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Regret is a funny thing. And we aren't talking about it in a metaphorical or symbolic sense. But quite literal: a tramp stamp flashing above your cheeks as a regrettable reminder of last night's bender as it happened to the How I Met Your Mother's Ted and many others before the poor fella.
Getting a regrettable tattoo, then, might be a cliche for TV and movies. But there's something we can't resist when life starts imitating art and it happens to actual people. Whether it's a spelling mistake or the final result looking like a 7-year-old's crayon doodle, Fail tattoo and Tattoo Fails communities know there's a never-ending hunger for ink fails. 'No regerts', right?
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#1
Ken Beattie 2 years ago
Same. It's really well done and I love the design. But yeah, I wouldn't get it myself.
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Back in the day, pulling off a tattoo was as slick as pulling off a leather jacket or a pair of aviators. Not many dared to do it and those who did either were reborn leather-clad or figured they're simply not cut out for it.
Of course, things have changed (perhaps not for aviators, as they can only look good on Tom Cruise, J-Lo and a few others, dare we say) since then. You're most likely to see someone sporting a tattoo on your next stroll or commute to work.
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#2
ThatBlackNightingale 2 years ago
Um is it just me or does any self portrait/picture of another person as a tattoo never work out?
LokisLilButterknife 2 years ago
This reminds me of the "ugly" babies that often appear in Medieval and Renaissance artworks: https://www.boredpanda.com/ugly-renaissance-babies-art/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic
In 1936, for example, Life magazine estimated that around 10 million Americans, or approximately 6% of the population had at least one tattoo. According to today's data, that number has increased by 29%, as 145 million Americans admitted to being inked.
On the other hand, the increased popularity of tattoos also meant that more people will have second doubts whether they've made the right choice. According to one survey, 3-in-4 respondents admitted to regretting at least one of their tattoos. Not surprising, then, that half of those regrets come from having someone's name inked on your body.
#3
Upstaged75 2 years ago
You win the internet for today Austin. I laughed so hard at your comment I farted. Thankfully I work from home! :)
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Kevin J. Henning 2 years ago
Either the person giving the "thumbs up" was being sarcastic or they need to visit an eye doctor.
#4
Ken Beattie 2 years ago
That's a good reason not to tattoo a girlfriends name on your body then :)
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Meli Wolf 2 years ago
Or maybe he broke up with Karla three times and got back together with her and this became a loop... :D
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Sandy D 2 years ago
Kinda clever way to cover old names. More clever would be to stop putting names on your body permanently, at least until you've been with the same person at least 15 years with no breaks and no major relationship problems
Diolla 2 years ago
My rule of thumb is, only names from children, parents, or ppl that have passed away. That way there will be no regerts.
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On top of the regret list also are tribal tattoos which are a cause for regret for 12% of men (yes, it's usually men). While 15% of women revealed they can't look at their star constellation tattoos without a bit of cringe.
#5
Stacey Konig 2 years ago
It could be worse my husband has a huge lion head on his upper arm from over 30yrs ago in black ink. Then 15yrs ago he had a football helmet put sideways on the lions head so it could show it was a “Dallas Cowboys” helmet all in blue ink. Yes we live in west Texas but my husband was born & raised in Germany!
#6
Susie Elle 2 years ago
The tattoo itself is really not bad, I guess if this is what the person wantend then *shrugs*
Caroline Kimber 2 years ago
Yeah, I think the tattoo is well 'drawn'! It's not the worst design I've seen.
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daniel ikelman 2 years ago
These are Valkyrie wings...put em anywhere you want. Ride for Valhalla!
Procrastination 2.0 2 years ago
Icarus now has S size wings. Gonna make it harder to fly closer to the sun now, though.
Firstname Lastname 2 years ago
Personally, I'd love to put a stick figure in the middle of it all.
One of the key factors contributing to tattoo regret is impulsive decision-making. Many individuals get tattoos on a whim, without thoroughly considering the long-term implications. And while it may be funny when we see it on TV (remember Hangover's tribal tattoo?), 1-in-5 who don't sleep on their decision to get inked don't think it's that funny.
#7
Mistiekim 2 years ago
I like it - the tattoos aren’t bad (except the lady looks like she has 2 layers of teeth) and it’s on the feet so easy to hide.
