To get a better understanding of what we're seeing here, we contacted Nat Rita, a tattoo artist and creative designer from London, United Kingdom.
"There are three main factors that usually make a tattoo bad: execution, idea, and placement," she told Bored Panda. "You might have an excellent idea for a tattoo, but if it's done by someone who lacks the experience and skill to execute it properly, it will be disappointing."
And where you put it is crucial as well. "People come up with all sorts of unconventional body areas for their tattoos. In the best-case scenario, this might just make your tattoo look odd because the shape is distorted by the placement, but in the worst case, you could end up with something like a half-body silhouette of a dollar-store Wolverine stuck to your torso and arms."
And when it comes to ideas, well, some concepts simply do not belong on your skin forever.
However, if for whatever reason you end up with what you believe is a mistake, don't worry. As you can see from the pictures, you're not the only one!
According to a 2023 survey of a thousand Americans, 73% of them like tattoos and 39% have at least one themselves.
But the study also revealed that 1 in 4 inked people regret at least one of their designs, with the top types being:
- Lettering/script (19%);
- Symbol (16%);
- Name (12%);
- Animal (10%);
- Tribal (9%).
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The regret for these people usually sank in after 2+ years (51%) or just a few days (18%) after getting the tattoo. Furthermore, 48% of them said they got the tattoo spontaneously.
According to Nat Rita, everyone in this situation has a few options, but they depend on a few factors. "If they opted for the cheapest artist in the area, asked a friend to do it at home, or even did it themselves, the best option is to research studios or artists [...] who specialize in reworking or cover-ups."
"Alternatively, you could go back to the original artist and explain why you're unhappy," she said. "If the tattoo only has minor issues, the artist might be willing to fix it. Whatever you decide, it ultimately comes down to doing thorough research on who you're working with."
Then there's the laser. But with the average cost of $463 per session and around 7-10 sessions needed, it might not be accessible to many.
To lessen your chances of a fiasco in the first place, Nat Rita recommends people do their homework.
"Check studio reviews, see if the artist is reputable, look for recommendations, and review their portfolio," she said. "Be cautious of AI-generated art or Photoshopped images—professional artists won't oversell themselves or promise things that aren't possible."
"They'll have a clear idea of what works and what doesn't, and even if you don't book with them, they'll still offer valuable advice."
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"Many tattoos that end up being disappointing seem to have been done on a whim—rushed, poorly executed, and so on," Nat Rita continued. "To avoid this, go to a studio, find an artist, and follow them on social media to see their work and how they interact with clients."
"If you're unsure how your idea will translate onto your body, request a consultation where you can discuss the details with the artist. Remember, you don't have to decide on the spot—you can visit a studio just to seek advice before committing to anything. Following this process can save you a lot of regret, giving you time to think about what you're getting before booking in advance."
