TATTOO REGRET ON THE RISE
Tattoos… I’ve had a few… then again… I do regret them!
Today at a cosmetic surgery conference in Cairns, one Dr Eddie Roos will give a speech about tattoo removal. There has been a 10 percent increase in the rise of laser surgery removal procedures in the past year, he says.
Some patterns are beginning to emerge among patients. (Apart from Bluebirds of Happiness and skulls.)
“Most people are young, they feel they’ve got a rite of passage, they’ve got the love of their life and they tattoo the name on themselves,” he told AAP.
“The most common remark is, ‘I was young and stupid, I had the tattoo done and now I regret it’.
“Whether it’s just some Chinese letters on their body, or some other symbol, and we remove quite a few Southern Crosses as well.
“We do a fair bit of removing names and words that have been spelled wrong.”
Dr Roos said most patients are females between the age of 20-30, but older patients were not uncommon.
He said improving technology meant around 85 per cent of tattoos could be completely removed without scars.
But Dr Roos said tattoo removal is still an uncomfortable procedure.
“It’s much more painful to get a tattoo removed than to apply it,” he said.
“It also takes a lot longer to remove it, even though the treatment with the newer lasers is fairly quick.”
He said most tattoos required between five and 12 treatments to be removed, at a cost of up to $300 per treatment.
(The Cosmetex Conference will run in Cairns until tomorrow May 4.)
DIANA ARSANA wrote about her horror of tattoos in The Hoopla last year…
My daughter had been begging for a tattoo for at least two years.
Her then boyfriend was covered in them – and they even made a trip to Las Vegas so that he could get one from a renowned tattooist there.
All my protestations that she’d live to regret it, that it would ruin her beauty, that it was a passing fashion had no effect.
She kept begging. And I kept saying no.
The only lasting threat I could think of was that I would kick her out of the house if she got one. Now 20, she was in her third year of university, and despite a part-time job would find living away from home not quite up to her standards.
It didn’t help that her father (my ex) also went to Las Vegas and got one – a spider on his neck. Wasn’t that a particularly attractive addition to his rugged good looks?
No, she was determined. Even after she eventually split up with her boyfriend, she believed it was a cool thing to ink her body.
What is it about tattoos that is so cool? I don’t get it.
Really the only people who look good with them are Maori, Samoans – those who wear them for cultural reasons – and maybe sailors.
But there’s many reasons these days why it’s so popular – from getting noticed, to a badge of honour, from identifying with a group to a sign of social rejection.
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52 Responses to this article
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RetroPastiche October 24, 2011
I love my tattoos. I have five so far and plans for more. They are for *me* and no one to look at me would imagine that I have them. They are all meaningful (to me at least) and I don’t know anybody else who has the same ones.
They are all hideable because of my profession (on my hips and along one thigh – although that one shows up in swimmers). I am considering a visible one though, because I’m working outside my original field and where I work tatts are considered ok.
I actually spent my lunch break googling tatt sites looking for inspiration for my next one. I’ve narrowed it down to a basic design, and my hubby who can draw is going to customise it so it’s uniquely *mine*. He doesn’t have any tatts. He keeps threatening to do it but he’s actually a bit of a pain wuss
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Mair October 25, 2011
I am 63 years old and I have 3 tattoos,on my right breast.These were done with my consent to allow the radiographers to align me up for radiotherapy as part of my treatment for breast cancer diagnosed 5 years ago.Initially I hated them for reminding me of the horror of breast cancer,but I am still alive and cancer free,my daughter has 2 tattoos on her shoulder blade area,I didn’t like her getting them,but it was her choice and she was a grown up.One day I might get the 3 dots incorporated into a line drawing,subject not chosen yet.
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Kate October 24, 2011
I loathe tattoos, all of them, on anyone. So of course all three of my children (two boys and a girl) have them. I was disconcertingly upset when my eldest came home with a medallion of knot-work tattooed on his calf, which he justified to me as celebrating our Irish heritage.
With each new tattoo, I satisfy myself with asking that this be the last one, and warn they are all going to look like deflated party balloons when they’re old and wrinkly. They’re adults and I know they don’t agree with me.
I do understand how you feel, Diana, but hysteria and empty threats will not change the situation, only add to the tension. Inevitably, you’ll just make yourself feel worse and your daughter will sail along doing what she wants and feels is right for her. It’s not something she’s doing to you, try not to take it personally.
