The New Intimacy

Do you regret your tattoos?

Skip to last post
Set alerts
Updates
Forum search
Contributor: yrnw yrnw
I'm seriously considering a tattoo as one of my first official acts as an adult, but my mother swears up and down that no matter what I get, I WILL regret it when I'm older.

I plan on getting something that does in fact mean something to me on my back where it can be easily covered.
I don't think I'll regret it, but I guess people generally don't.
Answers (public voting - your screen name will appear in the results):
Not at all!
slynch , BBW Talks Toys , EnMH , Nissa Nissa , Tori Rebel , ToyTimeTim , CoffeeCup , aliceinthehole , dv8 , phunkyphreak , lunapixie , Yaoi Pervette (deleted) , lanky , Waterfall , mcl272 , Mattie Omega , froggiemoma , Chaotic Rantings , Kitty Grub , Rose of Eros , IrishLassie , PropertyOfPotter , dezzydezire , darthkitt3n , exploringthechimera , removedacnt6 , Peggi , Menarae , - Kira - , lovemuscle n cookie , G.L. Morrison , Starkiller87 , Beck , LaLaLouise , Cream in the Cupcake , WhoopieDoo , MrWishyWashy
37
Yes. I'd like to have it/them removed.
Ansley , wetone123
2
I regret some/one, but not all.
Lady Marmelade , Jul!a , padmeamidala , mcl272 , QueenMeadow , El-Jaro , Gigi128 , Pixel , deletedacct , kellyg , hjtee
11
I do not regret it/them, but I would not go back and get it/them again.
js250 , Noira Celestia
2
Total votes: 52 (51 voters)
Poll is closed
07/27/2011
  • Treat Her! Gift Set For Women For $69.99 Only
  • Complete lovers gift set
  • Upgrade Your Hands-Free Play!
  • Long-distance pleasure set for couples
  • Save Extra 20% On Love Cushion And Toy Set!
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
All promotions
Contributor: Ryuson Ryuson
(Review Program Mentor)
I'm actually getting my first tattoo tomorrow! I came up with a 'two-year rule' for myself; after I decide that I want a tattoo, I have to wait two (or more) years until I get it. Personally I feel that I might rush into something if I don't have this time period (it sounds like a while, but the 70+ years it will be on me will be much longer!)
07/27/2011
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
I gave myself one when I was like, 13 and ended up getting it covered. The one that I say I regret isn't necessarily a regret, but I'm not that happy with it. Ever since I was in high school I knew that I wanted a black dragon on my left thigh. I went in and talked to the artist and we ended up going with two large dragon heads instead. He was focused on detail, I didn't care about detail it was more the overall image I was interested in. Since then I've made sure that the idea in my head is what ends up on my body. The dragons are really great looking, the artwork is amazing. And they're my poster children for "if you're getting something that isn't exactly what you want, make sure it at least looks good because it's a lot easier to have a tattoo that you don't want if it looks good."

I know I should have made a small scene and got what I had wanted initially, but at this point there's not really much I can do about it lol.
07/27/2011
Contributor: Lucky21 Lucky21
This is exactly why I haven't gotten any (yet!). I like the 2 year idea. I just haven't come up with anything that I want permanently on my body.
07/27/2011
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
I got mine in a fit of rebellion and not only do I regret the images themselves, I regret what they represent to my husband and I strongly suspect I am mildly allergic to the ink. Almost immediately after I got the first one, I had a wicked psoriasis episode, I have contact dermititis and tinea versicolor! The latter might not have anything to with the tattoos, according to my doctor because it's essentially a yeast infection on the skin. However, the contact dermatitis and the psoriasis are probably due to the tattoos. If I could have them removed, I'd be one happy puppy!
07/27/2011
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
Quote:
Originally posted by Ryuson
I'm actually getting my first tattoo tomorrow! I came up with a 'two-year rule' for myself; after I decide that I want a tattoo, I have to wait two (or more) years until I get it. Personally I feel that I might rush into something if I ... more
You won't make the same rule for your next one. Well, you might, but I found it much easier to decide to tattoo something after I got my first tattoo.
07/27/2011
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
I'm lucky enough to have a tattoo artist who, not only is amazing at his art, but he's also dedicated to giving me exactly what I want. It means that I know that exactly what I want is exactly what I'm getting.

My next tattoo is going to be a half-sleeve on my right arm. Two robots that represent my daughters, and totally filled in with girly things like hearts and flowers and a rainbow! I just cannot wait to be able to afford it.
07/27/2011
Contributor: EnMH EnMH
I don't regret it one bit. I've always made sure that I know exactly what I want and draw it out myself or at least find a picture that is close to it and work from there.

