介绍:
To find out, we asked Guardian readers about their relationships with their tattoo(s) years after the dust, or ink, had settled. Of the 92 people who responded, 59 said they would not do anything differently, including several whose tattoos didn’t work out quite as they imagined.
One of these was Jack who had tattoos of three different lovers’ names. He said he had no regrets, explaining “they are visible reminders of how I’ve changed and developed”.
There were unhappy stories too though. Sarah, for instance, covered up two of her tattoos, including a spider on her foot after it prompted her dad to keep stamping on her, shouting: “There’s a spider!”
Neil also looked back with remorse on a tattoo that cost him £1.65 in 1974 but £300 to have removed in 2014. He said: “I got it because I thought it would make me look like a tough guy.” He wished he had realised it would look dated in years to come.
Many of those who replied to us urged fellow would-be tattooers to wait about four to six months – some recommended a year – before actually putting needle to skin.
Elizabeth Lerret, 26, from Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the US has the outline of her home town on her ribs. “I got the tattoo because I had just come back from being abroad and was about to leave to study in Jordan for a semester, and the semester after that I was going to study in Korea. Cambridge Massachusetts is the greatest city on Earth and I feel so lucky to have grown up here. I wanted to bring a part of it with me wherever I go,” she said.
She thought about the design for a year before taking the plunge, and would be doing the same for her new Alice in Wonderland design.
She said: “I was told once you choose your design, wait six months and if you still want it then get it and this is what I say to other people.”
a lot of people also warned against getting a tattoo of a name. No names. No portraits of young kids. They change. Make sure you understand the risks. Ask what ink the tattooist uses and look it up, and make sure your tattoo is the right way up.
Kyla, from Austin, Texas, also emphasised that your personality could of course change over time, citing her brother who had a cartoon devil tattooed on his shoulder while in college, before becoming a Christian later on in life. “He’s had a full round of laser treatments, but the image, while fuzzy, is still there. I think he’ll probably end up getting it covered with something else.”
She had her own bad experience when a tattoo she asked for ended up being bigger than she’d expected. “I had intended for it to be much smaller, but when the artist drew it up at the size it is, I just went with it. I do regret it but, since it’s on my back, I never have to look at it, so I don’t really think about it much.”
This leads to another important consideration: who is doing your tattoo. You have to pick wisely. Do your research. Instagram is the perfect place to find the best artists in the UK or abroad. It’s always worth travelling to get the work done right.
He added that you got what you paid for: “Decent tattooists charge more, but this is with you for life.
As well as what you get done and by whom, it’s also important to consider where it goes on your body. Many respondents pointed out that you need to think about your career: do you work in an industry where a visible tattoo will be acceptable? Might you change job in the future?
Jade said: “I didn’t appreciate the impact that my tattoos could potentially have on my career. Although I don’t regret the design of the tattoos and what they signify, I regret the placement of my arm and wrist tattoos. I’m about to begin training as a teacher and will need to keep my tattooed arms covered up year-round, even in the hot summer months … I’m fed up with always having to wear long sleeves.”
There were also a lot of warnings about looking after your inkings properly, and making sure you took care during the process itself. Make sure you get yourself in the right headspace before getting a tattoo. It is a vulnerable situation to be in in so many ways. Be kind to yourself that day, relax, stay hydrated and make sure you eat a couple of hours before your appointment.”
The most important thing, though, as pointed out by nearly all respondents, is to remember that you are getting the tattoo for yourself and no one else.
“Don’t get a tattoo and expect validation from everyone around you: some people (like my family) hate tattoos on some sort of principle, some of your friends might not like a style that you like and some people are just haters. If you get a tattoo, make sure you are happy with it.”