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Shazza October 24, 2011
My 19 year old talks occasionally of getting one. I tell her it’s cooler now to not have one. I have two. One of which is large and on my upper arm, and I now regret. She knows I talk from experience so probably is more likely to listen. On the other hand if she goes ahead I will respect that it’s her body to do with as she wishes. And know one day, should I live long enough shall enjoy getting to say ‘I told you so’.
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Wendy October 24, 2011
My beautiful daughter (27) has several tattoos; half sleeve, across lower back, foot. I don’t like tattoos because I am afraid that you cant go back, once committed. She loves them and all have meaning for her. One is even a representation of our family unit . Despite this I still feel she is making a mistake. But, it is her body and her choice and no doubt there are worse things that she could choose to do. She is happy and successful in her career, but………….. I think it is my problem not hers.
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Aleah May 3, 2012
Wendy I really appreciate your comment. I am younger than 30 and have several tattoos. My mother donest like tattoos as a general rule but she has never expressed such dissapointment and disgust in her own daughter as the woman in this article did. We as children understand where parents come from but parents rarely try and see it from our perspective. I am about to finish my law degree and have a tatto of a female in the army- it was originally a propoganda poster for war and just like the army woman have infiltrated everywhere!
I can respect a parent that doesnt like them but does respect their childs right to them and doesnt harbour ill feelings.
i love my tattoos and i love my mum- there is no connection between the two and i know unequivocally that my mothers love is unconditional
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bullseyetattoos October 24, 2011
the conan tat looks like a red headed quentin tarintino
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Kylie Johnson October 24, 2011
I think it depends on the person getting the tattoo. I have a wild child friend who dyed her hair snow white and got a colourful sleeve tattoo. It suits her so much. She swapped her boring job for a creative one and she is incredibly happy. The tattoo was part of her reinvention.
I did think of getting one when I was much younger, but I could never decide on an image that would last me my entire life….nor a spot that wouldn’t be affected by babies, age or gravity.
20 years on and I can genuinely say that was a very good call. EVERYTHING is affected by babies, age and gravity!
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Phil Barker October 25, 2011
I told my 12-year-old she can get her first tattoo when she’s the same age I got my first … 40.
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sandra nori October 25, 2011
Hi hate tattoos, especially in our culture where there is no “real” tradition unless you think of drunken sailors and bikie outlaw types. It has become an indulgent ‘fashion’ accessory, at least for the rest of us our fashion consciousness passes as the fads change.it is difficult for me not to see them as defacing and in some cases almost a mask.i have rarely seen anything that might approach aesthetically pleasing or beautiful art..And aren’t they going to look great on sagging buttocks and upper arms in about 20 years time.
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Bron October 25, 2011
Your daughter is an adult and nothing you say or do will make her change her mind, if anything it will just make her want them more. Yes, she may live to regret her tatts, but that is her problem, not yours. She will just be one of the multitude of wrinkly tattoed elderly people in years to come! I am waiting for the anti-tatt swing by the youth of today where they won’t want tatts because so many of their parents/grandparents have them!
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Jillian U October 25, 2011
Both my children have tattoos (and quite a lot), my daughter is a teacher and my son a fledgling musician/bar tender. I am so proud of my children, they read, go to the theatre, kind to animals (vegetarian actually), take an interest in their community and world happenings, but most importantly they are kind people who take all other people as they find them and treat them with respect, they have good manners and do not judge others on their skin colour or embellishment, race, sex or any other difference. What a shame a mother would think all that their child amounted to was their appearance, just love her!
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katielou October 25, 2011
I used to loathe tattoos and went along with the influence of the socialization that we grew up with – they were only for sailors and bikies!!
Well the world has changed and so have I. Both my sons have tattoos with various meanings for both of them which I accepted but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would get one for myself.
In my mid 40s after beating cancer twice I wanted to do something to acknowledge the fact that I’m a fighter and a survivor. Ended up with a very meaningful tattoo that I have never regretted. It is a constant reminder to ME (discrete) and no-one else has to know about it unless I choose to share it with them. For me its a personal expression and I can understand why people now choose to express themselves in this way. Heaven forbid, in today’s society I would think that a tattoo on my child would be the last of my worries!! -
Margaret October 25, 2011
I have always loathed tattoos. Imagine my heartache when my beautiful and perfect granddaughter got tattooed. Her mother (my daughter has an aversion to them as well, and when its birthday or christmas gift time she asks “Would you like me to pay for Laser treatment of your tattoos.
