Does anyone regret getting tattoos

I know this because I only regret the tattoo of a heart behind my ear a little bit. And the sketchy outline of a hot air balloon on my right breast a little bit more. And the satanic symbol on the back of my head quite a lot.

But I dislike none of them enough to bother with removal. I'm used to them, and although I might choose not to get them in the first place if I had the chance again, they don't bother me too much. That's because every tattoo has a story — of irresponsibility, friendship, a trip abroad. A story of letting a friend practice their tattooing skills, or letting a tattoo artist demonstrate their lack thereof. Tattoos tell us something about a person, whether that person intends them to or not.

Here, with beautiful portraits by London-based photographer Matilda Hill-Jenkins, we ask nine people to talk about their feelings towards their own tattoos.

Tattoos have a different meaning depending on the interpreter, their relative history and knowledge, and they are dynamic because they can take on different meanings through time and experience. The first person to get a barbed wire tattoo on an upper arm could be seen as clever, inventive, unique and trail-blazing.

The one-hundredth person to get the same tattoo was none of these things, and with time, if either was seen in public, both would receive the same reaction. Their interviews of hiring managers showed that tattoos can actually hurt job prospects.

Another study, at the University of Tampa, confirmed that 86 percent of students believe that having a visible tattoo is a detriment to their business prospects. Researchers at the Harris Poll found that older respondents are less tolerant of visible tattoos as the prestige of the job position rises. While a vast majority of people age 51 and above are comfortable with professional athletes having tattoos, the acceptance decreases significantly when doctors, primary school teachers and presidential candidates are included.

Understandably, people who have many friends and family with tattoos are generally less stigmatized regarding their tattoo, and tend to suffer less tattoo regret, a study in The Social Science Journal reported in But the study also found that when tattooed respondents were exposed to individuals without tattoos, like in the workplace or institutions of higher learning, more stigma victimization occurred, and those impacted were more likely to suffer regret and ponder removal.

Getting a tattoo, which is akin to a life-changing and body-changing decision, when young is really no different from getting married young 32 percent regret rate or choosing a college major 37 percent change rate. For many, making a major decision when young is rife with regret. The difference with tattoos is having to face that regret on a daily basis. As the pure number who have tattoos grow, the market for getting these tattoos removed has also found its niche.

Laser tattoo removal services have rapidly grown across the nation and have become a multi-million dollar business, with additional potential for growth as the younger, highly tattooed, generations age. Current lasers still have limitations in the colors they can erase with added difficulty stemming from more vibrant tattoo colors. Darker pigmented people tend to have less success with certain lasers and require more sessions to avoid skin damage.

Because the laser shatters the pigment particles under the skin for removal by the body, the issues with infections, scarring and the ink spreading become a concern again.

Tattoos covering extensive areas of the body are simply too large to tackle in one session, and could take years to remove. Laser complications include pain, blistering, scarring and, in some cases, a darkening of the tattoo ink can occur, according to dermatologists. As technology and the demand for tattoo removal advances, some of the limitations of current lasers will shrink. Newer, easy-to-remove inks are being patented , which may represent a healthier approach due to biodegradable ingredients, and a more predictable laser response.

Here's what you need to know. It hurts to get a tattoo and to have one removed, but different people have different pain thresholds, so it won't feel the same for everyone.

Discover whether you can donate blood if you have a tattoo. Also learn which conditions make you ineligible to donate, how to find a blood bank, and…. Heres what you can…. Thinking about getting a tongue tattoo? Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties. Get the details on stick poke tattoos, including why you may want to skip the DIY versions.

It can take as long as 2 years for a belly button piercing to heal completely. During that time, you're at risk for infection. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Worried About Regretting a Tattoo? How common is it for people to regret their tattoo? How soon do people typically begin to regret tattoos? What to do about anxiety and regret. What you need to know about tattoo removal. Read this next. What You Can Do. Do Tattoos Hurt? How to Predict and Minimize Pain. Plus Other Guidelines for Donation.

Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.