I am probably 33% covered at this point and I ALWAYS have that moment of "omg what did I do" for the first few days after I get a tattoo -- then I love it -- then I forget I even have it lol.
I don't really regret any of my tattoos but I do feel that it can be a bit contagious when people say they regret their tattoos. It makes me reflect on how my own body looks and how other people perceive it. With the internet, we are exposing ourselves to way too many images and that can really interfere with how we perceive our own tattoos. Sometimes it's also good to step away for a bit and live in the real world. My friends and family don't even think much of my tattoos.
Its weird how people browbeat other people for any kind of regret, change of opinion or priority. Its like you're expected to be perfect from the beginning, and never change no matter what. Its mostly an internet mentality, but its still weird
I spent $1200, and year and a half lightening up a tattoo. I got a coverup from someone who specializes in doing them, and I adore my tattoo now. Every penny was worth it. The ugly tattoo made me feel insecure. Now I can say I’m super happy with how my tattoos look
I needed this. I’m heavily tattooed and I got a piece from a popular artist overseas. He absolutely destroyed my skin, leaving me scarred. It’s on the front of my thigh. The healing was so horrible and excruciating and the piece isn’t even big at all. Never thought after 40 perfect tattoo experiences that I would get something so messed up. This video made me feel better.
I’m so sorry, that’s so heartbreaking. We put so much trust in these artists and some of them really do not give a f. I hope your experiences going forward are better. 💚
@@abbadonne8342That’s what I think. There are parts of the tattoo that, 12 hours after getting the piece, showed no ink. It was just white, raw flesh. It was actually some of the worst pain I ever felt while healing a tattoo. While I was getting the tattoo, I was swelling and bleeding a lot. He asked if that always happens (I have most of my other leg done) and I said it’s never happened before. He also made several comments about my skin color (I’m half black, half white) and how he has to do things differently because of that? I have all color tattoos, even white ink that’s held up over years. My skin holds all colors very well despite me being half black. I honestly think he was pressing hard to “pack” the color into my skin when that was completely unnecessary. Now that the piece is healed, those white fleshy parts are huge red, raised scars with no ink. It makes me sad every time I have to look at it. 😭😭😭
@@toltorgThank you for your empathy. ❤ It’s extra sad because he is a very popular and talented artist. I drove two hours to see him all for it to end badly. I’ve gotten a new tattoo since then from a local artist and had a much better experience. 😌
@@abbadonne8342I believe so. A day after the tattoo, the skin where the color would be was completely white and raw. I went to the hospital just to make sure it wasn’t infected. My regular artist said it was definitely overworked 😢
Literally left a tattoo shop today full of regret which lead me to search youtube for exactly this topic. Glad to see I’m not alone 🥲. Being a people pleaser has truly fckd me.
Update: I now love it, and always get compliments. I thinks it’s dysmorphia that goes away. Sometimes getting tattoos make us super critical looking for any small thing to dislike. I love my tattoo now! no regrets ✨
🧊When my grandma passed away (I was 20) I decided to get a tiger tattoo in her memory. Out of all the tattoo shops in my town none wanted to draw a tiger tattoo for me. I had to draw it myself (I am an illustrator) but once I took my sketch to another tattoo artist he had to remove some of the lines and details on the design because some of it was too small and would blend over time. Which drastically changed the tiger's face and "personality". I remember wanting to cover up that tiger AS SOON as I was out of the shop. To this day it's still my least favourite tattoo I have but I've kinda grown fond of it after a while ? He looks a bit funky but he's on my back so I just forget he exists. Back then, laser removal wasn't a thing, so if I had the money I'd probably have had it covered (probably by a bigger, better tiger) but that stupid tiger is a part of me now. We're on good terms now lol
I’m getting my oldest tattoo covered up at the end of the month so this spoke to me. For me my only frustration with the new discussion online about tattoo regret is people saying that if they got a tattoo younger than 25 it somehow has to do with your brain not being fully developed which is just bunk science first of all (the brain is constantly developing and changing there isn’t like a cut off at 25) and second of all it tries to sidestep the fact that regret and mistakes are regular parts of life and we shouldn’t crap all over people experiencing struggles with regret and mistakes. Imo people should be able to say oh I regret this tattoo and that not being interpreted as them hating tattoos or w/e. Fundamentally, it would be nice if people gave others just a bit more grace and humanity.
18:18 i understand the technical issues with the tattoo and know it'll get worse with time but honestly... the blown out text is giving blurry vhs/brat summer and i'm kind of living for it lol 🧊 love your videos queen
Honestly, I agree. When I see people criticizing blown out tattoos (which I know is a bad thing because it means poor technique), it often really doesn't even look that bad *to me*. Sometimes when the blow out is diffuse and pretty even it just gives a unique blurry effect.
@LisaLee__ it's referring to the aesthetic of Charli XCX's new album called 'brat'. After she dropped her album, the phrase "it's a brat summer" became popular
🧊Option 5: Do nothing to it! Just get other better tattoos do you don't think about your lame ones as often lol. I find that as I get older and more covered, I worry way less about the tattoos I don't like as much
I think the phoenix is really cool, and your sleeve is a lot more interesting for having it. Amazing how a great artist can turn a weakness into a strength. I got a terrible tattoo of a rock climber on my back (my first tattoo), and quickly knew that I needed to cover it up or get rid of it. I decided to cover it with a full back piece with the same theme. It took some time to find the right artist, but I'm so glad I did. She hid the original tattoo in 'rock,' which is almost invisible unless you're specifically looking for it. So now it's like there's a magic eye of a rock climbing inside the rock of a larger rock climbing tattoo - easily the coolest part of an epic tattoo.
I went through all of the phases of regret, hiding as well as being insanely into fitness. I'm glad I wasn't the only one and you're right! I had my regret back in 2019 and even then, the removal part wasn't as accessible back then!
also, maybe we're still in the phase of saline removal not being as accessible, cus I think since the last video you brought that up, I still have yet to know about saline removal in NYC! 🥲
I definitely regretted my first tattoo. Not the tatt itself but where I went. The guy acted like I was bothering him with my business, he freehanded the very simple design I brought in and made it crooked and lost some of the detail. I finally just got a blast over to cover it up, wish I could’ve done it sooner
This is a great conversation to have. I got my first tattoo when I was 25 and I'm 42 now. I'm tattooed heavily from collarbones to fingers, down to my feet. People grow and evolve, and it's not shameful to no longer identify with a piece of art you got 5, 10, or 20+ years ago. I like most of my tattoos, but I still feel that many of them could have been placed better, or certain things could have been done differently in hindsight. I think regret or dissatisfaction is a natural feeling to have after we look at something on our bodies EVERY single day for a long period of time. I've had 2 large full-color pieces lasered and covered up, and I can totally relate to feeling anxiety about getting tattooed again after lasering, because that shit is traumatic lol. 😂 I had my 2nd coverup finished back in January, and I haven't gotten anything new this year, because I'm just waiting to make sure I'm really settled on what I want, and find the right person to do it.
Thank you so much for your honest and kinda soothing video. Back in 2013 I was in a similar situation. I felt exactly the same pain and devastation from regretting a tattoo -even though everyone else around me gave me positive feedback and emphasized, how good that tattoo looked and how it fits me. Thank god these times are over - and today I can fully accept my tattoo. I'm not going to lie: If I could go back in time, I would not have gotten the tattoo the way it looked. But I absolutely would have chosen the same motive, cause I am 100 % happy with that! Also today, I cannot imagine myself without this tattoo - it is part of my identity/part of my body and it is okay!
I definitely fell into the trope of name tattoos or tattoos that represented people that later didn't stick around in your life. I got my first boyfriend's zodiac symbol (Scorpion) under my collarbone. Not only did the scorpion turn into a crawfish with age, the boyfriend definitely didn't stick around. I had gotten several other tattoos after that I all regret (clearly I learned nothing). These tats I acquired between 18-21. I hadn't stepped foot into a tattoo studio since then until l had formulated a plan and found the right artist for the job. It wasn't until now, age 35, until I have a tattoo that I love. The scorpion crawfish is now in the past and a beautiful floral chest piece with Japanese omamori has replaced it. I absolutely love it and the timeless meaning it holds for me. Not sure what to do with the other tattoos on my left arm, but at least Ive found a great artist who's up for the challenge. Love your videos, thanks for sharing with us!!