I console myself by saying as she ages she will not be a Robinson Caruso she will just be one of the many 50, 60, 70 & 80 year women with a sagging and wrinkly tattoo-
Leah October 27, 2011
She is still your beautiful and perfect granddaughter. Your affection for her should be worth so much more than her skin.
I hope that one day you and your daughter are able to stop for a second, put yourself in her shoes and try to understand how very hurtful your judgement can be. It can rip a heart in half.
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misskdonkey October 25, 2011
This is so not about you, stop trying to control your grown up daughter, it won’t work and you’ll be the one disappointed and hurt. She is who she is, you need to grow up and stop seeing her as an extension of yourself
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fran o'dwyewr October 25, 2011
for the most part i hate tattoos….they can look fantastic on some people and less is definitely more !!
my son wants one and i’m asking him to wait (19 years) and see if he feels the same in a few years ..but it is his body so i can’t tell him what to or what not to do…just advise….
i once saw a woman approx 65+ (about 15 years ago now) who had two blue birds on her left breast …well, i think they were blue birds, saw a head and a bit of the wing and rest lost in wrinkles – it looked terrible, but maybe they had some significance for her but if they didn’t , well – she was stuck with them ….just like that add for ‘scan pan’ on the tele…..hard to reverse!! speaking of which i hear there is big business going on for people trying to have them removed!
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melissa October 26, 2011
I have to wonder what the compulsion to cover ones body with ‘badges’ says about a person’s identity.
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leanne warman October 26, 2011
I have always thought to my self that its every one’s right to if they want to have tattoos or not. but some of them would look horrible. But my eldest son come home with a tattoo of a dragon, and it was a really nice dragon and it was a large dragon, to whom we called Hugo. 2 years and4 months ago my son was killed in an accident. on my son’s first annivesary i got a tattoo of my son’s dragon, but on my soulder on my back, which means a lot to me, then the following year i got a willy wagtail bird done from a photo that was taken from our front yard of a willy wagtail that has been visiting me since my boy died. i have not seen one of these birds since i was a kid and lived in dubbo NSW. now i see this bird every where i go and it chirps to me and walks up close to me, so i was told this bird was a messanger bird, so i got him tattood on the inside of my right arm, and im proud of that one. my next and final tattoo is a portrait of chris on my left arm so i can have my boy with me always. Tattoos dont have to be ugly, it can be art and it most always has a meaning to that person. if you have pay tv, there are shows that you can watch like LA INK and you will soon learn why people get tattoo’s, and you do realise then and understand more about tattoos and there meanig. EVERY TATTOO HAS A STORY………
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Regrettably Sew October 27, 2011
I had a tattoo done when I was 18; pretty much as soon as it was legal to do so. I wasn’t overly happy with the initial result, so that may have made me regret it sooner rather than later or not at all.
I can tell you, in response to your closing statement that they do have laser tattoo removal (although some colours are more easily removed than others) and it hurts a hellavu lot more getting a tattoo removed than it does to get one applied, not to mention the number of sessions and cost involved.
I have several friends in the burlesque scene, many of whom are heavily inked. To be honest, I think they look beautiful and artistic and it fits their personality so well, however (and it is these thoughts that make me feel incredibly old and middle class) I worry about them in the future. Presumably they won’t be performing on stage in their scanties forever, and will our society have changed so much that visible tattoos will be acceptable to mainstream employers? I hope so for my friends sake, but I do worry.
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Clare October 27, 2011
Wow, some passionate emotions and strong judgements about other people’s choices. Why does it bother you what somebody else chooses to do with their body? I can think of a lot of issues in this world that deserve your hatred and abhorrence but an individual’s personal domain over their own body is not one of them.
And the argument that they’ll look ugly when they’re older seems pretty mute considering what happens to the rest of us anyway… I say- less judgement of external appearances and more acceptance of human beings with their many colourful and unique expressions of self.
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Leah October 27, 2011
It’s your daughters tattoo’s that concern you? Really? I find it hard to believe, but I find it hard to believe in my own mothers dislike for my one tattoo.
It’s an expression of self, mine is never exposed, I had it designed for me and that’s who looks at it, well me and my husband. It makes me feel empowered and it’s a daily reminder to me of the things I try to live by.
If your daughter was involved in drugs, even smoking, I could understand your pain, your distress but tattoo’s, while they’re a life commitment, they aren’t a negative one. The will not cause her physical harm.
The majority of people I know with tattoo’s (and I knopw quite a lot) are incredibly beautiful inside. Should that be disregarded because of their choices with their own bodies?