I also only choose things that have a very special meaning to me. My wife, my daughter...things like that. I don't think there is any shame or similar feeling about them. As long as you are certain about what you want and that's fine with you, go for it.

My only recommendation is to look into multiple tattoo shops before settling on one. Ask to look at previous work, picture albums, etc. Most artists i've been to are only too happy to show off what they've done. Be thorough and I promise you, you won't have a bad experience.
07/27/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by yrnw
I'm seriously considering a tattoo as one of my first official acts as an adult, but my mother swears up and down that no matter what I get, I WILL regret it when I'm older.

I plan on getting something that does in fact mean something ... more
I don't have any tats. But, My Man does. He doesn't regret them in the least. One of his is my name, with the names of our children underneath it (those of you who have heard this story before, suffer through it again for yrnw's benefit ) When he got the tattoo the artist said, "If you break up with her I can cover it with an Eight Ball or something." My Man said, "Thanks. But, she's the mother of my children and the love of my life. None of that would change even if we did break up. I don't see us breaking up, but even if we did, I'd keep her right there." He has other tattoos and doesn't regret them at all.

He did choose places to get them where he can cover them at work, for formal occasions etc. But he is very happy with them.

I spent a lot of my adult life being pregnant and nursing babies, so I didn't have a lot of time to get tattoos. When I get one (when the economy improves as we can't afford it right now) I will choose something that will have lifelong meaning for me, and something I can place in a fairly inconspicuous place, as I work in a fairly conservative profession.

I'll most likely do it one day. But, I have a some time to think about it and want to make sure it is the right one for me.
07/27/2011
Contributor: Nissa Nissa Nissa Nissa
Quote:
Originally posted by yrnw
I'm seriously considering a tattoo as one of my first official acts as an adult, but my mother swears up and down that no matter what I get, I WILL regret it when I'm older.

I plan on getting something that does in fact mean something ... more
I don't regret any of my tattoos nor can I see myself without them. It just differs from person to person. Some people get overwhelmed with the commitment level.
07/27/2011
Contributor: Tori Rebel Tori Rebel
I have a bunch, have another being done this week, and another in 2 weeks... and while I have one that's no longer 'me' (it fit me and my personality when I was 19 or 20...and while I've grown out of what I got, I don't mind remembering who I was then) and one that's even the name of the person I'm no longer married to, I don't regret a single one. I wouldn't un-do getting my husband's name even if I could - it will be getting covered up (it's tiny) but it was important to me that I had it when I was his wife - but life happens and it didn't work. I'm alright with that, I don't see it as some tragic error. Just needs a little more ink over it now
07/27/2011
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Never regretted mine one bit, both of them are going on 22 years old.

I only regret not getting more when I had money.
07/27/2011
Contributor: aliceinthehole aliceinthehole
just got my 8th tattoo this weekend and i love them all. most of them were in my head for about a year before i got them. i recommend making sure to not let your tattoo artist 'bully' you into letting him take over control of the image, as Sam said.
he/she IS 'the artist' but if you KNOW what you want, don't let them change it. and if you can see they cannot create what you want, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. don't feel obligated to continue just because you've used their time to work with you. if it's not going to work, it's not going to work. and you certainly don't want to pay for a half-assed tattoo you're unhappy with (been there, done that... eventually got over it and accepted the tattoo as imperfect, just as all of life. a good lesson)

07/27/2011
Contributor: Yaoi Pervette (deleted) Yaoi Pervette (deleted)
I only have one I got in 2003. No regrets.
07/27/2011
Contributor: lanky lanky
my wife has some, she does not regret
07/27/2011
Contributor: Rossie Rossie
I do not have any tattoos, so no regrets are necessary!
07/27/2011
Contributor: yrnw yrnw
I've definitely done my research. If I decide I'm comfortable with the idea of having anything permanently in my skin, I know for sure what I'll want. I've also decided to get it between my shoulder blades because it's easier to cover.

However, I do have some concerns as to whether or not I'll maybe be embarassed to show them or something when I get married? Or any occasion where I'd show my back like that?
07/27/2011
Contributor: QueenMeadow QueenMeadow
Quote:
Originally posted by yrnw
I'm seriously considering a tattoo as one of my first official acts as an adult, but my mother swears up and down that no matter what I get, I WILL regret it when I'm older.

I plan on getting something that does in fact mean something ... more
The only one I regret is my first one. I like the idea of it, but I didn't design it myself, and I put it in an awkward area. I think if I were to ever remove any, it would be that one, only to redesign it and put it somewhere else!