#8
Upstaged75 2 years ago
He must have gotten old based on his receding hairline.
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Mistiekim 2 years ago
Why does this lion have a receding hairline? I’ve never seen that on a National Geographic special
Tattoos are a form of art, and like any art form, the quality of execution plays a significant role in the overall satisfaction of it. Inks that are totally butchered, have spelling mistakes, or don't live up to what you had in mind, meanwhile, can lead to regrets that won't fade away easily.
#9
Alyssa Phillips 2 years ago
Ride grandpa forever? I guess as long as it isn't YOUR grandpa....
#10
Bouche, Audi, and Shyla, oh my! 2 years ago
And if you ever saw it, Tigger would pounce all your toes.
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Ryan Winters 2 years ago
Thanks that'll be $2000, nah sorry bro no mirrors here but it's great take my word for it
While you might wonder who we are to judge what he, she or they decides to permanently get implanted on their skin, it's a whole different matter with tattoo masters who put stuff on people's bodies, no matter how good or bad the ideas are, for a living.
"Although I always try to respect customer's decision," Agneta, a 28-year-old tattoo artist at the Tattoo Chamber studio, told Bored Panda via Instagram, "sometimes I try to talk out people from inks that won't look good in the long run." If not for those stubborn customers who aren't open to suggestions, however, we might not be talking about bad tattoos today.
#11
CG 2 years ago
It's not uncommon for people to get eyebrows tattooed on them, in place of where their eyebrows should be. And there are some very good fake eyebrow tattoos that I've seen.
Load More Replies... daniel ikelman 2 years ago
Looks like a Judge Judy episode. How much ya wanna bet he is the defendant
Tyranamar Seuss 2 years ago
That was my exact thought! Judge Judy is not gonna have patience with this guy!
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Austin Sauce 2 years ago
“I finally saved up enough money. I can get one $200 tattoo…. OR I could one hundred $2 tattoos!”
#12
CG 2 years ago
Multiple sessions would be needed. I remember a final canvas on Ink Master got a whole 6-8 hours of work lasered off in a few sittings.
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Arenite 2 years ago
There’s an ancient Korean art tradition where they drew pictures of tigers and birds/rabbits. The tiger was drawn in this odd, twisted way. They represented the aristocrats, and the small creatures were mocking them. There’s a name for it, but I can’t remember. Anyone else know?
Agneta, who's been inking people for more than 6 years, has seen her fair share of poor tattoo ideas. And while working with a client closely can elevate what could have been a lifelong regret into an elegant tattoo begging to be shared on Insta, it's only one way to steer away from appearing on one of these lists. Another is to do some homework.
#13
Brittania Kelli 2 years ago
His hand is pregnant with a frog? What's he done to get a frog to impregnate his hand. I need to find the frog, I got questions.
Ken Beattie 2 years ago
I don't think it is a typo. My money is on it being a deliberate "funny" tattoo. Just that it doesn't make sense to most people.
Load More Replies... David 2 years ago
When you want to memorialize that time you got a giant blister on your hand and it got infested with some kind of bugs.
CHRISTY SMITH 2 years ago
I just reread your comment, I didn’t notice it initially, even though I was replying right underneath it - my point is that it made me chuckle 🤭
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LittleWombat 2 years ago
And I thought parents warned boys they'd go blind if they did it too much...
#14
Shark Lady 2 years ago
What the actual F is that. It looks like a weird skin disease or something that has turned septic.
XenoMurph 2 years ago
It'll cost an arm and a leg, well, maybe not the leg.
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witchling 2 years ago
My coffee has been filtered thru my nose. Thanks for that!!
Load More Replies... Krissy Laubach 2 years ago
Ugh that is actually creepy looking I would never want a free tattoo anyway but WoW
"I think it's quite important not to chase what's trendy and go for what you actually like," she suggested. "Of course, not being penny-pinchy about it and choosing a trustworthy tattoo master who seems to hear what you're actually after also helps."
#15
smugdruggler 2 years ago
Yeah, not sure it belongs on this list with some of the real sh!te that's included.
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E. Hamilton 2 years ago
That is actually not bad for a walk in tattoo. Let's give him credit, ribs tats are brutal.