To threaten to make her leave home if she had one is incredibly upsetting and selfish. Your essentially telling her that while she’s an adult she does not have freedom of choice, while it’s her body she does not own it. It’s not a very loving and embracing message to send, that your love, your safety, come with conditions.
As someone who suppressed who she was to pelase her parents, it can have lasting consiquences to your relationship. For the benefit of your love (you clearly love her deeply), allow her to be who she chooses. Council, but never threaten or demand.
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Leah October 27, 2011
It’s your daughters tattoo’s that concern you? Really? I find it hard to believe, but I find it hard to believe in my own mothers dislike for my one tattoo.
It’s an expression of self, mine is never exposed, I had it designed for me and that’s who looks at it, well me and my husband. It makes me feel empowered and it’s a daily reminder to me of the things I try to live by.
If your daughter was involved in drugs, even smoking, I could understand your pain, your distress but tattoo’s, while they’re a life commitment, they aren’t a negative one. The will not cause her physical harm.
The majority of people I know with tattoo’s (and I knopw quite a lot) are incredibly beautiful inside. Should that be disregarded because of their choices with their own bodies?
To threaten to make her leave home if she had one is incredibly upsetting and selfish. Your essentially telling her that while she’s an adult she does not have freedom of choice, while it’s her body she does not own it. It’s not a very loving and embracing message to send, that your love, your safety, come with conditions.
As someone who suppressed who she was to please her parents, it can have lasting consiquences to your relationship. For the benefit of your love (you clearly love her deeply), allow her to be who she chooses. Council, but never threaten or demand.
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Tessa November 9, 2011
I’m 21 and have always wanted a couple tattoos, I can’t at the moment due to health but of I ever do my mum whoes 49 wants to come along with me to get one!.
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Kid May 3, 2012
I have two, both for reasons others would think trivial (references to my two fave TV shows). After deciding exactly what I wanted, I waited for a year to get used to the idea of having those designs and to be sure I really wanted them. That was many years ago now.
Surely the days of thinking only hookers and bikies get tatts are long gone?
I’m sure a lot of those getting tatts removed are doing it because they didn’t properly consider it in the first place. You’ll find it isn’t just tatts where they have this failing. They’re the people who don’t know what they want, they “just want a tattoo”.
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bigwords May 3, 2012
I got my first tattoo this year, aged 38. It is a tiny outline of a heart of right wrist. It’s a message to myself to always write from the heart, to always parent with my heart and to never be ashamed to wear my heart on my sleeve. I love it. I don’t know how many lifetimes you get, but in this one I am over worrying about other’s issues with tattoos and embrace it. It’s a moment in my time, a happy moment, which will be a constant reminder for me. I’m already thinking of another one! x
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Jessica May 3, 2012
I think it’s getting to the smaller end of the parent disapproval scale when you’re talking about tattoos. I mean if that’s the biggest problem you have with her at the moment, I say you have a pretty amazing kid there.
In terms of regrets to have in life I would say tattoos are damn low on the list…I mean, a little perspective! If that’s what your kid’s gonna regret in 10-20 years time, well it’s pretty small potatoes. Unless they got like a tattoo of a rattlesnake on their forehead or something. That’s a pretty big regret.
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jackie May 3, 2012
People are a bit harsh on the mums who don’t like their daughters getting tattoos……teens have always rebelled and want “self expression( usually with hairstyles, clothing music )”…tattoos are different in that they are so permanent. Of course mums will be protective ( possibly overprotective ) not wanting their beloved offspring to experience the possible future regret of disliking their tattoo in the future and having to go through medical procedures to get rid of it.
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Phil Barker May 3, 2012
My mum got one on her shoulder when she was 68 – a glowing gold cross wrapped in a purple treble clef, symbols of her love for god and music.
She loves it and my dad, who suspected she had unexpectedly turned biker moll, is also now grudgingly accepting. -
Sarah Watts May 3, 2012
I don’t tattoos all over, as is common these days, but obviously the wearers do – their body their choice and hopefully they WILL always like them!
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Suzy May 3, 2012
I told mine to get Henna tattoos and wait to see how they liked having that before getting a real one. And I told them they could get tattoos when they moved out. One moved out, then moved back in again, with an awful tattoo! It shows every time her shirt pulls up. I cried when I saw it and I am still sad every time I see it.
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Susan May 3, 2012
I loathe them. I cannot believe they are getting bigger and bigger and more obvious. I still have young daughters and I am trying to brain wash by saying everytime we see them how awful they are how permanent etc etc I hope this ‘fashion’ will pass sooner rather than later.
