Hit pause on that tattoo.
Your future self is begging you to think twice.
Tattoos are sold as “no big deal”. But they’re permanent, painful to remove, and can close doors you haven’t even discovered yet. This page isn’t here to judge you – it’s here to protect you.
If you still want a tattoo after reading this carefully, that’s your choice. But at least it’ll be an informed one – not a rushed decision you regret in ten years.
Three questions to ask yourself right now
- If my life, beliefs, job, or relationship changed completely in 5–10 years, would this still make sense on my skin?
- Would I be happy to explain this tattoo to my future child, partner, or employer?
- If I had to pay £2,000 today to get this tattoo, would I still be so sure? (That’s what removal can cost – or more.)
No signup. No sales. Just a reality check before you do something permanent.
7 reasons to walk away from that tattoo appointment
People rarely regret waiting. They often regret rushing. These are the things tattoo studios and social media rarely talk about.
Tattoos age – your skin and taste will change
What looks crisp at 20 can look blurry, faded, or warped at 40 or 60. Your style, beliefs, and identity evolve too. That “forever” quote or trendy symbol might feel painfully out-of-date later – but the ink is still there.
Removal is expensive, painful & not guaranteed
Laser removal takes multiple sessions, can cost thousands, and still may leave scars, shadows, or skin changes. Cover-ups rarely look as clean as bare skin. The cheapest, safest option is not getting the tattoo in the first place.
It can affect jobs, visas & first impressions
Some employers, industries, and countries are still conservative about visible tattoos. You don’t know who you’ll want to work for, where you’ll want to move, or what culture you’ll live in tomorrow. Don’t let today’s impulse limit tomorrow’s options.
You might be using it to fix a temporary feeling
Breakups, grief, boredom, insecurity, “needing a change”… Tattoos are often chosen in emotional moments. Those emotions pass. The ink doesn’t. A conversation, journal entry, or haircut can help you through a phase. Permanent ink is a very heavy response.
Health risks are real
There can be allergic reactions, infections, and complications – especially with cheaper, unregulated ink or poor aftercare. Even in clean studios, you are still breaking the skin and putting foreign substances into your body. That’s never risk-free.
Most “unique” designs aren’t unique
Pinterest symbols, infinity signs, coordinates, lions, roses, dates, initials… They all feel personal now, but you’ll share them with millions of strangers. If your story is truly special, you don’t need ink to prove it to anyone.
You can always do it later – you can’t undo it later
This is the most important point. You lose nothing by waiting six months or a year. You lose options, money, and maybe confidence if you rush. If it still matters deeply to you after serious time and thought, it will still be there. Studios aren’t going anywhere.
The 30-second “Should I really do this?” checklist
If you can’t honestly tick all of these, walk away and give yourself more time.
- I’ve wanted this specific design in this specific place for at least 12 months, not just a few days or weeks.
- I’ve looked at photos of old, faded tattoos and still feel comfortable with how this might look in 10–20 years.
- I’ve thought about how this may affect work, travel, family, and relationships – including people I haven’t met yet.
- I’m not doing this to impress someone, fix my mood, prove a point, or keep up with friends or social media.
- I fully understand the cost, pain, and limits of removal – and I’m okay with possibly never being able to erase it completely.
Try these alternatives instead of permanent ink
What you really want might be expression, change, or meaning – not a needle. Here are ways to get that without scarring your skin:
The meaning you’re chasing doesn’t live in pigment under your skin. It lives in what you do, how you treat people, and the choices you make daily.
“But I really, really want one…”
Wanting something strongly right now doesn’t magically make it a good idea forever. Think about all the things you passionately wanted five or ten years ago that you’re now glad you didn’t get.
If this tattoo is truly the right choice, it will stand the test of time in your mind. So test it: give it more time. Put the money aside. Save the design somewhere private. Revisit it in 6–12 months.
If it doesn’t… you just saved your future self a lot of pain, money, and regret.
A note if you already have tattoos
This page isn’t here to shame you or make you feel bad about your past choices. You did the best you could with who you were then.
What you can do is protect your future self from decisions you’re not truly sure about. Saying “no more for now” is powerful. You don’t need another tattoo to be valid, interesting, or “complete”.
If your tattoos are linked to difficult experiences or emotions and you’re struggling with them, consider talking to a trusted friend, support line, or mental health professional. You deserve support that’s about you as a person, not just your skin.
So… will you do your future self a favour?
Close this page. Take at least a few weeks – ideally months – before you book anything. If you can’t stop thinking about the tattoo after all that time, reassess carefully.
I’ll wait. The tattoo can wait too.Walking away today doesn’t make you boring. It makes you thoughtful.