I got two very spur of the moment text tattoos back in my early 20s, on my wrists. The one I regret, incidentally, says “regret nothing”😂😭 It’s just terrible quality, crooked, & blown out. I did ZERO research when I got it. My other wrist says “so it goes”, a Kurt Vonnegut quote I still love even though it’s also terrible quality. At this point, almost 20yrs after getting them, I see them as a part of my history, even if I don’t love the one. It’s like a permanent snapshot of who I was back then. And by now, I honestly don’t even notice either of them anymore, despite being right in front of my face most of the time.
🧊 I love the tip about being patient! When I got my first tattoo at 18 I regretted it immediately, it wasn’t at all what I wanted and the people at the shop were not nice. I planned my coverup for 3 years, saved up a lot of money, and finally covered at 23. It’s now a gorgeous half sleeve. The situation taught me a lot about resilience. Yes, I covered the tattoo, but living with my choice for 5 years taught me so many invaluable lessons. Just because it was a regret doesn’t mean it was a waste.
This is such an interesting video because it's about regretting one specific tattoo as a person who is otherwise happy to be tattooed. My only experience with tattoo regret is watching my brother regret being a tattooed person, in general, about 20 years ago when tattoo removal was not really available or even a thought in his mind.
That’s what I was going to say. I had a different artist do background around the tattoo I regretted and turn it into a Japanese half sleeve - not an option for everyone but it worked for me. Although the first tattoo is still there, it fits better not being the focal point and there is more for the eye to look at it.
Love how non-judgemental you are, Celle. This is actually such a helpful video for anyone who has tattoo regret - which is totally normal and valid! Just because I don't have it doesn't mean that other people aren't entitled to feel however they feel about their own bodies.
does anyone else experience a 24-72 hour regret and then feel fine after? i feel anytime i get a tattoo ill feel really anxious about it for a day or so and then after im like actually no i love this tattoo and i look awesome. thoughts?
this. there were a couple of days where I really hated both of my tattoos. like they were embarrassing, I thought they looked horrible, this happened years after I got my tattoos. I also got over this and while I'm not in love with my tattoos I feel like they're a part of me and I feel at peace with them. I don't hate them, they aren't the amazing pieces of art I wanted or filled with great meaning like I had envisioned but they feel like they should be there.
I got a forearm tattoo for 3 years already and I still feel some regret and no regret till this day. My piece looks amazing but I don't know I guess the fact that I'm never getting my skin color back in that spot really makes me feel uneasy at my own decision. Well I'm definitely not getting anymore cu I don't want to make it worse haha
This freaks me out bc I also feel like I did everything you're supposed to do and then some when getting my sleeve done. I'd have been so crushed if after all that I was unhappy with a huge part of it. Yours looks fantastic today, I'm glad it all worked out in the end for you.
Consider also the fact that the ink is heavy metals and eventually the body has to break it down and it’s one reason I won’t again. I’m doing tattoo removal now and I have to be careful and I plan to have my heavy metals checked. Also if fades a lot over time if it is in the sun at all. Just my two cents. Peoples health is my priority. 😊
I have a tattoo that I've regretted for 30 years. It was the first one I ever got. I was into tribal (which was popular at the time) and chose a big one and put it on the inside of my forearm (so very visible). I went to what I thought was a reputable artist, but back then that didn't mean much. I ended up with a blow out, so that didn't help. I think I paid about $200 (about $400 in today's' money). I don't have the thousands it would take to either cover it up (if that could even be done--it's pretty black) or to laser it. Every day I see it and I'm reminded of my bad choice. I have had to explain it probably thousands of times over the years. I did go ahead and get three other tattoos over the years, and they came out fine, but none of them are anywhere that's visible to other people. So, regret has lasted for decades. Be very careful what you choose.
You're always so articulated, the voice of reason in the online tattoo world. This is one of the main reasons I haven't had a tattoo yet, so thank your honesty and openness ♡♡
I had regret and got laser removal in 2015 - seems so long ago now! Was so hard to find information out there about removal at the time - there were some youtube videos but never ones showing the whole process and end results so i was super nervous. Lots of websites i looked at had horror stories of burns, or that you couldnt get complete removal. The tattoo was on my forearm and i would wear long sleeves all the time even in summer but unfortunately started work in an industry that required me to wear short sleeves. No one around me had tattoos and it was unusual in the industry i was in. Im naturally a shy person and it made me feel quite self conscious. I found a tattoo studio in town that also did laser removal and id fake a relaxed "cool girl" vibe to go there alone for removal sessions. They were nice but i was intimidated and felt like a fraud. I felt ashamed about the money i was losing - id never spent that much money before. Once id started the removal, i was even more nervous about people seeing my arm cause the ink was all blotchy and people would know i had tattoo regret! It was all so taboo at the time. Im glad theres more people talking about this now! Thank you ❤
Holy Cow ! What experience with your laser removal, Yikes ! I'm feeling your pain . And it's to bad many women feel bad about themselves Women are all beautiful !! And I'm old School with my tattoo 2008 no regrets. Dragons Rule !
🧊! I recently got two tattoos in one sitting from a very good, respected artist. One came out brilliant, 11/10, my favourite tattoo. The other... I was so distracted by how beautiful the stencil was that I didn't twig the placement was off until I got home 😭 now I'm the client from that comedy tattoo tiktok who was like, "gorgeous work, can you move it up an inch?" I strongly dislike how close a part of it is to my armpit, and that area also got a bit of a blowout because of the thinner skin. I'm probably going to have to get that part lasered and covered/redone, which sucks because even though the artist offers free fixes on any issues, I won't be able to afford the laser until like... December 😶 so I'm getting photographed with a tattoo I'm regretting throughout all of this year's wedding season woo!!!
Oh man, I can't imagine getting laser near the armpit! Make SURE you use a GOOD (safe! some are not!) numbing cream and IMMEDIATELY after the laser, I mean, IN the office - put ice on the area (over a cloth, of course) for at least 20 minutes. Don't start driving home and ice it then - it's all about icing it IMMEDIATELY after the laser to stop the burn. You will have much less damage to the skin and a much easier time healing from it. Your welcome. 😊
I think it’s also a good idea to take some time and see if you can learn to live with your tattoo or if there’s anything that could be added to it that would make you like it. Obviously if it’s just complete shit don’t go back to the same artist. I have regretted tattoos a few times and later realized I am someone who overthinks things and has a hard time with permanent decisions. Even if it’s a great tattoo I will think about how it could have been bigger/smaller, different placement. I had my first big regret 2 months ago at the beginning of the Summer. I tried to sit with it, but just really don’t like how it was executed. I had originally gone straight to booking an appointment at a laser clinic to remove the part of the design that I don’t think looks right. I talked to a few people and instead I booked with the artist and will have her add a little bit more shading and details to the piece I don’t like. It wouldn’t be a lot of ink added so if I still hate it later on it won’t make it much harder to fade with laser and have reworked. It’s also like a pretty small 2 inch/3 inch tattoo in my sleeve I’ve been working on for years so I still have lots of other really good tattoos around it. When I think of heavily tattooed people or patchwork sleeves it’s ok if not every tattoo is amazing. I’m some weird way I kind of like seeing some shotty work mixed in with works of art. Makes the person appear more humble or punk or something.
It's hard to admit when a tattoo is going wrong and you have to "break up" with the artist. I returned to my artist that did my first one to do my second. But it was going all wrong and I kept leaving sessions upset, and after I think the second session I was like, "wtf am I doing? Stop this NOW." So I emailed her that I couldn't continue with the tattoo. I didn't know how else to tell her that it just wasn't looking right, so it was best to stop whilst I was ahead and not let it get even worse. Most people can't tell it's unfinished or messed up until I point out all the problems, so that's handy. It's always risky before you start that like is your vision being actualised or have you been misinterpreted. Find the art you like and hope they get your jive.
