Tattoo regret is a common affliction that does not discriminate based on gender, race, age or tax bracket. In hindsight, Johnny Depp didn't demonstrate the best decision-making skills when he was left with a "Winona Forever" tattoo - but was no longer dating Winona Ryder. Many women think that lower back body art is a great idea during college, but they realize after graduation that there's a stigma surrounding "tramp stamps." Odds are good that you know or know of someone who has been directly impacted by tat regret.
There are ways to prevent this from happening to you. Before you go rushing off to the tattoo parlor to get that awesome design permanently etched onto your body, consider these four approaches to tattoo consideration. If the tat then still seems like a good idea, odds are good that you've made a knowledgeable decision that you won't want to reverse in the years to come.
Give It Time
Your interests can change more quickly than you realize. While you might think that you will always be passionate about orcas, for instance, the reality is that you might see Free Willy once too often and get burn yourself out on the topic. For years to come, you'll have to explain with a grimace why you have a tattoo of a whale's fluke on your ankle.
If you've decided on the perfect tattoo design, give yourself six months before you head off to the parlor. If, after that time, you still want to get the design, odds are good that you'll be able to tolerate it in the event that your personal tastes have changed. You're committing to a design that will ideally last you the rest of your life - six months really isn't a huge chunk of time to wait.
Be Your Own Editor
Actress Hayden Panettiere's decision to get a back tattoo might show off how she embraces life, but she inadvertently demonstrated a lack of devotion to spellcheck. The actress's recent foray into body art, a back tattoo that was supposed to say "live without regrets" in Italian is misspelled.
If you're going to get a tattoo with letters, be sure that words are spelled correctly. Be sure that your tattoo artist is committed to using proper grammar, spelling and punctuation while inking you. Be sure that you're sure that words or symbols in a foreign language actually mean what you want them to mean. This is common sense, but also a common goof.
Hide and Seek
You might find your wrist tattoo the epitome of class and sophistication, but a prospective employer might disagree with you. Rather than lose out on your dream job in a few years, think about a location for a tattoo that you would be able to cover up when you need to - when you're in the office, on your wedding day or other special moments. Angelina Jolie might be able to pull off an evening dress and shoulder tattoos, but let's face it: we're not all Angelina Jolie.
Consider Stretching and Sagging
It's not the sexiest thing to think about, but skin sags and stretches happen to the best of us. While a 18-year-old with a toned belly might not be able to think about it, the fact remains that that belly might one day stretch out during pregnancy. If you have a tiny fish inked onto your hip, after some child-rearing, that little guppy might look more like Moby Dick.
Factor the aging process into your tattoo plans. Will a design look contorted if some stretching takes place in the years to come? If so, reconsider your design.
 | If you'd like to remove a tattoo, you can try laser tattoo removal, but you need to find a licensed doctor, and don't expect miracles. |
How much does a tattoo hurt? Whether you're going to get through being inked without tears depends on many variables, including yourself. |
What is the most painful area to get a tattoo inked onto your body? These spots might look amazing when they have been adorned with body art, but they will demonstrate that sometimes beauty really does require pain. |
 | Temporary tattoos are a fun way to add some decoration to your skin. The procedure is painless, quick and easy to wash off, making temporary tattoos a fantastic alternative to the traditional ink and needle methods. |
Temporary airbrush tattoos allow you the liberty of testing out a bold, colorful tattoo without the commitment that comes with a needle. |