Huddo's sister 2 years ago
Reminds me of one a guy called Sean from my high school had, except it was a lawnmower above his pubes
What most people who're about to get their first tattoo done don't consider, then, is age. While there are no statistics to base this on, most people, Agneta believes, don't factor in that their skin will get wrinkly with age, or that tattoos tend to fade as we get older.
"At the moment, tattoos made out of thin lines are quite popular," she says. "Naturally, due to our physiology, it will blur and expand," an important consideration that is sometimes forgotten by customers, even after being duly warned.
#17
#18
TheAnimalGoddess 2 years ago
A baby who has '80s eye makeup & eating a sock... There's got to be a story behind that...
Ryan Winters 2 years ago
Is that a tongue, a sock, or their tongue in a sock? What nevermind I just don't care
#19
Alyssa Phillips 2 years ago (edited)
This is actually well done if that's your thing. ETA: and I see now to cover a scar
Tiki Stanford 2 years ago
I think this is actually pretty cool. Nice job covering the scar, and I'm guessing it will age nicely.
#20
#21
Nihil Supernum 2 years ago
Nah, he just gave himself severe brain damage. He looks happier at least?
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Kalon Suszko 2 years ago (edited)
The kid at 10 years old attempting to use the tattoo gun again on daddy. They have gotten better since #19 photo!
#22
Sandy D 2 years ago
If you want a portrait, you need to do a lot of research to make stuff you get an artist who can do the job well. Be willing to pay more, too. Unless you want to remember your parents like this
Kalon Suszko 2 years ago
Totally correct. There are tattoo artists out there that do beautiful tattoo portraits. Of course you will have to spend the extra dollars to get quality work. BUT if you are gonna wear it for a lifetime, well worth spending the extra dollars.
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#23
Caroline Kimber 2 years ago
It's going to hurt emotionally having to see that every day for the rest of your life.
#24
Sandy D 2 years ago
His mustache is actually really heavy, long nose hairs. The basketball one might be funny if it didn't look like something a 9 year old drew on his notebook
Tiki Stanford 2 years ago
It might actually be something a 9 year old drew. I've heard of parents getting their kids artwork tattooed. It's a thing. Not sure if it should be, but it is.
Load More Replies... TheAnimalGoddess 2 years ago
& the Lord sayeth unto you, "go forth, with the divine power of the chin testicles in your heart"
CHRISTY SMITH 2 years ago (edited)
Why would he get a tattoo of Jesus with balls on his face? Is this his way of saying he wants Jesus to suck his balls? Or vice versa? Blasphemy! 🤭
#25
CG 2 years ago
Nobody gonna mention that it's supposed to be "Hakuna Matata", and not "Hanuka Matata"?
Elora 2 years ago
No s**t, Sherlock. That's the point. Plus, you mentioned it. Are you "nobody"?
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Nihil Supernum 2 years ago
Yep, I checked it myself, can confirm that the google translation of 'hanuka matata' is in fact 'it doesn't smell bad'.
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David 2 years ago (edited)
when jewish people want to forget their worries and party. EDIT: I have no idea if accurate but here's what I get when I plug those words into google translate. -- hunuka - Kinyarwanda for "come down". matata - Samoan for 'business' hanuka matata - Kinyarwanda "it's crazy"
#26
#27
Robecca 2 years ago
Like, that's even an awful picture to begin with. Man looks like he's disgusted with the photographer
Chewie Baron 2 years ago
Well now we know what the guy on the left would look like if he dragged up like Liza Minnelli.
#28
Imjust jim 2 years ago
Dating myself, but there was a Laverne and Shirley where Lenny got a jacket with One Wolf and it should have been Lone Wolf, so she sewed one of her L's on it - and it looked just like that L. Schlmiel...indeed.
Bouche, Audi, and Shyla, oh my! 2 years ago
I know that nothing inspires me to have someone inject permanent ink into my body quite like a slushie.
Jerusalem Cat Syndrome 2 years ago
Rhetorical question: can you imagine waking up and looking in the mirror every day, and seeing even a fraction of this? Every. Damned. Day.
#29
Austin Sauce 2 years ago (edited)
My next what? Please don’t tell me I have to read his toes to find out.
Spirited7Wolf 2 years ago
And the worst bit is... that grammar error is going to be on his body forever...