🧊 I really like the advice to sit with your tattoo for a few months before deciding what to do, even if you know you don't like it. I have a similar tattoo that isn't poorly done, but it isn't what I wanted, either. I still haven't decided whether to try and add to it or go the laser/ cover up route, but I'll figure it out eventually!
didn't have tattoo regret till one day after getting my arm filled one of the tattoos (a 10 year old one that i got for a trade) didn't fit right and then the regret started. went through 6 rounds of laser removal (freeze air numbing technique) and just recently covered it up (a painful 8 hour session) and now i feel so much better with how cohesive my arm looks.
Consider that tattoos may not be good for your health as they contain heavy metals. It slowly comes out into the bloodstream with time as it breaks down but I haven’t found much research on the health implications.
You're the best dude ❤️ I'm not currently living with tattoo regret but before my coverup I had a seriously awful ankle piece for 10 years. I really would have loved to see a video like this way back when I first got the tattoo. This stuff is important.
i have no tattoos not am i a part of the community/culture, but i absolutely adore celle and love her videos!! her voice is so soothing and shes so pretty, definitely my goals if i were to get tattoos in the future 🥹🥹
I got a tattoo of my favourite movie character on my forearm and I hated it from Day 1. It was not a bad tattoo, but I hated the placement and later even the message of it. I got it removed and tattooed over. My cover tattoo is now my favourite. ❤
Regretted a forearm piece done in thick solid black lines. Luckily, got the firearm blacked out, and not only does it look sick, but I feel more confident having something on my body I like.
I got a 3/4 sleeve blackout last year to finally cover up a cover up I hated of a tattoo I hated originally 😅 that said, I had wanted the blackout for years and figured I wasn’t getting any younger(turned 40 in January) so I finally did it. Zero regrets and I love it when I look in the mirror 🎉
i just had my first session for my half sleeve and i love it so much. artist did a great job and its exactly what i want. but this was a very interesting video and i really appreciate your attitude towards tattoos and tattoo regret in general, it seems like a very healthy way of looking at things
I remember your first video about this experience a few years back. You have always been mature but you're growth is incredible. Watching your tattoo art journey has been a lot of fun. Thanks for all the hard work.
Interesting to hear your Phoenix experience - I was in a similar situation where I got a freehand tattoo (without knowing it will be freehand) and only saw the basic sketch minutes before we started, but I ended up really enjoying that process. It was quite fascinating to see how a piece of art is created live on my body, the artist first drawing the flow of my muscles and creating a piece of art that is actually meant to be on my arm. But there definitely is a huge risk involved and hearing your story I could really see how my verdict could have been the complete opposite if I ended up hating it. That being said, I regretted every tattoo I had done so far at some point, even when they were pretty much perfect. Most of the time I either came to terms with it, or ended up noticing it's not the end of the world and not worth the effort to remove or work around it. I almost consider it part of the process now :D.
This video made me feel better; I have a super messed up frog tattooed right next to my knee that i absolutely hate. My 17 year old brain didn’t make enough of a fuss about the placement and the sketch itself even though I hated it before it was even done. I did it anyway, and I liked it surprisingly for all of a month. Then I realized by watching others online that my tattoo was SO blown out and scarred. I was in so much pain when I was getting tattooed I thought it was normal, but she truly f*cked my sh*t up. I don’t know how I’m gonna go about getting rid of it, but this gave me some ideas and reminded me to be patient. I will one day be able to wear shorts, damn it! Celle said so! 😭😂
Back in April I got my first tattoo and the tattoo that I got was one that I put a lot of thought into it since I was thinking about getting it since 2014 and I finally got it 10 years later
I love all of my tattoos, but I still found this really interesting and informative. I think it’s important to educate yourself on the industry as a whole, so thank you 🧊
Ive been there 😢 it was reaaalllyyy hard to accept but its been a few years and I accepted it (not that people have to) Thank you for speaking up about this . During the time I did it I couldnt sleep and felt sick.
Good video! The last guy could also just do a blast over which is what I did to my upper sleeve. I don't like some of my tattoos - not what they are (roses, bird, flowers, kids names), but not the artist I selected. Selecting the right artist is the most important part of tattoos in my experience.
I've had 3 tattoos removed, two on the arm about fist sized, and a larger one on my back, abt 12"x5". All of them have been lightened with the intention of getting them covered, one has been covered so far and it look immaculate. So glad I did the process. The one on my back I got removed at a place in Portland called the un-tattoo parlor (I highly recommend them), and they literally inject you with lidocaine for the process. It is still very painful, but they did quite an amazing job. There is just a faint outline and some yellow (there were red tones in the tattoo), but I hope to get it covered next year. Just take your time getting tattooed, never rush into anything, and always first and foremost go to an artist whose art you just adore, because chances are you will love seeing it on your body.
I only regret one but for a different reason... When I arrived at the studio the tattooer said he thought I would not come so he didn't have any design prepared. He used a design that I made and had it uploaded to my Behance account. So I was quite happy to get my own design on me. But he made all the splashes differently (watercolor tat) which looks way worse than on my art... All the lines are so thick... cuz he said it is impossible to make thin lines in a tattoo (it was my second one and the first one also had quite thick lines so I believed him). It's been about 8 years and almost all colors faded completely... What is worse, black lines got even thicker and some of them are now two lines, not one... All their previous work on other people looked good... This tattoo is hidden from sun and when it is exposed to sun I use a strong spf... A tattoo I got 14 years ago looks way better than this one... And it is not like the tattoo was cheap or big... It is about 13x7 cm, has three colors plus black... The artist took half my month salary for that, said that this tat is sooo big and has sooo many colors and that he still charges me quote: "like Jesus" because he should be paid way more for that... This studio and their artists are not doing any better now... I still hear from other studios that people come to fix tats that they got in that studio. When I see their new works only one guy makes like 6/10 tats and other people there... uhh... like 4/10...
Thanks so much for sharing! I relate very much to your journey. my tattoo is japanese style, pretty much started the same way you did, but with smaller dragons, and now Im in san diego working on figuring it out lol. Ive dealt with the overall anxiety and body dysmorphia a ton since its been done and its been extremely difficult to deal with feeling like I keep making more and more mistakes with it even though im seemingly taking the right steps to fix it. Hopefully on the route to completely finishing/fixing it up with a new artist and really hoping I can feel better about it all 🙏
Hello Celle, I recently found your channel and i subscribed immediately. I am currently learning how to do tattoos. I haven't tattooed anyone or have any tattoos myself. I absolutely love to draw. its my passion. The reason why i don't have any tattoos is because i feel like im to dark skinned and tattoos on dark skin look bad after a long time. i never seen a white tattoo with color on darker skin. I would look at the tattoo and would always want to add more detail or change the area its in. I watched you tattoo yourself and you did a great job. You are very talented. Are you good at doing free hand drawings? You are so respectful and honest. What is your favorite tattoo that you have and would you ever get a tattoo on your feet. I heard that is a very painful place to tattoo. I would love to see you tattoo someone. Out of all your tattoos which one was the most painful. Keep up the good work.
I waited 4 years to get my first tattoo in memory of my daughter. It meant so much to me and I’d thought about it for so long I knew exactly what I wanted. That being my first tattoo I didn’t know how forward I needed to be with my artist and chose instead to trust him with the design. I communicated as best as I could but he didn’t really reciprocate, our conversations were rushed. After seeing his design I realized he didn’t listen to anything I said. I ended up not getting half of the tattoo originally planned because his design was nowhere near what I wanted. He rushed me into starting the tattoo before I had a chance to notice he changed the font halfway through her name so the letters don’t look like they even go together and he blacked out the leaves in my rose when I asked him specifically not to do that. I left feeling so bummed that it wasn’t what I wanted. Communication is so important and I won’t let any artist rush me into getting a tattoo again. Now I have to pay even more money to laser it and fix it.
