A TATTOO can be a poignant reminder of something or someone you've lost, a deeply personal expression of self or simply a stylish way to show your personality.
It can also be a poorly-etched nightmare that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
This gallery of images shows some of the worst the internet has to offer - from terrible puns to shoddy likenesses to the out-and-out bizarre.
A total of 30% of 25 to 39 year-olds have body art and more and more women are getting them than ever.
But the next time you've had a drink and are thinking of getting the ink you've been putting off for years, remember these colourful calamities.
1. Grammar is important
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This amateur effort will have grammar fiends grinding their teethCredit: Splitpics.uk
2. Probably funny at the time
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Many of us enjoy a puerile pun, but we don't all have one permanently etched onto our skinCredit: Splitpics.uk
3. Nightmare fuel
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This parent wanted to proudly celebrate their offspring - but the ink looks more like something from a horror filmCredit: Splitpics.uk
4. Zip it up
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This zip tattoo appears to cleverly cover a surgery scarCredit: Splitpics.uk
5. Just plain bizarre
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This quirky tattoo-lover turned a hand print into a freakish animal and had it inked over his nippleCredit: Splitpics.uk
6. Not as deep as you ink
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This already shaky attempt at seeming profound is further ruined by the badly-corrected 'Forever'Credit: Splitpics.uk
7. The defiant one
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An HIV patient decided to show their defiance to the disease with this upper back tatCredit: Splitpics.uk
8. Taking notes, Trump?
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This man has a unique way of fighting his thinning hairCredit: Splitpics.uk
9. State of pride
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Taking pride in your heritage is all well and good, but where is 'Puerto Riico'Credit: Splitpics.uk
10. D'oh!
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This tattoo of everyone's favourite cartoon dad Homer Simpson is actually quite ingeniousCredit: Splitpics.uk
11. Badly Drawn Boys
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Was this tattoo owner going for Kevin Keegan and the lead singer of A-ha?Credit: Splitpics.uk
12. Man's messed friend
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This guy clearly loves his dog - but not enough to splash out on a high-end tattoo parlourCredit: Splitpics.uk
13. Roar talent?
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This sloppy werewolf probably should have remained as a text book doodleCredit: Splitpics.uk
14. Arach-NO-phobia
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This fella went for a black widow spider over his left eyeballCredit: Splitpics.uk
15. Political pig's ear
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Nelson Mandela's memory probably deserves better than this tattoo tributeCredit: Splitpics.uk
16. Why so serious?
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A fan of the Batman's arch-nemesis pays tribute to the JokerCredit: Splitpics.uk
17. Something to cry about
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The effect of a trendy full sleeve tattoo is somewhat ruined by the crude crying baby on the bicepCredit: Splitpics.uk
18. Money can't buy you taste
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This guy really likes money and wants you to know with this poorly-scrawled effortCredit: Splitpics.uk
19. Not Lovin' It
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A strange rat-deer hybrid below the messily-written phrase 'you ate mcdonaldz' adorns this man's backCredit: Splitpics.uk
20. Letting it all hang out
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A remarkably honest woman has 'PSYCHO' scrawled across her bellyCredit: Splitpics.uk
21. Did you lose a bet?
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A woman proudly displays the primary school willy she's had emblazoned on her backCredit: Splitpics.uk
22. A lot going on here
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This guy couldn't decide between a chessboard, the ocean or scar-effect letters. So he got all of themCredit: Splitpics.uk
23. Short memory
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This rocker won't forget to kick ass and take names thanks to this ink reminderCredit: Splitpics.uk
24. Family failure
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A loving tribute to loved ones went sadly wrongCredit: Splitpics.uk
25. Mad Men monstrosity
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This arm tattoo displays what looks like a Don Draper sex doll wearing a Kermit the Frog oven gloveCredit: Splitpics.uk
26. Acid house nightmare
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Diamonds, lipstick and acid emojis adorn this person's bum and thighs
27. A terrible tiger
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If the badly-scrawled tiger wasn't bad enough, the sheer size makes it even worseCredit: Splitpics.uk
28. Past imperfect
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After someone pointed out the difference between 'formally' and 'formerly', this tat fan took actionCredit: Splitpics.uk
Girls get 'Free Choice' tattoos on their bums for Candyman Travers Beynon
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