Last night I tweeted about tattoo removal and received a good few tweets, all of which evolved into a rather insightful and truly interesting conversation. I have a lot of thoughts, feelings, advice and general tales about tattoos and would also love to open the floor to those who didn't get the chance to weigh in via Twitter.
If I could offer one piece of advice in regards to tattoos, it would be to think long and hard about the design; what you think is wonderful and cool at 18 may come back and haunt you a few years down the line. Trust me.
I got my first tattoo at 18 - a dinky, intricate crown on the back of my neck/top of my back for no other reason other than I liked it. I personally don't think that every tattoo requires deep and meaningful purpose, I do however think that you should spend more than 15 or so minutes debating on what essentially may be marked on your body for the rest of your life. I also have musical notes behind my ear and a tiny butterfly on my leg - again I settled on the concept in the moment. For the record I still like my crown, most likely because I can't see it and the butterfly is pretty cute - the musical notes I utterly hate and can not wait to get them removed.
I got my first tattoo at 18 - a dinky, intricate crown on the back of my neck/top of my back for no other reason other than I liked it. I personally don't think that every tattoo requires deep and meaningful purpose, I do however think that you should spend more than 15 or so minutes debating on what essentially may be marked on your body for the rest of your life. I also have musical notes behind my ear and a tiny butterfly on my leg - again I settled on the concept in the moment. For the record I still like my crown, most likely because I can't see it and the butterfly is pretty cute - the musical notes I utterly hate and can not wait to get them removed.
If you are keeping count that brings us up to three tattoos - I also have a selection of lucky charms, a name on the back of my neck (I hate this more than I hate life), a tiny anchor and the number thirteen on my foot. The vast majority of my tattoos are tiny - no bigger than the size of a stamp which does make them a little easier to forget about and as such they don't bother me. The tattoo on the back of neck is another story, I loathe it and rue the day I ever went under the needle. The problem is that it is visible, I can't hide it and if I am entirely honest I am a little embarrassed by my choice. I must stress that I don't feel this way about neck tattoos in general, I have made too many poor ink choices to be in the position to judge anyone else.
The consequence of such hasty decision means I am now stuck with a tattoo I hate, or face further expense on laser surgery to remove the tattoo or perhaps even a cover up. Personally I have decided a cover up is not for me for two reasons: there is no other tattoo design I want on my body and location wise (behind my ear and on the back of my neck) would most likely make this neigh impossible - so laser it is. I have done my research and as such I am under no illusion, I know it will hurt and be both a lengthy and costly process. I will be documenting the process in both video and blog form, for the moment I am simply deciding the best place in Glasgow to undergo such procedure. I do like to keep in mind that even beautiful celebrities such as Zac Efron have weird and wonderful tattoos - #Yolo on his hand. Then there is the man who tattooed a McDondald's receipt on his arm and of course the T.V star with an all too real impression of Jayden Smith on his leg. Basically we are not alone ha!
This post is not to talk anyone out of a tattoo, a poor design choice that you will grow to regret yes but tattoos in general no. If you are about to get your first tattoo don't walk into your nearest studio, rather set aside the time and do your research - look at portfolios, get recommendations and find the best artist and studio for your needs. Do not be rushed or pushed into any tattoo, a good tattooist will take the time to explain not only the process, but will let you know any pro's and con's of your tattoo positioning. For example, I wanted a tattoo very near the sole of my foot and my tattooist explained that due to the skin's natural shedding process that it would age poorly - something I hadn't as much as considered. I'm sure it goes without saying that the studio you decide to utilise should be clean and utterly hygienic, make sure that the artist not only sets up the tattoo equipment in-front of you but also opens a new needle and pours new ink into the wells.
I wish I could tell you that getting a tattoo doesn't hurt but it does, of course we all have varying levels of pain tolerance but on the whole I'm sure most will agree the process does not tickle. I personally compare the sensation a little to a deep scratch, it stings and is generally more irritating than painful - having said that the majority of my tattoos are really small so I am perhaps not the best person to ask but if you want a tattoo bad enough, you will grin and bear it. The healing process is also fairly annoying - after a day or so, the tattoo will scab over, tighten and may become itchy during the healing process. To ease the itch factor there are various lotions and potions to calm and offer relief which you can purchase at most tattoo studios. The good news is that skin tends to heal pretty quickly and once it does, you are left with a beautiful and brightly inked tattoo.
Would I get another tattoo? Probably not, I become bored so quickly that it really isn't wise for me to commit to something so permanent, saying that I'm not totally against the idea so who knows? What I can say is that next time around, my choice will be more considered and hopefully be meaningful.
Now over to you - where do you stand on tattoos? Do you have any you love and/or any you regret?
This made me giggle just because my other half has a total regret tattoo, he was on holiday and his friend paid him to get "Dave & the Boys, Falaraki 13" tattoo'd on his chest - well his name isn't Dave and he has never been to Falaraki! It's a conversation starter at least!