Great video thanks. I’m going to pass this to a friend who has high excitement for a tattoo and I’m worried it won’t turn out how she wants. Sacred heart tattoo is beautiful.
I'm glad my dissatisfaction with a couple of my tattoos is pretty minimal and can be solved with some rework or a blast over. Or maybe just surround it with so many others nobody notices the ones that aren't ideal. Probably doing that with one, and rework the other. Eventually I'll have two full sleeves.
We all need to do better in customer service and inclusivity in the tattoo community. So many people stop their tattoo journey because of feeling out of control and unsure in the process. Let’s all look after the newbies and be a really cool chill community people love to be a part of ❤ I hate when people say they felt nervous/ unsure or like they couldn’t speak up - where does this stereotype come from : /
i got my first tattoo at 16 or 17 from a ex con in a friends kitchen 😂😂😂 and i have no regrets i’m 34 now . I still love all my tattoos i’m just glad i always chose things meaningful to me and not what was popular or “cute”
My coverup is easily my favorite tattoo. I went back to my old artist for the coverup and I really wish I had just done that from the get go 😅 but it looks amazing and he killed it as always. I think if we’re being honest, tattoo regret is practically a right of passage to being significantly inked 🤷♀️
19:23 I've also seen evidence that laser is VERY effective on blow-outs. It might be easiest for them to keep the tattoo (if they want) and remove only the ~haze~
🧊 I love watching your videos, they are so informative and interesting. Maybe this is a weird compliment but the way you speak, I love the cadence and everything, I can absorb all the information. (I have a hard time paying attention to any content at all but especially overstimulating content. 😅) you are my favorite tattoo channel, keep up the great work I appreciate you
i forget about your tattoo regret, I made a comment once on another video and I remember noting you being very sympathetic of the people in the video that regretted their tattoos. My comment was somewhere along the lines of some people in the video not really being about tattoos because I understood them as hating how tattoos look like on their skin (as opposed to a certain tattoo) and if I remember correctly my comment was judgemental towards them these types of videos certaintly are helpful for people and give insight on what to do, and I appreciate you being understanding of others in their situations even if I can't lmao
I had more than one regret tattoo hahaha. Luckily, I only do blackwork tattoos, so it was pretty easy to cover it up with something new and way more beautiful. So, in general, I had 4 regret tattoos. Already cover it up 2 of them. I am super happy with this new process actually. It is part of liking and doing tattoos. Don't panic, there are a lot of options to solve it! 💚
Based on your story, it sounds like you regret the tattoo removal more than the original tattoo. I’m really glad you chose to get tattooed again because you look absolutely stunning with all the ink you have now.
I first got a tattooed in 2008(😢 instant regret )added to it 2010 and 2012 - made it worst, added again in 2015. Made the decision in 2024 to finally get it all lazered. I'm gonna give myself 5 years to get it gone. ( That works out at 20 years of tattoo regret that has eaten me alive for years) i just wanna say to anyone reading, don't let it eat you up and get it lazered asap! Don't wait. ❤
I regret the placement of my first tattoo , because I knew I wanted an elbow tattoo but I decided it would fantastic idea to get the aloha over my elbow . So now I am hopefully soon I will be getting my elbow tattoo and cover it or layer over top of it somehow.I don’t want my aloha tattoo to be the main focus.
in a tough spot where i got a tattoo from someone who was emotionally abusive and manipulative to me and coerced me into getting tattooed by him… three years later and the tattoo was done poorly, way too deep and i know it would take so many laser sessions to get rid of it and i just can’t afford it :( every time i look at it it reminds me of how horrible he treated me
I’m so so sorry 😞 He should never have even thought to treat you this way 💔 I hope one day you can afford removal or cover up! You’re not the only one who’s been through something like this and healing is possible 💕
I got a tattoo on the back of my hip and so couldn't see what the tattoo was like until it was fully done. I immediately hated it. I gave the artist a chance to somewhat fix it, but after that session I still hated it and was super embarrassed. I couldn't afford laser at the time so I looked for other options. I ended up at the back of a beauty salon being tattooed with this "magic fluid" that would draw the ink out of my skin and it would scab off. Now I know that was an insane claim and i should've just done the laser. But I was young n stupid n poor. I now have what's basically a mild chemical burn on the back of my hip. The skin is extremely pale and somewhat uneven in color with a slight grainy texture to the lower dermis layers. It's definitely not how you're supposed to remove tattoos and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. However, I still prefer how this looks over the original tattoo
To anyone with tattoo regret: I would highly recommend waiting a few weeks to at minimum a few months before making a decision about removal/coverups. The reason behind this is: when you see something new on your body for the first time it is very common for it to look out of place. It's strange to explain but your brain hasn't fully adjusted yet to something new, and because of that it will look a lot more out of place at first and over time it will adjust. It's similar to wearing a color your never wear before and thinking you look "off" in the mirror, when in reality it's just not something you're used to seeing. Also one last thought: no one is a bigger critic of the tattoos you have than yourself. I think a lot of times we (myself included) overanalyze tattoos that a lot of times are genuinely really good. My first thought when I saw the traditional heart/flower was "Damn, that's sick" - I would absolutely rock that tattoo lol
I’ve been getting tattooed since 18 and now 29 I have like two regrets but also I’ve gotten tattoos small and simple,manageable enough to build on them or change them. Also I only have line work so still slot of playing room
What if I regret a cover up.? Now I have two layers I want to get laser. And it’s a traditional piece with heavy black and red 😭 I regretted it immediately and as soon as I went home I looked up a laser clinic near me. It will be a long process for me. Thanks for the video and the reassurance 😅
My artist would share stories of pieces he tried to talk clients out of getting the tattoo. He said he thought it wasn’t a good location or the design in general. One of the stories was of a client wanting a solid black scorpion on her hand. He said, bad idea. I think she was starting a business or something. Well, she regretted it because her business took off and she has this big, solid black scorpion tattoo on her hand. Not a good look for business, but he tried to warn her.
i dont even have a tattoo but im here
me, too! I'm a big fan of the art form but can't decide on or commit to any one tattoo
Saaaaaame
@@annabethsmith-kingsley2079too real
Same same
I also don't have one but I'm looking at possibly getting a small one so I want to know all my options.
I am probably 33% covered at this point and I ALWAYS have that moment of "omg what did I do" for the first few days after I get a tattoo -- then I love it -- then I forget I even have it lol.
same lol
this is my exact experience, and im about halfway covered. i always describe it as 'having an elaborate mole', its just a part of my body now lmao
Sometimes I think why did I do this, but when I see it in pictures it makes me happy that it makes me, me. And I'm happy to have them 😊
Celle is really our tattoo godmother 💖
🥰🥰🥰
She's a sweetheart.
I read this as GOTHmother and was like well yesss ❤ lol!
I don’t know about godmother, but she’s super cute and very kind hearted, that’s everything
She's My aunt
I don't really regret any of my tattoos but I do feel that it can be a bit contagious when people say they regret their tattoos. It makes me reflect on how my own body looks and how other people perceive it. With the internet, we are exposing ourselves to way too many images and that can really interfere with how we perceive our own tattoos. Sometimes it's also good to step away for a bit and live in the real world. My friends and family don't even think much of my tattoos.
I 100% agree with this sentiment.
Its weird how people browbeat other people for any kind of regret, change of opinion or priority. Its like you're expected to be perfect from the beginning, and never change no matter what. Its mostly an internet mentality, but its still weird
I spent $1200, and year and a half lightening up a tattoo. I got a coverup from someone who specializes in doing them, and I adore my tattoo now. Every penny was worth it. The ugly tattoo made me feel insecure. Now I can say I’m super happy with how my tattoos look
I needed this. I’m heavily tattooed and I got a piece from a popular artist overseas. He absolutely destroyed my skin, leaving me scarred. It’s on the front of my thigh. The healing was so horrible and excruciating and the piece isn’t even big at all. Never thought after 40 perfect tattoo experiences that I would get something so messed up. This video made me feel better.