My rule is :
I design it. I carry a picture of it at all times for about 2 months, and make sure it is something that is ABOUT me, or has been all my life. I may love something now, that I may not like years down the road. That wouldn't be a smart thing to put on my body. I have 4 tats... plan to get more.
07/28/2011
Contributor: Mattie Omega Mattie Omega
I am very pro-meaningful tattoos. I agree with Queen Meadow that you need to carry around a picture, or even tape it to your body for several days/weeks.

Some of the most important things to remember when contemplating a tattoo are to love the design and love the artwork of the artist. Don't just go to any of tattoo shop, find an artist whose work you respect and love.

Also, think hard about placement. Everyone should have their own rules about what should be and shouldn't be visible, but my rule is "I don't want my tattoos to be seen when I'm wearing my wedding dress."

A tattoo is something for you, and you only, but other people will have opinions about your ink no matter how much they shouldn't. Make sure you're prepared, mostly for people thinking your ink is awesome, but also for occasional stares and scorn. You shouldn't make your decision on whether or not your mother wants you to get one, but you should also take into account how important her support is to you.

I have one tattoo, and it is actually quite discreet - it's my dog's pawprint, which I got after she was put down. Most people don't even realize it's permanent, and comment that I have a "muddy print" on my leg
07/28/2011
Contributor: froggiemoma froggiemoma
no regrets about any of mine
07/28/2011
Contributor: js250 js250
Quote:
Originally posted by yrnw
I'm seriously considering a tattoo as one of my first official acts as an adult, but my mother swears up and down that no matter what I get, I WILL regret it when I'm older.

I plan on getting something that does in fact mean something ... more
I don't regret the tattoo, it is a reminder of all that is right and wrong with my life. However, I would not do it again, I just don't need some ink on my body to remind me of anything when I have memories and people who will.
07/28/2011
Contributor: Rose of Eros Rose of Eros
I only have one tattoo so far (there are plans for more in the future!). The one I have is the celtic symbol for womanhood (it represents the crone, mother, and maiden yadda yadda) and I got it while on spring break in Scotland this past March. Although time will tell, as of now I don't regret it one bit. To me it will always represent the time that I spent in a wonderful country that I may or may not ever get to visit again. Oh and it's on the inside of my wrist. I wanted it somewhere that I could cover if I really wanted to but also somewhere that could be easily seen.

The only thing that bugs me about tattoos are when people expect them to have this elaborate meaning to it. I don't know how many times someone I know has gotten a tattoo and the first thing someone else says is "What does it mean?". As long as it means something to the person who put it on their body and that person likes it, it doesn't really have to be some big story about their grandmother or something (not that tattoos involving grandmother's are bad!). I don't know, I think I'm rambling a bit (teehee) but I just think a more appropriate question would be "What made you decide to get it?/Why'd you get it?" or something along those lines. I honestly decided on what my tattoo was going to be based on a conversation I had with a roommate earlier that day and then I randomly decided to get that particular one when I went to the tattoo parlor to buy a new tongue ring.

I'm not saying that method will work out for you (I probably got lucky xD) but just the fact that you're thinking about possible long-term consequences shows that you're on the right track. To be sure that you won't regret it I think the advice given so far has been dead on. Just plan the design out, don't rush into things, and make sure you browse tattoo places and artists to make sure they're safe and right for you.

Good luck! If you do decide to get one, I hope you will show it off to us! ^.^
07/28/2011
Contributor: IrishLassie IrishLassie
I absolutely LOVE my tats! All them have a special meaning to me, whether it has to do with me heritage, my faith, or passion in life. IF anything, I would probably say I would have chosen a different spot of the 1 tattoo on my back. But I think once I add more to it it will look more balanced. But no, I love them, every single one.
07/30/2011
Contributor: Gigi128 Gigi128
I regret mine sometimes because it is not finished yet.
07/31/2011
Contributor: Noira Celestia Noira Celestia
I regret having mine done by an apprentice instead of a seasoned tattooist.
07/31/2011
Contributor: Tuesday Tuesday
This thread is quite timely for me. I just had a LONG conversation with my son about his insistence on having an eagle tattooed on his chest. I think its a mistake to get a large tattoo as your first one.
07/31/2011
Contributor: Crystal1 Crystal1
I like the two year rule idea! I've been wanting the one I'm getting soon for about a year now, so I'm pretty confident I won't end up regretting it.
07/31/2011
Contributor: PropertyOfPotter PropertyOfPotter
I don't regret any of them so far! My husband has a couple that he's going to/is having covered, but they are from years ago and he was in a totally different place then. I've made sure that all of mine are ones that will mean something for the rest of my life!
07/31/2011
Contributor: dezzydezire dezzydezire
I do not regret any of my tattoos but i do wish i had gotten some of them in more discreet/coverable places.
07/31/2011
Contributor: exploringthechimera exploringthechimera
i love my tattoos and would feel incomplete without them
07/31/2011