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Kid May 3, 2012
I’ll be honest, I get more annoyed seeing young men dressing like toddlers (pants hanging off their butts) than I do about tatts. But I’m hardly going to judge their whole worth as human beings on that one thing. Seriously wowsers, lighten up.
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Mum of Adult Kids May 3, 2012
My eldest son got his first tattoo at 18. I cried. At 22, he now has them on every limb of his body, including his head and torso. It look me three weeks to notice his latest addition (on his FOREARM) because now I am so used to it. I don’t like it, but it’s not my body.
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Sally May 3, 2012
This whole article reeks of forcing ideas of beauty on one another.
The writer talks about her fear and anxiety of her daughter ruining her beauty because of her tattoos. And then her first reaction when her daughter gets one anyway is to want her to move out? Why? Because she’s longer beautiful??
Beauty is a matter of perception.
I don’t want tattoos, but I would never ever tell someone they were uglier because they got a tattoo, just like I would never tell someone who has a scar from an accident that they are ugly.
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Benison O'Reilly May 3, 2012
I don’t like tattoos at all. Perhaps it’s just an age thing, although I read Fiona McGregor’s brilliant book ‘Indelible Ink’ and the tattoo-seeking protagonist in that was much older than I am.
I notice that the actor Mark Wahlberg is now getting his all his tattoos removed. Reason: He doesn’t want his kids to get them! I hope he influences a few people.
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Narelle May 3, 2012
I can’t believe so many people even care about whether a person has or hasn’t a tattoo. I am very pleased that I can remember special people and events without having them written all over my body.
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Hoot May 3, 2012
I am 38 and I have 8 tattoos. 3 are very small. 1 is relatively small. One is 2 words. One is a large back piece and one is relatively big on my inner forearm. I got my first when I was 23 and my last just a few weeks ago. I think people should consider carefully what design they want (not just cut and paste from clip art) and find a reputable artist (I travel to the city to see my tattoo artist which is about 4 hours away) that tattoos in a style they like. There are some crap tattoos out there and some crap ‘scratchers’ (that is, shit tattooists). My Dad doesn’t like my tattoos but they are all designs that I find beautiful and nothing that anyone could find offensive. Not that I really care what anyone else thinks. My husband loves them and my kids think they are cool. I can cover them all if I absolutely need to but I think it says more about the person making judgements than it does about the person with the ink.
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linda May 6, 2012
I remember what my father said about tattoos- anyone who has them is marked for life and you are either an ex ” jail bird “or you belong to some “underworld ” gang – it doesn’t matter which way you look at it – generally the impression is that you are a second grade citizen and will be treated by others accordingly. I never forgot that. To this day , fashion or not the first thing I think of is that the person is somehow linked to criminals.
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Fiona May 14, 2012
My 18 year old daughter told me tatts are for bogans! An opinion with which I completely agree.
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Andy August 12, 2012
I just got back from a mission trip to a third world country. Guess what my favorite thing about a third world country is??
NO TATTOOS!!! It was wonderful getting a vacation from seeing disgusting tats on young people.
But as soon as I landed in ATL….
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Lachlan January 9, 2013
Part of having a tattoo is the experience of living with it. They will be there forever, some days I regret them and some days I love them. Getting one removed is a sign of weak inner strength and the need to give in to other people’s opinions or desires.
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Rod February 8, 2013
Ye-Gods!Tattoos as a form of “self expression”…?Yep, just like Punks with their myriad “individual” yet similar gelled-up hairstyles & ragged clothes, Goths with their ruffle-cuffs, cravats & “daahkness”…lets not forget the Hippies & Beatnicks before them. Conformity & trendiness are NOT “self expression”, infact I find the comparison insulting. All said though, many women do look quite aesthetically exciting with tattoos…even piercings…but it IS conformity & trendiness, not “individuality”…unless ofcourse, being a trendy conformist is right up your alley…Oh hell, I’m feeling generous, let’s call it a “feeling of connectedness by means of ink in the skin & holes through the face or naughty bits”!
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Sam May 15, 2013
“I’m thinking of getting a tattoo, but I’m worried I might be discriminated against.”
*gets tattoo*
“Why am I being discriminated against?” — every other student in my TAFE class last year.
It’s not rebellion if there are no negative consequences, morons.
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Sally June 3, 2013
Exactly,Fiona! Couldn’t, have put it better.
