We all know tattoos are meant to be forever, unless you’ve got the cash and patience for painful laser removal or decide to go the cover-up route. And even then, it’s not always a smooth ride. Getting inked can be thrilling, especially when it’s spontaneous. But before you let the adrenaline take over, maybe pause for a second. Think about whether you really want that flaming skull riding a unicorn on your shoulder for the rest of your life.
To understand how people go wrong and how to do it right, we spoke with Harkesh Rajpoot, a seasoned tattoo artist with over ten years of experience. Harkesh is also a skilled mehndi artist and has a solid following on Instagram. From dealing with indecisive clients to fixing “Pinterest disaster” tattoos, he’s seen it all. So, we asked him to spill the ink (pun intended) on what really happens in the world of tattoos.
“You’d be surprised how many people walk in without any concrete idea of what they want,” Harkesh shared with a laugh. “They’ll say, ‘I want a flower,’ but won’t know what kind. Rose? Lotus? Something abstract?” And that vagueness often leads to rushed decisions. “We do our best to help them narrow it down, but honestly, you’d get a better tattoo if you walked in with something clear in mind.”
He adds, “And then there are people who come in with a screenshot from the internet. Like this hyper-detailed rose that looks like it was drawn with a magnifying glass.” Harkesh gently explains to clients that their skin isn’t a digital canvas. “The internet designs look great in photos, but your arm isn’t a Photoshop file. You’ve got to be realistic about how much detail your skin can hold and how long it will last.”
Another thing people forget? Not all tattoo artists have the same level of skill. “There’s a difference between a seasoned artist and someone who just picked up the needle,” Harkesh says. “A pro might be able to pull off those complex patterns, but beginners? Not so much.”
And don’t even get him started on clients who want complicated tattoos at bargain prices. “You want a dragon with fire-breathing eyes and scales, but don’t want to pay for it? That’s how you end up with a lizard wearing a crown.”
He also stresses the importance of choosing your artist wisely. “Just like you’d research a doctor before surgery, research your tattoo artist. Check their portfolio, ask around, and see if they understand your vision.”
Trusting your artist can make or break the experience. “A good artist will give honest advice. If they tell you a design might not age well or won’t work with your skin type, listen.”
And let’s not forget the text tattoos. “Funny quotes feel like a great idea in the moment,” Harkesh laughs. “But years down the line, do you really want ‘Hakuna Mimosa’ permanently on your thigh?” He isn’t against fun tattoos, just encourages people to think long-term. “You’ll grow, your tastes will change. Make sure it’s something you’ll still smile at in 10 years.”
“We always try to guide people gently,” he says. “But at the end of the day, it’s their body and their choice. We give suggestions and warn them if something might not turn out the way they expect, but we won’t force them.” Sometimes, despite the warnings, people still go ahead and end up in tattoo regret forums later.
