Traditional black roses on the sternum

4 Ways To Deal With Tattoo Regret

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Everyone has woken up the next morning regretting something they said or did the day before, which could be true for someone getting new ink done. Some may even regret their decision immediately after the tattoo is complete.

Getting a tattoo isn’t a decision to take lightly, as the person getting it must remember that there is no easy (or pain-free) way to get rid of it once it’s there. Not many people will struggle with this regret as, for the most part, people will get tattoos that have a deep personal meaning.

At times, usually after a spur-of-the-moment decision, people may get tattoos that they regret. Some could include a silly character, another person’s name, or something else that would become utterly insignificant to them later. Now, they are left with regrets and need ways to deal with them in the aftermath. So, below are some of the most effective ways of coping with this regret:

1. Go For A Laser Tattoo Removal

Orange mushrooms tattoo by Gaby Uni
Orange mushrooms tattoo by Gaby Uni

One of these methods to remove a tattoo is laser sessions that break up the tattoo ink below the skin, making the particles small enough for the body to expel them naturally. Depending on the size and age of the tattoo, the person may need to attend multiple sessions to remove it entirely.

Unfortunately, there have been many misconceptions about how this process works, which causes people to be more afraid of the process. In these cases, they may even choose to live with regret instead of seeking professional guidance for laser tattoo removal. The only solution would be to research and get the facts about laser tattoo removal or get an opinion from someone with the necessary experience in this field to make a more informed choice.

2. Do A Cover-Up Tattoo At A Professional

Another successful way of dealing with the regret of a wrong decision is to have a professional tattoo artist cover up the existing tattoo. Some tattoo artists specialize in the art of tattooing a new design over the old one, so it hides all visible aspects of the regrettable one.

Not everyone will have a skill or will manage well with the cover-up, so choose the tattoo artist wisely. Moreover, decide on a design that won’t cause more regret afterward. Because of their skilled expertise, the cover-up tattoo artist should be able to guide you to the best option for your preference.

After a tattoo cover-up, you should be able to show off your new artwork without any regrets, but this is only if the artist did an excellent job covering the original design. Find something with more meaning that can drown out the initial feelings of regret and replace it with a more positive sentiment.

3. Seek Support From Loved Ones

Dancing skeleton tattoo by Chase Martines
Dancing skeleton tattoo by Chase Martines

Someone who made a mistake would need lots of reinforcement from their family and friends to help them cope with their choices. Those closest to you may provide comfort in a time when the tattoo regret may feel overwhelming.

Whenever you’re down, your loved ones are there to cheer you up, even if it is about a regret like a tattoo you no longer want. You will feel supported when others are there for you without judgment and unsolicited advice; they should help you through the difficult time as best they can.

4. Find A Professional Therapist If Needed

After making a regrettable choice, many strong emotions and feelings may plague you, like tattooing an ex’s name or something similar on the body. Anger, resentment, fear, worry, hate, and many other feelings may creep up along with the regret that takes the forefront.

If this is the case, having all these feelings, you may want to speak to a professional to work through your emotions before making rash decisions about removing the tattoo or getting a cover-up. Doing those procedures for the wrong reasons may leave you disappointed with the outcome, and the cycle may start over again.

Drawing To A Close

Gorgeous candle tattoo by Sebastian Petersson
Gorgeous candle tattoo by Sebastian Petersson

Although humans make mistakes from time to time, living with regret is what could destroy your happiness. The only way to fix such a blunder is to make things right; luckily, through laser tattoo removal and cover-up tattoos, you can finally find peace of mind.

After all, tattoos should be pieces of art you can proudly display to the world. Without the help of supportive family, friends, and professionals, more people could have to deal with regret and not experience the joy of such a beautiful artwork.