Tattoos

decembergrl2014 · January 2015

I've wanted a tattoo for the past few years, but was always nervous about it. Last week my friend got one and the artist did a great job. The place she recommended is right near my work, and they give free consultations. I went today, and I went to the artist that she went to. He was very nice, the place is clean and he gave me a good price. My friend said she would go with me. Do any of you have tattoos? Do you regret getting it, or do you love it now as much as you did when you first got it?

charlottesmom0626 · January 2015

It's really a decision you need to make on your own...if you aren't sure, think about it a lot...maybe try a temporary tattoo in the area you're thinking so you can see how you feel about it during your normal day.

That being said, I'm currently in the process of removing a tattoo I got when I was 19. It's a terrible, painful, long, expensive experience. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. It hurts a million times more than getting the tattoo, is taking a million times longer to get rid of, and is costly.

Make the decision that is best for you- but don't think to yourself "if I really hate it I could just get it removed" it's definitely not that simple.

charcoalandblush · January 2015

I have a lot of tattoos. One on each foot, one on my ribcage, one between my shoulderblades, and one on my hip. I don't regret any of them. Maybe I'll change my mind in 30 years, but I love them. They're a part of me, and they tell a story about where I was at different points in my life. And honestly, they're just pretty. (Although that I know is very much a matter of personal opinion)

DF's sister said she regrets hers, but it is a very large tramp stamp that she got when she was like 19/20. I would probably have regretted it too. She's the only person I've heard express regrets, and it seems like it was kind of just a huge impulse decision.

hellosweetie1015 · January 2015

I have four and I have never ever regretted any of them.

I always say you should know you want it, but two of mine are spur of the moment ones so even I don't take my advice. It's good advice in general though, especially if it's your first one. I mulled over my first one for a year until I finally got the design right in my head. My third one, I considered for a whopping six years before it came to fruition.

Then there's the Hallows on my calf/ankle area. I think I decided on that one in maybe two hours. But Harry Potter was - and is - such a huge thing in my life that I knew if I ever started getting tattoos a HP reference would be my second one.

I love tattoo threads. I get to show mine off. I have a "respectable" (read: fuddy-duddy) job, and on top of that, right now it's cold. The only one that gets out in the air is the rose, and no one ever sees the rose. It's well hidden.

jdluvr06 · January 2015

I have seven and I dont regret any of them.

mlg78 · January 2015

I have a butterfly tramp stamp which 8 million girls seem to have but I got mine for my 30th birthday to signify new life since I was going through a lot of changes in my life at the time and each color in it I chose for a specific reason and it was designed by a family member so it has a lot of meaning for me. A week before our wedding my husband paid for me to get another tattoo on my foot for my birthday. I got my dad's signature "Lots of hugs & kisses, Daddy XOXOX" which he'd signed on dozens of cards during my childhood. I got it on my foot so he could walk me down the aisle. It hurt like hell but I absolutely love it. I highly doubt I'll get any more.

mrscomposer · January 2015

I have ten, one of which is a cover up of the only one I've regretted (and not really even regretted - I got out of the phase of 'Chinese characters are cool' and realized that I'm not Chinese. I still like the meaning behind the tattoo itself).

My advice to my brother, every time he thinks about getting one - figure out what you want, and then draw it on you (or have someone draw it on you). Live with it in a temporary fashion for several weeks. Take a picture of it drawn on you and have it as the background on your phone. Or, tape a picture of it to you and take a picture of that. Look at it often. If you get tired of seeing it, there's your answer.

levioosa · January 2015

mlg78 said:

I have a butterfly tramp stamp which 8 million girls seem to have but I got mine for my 30th birthday to signify new life since I was going through a lot of changes in my life at the time and each color in it I chose for a specific reason and it was designed by a family member so it has a lot of meaning for me. A week before our wedding my husband paid for me to get another tattoo on my foot for my birthday. I got my dad's signature "Lots of hugs & kisses, Daddy XOXOX" which he'd signed on dozens of cards during my childhood. I got it on my foot so he could walk me down the aisle. It hurt like hell but I absolutely love it. I highly doubt I'll get any more.

That made me choke up a little.

VulgarGirl · January 2015

Is this a tattoo you've wanted for awhile? Or have you just wanted a tattoo period for awhile? If it's the first and you like the artist work, go for it. If it's closer to the latter have the artist sketch it out on paper for you and then keep that for at least 6 months. If in those 6 months you still think about it/look at it/want it, go get it. If you forget all about it, then don't get it.

I like my tattoos, all of them, for various reasons.

lurkergirl · January 2015

charlottesmom0626 said:

It's really a decision you need to make on your own...if you aren't sure, think about it a lot...maybe try a temporary tattoo in the area you're thinking so you can see how you feel about it during your normal day.

That being said, I'm currently in the process of removing a tattoo I got when I was 19. It's a terrible, painful, long, expensive experience. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. It hurts a million times more than getting the tattoo, is taking a million times longer to get rid of, and is costly.

