THAT'S TATTOO MUCH
I got a free face tattoo saying ‘cursed’ – it’s the worst decision I ever made, I can’t get a proper job because of it
TATTOOS - your mum warned you not to get one.
And she was probably right as three in four Brits regret getting at least one of their tattoos, while 14 per cent of those who’ve been inked try to hide them.
4
4
The most common spots to get inked - shoulders, backs and bellies - can be tactfully tucked away with clothing, but some tattoos are trickier to disguise.
Tanya Davies, 23, knows that. She got her FACE inked and has tried to cover it up with makeup, but the tattoo is too dark to camouflage and unfortunately still shines through.
The factory worker from Mansfield, Notts, says: “Whenever I look in the mirror my tattoo reminds me of how stupid I was - I’m desperate to have it lasered off.
“Two years ago a friend asked me to be a model for their cursive script tattooing course.
“I was offered a free tattoo on my forehead - I was going through a rebel phase and jumped at the offer.
“I knew they did beautiful work and within two hours I was in the chair having it done.
“It wasn’t until the letters C-U-R and S had been tattooed that I asked what it was.
Most read in Fabulous
“It was the word ‘cursed‘ and by then there was no going back. I instantly started to dread what it would look like, and questioned: ‘What will my mum think?’
“It was the worst decision I ever made. I love tattoos but I’m now desperate to have my facial ones removed.
“Walking around with ‘cursed’ tattooed on your forehead has become a living nightmare.”
Giving up on makeup, Tanya uses her hair as a less-than-ideal solution.
She says: “I got a fringe cut to cover the rose on the side of my face - it falls across the tattoo.
“I also have the word ‘beautiful’ in old English under my chin - it looks ridiculous because you can’t properly read it unless I stick my chin out.
“The tattoos have prevented me from getting well paid jobs. One posh clothing company wanted me but asked if I would mind covering up ‘cursed’ with makeup.
“I tried but nothing covered it properly, you could still see the outline and shading didn’t work. It would have been nine hour shifts and when I tried it around the house for a day the makeup kept melting off.
“I am desperate to have my tattoos removed so I can pursue a proper career, but having it lasered might make my face worse.”
READ MORE REAL LIFE STORIES
4
4
Erasing tattoos
Laser tattoo removal has become the most common treatment for those rethinking their ink.
A non-invasive device which uses short, but high-energy pulses of light - or picosecond lasers - on the skin, travels through until it hits the tattoo pigment. The light is absorbed, breaking down the tattoo.
Costing anywhere between £55 to £250 per session, the simplest of inkings can still take a year to remove.
Jenny Hipkiss, founder of No Regrets Tattoo Removal, says: “Full removal of a black ink tattoo can take eight to 10 sessions spaced a minimum of six weeks apart - coloured ink takes longer.”
Despite the hefty price-tag, clinics have recently seen a 40 per cent spike in clinic bookings in the last two years.
Rebecca Richards, founder of Bespoke Beauty, blames rookie tattoo work as the reason three fifths of her clients seek removal.
She says: “Over half of my clients come to me unhappy with work they’ve had elsewhere.
“I got into tattoo removal five years ago after being left with botched tattooed eyebrows - now I’m seeing women have theirs reversed as trends are favouring a more natural look.”
Changing trends has seen a number of celebrities erase their tatts, too.
Additional reporting Alley Einstein
Topics