Tattoo Regret
Regretting Tattoos
It is almost a rite of passage today to get a tattoo. Tattoo regret is common. In fact, according to dermatological studies some 50% of people who have a tattoo would like to have it removed. This may apply to one particular tattoo or all of them.
Whereas the popularity of tattoos is not diminishing and tattoo parlours continue to flourish and so too does the number of dermatologists who specialise in tattoo removal.
The real problem with tattoos is that people really do not spend too much time thinking about them. It is not like a new hairstyle or colour. The tattoo is more or less a permanent feature. True enough a tattoo can be removed but it is not easy, is time consuming, is not always effective and can be painful. It is also extremely expensive. People regret tattoos all the time.
In 2000 it was estimated that some 40 million Americans have tattoos. That is an awful lot of regrets.
Major regret tattoos
Tattoos can easily be divided into groups. Some groups are much more likely to be 'regret tattoos' than others.
Major regret tattoos:
- Tattoos which are visible when you are fully clothed i.e. on the head, neck, backs of hands.
- Tattoos on arms, visible in a short sleeved shirt or blouse.
- Tattoos which incorporate a lover or partners name.
- Gang tattoos.
- Any tattoo added when inebriated.
- Any tattoo done to impress someone else.
- Tattoos which will mean nothing in ten years time.
These major regret tattoos are the ones most likely to cause problems later in life.
Temporary Tattoos
Any tattoo, wherever it is going to be on the body needs a lot of forethought. The first thought should be, what is the point? Followed up quickly with, why?
There are any number of suppliers of temporary tattoos today. This is the way forward. It should be a requirement that a non permanent tattoo be the first consideration. If, after three months the customer is still happy with it then they could go with the real thing.
An alternative could be a black light tattoo, only visible under UV lights in clubs at night.
Why?
The only really cool tattoo
The only really cool tattoo is the invisible (Sak Yant) tattoo. The invisible tattoo is clear oil put into the skin instead of ink. This oil has been blessed by Buddhist monks and is said to offer some magical protection to those who wear it. No-one can see the tattoo, but it is there.
How cool is that?