Make the decision that is best for you- but don't think to yourself "if I really hate it I could just get it removed" it's definitely not that simple.

@charlottesmom0626 I would love to hear more about your experience! (Color, size, location?)

I also have a tattoo that I got when I was 19 that I regret getting and plan to get removed.

Part of the regret is that I just don't like it. The other issue is that my skin just doesn't scar all that well (something I didn't really realize at 19), so like in the winter when my skin is dry, all my scars are always extra itchy--including the tattoo.

ETA: Ditto @magicink I don't mean to be a downer about tattoos because I know many people who love their ink, but that was yet another problem for me. I had wanted one and toyed with some ideas, and then just spontaneously went through with it on my 19th birthday. Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb!!!!!!

decembergrl2014 · January 2015

This is the one I want to honor my dog, Candy that I had growing up. Unfortunately I don't have her actual paw print, but this will do. I told the artist I wanted some color put in, and he's going to put her name on top also.

Yes, this will be my first tattoo. I wanted one for a really long time, but I wanted something that was meaningful to me.

@mlg78‌, that is a beautiful way to honor your father. That choked me up too.

Gustafson28 · January 2015

I love my tattoo but it is in remembrance of my grandmother/grandparents. Its two large swallows on my right shoulder blade. Its beautiful and I always get compliments, even from "people who don't like tattoos".

It really is a personal decision but if its something you'll love years from now because of the memory associated with it, go for it.

larrygaga · January 2015

I've always wanted one but it's too big of a commitment.

I've drawn a phoenix for my sister to take to the tattoo artist. It turned out better when the tat guy did it.

charlottesmom0626 · January 2015

Delete because mobile. Grrrr

charlottesmom0626 · January 2015

@lurkergirl‌ what do you want to know girlfriend? I'm really open about this experience because I tried to find a friend or anyone that could help me figure out this process.

My tattoo is a black ink outline on my left side (rib cage). I got it done when I was living in Australia, and those Aussies must love their tats because this fucker will not come off. My removal guy says that there's no regulated ink,so all of it reacts differently to the laser.

I've had 6 sessions done so far...it's fading but I don't think everyone would notice. Here's a close up of one of my stars. I had it done two weeks ago, so it's still scabby. By the time it's time to go back for another session (every six weeks) that shiny/scabby skin is back to normal.

lurkergirl · January 2015

charlottesmom0626 said:

@lurkergirl‌ what do you want to know girlfriend? I'm really open about this experience because I tried to find a friend or anyone that could help me figure out this process.

My tattoo is a black ink outline on my left side (rib cage). I got it done when I was living in Australia, and those Aussies must love their tats because this fucker will not come off. My removal guy says that there's no regulated ink,so all of it reacts differently to the laser.

I've had 6 sessions done so far...it's fading but I don't think everyone would notice. Here's a close up of one of my stars. I had it done two weeks ago, so it's still scabby. By the time it's time to go back for another session (every six weeks) that shiny/scabby skin is back to normal.

AH! I was hoping you'd say it took long because it was big and colorful. Mine is a tiny tramp stamp, all black. I want to start getting it removed after the wedding (May), but we also want to start TTC after the wedding/by the end of this year, so I'm afraid I'll start and then have to stop, which I feel like is not how you're supposed to do it? So it may be a few years out before it actually gets done.

Thank you for sharing!!

I may PM you sometime if I have more questions!

charlottesmom0626 · January 2015

TBH: my removal guy is baffled and says like 99% of black ink tattoos would be gone by now. Just my luck. But I'm sure yours will fade faster!

Also they're kind if exponential if that makes sense? He said with one session you will continue to experience fading for up to one year, but the majority of fading occurs within 6 weeks. So each new session builds upon what you've already done. You can stop and start whenever.

jenna8984 · January 2015

I have six including my half sleeve. No regrets at all, even the tramp stamp from when I was 18. Love them all. Plan to get my future kid's names.

mikenberger · January 2015

I have 5. One on each wrist, front left shoulder and each shoulder.

The ones on my wrists are terrible lol but they're a great story. The other ones are much better and on pretty proud of them.

Just never get a tattoo after breaking up with your boyfriend of 5 years, who hated tattoos

you'll end up with something... Amazing.

Gregandheather2013 · January 2015

I love tattoos. I have 4 and I love them all. I already know my next 3. I'm getting one with my brother and sister. My daughter is going to write her name for me and I will have them tattoo that on me. And last one I know of will be one w FH after our wedding.

HeatherKat · January 2015

Super pumped for a tattoo thread so i can show off the new ink FI got me for Christmas! Pic below is my newest one--- it translates (loosely) to "Love came in disguised as friendship". (He forgot to cross a T. Only complaint I've got! I'm going to have him add some shading to the laurel wreath, too.)

