore and burning for a few days afterward. It was an extremely time-consuming process – I think I underwent 10 sessions over the course of 14 months. It's still not entirely vanished, but I'm now contemplating getting the custom horse tattoo I should have obtained initially, over it.” – Alix, 30, New York City
My Ex's Band Logo
“My most significant tattoo remorse is a total cliché – my ex was into music, and the worm was his logo. I was 23, and we'd been together for approximately four years. We had a colossal argument about a week before I got the tattoo – I got it as a sort of peace offering. I think I was attempting to convince him that I truly liked him, but perhaps I was also attempting to convince myself. I deliberately didn't get [his] name, just in case…
“The experience was rather amusing, as I brought our baby into the tattoo shop – I assumed he would sleep. The staff was horrified and, in retrospect, it was a crazy place to take a baby, but I was unaware of what was socially acceptable. In the end, the receptionist sat with the stroller and my son slept, so it wasn't an issue.
“After my ex and I split up, the tattoo constantly reminded me of him, so it had to go. I've only had two sessions with the Spectra Q-Switch, and I'm astounded by how much it has faded. I was informed I might require up to nine sessions, but I anticipate [considerably fewer,] given how effective it has been thus far.” – Alexandria, 30, Perth, Australia
A Sleeve of Mythical Creatures
“I initiated the construction of a sleeve on my right arm in 2002. All the images originated from the book Faeries by Brian Froud. Brian Froud's work was featured in many of the shows and movies I grew up with. He was the conceptual designer [who] collaborated with Jim Henson on The Dark Crystal and The Labyrinth. I desired my artwork to connect me to those enchanting and creative memories of my childhood, so I created a sort of family portrait with mythical beings.
“I think I adored the concept of my tattoos, but I never truly appreciated the manner in which it was coming together. I wish I had dedicated more time with a single artist to consolidate the vision before commencing. After 10 years of contemplation, I resolved to have it removed.
“I was quoted 16 sessions for complete removal, at $400 per session – anything exceeding 14 sessions would be complimentary – but my body is responding exceptionally well to the process. This is, to a large extent, due to the age of my tattoo. I'm currently at four sessions, with another scheduled in September. My sessions last approximately two hours using a Q-Switch laser, Evo Q Plus-C. It's excruciating and costly, but for me, it's worth it to achieve the desired outcome.” – Shelley, 38, Troy, Ohio
A Floral Crescent Moon
“I obtained this tattoo to cover up another one. The original was a tiny crescent moon – but it was so minuscule that the corners completely distorted and it resembled more of a jagged toenail clipping than a moon. I decided to have it covered because I reckoned, if I was going to have something on my body permanently, I wanted to ensure I adored it (spoiler alert: OOPS).
“I've always been fond of what the moon symbolizes. It provides us with a reflection of the sun while the sun is on the opposite side of the Earth. It serves as a reminder that even when it gets extremely dark and circumstances are adverse, there is still light approaching, even if we can't perceive it. So I had it reworked into a cluster of black and gray flowers that was loosely designed to resemble a crescent moon as well. To be candid, I was never entirely convinced of it, which should have been a cautionary sign.
“I began to regret my tattoo before the artist even finished. When the outline was completed, I requested a brief bathroom break. I peeked at it in the mirror and thought, Oh man, removing this is going to be a pain. I don't even know precisely what's wrong with it. The artist did an excellent job, it's a very pretty design, and it's precisely what I requested. I guess it's just a case of cold feet.
“I returned to the chair and informed the artist of my feelings, and she inquired if I wanted her to shade any portion of it to make it more wearable while I decided on the next steps. There was a sunflower in the middle where the original tattoo was concealed, so leaving without shading would result in a sunflower with a peculiar crooked moon within it. So yes, I asked her to shade it to make it wearable, but nothing excessive. She was actually very understanding and didn't appear offended at all. She even stated, 'If you truly don't wish to wear it, you have options. These things aren't as permanent as they once were.'
“For the next month or so, I experienced fluctuations, [from] despising it to loving it to hating myself for getting it, and being generally very frustrated with my choice. I simply dislike its size and how dark it is against my extremely pale skin. I wouldn't even allow myself to look up removal for a while, because I was so frightened the [doctor would] assert I was stuck with it forever. But I eventually did and had my first PicoSure session in March. I will likely require at least eight to nine more. Each session costs $200, so this will likely cost me $2,000–$2,500 in total.” – Rose, 25, Philadelphia
My Ex-Husband's Initials
“I was 40 when I got my tattoo. For our 10th wedding anniversary, I decided to ink my husband's initials, in hot pink, on my ring finger. It was a surprise and he adored it, but we've been divorced for approximately a year now. All I can advise people is, Don't etch your husband's name on your body. After four laser sessions, it wasn't fading, as it was hot pink. My doctor decided to cut the skin where the tattoo was and stitch it up. It cost $600 and took three weeks to heal. It was undoubtedly worth it.” – Kimberly, 48, Sterling, Virginia
A Bundle of Violets
“Prior to this tattoo, I already had two others – I got the first when I was 17 and the second when I was 18. To resist temptation, I've sworn to get only one tattoo per year, or else I'd be covered in ink before I turn 20. My other tattoos are relatively small, perhaps a centimeter or two in size, and located on areas of the body that can be easily concealed for future career purposes.
“Given the average tattoo shop minimum [in Montreal] of $120, it was worthwhile to actually have the next two done simultaneously to save some money. I researched tattoo artists in my area for approximately two months and found one that I truly liked. But once everything was nearly finalized, they simply stopped responding. I felt disheartened and impatient, so I chose an artist [who] was available and whose style was similar to what I desired. I sent reference photos for both tattoos: one was a year written in a font reminiscent of Times New Roman, to be placed on the back of my upper arm, [and] the other was a bundle of lavender and violets, to be inked on my ribcage. They were for my dad and mom, respectively.
“I arrived at the studio, and the artist showed me the sketches they had created. I was thoroughly satisfied with the year tattoo, but the flowers just weren't what I had in mind. I mean, they were beautiful but nothing like the sketches I sent. I desired something more delicate and much smaller. As someone who struggles with social anxiety, which hinders my ability to assert myself, I simply nodded my head and said, 'Let's do it!' Even while they were tattooing me, I was already considering the cost of removal. I felt numb. I simply couldn't muster the courage to say 'Stop.'
“I left with a crushing sensation in my chest, with 'What have I done?' reverberating in my mind. I showed my mother the tattoo dedicated to her, and she said, 'Are those truly violets?' She informed me that I should've obtained the year she was born as well, to match the one for my father. This merely intensified the regret and guilt I felt. But I cared for it properly and waited for it to heal. I only ever saw it when I showered; otherwise, it was hidden beneath my clothing. I simply couldn't bear to look at it in the mirror. After months of deliberation, I decided to research tattoo removal.
“I completed my first PicoWay laser session about a week and a half ago. My goodness, it hurt. I even applied numbing cream before the appointment, but it failed to shield me from feeling the laser. The technician informed me that numbing cream can't numb deep enough where the laser penetrates. The technician predicts I will need at least 10 sessions for complete removal. I might have it partially removed and cover it up. I managed to secure a decent half-off deal at the clinic I chose, approximately CAD $850 + tax for six sessions. Nevertheless, the price is approximately five times higher than what it cost to get the tattoo done.” – Nora, 19, Montreal