I’m so sorry, that’s so heartbreaking. We put so much trust in these artists and some of them really do not give a f.
I hope your experiences going forward are better. 💚
That sounds so horrible 😢how did he scar you??? From going too deep with the needle?
@@abbadonne8342That’s what I think. There are parts of the tattoo that, 12 hours after getting the piece, showed no ink. It was just white, raw flesh. It was actually some of the worst pain I ever felt while healing a tattoo. While I was getting the tattoo, I was swelling and bleeding a lot. He asked if that always happens (I have most of my other leg done) and I said it’s never happened before. He also made several comments about my skin color (I’m half black, half white) and how he has to do things differently because of that? I have all color tattoos, even white ink that’s held up over years. My skin holds all colors very well despite me being half black. I honestly think he was pressing hard to “pack” the color into my skin when that was completely unnecessary. Now that the piece is healed, those white fleshy parts are huge red, raised scars with no ink. It makes me sad every time I have to look at it. 😭😭😭
@@toltorgThank you for your empathy. ❤ It’s extra sad because he is a very popular and talented artist. I drove two hours to see him all for it to end badly. I’ve gotten a new tattoo since then from a local artist and had a much better experience. 😌
@@abbadonne8342I believe so. A day after the tattoo, the skin where the color would be was completely white and raw. I went to the hospital just to make sure it wasn’t infected. My regular artist said it was definitely overworked 😢
Literally left a tattoo shop today full of regret which lead me to search youtube for exactly this topic. Glad to see I’m not alone 🥲. Being a people pleaser has truly fckd me.
Update: I now love it, and always get compliments. I thinks it’s dysmorphia that goes away. Sometimes getting tattoos make us super critical looking for any small thing to dislike.
I love my tattoo now! no regrets ✨
@@ivettesmile that is so good to hear, happy for you
I don’t have a tattoo regret (yet), but Imma watch still 😂
haha I appreciate u!!
Same 🥰
I don't have a single tattoo lol
🧊When my grandma passed away (I was 20) I decided to get a tiger tattoo in her memory. Out of all the tattoo shops in my town none wanted to draw a tiger tattoo for me. I had to draw it myself (I am an illustrator) but once I took my sketch to another tattoo artist he had to remove some of the lines and details on the design because some of it was too small and would blend over time. Which drastically changed the tiger's face and "personality". I remember wanting to cover up that tiger AS SOON as I was out of the shop. To this day it's still my least favourite tattoo I have but I've kinda grown fond of it after a while ? He looks a bit funky but he's on my back so I just forget he exists. Back then, laser removal wasn't a thing, so if I had the money I'd probably have had it covered (probably by a bigger, better tiger) but that stupid tiger is a part of me now. We're on good terms now lol
:(( sorry to hear that
I’m getting my oldest tattoo covered up at the end of the month so this spoke to me. For me my only frustration with the new discussion online about tattoo regret is people saying that if they got a tattoo younger than 25 it somehow has to do with your brain not being fully developed which is just bunk science first of all (the brain is constantly developing and changing there isn’t like a cut off at 25) and second of all it tries to sidestep the fact that regret and mistakes are regular parts of life and we shouldn’t crap all over people experiencing struggles with regret and mistakes. Imo people should be able to say oh I regret this tattoo and that not being interpreted as them hating tattoos or w/e. Fundamentally, it would be nice if people gave others just a bit more grace and humanity.
I like the way she talks. Calming.
18:18 i understand the technical issues with the tattoo and know it'll get worse with time but honestly... the blown out text is giving blurry vhs/brat summer and i'm kind of living for it lol
🧊 love your videos queen
Honestly, I agree. When I see people criticizing blown out tattoos (which I know is a bad thing because it means poor technique), it often really doesn't even look that bad *to me*. Sometimes when the blow out is diffuse and pretty even it just gives a unique blurry effect.
What is brat summer?
@LisaLee__ it's referring to the aesthetic of Charli XCX's new album called 'brat'. After she dropped her album, the phrase "it's a brat summer" became popular
It absolutely is giving Brat. I kind of love it
🧊Option 5: Do nothing to it! Just get other better tattoos do you don't think about your lame ones as often lol. I find that as I get older and more covered, I worry way less about the tattoos I don't like as much
I think the phoenix is really cool, and your sleeve is a lot more interesting for having it. Amazing how a great artist can turn a weakness into a strength.
I got a terrible tattoo of a rock climber on my back (my first tattoo), and quickly knew that I needed to cover it up or get rid of it. I decided to cover it with a full back piece with the same theme. It took some time to find the right artist, but I'm so glad I did. She hid the original tattoo in 'rock,' which is almost invisible unless you're specifically looking for it. So now it's like there's a magic eye of a rock climbing inside the rock of a larger rock climbing tattoo - easily the coolest part of an epic tattoo.
Okay, but the “good grief” tattoo being blown out actually looks dope as fuck
I went through all of the phases of regret, hiding as well as being insanely into fitness. I'm glad I wasn't the only one and you're right! I had my regret back in 2019 and even then, the removal part wasn't as accessible back then!
also, maybe we're still in the phase of saline removal not being as accessible, cus I think since the last video you brought that up, I still have yet to know about saline removal in NYC! 🥲
Can you make a separate video about surgical tattoo removal? That’s fascinating and scary to think about.
I definitely regretted my first tattoo. Not the tatt itself but where I went. The guy acted like I was bothering him with my business, he freehanded the very simple design I brought in and made it crooked and lost some of the detail. I finally just got a blast over to cover it up, wish I could’ve done it sooner
This is a great conversation to have. I got my first tattoo when I was 25 and I'm 42 now. I'm tattooed heavily from collarbones to fingers, down to my feet. People grow and evolve, and it's not shameful to no longer identify with a piece of art you got 5, 10, or 20+ years ago. I like most of my tattoos, but I still feel that many of them could have been placed better, or certain things could have been done differently in hindsight. I think regret or dissatisfaction is a natural feeling to have after we look at something on our bodies EVERY single day for a long period of time. I've had 2 large full-color pieces lasered and covered up, and I can totally relate to feeling anxiety about getting tattooed again after lasering, because that shit is traumatic lol. 😂 I had my 2nd coverup finished back in January, and I haven't gotten anything new this year, because I'm just waiting to make sure I'm really settled on what I want, and find the right person to do it.
I have no tattoos but I’m still watching the whole thing because your voice is the most calming thing ever
Thank you so much for your honest and kinda soothing video. Back in 2013 I was in a similar situation. I felt exactly the same pain and devastation from regretting a tattoo -even though everyone else around me gave me positive feedback and emphasized, how good that tattoo looked and how it fits me. Thank god these times are over - and today I can fully accept my tattoo. I'm not going to lie: If I could go back in time, I would not have gotten the tattoo the way it looked. But I absolutely would have chosen the same motive, cause I am 100 % happy with that! Also today, I cannot imagine myself without this tattoo - it is part of my identity/part of my body and it is okay!
I also dont even have tattoos, but i watch your content because you are just so nice to listen to. And the stories are interesting!
I definitely fell into the trope of name tattoos or tattoos that represented people that later didn't stick around in your life. I got my first boyfriend's zodiac symbol (Scorpion) under my collarbone. Not only did the scorpion turn into a crawfish with age, the boyfriend definitely didn't stick around. I had gotten several other tattoos after that I all regret (clearly I learned nothing). These tats I acquired between 18-21. I hadn't stepped foot into a tattoo studio since then until l had formulated a plan and found the right artist for the job. It wasn't until now, age 35, until I have a tattoo that I love. The scorpion crawfish is now in the past and a beautiful floral chest piece with Japanese omamori has replaced it. I absolutely love it and the timeless meaning it holds for me. Not sure what to do with the other tattoos on my left arm, but at least Ive found a great artist who's up for the challenge. Love your videos, thanks for sharing with us!!
