Tattoo remorse: 25 of your most loathed or loved
The Magazine's recent piece on tattoo remorse prompted lots of you to email examples of those you loathe and those you love. Here are 25 of the best.
Some are regretted, even hated. Others are loved and cherished, said Lucy Townsend in the article. Both categories are represented here.
1. When I was in my early 20s I got the barcode from a condom packet tattooed on my arm. I don't regret it, but I do still wonder exactly what made me do it. Bill Wignall, Leeds.
2. I have a tattoo on my left forearm, it's a cross with the words mum and dad on it. I had it done when I was 17. Since then I have risen into middle/senior management where the sight of a tattoo is unthinkable. I have to cover it all the time wearing long-sleeved shirts. I am now approaching 50 and for the last 20, or so, years painfully regret the thing. Philip Hoden, Lincoln.
3. When I first went to get a tattoo I was living in Sheffield and went to a tattooist in Hillsborough. When I explained that I wasn't sure what to have, he said: "If you are not sure then don't have one." A brilliant and honest piece of advice. Five years later, when I was sure, I went back to the same shop even though I had moved back to Essex. On my upper arm I now have the Essex County Cricket Club crest with "100% Essex Girl" written underneath it. I love it. Sally Stracey, Southend on Sea.
4. Una vita - vitate is tattooed on the inside of my left forearm. I just have to look at it on the bad days to remind me we only have "one life - live it". Not only a good motto, but a beautiful artistic piece of calligraphy. Stylish but discreet. Andrew Shaw, Peterborough.
5. I remember a workmate giving another worker a "home" tattoo. He must be the only man in Scotland with the unique tattoo of SCOTTLAND (with two Ts) on his arm. Andrew, Hawick, Scotland.
6. I have two gingerbread men, one done up like a devil on my left and the other like an angel on my right. I still love them. Someone asked what I would do when they went out of fashion, my answer is I didn't choose a faddy design. I went out of my way, as many people with tattoos do, to make my ink as unique as possible. Kat, Thornaby.
7. I have a tattoo which is made up of the sheet music to my favourite Boyzone song - Isn't It A Wonder? - around my right ankle. People think I'm mad, but I point out that if I want to I can tell them it's Bach or the Rolling Stones instead of the actual truth. If I was that bothered - and I'm not! In addition, I have "SPDG 76-09" underneath it to commemorate the life of Stephen Gately. Both of which are much less conspicuous than a friend of a friend who has portraits of all five lads from the group across her back. Angie, Nottingham.
8. I had a tattoo done when I was 18. I am now 36 and have regretted it for years due to the location and the fact it was meaningless. I am currently having laser treatment on it. Sessions one and two were relatively painless, but session three which I had a week ago was agony. I am still in a lot of pain with it and worried it will now scar. I have another tattoo which I am happy with both from a location perspective and the fact that it is a reminder of a certain period in my life. Louise, Wokingham.
9. I have a few tattoos and only regret one, it is of a woman with one of her nipples showing. It really seemed like a good idea at the time. Mark Morris, Telford.
10. Just over two years ago, I went through what one might call a "rough patch" to put it mildly. I took a day off work and decided I'd use the day to get my first (and thus far only) tattoo. It was just what I needed - something personal, just for me, that no one could take away or ruin for me. I got a big, bright, colourful cupcake on my right hip. It didn't fix all my problems, but it did cheer me up and still does to this day. Sophie, London.
11. I got tattooed at 17, a quote from Simonides. I am educated, about to embark on my PhD and pragmatic. I chose a spot where age sagging is minimal and grow my tattoo collection in style. Smart people make smart choices, stupid people, well... Eva, London.
12. I had my first tattoo aged 21. It's on the side of my right calf and it's a sort of bird of paradise I picked off a tattooist's wall. I instantly regretted it, but learned to live with it over time. A couple of years later I persuaded a friend to come with me to a tattooist, him for his first and me for another one. This time I chose a unicorn and asked for it to be put on my backside. It hurt. There are an awful lot of nerve endings on your bottom. The tattooist cocked it up. I ended up with a unicorn with seven legs and a neck like a banana. I have never had it covered up and its only saving grace is that I never get to see it. Mark Thompson, Buckingham.
