This Person Got A Tattoo In Honor Of Their Family, Tattoo Artist Hid Their Initials In It
For some, deciding to bite the bullet and get inked takes a lot of courage. They can spend hours thinking of the perfect design and pondering how to endure getting their skin poked by small ink-coated needles. And even after it’s done, they knock on wood and cross their fingers that everything does heal properly.
After all, the best tattoo is the one you won’t regret. But as it turns out, sometimes it’s not completely up to you. Recently, Reddit user TattoodNoobAITA shared their anger with fellow members of the AITA subreddit about an unfortunate incident they had at their local tattoo shop.
“It was important to me that the tattoo looked EXACTLY as it did in the photo,” the user wrote. However, they discovered the tattoo artist had gone rogue — they took it upon themselves to secretly tweak the design without bothering to tell their client first. As you can probably guess, this left the user furious. Scroll down to read the whole story, and don’t forget to share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Recently, this Redditor shared their anger about how a tattoo artist decided to go rogue
Image credits: Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Instead of following their client’s wishes, they secretly inked their initials in the design
Image credits: Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: TattoodNoobAITA
The moral philosophers of the AITA subreddit quickly determined that TattoodNoobAITA was not in the wrong in this situation. Within a matter of days, the thread amassed more than 35.7K upvotes and 3.2K comments of angry Redditors demanding justification and even encouraging the creator of this post to take legal action.
Some people voiced their concerns about the artist’s behavior, saying they didn’t have the right to sign their work because their canvas is a human being. Other commenters even noted that it’s unclear why the artist would sneakily add initials to a design that’s not even originally theirs.
This whole incident prompted a heated discussion on what actions should TattoodNoobAITA take. Several users suggested having the area lasered off and redone some time in the future. But this procedure is easier said than done.
According to The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), getting your tattoo removed with lasers is the most common method today. Tattoos are considered permanent because they consist of thousands of ink particles that are too big to be removed by the normal human immune system.
“The use of lasers helps to break up these particles into smaller pieces that can be removed by the immune system,” ASPS wrote. “Depending on the tattoo design, size and color, it may take 1-10 laser sessions to remove the ink.”
Tattoo removal specialist Bethany Cirlin told Glamour that a complete removal takes a minimum of 2 1/2 years on average. “Laser treatments should be scheduled three months apart from one another so you get the most out of each treatment. This allows your body to break down as much of the tattoo as it can while also giving your body the opportunity to heal completely before your next session.”
Unfortunately, getting your tattoo removed not only takes a long time but can also become quite expensive. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery estimated that the average cost per session is around $463.
Let’s not forget there might be a great deal of discomfort during the treatment. “Pain is completely individualized, and if you tell someone that something is going to hurt, they go into it with that expectation. That said at my practice, we offer a topical numbing cream, which helps to take the edge off the procedure.” But even the numbing cream can’t guarantee it will be pain-free.
However, it is possible to remove only one area of the tattoo. But according to Fairview Laser Clinic, the quality of the outcome is influenced by several factors. They stated that certain inks and pigments are harder to remove. While black ink has the best response to laser tattoo removal, lighter colors are much more difficult to take out, with white being the hardest.
Also, there’s the intensity of the ink. If your tattoo is tightly inked, it can be difficult for the specialist to cleanly clear some parts without removing the other ones you might like. Plus, you should also consider the complexity of the tattoo — homemade tattoos are generally easier to remove than professionally made ones.
People quickly determined the user was NTA, here’s what they had to say
OKAY, BUT DID NOBODY SEE THE PART ABOUT THE BRAIN SURGEON 𝐖𝐇𝐎 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐕𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐒 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐈𝐍𝐓'𝐒 𝑺𝑲𝑼𝑳𝑳?! WHAT THE HOLY FRESH F**K?!
I did. And I just can't imagine anyone doing that. How self centered do you have to be..?
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Like all the comments said: Not the AITA and sue the tattooist for branding their name on her body.
I think people over do suing people for silly things or just downright stupid things but this ...this truly warrants talking to a lawyer. Holy crap; these are permanent!! I would strongly consider having a small cover up to hide the initials and have the original artist pay for it.
Reminds me of the British surgeon convicted in January for branding his initials (invisibly/internally, on the liver) on patients! Definitely a crime, for tattooist and surgeon. News: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-59954321.amp
I would sue. Also, if others that were tattooed by her, check their tattoo's maybe she did the same to them? Not cool and illegal.
This is completely unacceptable and the shop she works at should get rid of her. She didn't design it but even if she did she had no right to include her initials without asking permission first. It isn't "pretty trad" to include the artist's initials at all. My partner's a tattooist and we own a tattoo shop. Neither he, nor any of the other artists would dream of doing such a thing. If she's started a smear campaign over something she did wrong, that tells you all you need to know about her. You need to inform the shop of this campaign as well, there's no way in hell we'd have an artist like that in our shop, it's beyond unprofessional. I'm sorry this happened but I'm glad you got a full refund. I wonder how many other people she's done this to, absolutely outrageous.
I'd be soooo pissed if the tattoo artists done that to me. It's a tattoo, not a book signing. What was she thinking?
Is it possible to have the initials gone with laser or something without damaging the test of the tattoo?
Laser tattoo removal can be very painful. Another reason why the OP should sue.
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NTA. If the woman wants to be an artist, she should paint or sculpt. As a tatoo-artist she is a craftswoman hired to do a specific job. I'd be mad as fire, if this was me.
