Tattoo regret in the Age of Social Media: Insights from an Artist

In the world of modern tattoos in the age of social media, symbols carry profound meanings, yet they can take unexpected turns. I recall a client, fresh from a Germany trip, impulsively inking a Swastika on his shoulder, unaware of its political connotations. When he realised the impact later, he sought our studio for a cover-up, underscoring the need to grasp the cultural context of symbols.

Furthermore, the misconception that tattoo artists can perfectly replicate others’ work is a common pitfall. Clients may bring designs from different artists, expecting identical results. However, each artist’s style and skill are unique. Imitation may achieve similarity, but true replication is a rare art. Trusting an experienced artist involves appreciating their individual touch and creative flair.

Many clients regret tattoos due to inadequate research about the studio, artist, or their work. It’s a prevalent regret.

One instant source of tattoo regret involves symbols tied to new relationships, like names or important dates. An intriguing story: A young couple got matching tattoos, but after finishing, the girl discovered her partner’s infidelity. They broke up before I could even cover the tattoo and explain aftercare. Now, they are regulars for our laser tattoo removal services.

There was one common scenario is that in recent times the tattoo industry is often influenced by social media trends or celebrity tattoo ideas. There was one video over the internet for sometime. There was this person who got a tattoo of a Pikachu and a trampoline with some gap in between them. When he moves his palm, the tattoo moves and creates a bouncing animation. This Became a trend and few clients got the same tattoo done without realising the consequences of it. Those tattoos tend to fade away completely in 2-3 weeks.

People get tattoos because of many different purposes, permanently marking memories on skin to make their body look more attractive. But the main concept of regretting a tattoo remains the same, not giving enough thought about the significance and meaning associated with the design, those designs often turn out to be the biggest regrets.

The author is the Founder of Devil’z Tattooz.