I got two very spur of the moment text tattoos back in my early 20s, on my wrists. The one I regret, incidentally, says “regret nothing”😂😭 It’s just terrible quality, crooked, & blown out. I did ZERO research when I got it. My other wrist says “so it goes”, a Kurt Vonnegut quote I still love even though it’s also terrible quality. At this point, almost 20yrs after getting them, I see them as a part of my history, even if I don’t love the one. It’s like a permanent snapshot of who I was back then. And by now, I honestly don’t even notice either of them anymore, despite being right in front of my face most of the time.
🧊 I love the tip about being patient! When I got my first tattoo at 18 I regretted it immediately, it wasn’t at all what I wanted and the people at the shop were not nice. I planned my coverup for 3 years, saved up a lot of money, and finally covered at 23. It’s now a gorgeous half sleeve. The situation taught me a lot about resilience. Yes, I covered the tattoo, but living with my choice for 5 years taught me so many invaluable lessons. Just because it was a regret doesn’t mean it was a waste.
This is such an interesting video because it's about regretting one specific tattoo as a person who is otherwise happy to be tattooed. My only experience with tattoo regret is watching my brother regret being a tattooed person, in general, about 20 years ago when tattoo removal was not really available or even a thought in his mind.
15:06 I would say (depending on the tattoo) there is a fifth option which is rework
true !! Good point
Blastover’s can look really cool too, but need to be much darker inks
That’s what I was going to say. I had a different artist do background around the tattoo I regretted and turn it into a Japanese half sleeve - not an option for everyone but it worked for me. Although the first tattoo is still there, it fits better not being the focal point and there is more for the eye to look at it.
Love how non-judgemental you are, Celle. This is actually such a helpful video for anyone who has tattoo regret - which is totally normal and valid!
Just because I don't have it doesn't mean that other people aren't entitled to feel however they feel about their own bodies.
does anyone else experience a 24-72 hour regret and then feel fine after? i feel anytime i get a tattoo ill feel really anxious about it for a day or so and then after im like actually no i love this tattoo and i look awesome. thoughts?
I’ve had that a couple of times for about 24 hours, but I absolutely love all of my tattoos
this. there were a couple of days where I really hated both of my tattoos. like they were embarrassing, I thought they looked horrible, this happened years after I got my tattoos. I also got over this and while I'm not in love with my tattoos I feel like they're a part of me and I feel at peace with them. I don't hate them, they aren't the amazing pieces of art I wanted or filled with great meaning like I had envisioned but they feel like they should be there.
Maybe its your brain accepting the permanence of your new feature
I got a forearm tattoo for 3 years already and I still feel some regret and no regret till this day. My piece looks amazing but I don't know I guess the fact that I'm never getting my skin color back in that spot really makes me feel uneasy at my own decision. Well I'm definitely not getting anymore cu I don't want to make it worse haha
This freaks me out bc I also feel like I did everything you're supposed to do and then some when getting my sleeve done. I'd have been so crushed if after all that I was unhappy with a huge part of it. Yours looks fantastic today, I'm glad it all worked out in the end for you.
your roses are 10 years old???? holy shit i would have never guessed - they look incredible! i take it ur good w sunscreen omg
I have no tattoos but getting my first in November but I will still watch because tattoo education is important! ❤
Consider also the fact that the ink is heavy metals and eventually the body has to break it down and it’s one reason I won’t again. I’m doing tattoo removal now and I have to be careful and I plan to have my heavy metals checked. Also if fades a lot over time if it is in the sun at all. Just my two cents. Peoples health is my priority. 😊
Tattoos are poison.
I have a tattoo that I've regretted for 30 years. It was the first one I ever got. I was into tribal (which was popular at the time) and chose a big one and put it on the inside of my forearm (so very visible). I went to what I thought was a reputable artist, but back then that didn't mean much. I ended up with a blow out, so that didn't help. I think I paid about $200 (about $400 in today's' money). I don't have the thousands it would take to either cover it up (if that could even be done--it's pretty black) or to laser it. Every day I see it and I'm reminded of my bad choice. I have had to explain it probably thousands of times over the years. I did go ahead and get three other tattoos over the years, and they came out fine, but none of them are anywhere that's visible to other people. So, regret has lasted for decades. Be very careful what you choose.
You're always so articulated, the voice of reason in the online tattoo world. This is one of the main reasons I haven't had a tattoo yet, so thank your honesty and openness ♡♡
I had regret and got laser removal in 2015 - seems so long ago now! Was so hard to find information out there about removal at the time - there were some youtube videos but never ones showing the whole process and end results so i was super nervous. Lots of websites i looked at had horror stories of burns, or that you couldnt get complete removal. The tattoo was on my forearm and i would wear long sleeves all the time even in summer but unfortunately started work in an industry that required me to wear short sleeves. No one around me had tattoos and it was unusual in the industry i was in. Im naturally a shy person and it made me feel quite self conscious. I found a tattoo studio in town that also did laser removal and id fake a relaxed "cool girl" vibe to go there alone for removal sessions. They were nice but i was intimidated and felt like a fraud. I felt ashamed about the money i was losing - id never spent that much money before. Once id started the removal, i was even more nervous about people seeing my arm cause the ink was all blotchy and people would know i had tattoo regret! It was all so taboo at the time. Im glad theres more people talking about this now! Thank you ❤
Holy Cow ! What experience with your laser removal, Yikes ! I'm feeling your pain . And it's to bad many women feel bad about themselves
Women are all beautiful !! And I'm old School with my tattoo 2008 no regrets. Dragons Rule !
🧊! I recently got two tattoos in one sitting from a very good, respected artist. One came out brilliant, 11/10, my favourite tattoo. The other... I was so distracted by how beautiful the stencil was that I didn't twig the placement was off until I got home 😭 now I'm the client from that comedy tattoo tiktok who was like, "gorgeous work, can you move it up an inch?" I strongly dislike how close a part of it is to my armpit, and that area also got a bit of a blowout because of the thinner skin. I'm probably going to have to get that part lasered and covered/redone, which sucks because even though the artist offers free fixes on any issues, I won't be able to afford the laser until like... December 😶 so I'm getting photographed with a tattoo I'm regretting throughout all of this year's wedding season woo!!!
Oh man, I can't imagine getting laser near the armpit! Make SURE you use a GOOD (safe! some are not!) numbing cream and IMMEDIATELY after the laser, I mean, IN the office - put ice on the area (over a cloth, of course) for at least 20 minutes. Don't start driving home and ice it then - it's all about icing it IMMEDIATELY after the laser to stop the burn. You will have much less damage to the skin and a much easier time healing from it. Your welcome. 😊
I need those earrings. Also, after watching your videos I was afraid I will regret my tattoos but after giving it more though, I might be safe :)
I think it’s also a good idea to take some time and see if you can learn to live with your tattoo or if there’s anything that could be added to it that would make you like it. Obviously if it’s just complete shit don’t go back to the same artist. I have regretted tattoos a few times and later realized I am someone who overthinks things and has a hard time with permanent decisions. Even if it’s a great tattoo I will think about how it could have been bigger/smaller, different placement.
I had my first big regret 2 months ago at the beginning of the Summer. I tried to sit with it, but just really don’t like how it was executed. I had originally gone straight to booking an appointment at a laser clinic to remove the part of the design that I don’t think looks right. I talked to a few people and instead I booked with the artist and will have her add a little bit more shading and details to the piece I don’t like. It wouldn’t be a lot of ink added so if I still hate it later on it won’t make it much harder to fade with laser and have reworked. It’s also like a pretty small 2 inch/3 inch tattoo in my sleeve I’ve been working on for years so I still have lots of other really good tattoos around it. When I think of heavily tattooed people or patchwork sleeves it’s ok if not every tattoo is amazing. I’m some weird way I kind of like seeing some shotty work mixed in with works of art. Makes the person appear more humble or punk or something.