ReplyDeleteI have a few tattoos like you I have one behind my ear which I don't love. Now I'm older it's easy to see how foolish I was at the time! So curious to know how much laser will hurt on your head :/ keep us updated :)
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I have 6 tattoos and there's only one that I'm not sure of. It's on my foot so you can't always see it (especially living in London where it's cold 75% of the time!) so I'll probably keep it. I would like a few more though x
ReplyDeleteWonky Lauren
I would remove all of my tattoos if i could, i would just love a pure clean skin canvas :P i have had one laser removed and it was fine :)
ReplyDeleteGood insight. I have 3 tattoos (1 is a huge shoulder piece of a tiger shark) but I ruminated on my decision for a few weeks, researching artists and the like. The only one I'm "meh" about is the hibiscus on my foot. It was my first tattoo and I went to a "punk/classic" artist because he did all of my ex's tattoos. The ONLY reason I don't like it is because after 5 years it has been a bit worn by the sun and I am NOT looking forward to a touch-up -- it was the only one that made me tear up! LOL.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great post, I'm a total cliche and got mine done in Ayia Napa when I was drunk (eeeeek) and even though it's just stars down my back, I wouldn't have chosen to get it done under normal circumstances. The good thing is it's dainty and it's on the back of my neck so I can't see it but I completely understand about having a long think about what you want.
ReplyDeleteBeth @ BethBlogsBeauty
xx
I would honestly be covered in tattoos from head to toe if i could haha but im far to afraid of the pain of a tattoo i would just chicken out to be honest haha
ReplyDeletewww.beautyandtheboy.com
I feel the same way about tattoos - I get bored so quickly I'm worried that whatever I choose, I'll be so bored with a year later. But then again, one of my best friends has two tattoos and she's still so in love with them a few years on. I just haven't found a design that spoke to me, and I can't draw so making my own is not an option. The search continues.
ReplyDeleteIt is funny how different the levels of pain are when people get tattoos. I have got three and none of them hurt getting. I even fell asleep while getting my first one.
ReplyDeleteI love all my tattoos and will probably get more. I was a little sceptic when I got one around my wrist (the skyline of Istanbul), but I see it every day and I love it.
I have 3 tattoo's so far and it took me ages to think about them as rushing into them as you say is the biggest mistake ever!
ReplyDeleteEmmy | Emmys Beauty Cave | Bloglovin
This! I totally agree. I'm yet to get a tattoo because my parents were so disapproving (I'm 21 but totally still whipped by my parents haha) but I'm so glad they made me reconsider. The design I wanted at 18 was so tacky! I now have a few tattoos that I really want to get someday, but will only do it once I've thought about it a lot and really considered how I'll feel about it in a few years - how old and boring do I sound right now?
ReplyDeleteGrace | eat, write + explore x
I really love my tattoos and totally agree with you that they don't have to be meaningful you can simply just like the design!
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I definitely want to get some tattoos of my own when I'm older
ReplyDeletewww.rumbii.blogspot.co.uk
I'm nearly 18 and have been wanting to get a tattoo for ages, but I understand its a huge decision to make. I agree with thinking the design through thoroughly and not rushing into anything, because after all this is something that will be on you for life! I love tattoos, when done right.
ReplyDeleteIsabelle | www.isabellekategm.co.uk ♡
I have four at the moment and love them, I can definitely understand why people can go off them though, I've been loving watching tattoo fixers and seeing the dodgy ones has made me think more carefully about what I get now
ReplyDeleteYazmine
www.theditsyblogger.blogspot.co.uk
I have 5 tattoos - some which I thought for ages about, and some which were pretty much done on a whim. haha! I don't regret any of the designs, but if I had one regret, its the placement of one of them! Still, it's done now, and I don't hate it so thats good xx
ReplyDeleteI don't have any, but looking at getting one this year. It's taken me a long time (years!) to take the plunge because I wanted to be sure and get a design I really loved xx
ReplyDeleteRamblings of a Beauty Bird | Beauty Blog
I have two tattoos. One I hate and one I love. I am in the process of having the first removed. I was young (14!) and just did it because everyone else was. Both tattoos are small and easily covered up and it took me years to decide to get rid of the one. Overall, I don't regret them even the first but I would tell people to think on it for a bit before actually getting a tattoo.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any tattoos and I don't think I would ever get one. I do see designs that I like but I'm just far too scared that one day I'll despise it and regret having it done. Our tastes change through life so I don't think you can ever guarantee that you'll love something you have tattooed for the rest of your life. I also have no idea how I'd cope with the pain and am worried I'd chicken out half way through! I know my brother would like a sleeve but he has a needle problem and funny turn problem in general and often faints just going into the doctors/dentist! x
ReplyDeleteBecky @ The Little Blog of Beauty