The reason why the shop owner made the artist give a full refund was because he knew it was totally in the wrong. So not ok.
Could you imagine if she was getting a living SO's name tattooed and he saw it and said who the heck is Alex
Not only are you nta, but it sounds to me like the manager was trying to skirt a lawsuit by lying and telling you it's regular practice, hoping you wouldn't sue. The fact that they gave you a full refund is another sign. If it was such regular practice, why would they do that? Tattoos are expensive so I would expect an argument if it was something that should be 'expected'. Seriously, that's a lawsuit and you should take them to court and get yourself a nice settlement.
I've got 4 tats on my leg for all of my dogs who have passed, if my guy did that with any of those I would actually slap his face and make him cover it up for free, as well as a refund.
100% not "traditional" - 1000% not. Disguistingly not. Also 100% breach of contract - given the damages include a permanent physical alterations, the "artist" is lucky that OP isn't trying to ruin her financially for the next decade with punitive damages, because they pretty easily could.
Is calling someone Static (short for ecstatic I think) a thing now?
Nope. This guy just has poor spelling or isn't a native English speaker.
Load More Replies... This is a is it a commodity or art argument. Now first let's address the elephant I the room. Yes it is sketchy as heck to put something permanent on/in someone's body without permission as that brings up assault charges and could land her on a offender list. However if an artist wants to establish a brand then they should be allowed to ask for payment for an essentially water mark free version or discounting it partially for advert. Artist typically do want to sign there name but saying a tattoo is the same as a landscape painting is off to say the least. It would be like paying a musician for your wedding music then they name drop every 30 secs.
Saw this 3 days ago, googled and no photo yet.
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because we all know whoever gets a tattoo is fake and only wants it because they are insecure and unable to be their true selves /s
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OKAY, BUT DID NOBODY SEE THE PART ABOUT THE BRAIN SURGEON 𝐖𝐇𝐎 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐕𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐒 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐈𝐍𝐓'𝐒 𝑺𝑲𝑼𝑳𝑳?! WHAT THE HOLY FRESH F**K?!
I did. And I just can't imagine anyone doing that. How self centered do you have to be..?
Load More Replies... Like all the comments said: Not the AITA and sue the tattooist for branding their name on her body.
I think people over do suing people for silly things or just downright stupid things but this ...this truly warrants talking to a lawyer. Holy crap; these are permanent!! I would strongly consider having a small cover up to hide the initials and have the original artist pay for it.
Reminds me of the British surgeon convicted in January for branding his initials (invisibly/internally, on the liver) on patients! Definitely a crime, for tattooist and surgeon. News: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-59954321.amp
I would sue. Also, if others that were tattooed by her, check their tattoo's maybe she did the same to them? Not cool and illegal.
This is completely unacceptable and the shop she works at should get rid of her. She didn't design it but even if she did she had no right to include her initials without asking permission first. It isn't "pretty trad" to include the artist's initials at all. My partner's a tattooist and we own a tattoo shop. Neither he, nor any of the other artists would dream of doing such a thing. If she's started a smear campaign over something she did wrong, that tells you all you need to know about her. You need to inform the shop of this campaign as well, there's no way in hell we'd have an artist like that in our shop, it's beyond unprofessional. I'm sorry this happened but I'm glad you got a full refund. I wonder how many other people she's done this to, absolutely outrageous.
I'd be soooo pissed if the tattoo artists done that to me. It's a tattoo, not a book signing. What was she thinking?
Is it possible to have the initials gone with laser or something without damaging the test of the tattoo?
Laser tattoo removal can be very painful. Another reason why the OP should sue.
Load More Replies... NTA. If the woman wants to be an artist, she should paint or sculpt. As a tatoo-artist she is a craftswoman hired to do a specific job. I'd be mad as fire, if this was me.
The reason why the shop owner made the artist give a full refund was because he knew it was totally in the wrong. So not ok.
Could you imagine if she was getting a living SO's name tattooed and he saw it and said who the heck is Alex
Not only are you nta, but it sounds to me like the manager was trying to skirt a lawsuit by lying and telling you it's regular practice, hoping you wouldn't sue. The fact that they gave you a full refund is another sign. If it was such regular practice, why would they do that? Tattoos are expensive so I would expect an argument if it was something that should be 'expected'. Seriously, that's a lawsuit and you should take them to court and get yourself a nice settlement.
I've got 4 tats on my leg for all of my dogs who have passed, if my guy did that with any of those I would actually slap his face and make him cover it up for free, as well as a refund.
100% not "traditional" - 1000% not. Disguistingly not. Also 100% breach of contract - given the damages include a permanent physical alterations, the "artist" is lucky that OP isn't trying to ruin her financially for the next decade with punitive damages, because they pretty easily could.
Is calling someone Static (short for ecstatic I think) a thing now?
Nope. This guy just has poor spelling or isn't a native English speaker.
Load More Replies... This is a is it a commodity or art argument. Now first let's address the elephant I the room. Yes it is sketchy as heck to put something permanent on/in someone's body without permission as that brings up assault charges and could land her on a offender list. However if an artist wants to establish a brand then they should be allowed to ask for payment for an essentially water mark free version or discounting it partially for advert. Artist typically do want to sign there name but saying a tattoo is the same as a landscape painting is off to say the least. It would be like paying a musician for your wedding music then they name drop every 30 secs.
Saw this 3 days ago, googled and no photo yet.
Load More Replies... because we all know whoever gets a tattoo is fake and only wants it because they are insecure and unable to be their true selves /s
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