It's hard to admit when a tattoo is going wrong and you have to "break up" with the artist. I returned to my artist that did my first one to do my second. But it was going all wrong and I kept leaving sessions upset, and after I think the second session I was like, "wtf am I doing? Stop this NOW." So I emailed her that I couldn't continue with the tattoo. I didn't know how else to tell her that it just wasn't looking right, so it was best to stop whilst I was ahead and not let it get even worse. Most people can't tell it's unfinished or messed up until I point out all the problems, so that's handy. It's always risky before you start that like is your vision being actualised or have you been misinterpreted. Find the art you like and hope they get your jive.
🧊 I really like the advice to sit with your tattoo for a few months before deciding what to do, even if you know you don't like it. I have a similar tattoo that isn't poorly done, but it isn't what I wanted, either. I still haven't decided whether to try and add to it or go the laser/ cover up route, but I'll figure it out eventually!
didn't have tattoo regret till one day after getting my arm filled one of the tattoos (a 10 year old one that i got for a trade) didn't fit right and then the regret started. went through 6 rounds of laser removal (freeze air numbing technique) and just recently covered it up (a painful 8 hour session) and now i feel so much better with how cohesive my arm looks.
Still waiting for my lupus to subside so I can get my tattoo done. This channel has taught me a lot, thank you!
Consider that tattoos may not be good for your health as they contain heavy metals. It slowly comes out into the bloodstream with time as it breaks down but I haven’t found much research on the health implications.
Don't even have a tattoo but i enjoy your videos :3
Dang that star wars tattoo is amazing tho 😢
First time hearing about saline tattoo removal, thanks 🙏🏿
You're the best dude ❤️ I'm not currently living with tattoo regret but before my coverup I had a seriously awful ankle piece for 10 years. I really would have loved to see a video like this way back when I first got the tattoo. This stuff is important.
i have no tattoos not am i a part of the community/culture, but i absolutely adore celle and love her videos!! her voice is so soothing and shes so pretty, definitely my goals if i were to get tattoos in the future 🥹🥹
I got a tattoo of my favourite movie character on my forearm and I hated it from Day 1. It was not a bad tattoo, but I hated the placement and later even the message of it. I got it removed and tattooed over. My cover tattoo is now my favourite. ❤
i love the older sister vibes in here, thanks for the video!!!
Regretted a forearm piece done in thick solid black lines. Luckily, got the firearm blacked out, and not only does it look sick, but I feel more confident having something on my body I like.
I got a 3/4 sleeve blackout last year to finally cover up a cover up I hated of a tattoo I hated originally 😅 that said, I had wanted the blackout for years and figured I wasn’t getting any younger(turned 40 in January) so I finally did it. Zero regrets and I love it when I look in the mirror 🎉
I don't regret any of my tattoos. I'm only here because I'm chronically addicted to this youtube channel.
I appreciate you talking about this
jelly roll is such a real one lmao "are you kidding? I regret all of them they're all bad!"
i just had my first session for my half sleeve and i love it so much. artist did a great job and its exactly what i want. but this was a very interesting video and i really appreciate your attitude towards tattoos and tattoo regret in general, it seems like a very healthy way of looking at things
I remember your first video about this experience a few years back. You have always been mature but you're growth is incredible. Watching your tattoo art journey has been a lot of fun. Thanks for all the hard work.
Interesting to hear your Phoenix experience - I was in a similar situation where I got a freehand tattoo (without knowing it will be freehand) and only saw the basic sketch minutes before we started, but I ended up really enjoying that process. It was quite fascinating to see how a piece of art is created live on my body, the artist first drawing the flow of my muscles and creating a piece of art that is actually meant to be on my arm. But there definitely is a huge risk involved and hearing your story I could really see how my verdict could have been the complete opposite if I ended up hating it.
That being said, I regretted every tattoo I had done so far at some point, even when they were pretty much perfect. Most of the time I either came to terms with it, or ended up noticing it's not the end of the world and not worth the effort to remove or work around it. I almost consider it part of the process now :D.
This video made me feel better; I have a super messed up frog tattooed right next to my knee that i absolutely hate. My 17 year old brain didn’t make enough of a fuss about the placement and the sketch itself even though I hated it before it was even done. I did it anyway, and I liked it surprisingly for all of a month. Then I realized by watching others online that my tattoo was SO blown out and scarred. I was in so much pain when I was getting tattooed I thought it was normal, but she truly f*cked my sh*t up. I don’t know how I’m gonna go about getting rid of it, but this gave me some ideas and reminded me to be patient. I will one day be able to wear shorts, damn it! Celle said so! 😭😂
You're very kind Celle, and this video will help a lot of people. 💜
Back in April I got my first tattoo and the tattoo that I got was one that I put a lot of thought into it since I was thinking about getting it since 2014 and I finally got it 10 years later
Got my first tattoo a few weeks ago. Still healing. But I love it.
I love all of my tattoos, but I still found this really interesting and informative. I think it’s important to educate yourself on the industry as a whole, so thank you 🧊
Ive been there 😢 it was reaaalllyyy hard to accept but its been a few years and I accepted it (not that people have to)
Thank you for speaking up about this . During the time I did it I couldnt sleep and felt sick.
Good video! The last guy could also just do a blast over which is what I did to my upper sleeve. I don't like some of my tattoos - not what they are (roses, bird, flowers, kids names), but not the artist I selected. Selecting the right artist is the most important part of tattoos in my experience.
I've had 3 tattoos removed, two on the arm about fist sized, and a larger one on my back, abt 12"x5". All of them have been lightened with the intention of getting them covered, one has been covered so far and it look immaculate. So glad I did the process. The one on my back I got removed at a place in Portland called the un-tattoo parlor (I highly recommend them), and they literally inject you with lidocaine for the process. It is still very painful, but they did quite an amazing job. There is just a faint outline and some yellow (there were red tones in the tattoo), but I hope to get it covered next year.
Just take your time getting tattooed, never rush into anything, and always first and foremost go to an artist whose art you just adore, because chances are you will love seeing it on your body.
Thank you. I really needed to hear this today. Currently struggling with my confidence due to a bad tattoo ❤..
I only regret one but for a different reason... When I arrived at the studio the tattooer said he thought I would not come so he didn't have any design prepared. He used a design that I made and had it uploaded to my Behance account. So I was quite happy to get my own design on me.
But he made all the splashes differently (watercolor tat) which looks way worse than on my art... All the lines are so thick... cuz he said it is impossible to make thin lines in a tattoo (it was my second one and the first one also had quite thick lines so I believed him). It's been about 8 years and almost all colors faded completely...
What is worse, black lines got even thicker and some of them are now two lines, not one... All their previous work on other people looked good... This tattoo is hidden from sun and when it is exposed to sun I use a strong spf... A tattoo I got 14 years ago looks way better than this one...
And it is not like the tattoo was cheap or big... It is about 13x7 cm, has three colors plus black... The artist took half my month salary for that, said that this tat is sooo big and has sooo many colors and that he still charges me quote: "like Jesus" because he should be paid way more for that...
This studio and their artists are not doing any better now... I still hear from other studios that people come to fix tats that they got in that studio. When I see their new works only one guy makes like 6/10 tats and other people there... uhh... like 4/10...
Hell naw!! No regrets here. Love my tatts.
Thanks so much for sharing! I relate very much to your journey. my tattoo is japanese style, pretty much started the same way you did, but with smaller dragons, and now Im in san diego working on figuring it out lol. Ive dealt with the overall anxiety and body dysmorphia a ton since its been done and its been extremely difficult to deal with feeling like I keep making more and more mistakes with it even though im seemingly taking the right steps to fix it. Hopefully on the route to completely finishing/fixing it up with a new artist and really hoping I can feel better about it all 🙏
Hello Celle, I recently found your channel and i subscribed immediately. I am currently learning how to do tattoos. I haven't tattooed anyone or have any tattoos myself. I absolutely love to draw. its my passion. The reason why i don't have any tattoos is because i feel like im to dark skinned and tattoos on dark skin look bad after a long time. i never seen a white tattoo with color on darker skin. I would look at the tattoo and would always want to add more detail or change the area its in. I watched you tattoo yourself and you did a great job. You are very talented. Are you good at doing free hand drawings? You are so respectful and honest. What is your favorite tattoo that you have and would you ever get a tattoo on your feet. I heard that is a very painful place to tattoo. I would love to see you tattoo someone. Out of all your tattoos which one was the most painful. Keep up the good work.