13. I bitterly regret my tattoos, both done on impulse at the age of 18. One with alcohol on board and one without, but both on a whim. The only blessing is that they are within the "swimsuit" area. A small shooting star and a classy dolphin (not). But my devastation at permanently "branding" myself is hard to bear and one that I've had to explain to my daughter, who we're raising to believe that we're made perfect just the way we are. If I could dissuade just one young lady from going ahead with a tattoo, I would feel a whole better about it. Rebecca, Clevedon.
14. I had a Pegasus inked on my arm at an early age, by the time I was 21 I realised I had a My Little Pony on my arm. A couple of years later I had a Ying Yang cover up and you would never know there was one below. Since then I have had a new spine, muscles, ribs and bio-mechanical back which I will never be able to cover or remove. Mixed feelings about the work. Ashley Curtis, Leigh-on-sea, Essex.
15. I regret my tattoo on my back. It says "call me". It's awful! Ronnie Sparke, Waltham Abbey, Essex.
16. I waited until I was 64 before I got my first tattoo of a red devil on my thigh. The second one I had done a couple of weeks ago on my upper arm. I do not regret it, but some friends tell me I am mad. My husband has quite a few tattoos and does not regret them and is proud of the two I have. Elizabeth Waters, Lincoln.
17.I have a tattoo on each upper arm, and two on my back, and for the most part I love them. I have no problem showing them off, but as a senior manager, I'm aware that first impressions last so I tend to keep them covered for important meetings and the like. The only regret I have is the wording of my first tattoo, done about 20 years ago. It is a traditional knife going through a skull, nice colours, but has the words "Born to lose" in banners across it. More recently I have looked into having it changed, but there is not a lot I can do. So I just tell everyone it's because I am a Spurs fan. Gavin Woolnough, Horsham.
18. Had my ex-wife's name in between my kids name. I don't mind my kids names, but hers is a mistake. Luke Tremaine, Plymouth.
19. Went on holiday with the lads when I was 17. After a few, I decided to get my girlfriend's name "Jodi" on my ankle. We split up three months later and the tattoo looks like "Jedi", which is also very annoying because I hate Star Wars. Euan Connelly, Kirkcaldy, Scotland.
20. I have several tattoos, but only one of which I would consider removing. I got it when I was underage and a lot thinner, as 16-year-old girls usually are. I had it on my tummy and it has stretched and blurred as I've aged. Kate, Truro.
21. I had a tattoo of two playing cards in memory of my grandparents, ace of diamonds for my Granddad ace of hearts for my Nan. I was 40, never had a tattoo before, never liked them, but these days it's a new age thing. Now I have seven, from the playing cards to Japanese writing say honour, loyalty, truth. I love them my next will be a scuba diver. Ian Chance, Reading.
22. I have a regrettable tattoo on my forehead. A very drunk idea I had once which was to get my head inked with a huge picture of a third eye, eyelashes and all. James, Melton Mowbray.
23. I have four tattoos already and am having a fifth. I only have one I really regret, a small bat on my stomach. I got it because I love bats, but I chose to put it on my stomach which is never a good idea. It's now stretched and a bit weird and it was the most painful tattoo I ever had. There was meant to be a moon and stars around it, but I had to ask the tattoo artist to stop because of the pain. Rebecca, London.
24. I have three tattoos, one on each shoulder and one on my wrist. I always wanted a tattoo since I was a teenager but never knew what I wanted. It was only when I was in my 40s that I decided on a design. My tattoos are personal to me, they mean a lot and are not just the latest fad design and I think that's important. I am so glad I waited until adulthood as a dolphin on the ankle in your teens may seem brilliant but maybe not so good when your in your 50s. Linda, Glasgow
25. My grandfather had an American flag on his forearm. When my dad asked him why he had it he responded: "To always remind him of the stupidity of youth." Kate Kreke, Kingsbridge.