#30
Cat Crazy Lady 2 years ago (edited)
Honestly the tigers body in the tattoo looks more weird to me. Hmm..
#31
The Other Guest 2 years ago
Maybe, *maybe* it's a child's drawing turned into a tattoo? Maybe??? Also, I'm no tattoo expert, so can someone tell me if it's normal to have that much red skin & smeared ink?
Anne Wyckoff 2 years ago
Is nobody going to mention the ring of hairy back surrounding the awful tattoo?
CG 2 years ago
If you mean the black smudges around it, that's normal during/after a tattoo. It's usually leftover ink that was wiped off/was rubbed on from the artist's glove, and the picture was taken before they could wipe it off with wet paper towels.
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#32
Dak Janiels 2 years ago
I think you need to be the official "First Comment" for every BP.
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#33
Tee Rat 2 years ago
Taking back their intellectual property without the option of a cover up tattoo would be interesting.
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#34
Holly Stevens 2 years ago
I have a feeling this is actually really well done and the dog was just ugly
Ryan Winters 2 years ago (edited)
Dog? I thought it was an Ewok that died in the battle of Endor
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LokisLilButterknife 2 years ago
A beautiful tribute to all the Ewoks who gave their lives at the Battle of Endor.
Caroline Kimber 2 years ago
Thank God it's on your back, because you wouldn't sleep peacefully with that staring at you.
#35
Josey Griffin 2 years ago
Next time, hope they look up the tattooists work before taking the plunge.
#36
Jason 2 years ago (edited)
I don't hate this one it's kind of cute. If the man's pants and head silhouette were a bit better. Can probably guess why I like it!
Saint Thomas 2 years ago (edited)
Is this to commemorate the abduction of a child by a big headed alien ?
#37
Sandy D 2 years ago
Thanks for posting this. Now i get it. I had no clue what the hat said or who this is. My son was into wrestling stuff in elementary school a long time ago, and I remembered this one
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Penguin Panda Pop 2 years ago
I can see some letters but no other tattoos in this picture. What am I missing here?
CG 2 years ago
John Cena. Pro Wrestler turned actor, who has appeared in The Suicide Squad (and Peacemaker), and the two most recent Fast and Furious films as Dom's brother.
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What do you think ?
Wheely 2 years ago
I have a half finished tattoo on my upper arm from 25 years ago. Despite having plenty of other tattoos since, I've never had that one finished and never intend to, it's part of me now. Still looks better than all of these.
WindySwede 2 years ago
How many of these are the drunk "friend" who got the gear from amazon and thought "That can't be difficult"...?
Load More Replies... Dak Janiels 2 years ago
Agreed! Even with a great artist I wouldn't even do the "$50 random tattoo" option. You GOTTA know what you are getting into.
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Michael Largey 2 years ago
An actress in the 1930s (I forget who, sorry) had tattooed on an inner ankle the message "Heaven's Above!"
Aiden Brough 2 years ago
I have a tattoo. It's on my arm and covers up a number of year's worth of pain. One day I just walked into a tattooist on my lunch break and asked for my daughters name putting on there. It's not brilliantly done and needs to be refreshed, but it'll do. And would I have another? Nope. But it's STILL better than all the above combined...
Wheely 2 years ago
I have a half finished tattoo on my upper arm from 25 years ago. Despite having plenty of other tattoos since, I've never had that one finished and never intend to, it's part of me now. Still looks better than all of these.
WindySwede 2 years ago
How many of these are the drunk "friend" who got the gear from amazon and thought "That can't be difficult"...?
Load More Replies... Dak Janiels 2 years ago
Agreed! Even with a great artist I wouldn't even do the "$50 random tattoo" option. You GOTTA know what you are getting into.
Load More Replies... Michael Largey 2 years ago
An actress in the 1930s (I forget who, sorry) had tattooed on an inner ankle the message "Heaven's Above!"
Aiden Brough 2 years ago
I have a tattoo. It's on my arm and covers up a number of year's worth of pain. One day I just walked into a tattooist on my lunch break and asked for my daughters name putting on there. It's not brilliantly done and needs to be refreshed, but it'll do. And would I have another? Nope. But it's STILL better than all the above combined...
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