So You Regret Your Tattoo—Now What? We Asked the Pros

No matter how many tattoos you have, every new one initially feels surreal. Empty space on your body is suddenly colored from here on out, which can elicit many feelings. I have dozens of pieces on me that I’ve acquired over nearly 30 years now, yet I’m shocked anew every time! Ideally, as you get used to your new permanent artwork, you feel a sense of joy. But… what if you don’t?

Tattoo regret is real and, let’s be honest, it’s actually pretty common. So we spoke with two tattoo artists to find out how to handle it, when to take action, and what you can do if it turns out you really do hate your new tattoo. Read on for more.

Is It Common to Regret a Tattoo?

Absolutely. Whether it’s immediate or takes time to set in, regretting a tattoo is common. “Regret shows up in all parts of life, but when it’s inked into your skin, it tends to sting a little more,” notes artist Toni Kotar. She says some tattoo elements are more likely to lead to regret than others. “The big three I’ve seen? Names, placement, and design. Names are the classic trap,” she tells us, while “placement and design regrets usually come from rushing,” she says. “That’s why I work hands-on with clients to make sure the tattoo fits not just on the body, but the person wearing it.”

“Tattoo regret is super common,” agrees artist and shop owner Ashlee Barrios. “Even I have some,” she admits. (I do as well; It’s just impossible to put endless permanent pieces of art on your body and not feel different about at least one of them later.) “A good tattoo should settle in like it was always meant to be there,” Kotar says, which can be helpful in deciding whether you regret your new one or not. If it feels out of place on your body, it just might be.

How Soon Does Tattoo Regret Usually Set In?

This is different for everyone and depends on whether your issue is with the work itself or the meaning behind it. “Some folks feel regret the second they get to their car to leave,” Kotar tells us, while “others don’t notice it until years later—maybe after a breakup, a style shift, or just realizing that ‘YOLO’ written across their ribs didn’t age like they thought it would.” Regret can set in even before an artist finishes your tattoo, Barrios adds.

Fortunately, even though tattoos are considered permanent, that doesn’t mean they are unalterable. “Tattoos are art, not concrete,” explains Kotar. “You can add to them, refresh them, or completely change their direction.” You might even end up liking the changes you have made more than the original. “What starts as a mistake can turn into something way more meaningful, or at least something you’re not hiding under long sleeves in July,” she says. Let’s take a closer look at your options for regrettable ink.

What Can You Do About a Tattoo You Regret

If you’re feeling panicked about a new tattoo you don’t love, this is the perfect moment to let yourself take a breath. You’ve got options!

Take a Pause

First, remember that your tattoo has to heal fully before you can do anything about it. “Tattoos roughly take about two to four weeks to heal,” says Kotar, adding that “the longer you wait—ideally up to and over a year—the more the ink settles and fades.” However, she acknowledges that “regret doesn’t always wait that long.” You may not want to wait a year, but you do need to wait until it’s completely healed before you think of your next two options: covering it up or having it removed.

Waiting a moment for your new tattoo to heal can also change your regret about it. For example, unhealed art is brighter and darker than healed art. That means that what you currently find overwhelming may actually be less so once it’s healed. Additionally, you could just be in shock at the literal fact that your physical skin has always looked one way and now looks another. Change takes time to acclimate to, so give yourself some time to discern whether or not your regret is something you need to take further action on.

Cover it Up

For both of our artists, this method is much preferred over removal. I have at least a dozen cover-ups and have never considered getting something removed. Covering up a tattoo involves placing a new one directly on top of it, and the cover-up piece is usually larger than the original. You want to be sure to take time with this, though. “Don’t rush into just any cover-up design just to make it disappear,” warns Kotar. “A quick fix can turn into a bigger mess down the line. It’s worth taking the time to do it right, physically and artistically.”

To begin that process, Kotar suggests you “start by sitting down with your artist and having an open conversation. Pick their brain, share your thoughts, and see what you can create together. The collaboration is everything.” She says that this should be true of tattoos that aren’t cover-ups as well: “The work I put into you is yours, but it also reflects me, so we’re in this together. Open communication is everything.” If you didn’t feel properly communicated with during the initial piece, make sure to find an artist who speaks openly with you for the cover-up.

You may even end up feeling inspired by a cover-up for future pieces. “What starts as a regret can turn into the foundation for something better than you could have imagined,” Kotar notes. “What feels like a mistake becomes the seed for something even more meaningful.” I’ve experienced this myself! I have a half-sleeve of produce on one arm. It began as a few items to cover up a tattoo that was fading poorly, and I loved that cover-up so much, I took it further into the not-yet-tattooed part of my arm.

We’re all happily tattooed people, so cover-ups seem like a more natural solution. “Cover-ups are a great way to breathe [new life] into a regrettable tattoo or an outdated/expired tattoo,” Barrios tells us. “I love doing cover-ups and seeing my clients light up when they see the new life it has.” However, if you just plain don’t want one, you can get it removed.

Remove It (Ouch!)

If you’ve waited out the healing and you’re opposed to covering it up, removing your tattoo is your final option. Be aware that it’s a lengthier and more painful process than getting tattooed: “It can sometimes take anywhere from five to 20 sessions of intense laser treatment to break down the ink, and I’ve heard it feels about three times worse than getting the tattoo in the first place,” warns Kotar.

You can also consider removal in combination with a cover-up. Kotar says that “for certain designs—especially ones that are super dark, dense, or detailed—lightening with a laser can make a huge difference in creating room for something new.”

The Final Takeaway

Tattoo regret happens, but it’s not a state you have to remain in. If your ink is healed and you’re super sure you won’t settle into it, you can cover it up or have it removed. You can potentially avoid regret by choosing an artist who speaks openly and clearly with you, and by being clear with them. “Be honest with your artist,” says Kotar. “If something feels off—placement, design, anything—say something. Don’t be afraid to speak your truth,” she suggests. “A good artist will never take offense to feedback; We want you to feel connected to the piece.”