I've also got a cat going down my back right between my shoulder blades, a shamrock on my hip, and a watercolor magnolia on my shoulder.

falsara · January 2015

I have one. But me, my sister , and our two friends who are basically related to us got them all together in the same place. We all are milItaly brats and we've been friends since 8th grade when our families were stationed overseas. We wanted a token of our friend ship as well as a reminder of the places we've been.

decembergrl2014 · January 2015

I made my appointment for next Thursday evening. I wanted to do it this weekend, but we're celebrating SD's bday. My friend is going to come with me. They serve wine there too, so if it really starts to hurt, the wine and my friend will be nice distractions.

jenna8984 · January 2015

That seems sketchy...alcohol with tattoos is a no-no

decembergrl2014 · January 2015

I didn't know that. Okay, I'll forego the wine then

VulgarGirl · January 2015

Yeah alcohol thins the blood. So technically you could bleed out. Slim possibility but it could happen.

We make people sign waivers saying they aren't under the influence of drugs or alcohol. And we don't work on anyone clearly drunk/high.

hellosweetie1015 · January 2015

Yeah every one I've gotten came with a waiver that I had to sign that asked, among other things, that I wasn't under the influence of anything. I didn't know that about alcohol raising the risk of bleeding out though, I just figured it was to keep people from making stupid decisions and blaming it on the shop for tattooing an incapacitated person.

I told my mom when I was 18 (in 2006) that I wanted a tattoo in memory of my friend. I didn't get it until 2013. If I'd gotten it in 06, I would have eventually regretted it.

novella1186 · January 2015

I have 9 tattoos but I've been worked on 17 times and technically I have 10 tattoos (one is covered by another). I regret none of them, including the one I got myself for my 18th birthday more than 10 years ago. The ONE I do regret-- the one that's covered-- was a spur-of-the-moment thing at a shop I didn't research with an artist I didn't look into who did horribly shitty, poor quality, atrocious work, and did not even do what I asked. So yeah. Fail to do your research and you pay for that.

I've been tattooed by many different artists, though, all over the country, and I absolutely love all my [visible] tattoos. Would not undo them for anything. In fact I've been looking into getting another one. As long as what you're getting is personal to YOU (and not some trendy bullshit that means nothing to you, like a tribal band or some lame douchey bullshit) and you know you want it forever, and the shop is legit and the artist does good work, you're good to go.

ETA re-reading this it may not make sense but whatev. Vodka. Sorry.

[Deleted User] · January 2015

novella1186 said:

As long as what you're getting is personal to YOU (and not some trendy bullshit that means nothing to you, like a tribal band or some lame douchey bullshit) and you know you want it forever, and the shop is legit and the artist does good work, you're good to go.

This. I have three tattoos, one of which is a tribal tramp stamp. It's the only one I regret because it means absolutely nothing to me. When I got it I was just going through a weird time and just wanted a tramp stamp because my friend got one and I always thought they were cool. Now I can't wait to remove it, even though I am dreading the pain and expense of doing so.

wandajune6 · January 2015

I did something similar to what @MagicInk suggested. I wanted a tattoo for years and years. Eventually, I went to a shop and had the tattoo sketched out. I dated it and put it on the fridge. My thought was that if I still wanted it after 6 months, I go ahead with it. It took me several years of changing my mind. I even gave up on the idea of getting one.

About a year and a half years ago, I got an idea for a tattoo on my drive to work. I called DH/then BF and told him my idea. He took me to a place he liked that night and I got my first tattoo at the age of 34. No regrets.

I can't take a picture of it but I have "Carpe Diem" on my rib cage. One of my big fears about tattoos was the super-conservative field I work in. This is incredibly discreet.

But now I want another. My current thought is a water-color flower (either a pansy or a ranunculus) somewhere on my back.

novella1186 · January 2015

wandajune6 said:

I did something similar to what @MagicInk suggested. I wanted a tattoo for years and years. Eventually, I went to a shop and had the tattoo sketched out. I dated it and put it on the fridge. My thought was that if I still wanted it after 6 months, I go ahead with it. It took me several years of changing my mind. I even gave up on the idea of getting one.

About a year and a half years ago, I got an idea for a tattoo on my drive to work. I called DH/then BF and told him my idea. He took me to a place he liked that night and I got my first tattoo at the age of 34. No regrets.

I can't take a picture of it but I have "Carpe Diem" on my rib cage. One of my big fears about tattoos was the super-conservative field I work in. This is incredibly discreet.

But now I want another. My current thought is a water-color flower (either a pansy or a ranunculus) somewhere on my back.

Yeah, I think this is why I've avoided tons of ugly tattoos I'd end up hating (besides that one mistake). I think about it for months and months, and then if I'm still sure I want it, I draw it on me in black sharpie and look at it for a while. Thank god, cuz that saved me from getting so ugly, regrettable stuff. If you draw it on and hate it, it's a pretty clear sign that you should not do it.

Last summer I was considering getting a canoe paddle on my arm (because it has a lot of meaning to me and where I grew up). When I drew it on I realized it could easily be misconstrued in a lot of ways, plus it kind of just looked dumb. So I didn't do it.

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