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It’s safe to say that the undo function is an absolute lifesaver. You know, the CTRL+Z (Command+Z if you’re an Apple person) thing. The only other true contender to the throne of computational significance is the save function.

Alas, some things just can’t be undone. Like tattoos. And while laser removal is a thing—a rather effective thing, actually—you can’t run away from the time, money, and potential shame you had to deal with throughout the entire process.

At least the silver lining is that folks can laugh about it. There’s actually a dedicated place for that on Facebook. Yep, a group called I'm not tattoo-shaming, but I'm tattoo-sorry you gotta deal with...that.

Bored Panda also got in touch with tattoo artist Pat Fish to talk about all things tattoos, including some helpful insights for those who want a tattoo or two (or twelve), so be sure to read on!

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    #2

    Tattoo on foot reading "Gone to Market" with missing toes.

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    So, I'm not tattoo-shaming, but I'm tattoo-sorry you gotta deal with...that is a free-to-join public group that’s all about bad tattoo art. How bad? You can be the judge of that, but let’s just say they range from "OK, I kinda get it (but that's about it)" to "this is just flat out criminal".

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    As of this listicle, the group is home to nearly 149,000 members. The whole idea behind the group is to just have fun, and it is by no means a tattoo validation group. If someone does end up getting into a roasty toasty mood and going to town on a design, it’s not really frowned upon. Within reason, of course.

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    #5

    Unfortunate tattoo with misspelled "Metallica" and confused lyrics. Man with white goatee in the background.

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    Przemo
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    🎶 I tried so hard and got sofa but in the end it doesn't even mattress 🎶

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    So, what is a “bad tattoo”? For some, it might be a mere issue of taste, but it’s things like skill and artistic aptitude that have a direct impact on how well a tattoo will turn out. And that correlates with money.

    Tattoo artist Pat Fish, who brings the art of Celtic culture and symbolism to life on skin, elaborated on this:

    “Unfortunately, if price is the first consideration, the result may be sub-par,” elaborates Pat. “The resulting tattoo may have shaky lines, the tattooist may get lost in the pattern and put lines where they ought not to be, or the novice apprentice may give it their best which is not yet adequate.”

    #8

    Man with unusual tattoo on his head inside a car with a red car in the background, representing bad tattoo decisions.

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    Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sort of like animals that evolve faces on their back to throw off predators. Pretty common in arthropods IIRC.

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    If you want to get yourself a tattoo and not end up on the aforementioned Facebook page as a textbook example of a crime against the arts, there are several things to consider.

    At the very least, do your homework, i.e. research designs, shops, artists, all that jazz, and make a firm decision. Brace yourself as this is quite literally a 'you get what you pay for' deal.

    Also, make sure you’re comfortable with this, understand that it’s a personal choice, and take your time. It’s a serious decision. Even something as simple as starting small can go a long way.

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    #12

    Tattoo of a troll doll on an arm, with natural arm hair resembling its hair.

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    Hokuloa
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow. I’m simply amazed his hair grows like that on his tricep. Perhaps troll doll worthy

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    “When a trend comes along, like outlining in color, or doing an entire tattoo in color without any black defining lines, the result is guaranteed to age poorly,” explained Pat.

    “Tattoo artists know this, but when a potential client insists many will go ahead and bow to the economics of money in hand and go ahead and do a tattoo that will look lovely the day it is done, but will blur over time. People see something they want to copy on the internet and they do not want to listen to their local tattooist who understands the technical limitations of the medium.”

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    “This applies equally to questions of scale. If they see a photo of a backpiece TikTokTat and ask to copy it on their wrist the artist should be honest and say that level of detail cannot be done in a reduced size. But again, many will say they can do it with a poor result.”

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    Fun fact, the way tattooing works is a very stabby needle enters the second layer of the skin, called the dermis, and then it leaves some ink there. This triggers the immune system—this is normal, after all, ink is a foreign object in the eyes of the body—and then essentially makes sure that the ink doesn’t spread.

    Under normal circumstances, the immune system would attack viruses and bacteria by quite literally engulfing them. But with ink, since it can’t effectively dispose of it—it’s not an organic creature—it instead contains it so it doesn’t spill out further while trying its best to dissolve it.

    The white cell in charge of this process ultimately dies and another comes in to replace it, slowly breaking the ink down. But that happens extremely slowly, hence the tattooed image sticks around on your body for quite a while and is by all means permanent. Unless you’re an eternal, like a vampire. Then everything is temporary.

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    #17

    Back covered in multiple tattoos of the name "Brenda," showcasing some of the worst tattoos.

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    Sum Guy
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think he's in love with someone... i can't figure out who

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    Now, when we say tattoos are permanent, that’s not entirely true. Besides letting it fade out (again, if you’re an immortal), lasers (the bzz bzz ones, not the pew pew ones) have been proven to be one of the safest and most effective ways of removing tattoos. Not without its flaws, though.

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    “ALL the methods of removal leave a scar, and in most cases you can even tell what the old tattoo was,” explains Pat. “The ink is deep enough that for full removal the only sure way to get rid of it is to cut away all the skin. MUCH preferred is to go to a competent artist who can design and implement a cover-up tattoo, so the skin remains healthy and the new design completely obliterates the one that did not meet expectations.”

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