Bored Panda got in touch with tattoo artist Maya Gat to learn a bit more about tattoo regret and a professional’s opinion. Firstly, we wanted to hear about her experiences with tattoo regret. “I'm fortunate that I haven't encountered clients expressing regret about the tattoos I've created for them, at least to my knowledge. Personally, I haven't experienced regret towards the tattoos I've gotten myself.”

“However, I've had the opportunity to help clients who came to me seeking cover-ups for tattoos that weren't done by me. These situations typically happen when clients feel that their previous tattoos no longer align with their personal journey or have aged poorly over time. It's a rewarding challenge to help transform those experiences into something that resonates with them better and gives them a fresh start.”

As visible in many of the images here, the quality of the tattoo artist's work is just as important as the client's vision, so we wanted to know what to look out for when researching a tattoo artist. “Make sure the artist specializes in the style you are drawn to. Take the time to review an artist's portfolio, paying special attention to how their tattoos look healed, this is a good testament to their skill and to the way your tattoo will age.”

“I recommend selecting an artist who crafts original designs and possesses a distinct touch, as this ensures your tattoo will be both beautiful and one-of-a-kind. Seek out an artist who is patient, who puts thought and creativity in order to give you the best tattoo that aligns with your vision,” she shared with Bored Panda. 

Others might be nervous about getting inked for the first time, so Maya shared some advice. “Getting your first tattoo is a personal and intimate journey. After seeking the right artist for you on the professional and artistic level it's crucial to find an artist with whom you feel comfortable, safe, and connected. Trust is very important to both sides. In my practice, I always schedule a consultation meeting before the tattoo session.”

“This meeting allows us to establish a mutual understanding and a bond, discuss your idea and vision, address any concerns, and clarify the process. Patience and communication are key throughout. When building a design, aim for something timeless that resonates with you on a profound level. Take your time to reflect on the idea, ensuring it remains meaningful to you over the long term. Whether your tattoo holds a deep narrative or simply captures aesthetics, ensure it brings positivity and empowerment whenever you look at it.”

“Personally, If my client's tattoo idea reflects a personal struggle, I work with them to transform it into a representation of growth, beauty, or strength within that. Lastly, carefully consider the tattoo's placement on your body, size, and the colors you chose—different areas, designs, and skin tones have unique considerations that can and should openly be discussed with your chosen artist. Make sure that the design and size flatter the body placement you have chosen.” You can find Maya's Instagram here, and some highlights of her work here and here.

While it’s not as common as our parents (or grandparents) would have led us to believe, tattoo regret is still an issue. One survey found that, among 600 respondents, about 75% thought they should not have gotten at least one of their tattoos. As one can imagine, these days people will get multiple, so the issue is more around a specific piece, not the idea of tattoos in general.

If you put yourself in these people’s shoes, it’s easy to see how this could have happened. Take yourself back to a younger age and think about something you were obsessed with. If you felt a momentary pang of cringe, now imagine getting that thing, a band, film, quote, or something else, etched on your skin. 

However, it is important to differentiate between a person getting one tattoo just to try it and a true enthusiast. Statistics show that the more tattoos a person has, the less likely they are to regret them. Of course, this could be a sort of sunk cost fallacy, but after a few tattoos one can imagine that the recipient is better at picking art they like and finding an artist that works well for them. 

Still, even less desirable tattoos have a “shelf-life” of about two years, when the majority of tattoo regret cases kick in. In particularly sad cases, the person starts to regret it the next day, generally due to the piece being poorly done (and one can look no further than this article for evidence) or because they got it while intoxicated, never a good time to make long-term decisions. 

This is why most specialists recommend sitting down and thinking about what you actually want. That isn’t the only step, it’s also pretty important to find an artist that can do it and understands your vision. As so often in life, paying a premium and taking time to plan tends to pay off, particularly if needles, ink, and skin are involved. 

On the technical side, tattoos don’t all heal identically, certain parts of the body are more receptive and everyone’s skin is different. If this all sounds like a recipe for disaster, don’t fret, most people do not end up hating their tattoo’s if they take all the necessary steps to prepare and maintain it afterward. Issues only arise when the recipient decides to rush, not do their research, or cheaps out on a skilled artist. 

If you are dealing with tattoo regret, it’s really not the end of the world. The feelings of regret may fade as you get used to it. Tattoo removal is another option if you don’t want to keep it, while these days many artists are pretty skilled at “drawing over” an existing tattoo to make something new and, presumably, better.