Nice plaque! 🎉
Eeeeeee thank u 🥰
I waited 4 years to get my first tattoo in memory of my daughter. It meant so much to me and I’d thought about it for so long I knew exactly what I wanted. That being my first tattoo I didn’t know how forward I needed to be with my artist and chose instead to trust him with the design. I communicated as best as I could but he didn’t really reciprocate, our conversations were rushed. After seeing his design I realized he didn’t listen to anything I said. I ended up not getting half of the tattoo originally planned because his design was nowhere near what I wanted. He rushed me into starting the tattoo before I had a chance to notice he changed the font halfway through her name so the letters don’t look like they even go together and he blacked out the leaves in my rose when I asked him specifically not to do that. I left feeling so bummed that it wasn’t what I wanted. Communication is so important and I won’t let any artist rush me into getting a tattoo again. Now I have to pay even more money to laser it and fix it.
Great video thanks. I’m going to pass this to a friend who has high excitement for a tattoo and I’m worried it won’t turn out how she wants. Sacred heart tattoo is beautiful.
I'm glad my dissatisfaction with a couple of my tattoos is pretty minimal and can be solved with some rework or a blast over. Or maybe just surround it with so many others nobody notices the ones that aren't ideal. Probably doing that with one, and rework the other. Eventually I'll have two full sleeves.
We all need to do better in customer service and inclusivity in the tattoo community. So many people stop their tattoo journey because of feeling out of control and unsure in the process. Let’s all look after the newbies and be a really cool chill community people love to be a part of ❤ I hate when people say they felt nervous/ unsure or like they couldn’t speak up - where does this stereotype come from : /
i got my first tattoo at 16 or 17 from a ex con in a friends kitchen 😂😂😂 and i have no regrets i’m 34 now . I still love all my tattoos i’m just glad i always chose things meaningful to me and not what was popular or “cute”
My coverup is easily my favorite tattoo. I went back to my old artist for the coverup and I really wish I had just done that from the get go 😅 but it looks amazing and he killed it as always. I think if we’re being honest, tattoo regret is practically a right of passage to being significantly inked 🤷♀️
19:23 I've also seen evidence that laser is VERY effective on blow-outs. It might be easiest for them to keep the tattoo (if they want) and remove only the ~haze~
I definitely have tattoos I don’t love but I don’t regret them. I wish they were done better but that’s about it.
🧊 I love watching your videos, they are so informative and interesting. Maybe this is a weird compliment but the way you speak, I love the cadence and everything, I can absorb all the information. (I have a hard time paying attention to any content at all but especially overstimulating content. 😅) you are my favorite tattoo channel, keep up the great work I appreciate you
i forget about your tattoo regret, I made a comment once on another video and I remember noting you being very sympathetic of the people in the video that regretted their tattoos. My comment was somewhere along the lines of some people in the video not really being about tattoos because I understood them as hating how tattoos look like on their skin (as opposed to a certain tattoo) and if I remember correctly my comment was judgemental towards them
these types of videos certaintly are helpful for people and give insight on what to do, and I appreciate you being understanding of others in their situations even if I can't lmao
Celle, you speak with so much more confidence than you did!😊
I had more than one regret tattoo hahaha. Luckily, I only do blackwork tattoos, so it was pretty easy to cover it up with something new and way more beautiful. So, in general, I had 4 regret tattoos. Already cover it up 2 of them. I am super happy with this new process actually. It is part of liking and doing tattoos. Don't panic, there are a lot of options to solve it! 💚
I didn't know saline removal was a thing! Sweet info.
Based on your story, it sounds like you regret the tattoo removal more than the original tattoo. I’m really glad you chose to get tattooed again because you look absolutely stunning with all the ink you have now.
I don't regret any of my tattoos but it was weird to see them there until they basically became a part of my body
I first got a tattooed in 2008(😢 instant regret )added to it 2010 and 2012 - made it worst, added again in 2015. Made the decision in 2024 to finally get it all lazered. I'm gonna give myself 5 years to get it gone. ( That works out at 20 years of tattoo regret that has eaten me alive for years) i just wanna say to anyone reading, don't let it eat you up and get it lazered asap! Don't wait. ❤
I regret the placement of my first tattoo , because I knew I wanted an elbow tattoo but I decided it would fantastic idea to get the aloha over my elbow . So now I am hopefully soon I will be getting my elbow tattoo and cover it or layer over top of it somehow.I don’t want my aloha tattoo to be the main focus.
Just come across your channel... Subscribed... Much love from UK 🇬🇧❤
in a tough spot where i got a tattoo from someone who was emotionally abusive and manipulative to me and coerced me into getting tattooed by him… three years later and the tattoo was done poorly, way too deep and i know it would take so many laser sessions to get rid of it and i just can’t afford it :( every time i look at it it reminds me of how horrible he treated me
I’m so so sorry 😞 He should never have even thought to treat you this way 💔 I hope one day you can afford removal or cover up! You’re not the only one who’s been through something like this and healing is possible 💕
I love your videos! 🧊🧊🧊
I got a tattoo on the back of my hip and so couldn't see what the tattoo was like until it was fully done. I immediately hated it. I gave the artist a chance to somewhat fix it, but after that session I still hated it and was super embarrassed.
I couldn't afford laser at the time so I looked for other options. I ended up at the back of a beauty salon being tattooed with this "magic fluid" that would draw the ink out of my skin and it would scab off. Now I know that was an insane claim and i should've just done the laser. But I was young n stupid n poor.
I now have what's basically a mild chemical burn on the back of my hip. The skin is extremely pale and somewhat uneven in color with a slight grainy texture to the lower dermis layers. It's definitely not how you're supposed to remove tattoos and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
However, I still prefer how this looks over the original tattoo
🧊❄ Thank you for sharing your story. Looking to know how would it continue your tattoo journey.
What piercings, dermals, tattoos plan to get?
To anyone with tattoo regret: I would highly recommend waiting a few weeks to at minimum a few months before making a decision about removal/coverups.
The reason behind this is: when you see something new on your body for the first time it is very common for it to look out of place. It's strange to explain but your brain hasn't fully adjusted yet to something new, and because of that it will look a lot more out of place at first and over time it will adjust. It's similar to wearing a color your never wear before and thinking you look "off" in the mirror, when in reality it's just not something you're used to seeing.
Also one last thought: no one is a bigger critic of the tattoos you have than yourself. I think a lot of times we (myself included) overanalyze tattoos that a lot of times are genuinely really good. My first thought when I saw the traditional heart/flower was "Damn, that's sick" - I would absolutely rock that tattoo lol
I’ve been getting tattooed since 18 and now 29 I have like two regrets but also I’ve gotten tattoos small and simple,manageable enough to build on them or change them. Also I only have line work so still slot of playing room
thanks for reminding me that I'm not a tattoo phony for regretting one of my tattoos 🧊
What if I regret a cover up.?
Now I have two layers I want to get laser. And it’s a traditional piece with heavy black and red 😭 I regretted it immediately and as soon as I went home I looked up a laser clinic near me. It will be a long process for me. Thanks for the video and the reassurance 😅
My artist would share stories of pieces he tried to talk clients out of getting the tattoo. He said he thought it wasn’t a good location or the design in general.
One of the stories was of a client wanting a solid black scorpion on her hand. He said, bad idea. I think she was starting a business or something. Well, she regretted it because her business took off and she has this big, solid black scorpion tattoo on her hand.
Not a good look for business, but he tried to warn her.