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24% of Americans have ‘tattoo regret’ haunting them for the rest of their lives. Surveys have found that this is most commonly caused by the tattoo’s lack of meaning and the time it took to think of the design for it. 

The ink on this list seems to check all the boxes: silly, poorly thought-out, and destined to cause lifelong regret. Scroll down to find them below, and don’t forget to upvote those that make you feel better about your own choices.

While you're at it, make sure to check out a conversation with tattoo artist based in London, Suze Canham, who kindly agreed to chat with us more about tattoo regret and how to avoid it.

#1

Tattoo on skin with text mistakes were made, showing a bizarre choice people made while getting tattoos.

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Sara Frazer
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly I kinda like the writing, and at least the words are all spelled right. Then again I've had 19 shots of tequila (joking, joking! jeez that much tequila would unalive me!)

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    Tattoo artist based in London, Suze Canham, tells Bored Panda that when people come to her regretting their tattoo, it's more common to rework it than to cover it up completely. "To give it a new lease of life or refresh the colour," she says.

    "In my experience, tattoo regret usually comes from associating a tattoo with a specific person. Whether it be a friend or a relationship, tattoos should be personal. When we get them to symbolize a bond with another person, things can always go wrong," Suze explains.

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    #6

    Close-up of bizarre tattoo with realistic eyes inked on a man's chest, blending with chest hair in an unusual design choice.

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    Sara Frazer
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not terrible but the placement makes it look like a mutant dog-woman 😭

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    Suze's experience seems to be in line with the general trend, as statistics show that one of the most common reasons that people regret getting a tattoo is because they got someone's name they're no longer with, or lost the connection to its original meaning.

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    Other reasons people regret their tattoos include simply no longer liking them, the tattoo not fitting their personality anymore, the tattoo being poorly done, or having been too young when they got it.

    #9

    Tattoo of a distorted face with uneven eyes inside a halo design, showcasing bizarre choices people made while getting tattoos.

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    Hippopotamuses
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The profile's not too bad. But frontal could have done with some extra work.

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    Since the likelihood of regretting getting someone's name tattooed on is high, Suze often tries to talk their clients out of getting their partner's name or getting it tattooed in very obvious places, like hands, neck, or face, for their first one.

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    It's important to really think through your tattoo choices, as those who regretted their decision had mostly made a spontaneous one.

    #11

    Tattoo of a black cat on a branch covering a large portion of a person's chest, showcasing bizarre tattoo choices.

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    Sara Frazer
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow starting at the head the face and branches look okay, then as it went on it's like the artist had 18 shots of tequila

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    #12

    Bizarre tattoo choice showing two shaded dice on a forearm during the tattooing process with a gloved hand nearby.

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    Zaach
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    FFS - the 4 and 3 should not be like that - the opposite sides add up to 7

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    To reduce the chances of you regretting a tattoo, Suze advises sitting with the idea for a few months.

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    "Get a temporary tattoo or draw it on with a Sharpie to see how it moves with your body and consider how your body/style may change over time, but the tattoo will be a part of you forever, so make sure you’re comfortable with that. Tattoos can be so empowering, try to focus on how it makes you feel rather than how it looks or what others think of it."

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    #13

    Vertical black tattoo reading evolved in gothic font on a person's bare side showcasing bizarre tattoo choices.

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    #15

    Man with bizarre face and chest tattoos wearing sunglasses with chain and patchwork pants in urban setting.

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    Other tips that might help you avoid tattoo regret include considering the tattoo's location, as some places don't heal as well as others (e.g., fingers, underside of hands, and feet), and tattoo style, as colorful tattoos usually fade and age worse than black ones. It's also important to ask yourself if getting a tattoo of your current lover's name is really necessary.

    In general, make sure you're doing it for you and not because of the current style or trend. And as Suze said, if you're not sure about it, wait a few months—this will ensure that you won't regret it.

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    #18

    Back tattoo of a crucifixion scene with a person dabbing, showcasing bizarre choices people made while getting tattoos.

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    Sara Frazer
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The art is actually solid, just a weird choice.. did make me snort tho

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    And even if you do come to regret it, there are ways to fix the damage, like covering it up or removing it. But do keep in mind that if you choose to remove it, this could be done only after 6-8 weeks from the time you got the ink on your skin.

    “This allows for delayed tattoo reactions to be resolved that can occur with some pigments,” Dr. Richard Torbeck, a board-certified dermatologist, explained.

    #19

    Two bizarre tattoo choices featuring a bird with text banners, one reading Louis and the other Louisiana Popeyes Kitchen.

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    Hippopotamuses
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's a real shame this one needed to be changed. The original was much better.

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    But again, you have to really weigh everything and think if removing a tattoo is really what you want, as it can be as permanent and painful as the tattoo itself.

    It's the same advice as with getting a tattoo—don't rush into removing it, as for some, getting used to the tattoo takes some time, and after a while, they come to like it. So chances are, you may not even need to remove it if you sit with it and let it sink in.

    #22

    Man with bizarre tattoo of a muscular figure spanning chest and arms, showcasing unusual tattoo choices on his upper body.

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    Zitronella
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is the worst tattoo I've ever seen. It looks like the head is stuck between the legs and you look directly at his butt. Terrible!!

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    #24

    Tattoo on leg with word temporary misspelled, one of the bizarre choices people made while getting tattoos.

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    Hippopotamuses
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Look. If you're going to do a diy, at least check a dictionary first.

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    #29

    Man with bizarre tattoo of eyes on the back of his shaved head, showcasing strange choices people made while getting tattoos.

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    Hippopotamuses
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had a teacher like this... she said she had eyes in the back of her head.

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    #33

    Tattoo on a forearm with long, misspelled text showing one of the bizarre choices people made while getting tattoos.

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    Mreoww
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can’t comprehend this random string of letters.

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    #35

    Close-up of a bizarre tattoo featuring an abstract, rough sketch of a person with long hair and a mustache on skin.

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    Hippopotamuses
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Please, please, please, tell me that this isn't supposed to be Jesus.

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    #36

    Arm tattoo with a silhouette design and a large raised bump, showcasing bizarre choices people made while getting tattoos.

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    MsPlants
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have a lypoma, do I get it fixed? Nah I get an ironic tattoo to incorporate the thing

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    #43

    Tattoo of an unusual portrait of Elvis Presley on a person's upper arm, showcasing bizarre tattoo choices.

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    Sara Frazer
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If the left eye wasn't...uhm... drifting? This wouldn't be too bad

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    #45

    A person getting a bizarre tiger tattoo on their thigh, showcasing unusual tattoo choices in progress.

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    Mreoww
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’ve seen orange tigers, white tigers. I wanna know where I can find a mushy grey tiger.

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    #51

    Tattoo of a fierce cat in a space helmet with text expressing frustration, showcasing bizarre choices in tattoos.

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    Sara Frazer
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think that was intentional, that's from a somewhat internat famous panther tattoo fail

    #52

    Tattoo of a poorly drawn tiger face on a person's chest, showcasing one of the bizarre choices people made while getting tattoos.

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