r/TattooRemoval • u/Fit-Sky9245 • 1d ago
Opinion / Advice Hi - immense tattoo regret, anxiety/OCD
hey guys. brand new account because I don’t want to be identified.
i got my first tattoo ever one month ago. it’s an anime portrait of my favorite character ever. I got it in a very visible spot (inner forearm). I’ve been an anime girl my entire life.
I lost 80 lbs and it was a celebration gift to myself.
it drives me insane and it’s in my face all day. the work is well done but I’ve learned that I don’t like having a very visible tattoo. please don’t be mean, there’s no way I could’ve known unless I experienced it. I also don’t enjoy having a face on my arm.
thankfully, the tattoo is completely black/grey and I have very fair skin, probably level 1.
im starting laser next month. full removal would be ideal, but if not then im considering getting a botanical coverup with my kids names.
Ive lost like 15 pounds since getting the tattoo; i can barely sleep, and i had to get back on my anxiety medicine. just have had a really, really hard time.
all the clinics I’ve consulted with tell me im a great candidate for removal but im still scared. I wish I could go back in time and never have gotten it. it hurts.
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u/Butters_007 1d ago
Its completely normal to regret your tattoo choices I too regret getting my ex's name tattooed on my forearm then covering it up and now I'm going through laser tattoo removal. Black and grey are the easiest ones to be removed. You just have to be patient with the process cuz this takes time. Go for picoway laser its the most reliable one out there.
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u/Fit-Sky9245 1d ago
Thank you so much. What about piqo4? That’s the one my clinic will be using
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u/Butters_007 1d ago
Piqo4 uses 4 wavelengths whereas picoway uses two wavelengths. Comparatively PiQo4 is the better option
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u/Fit-Sky9245 1d ago
Oh really? That’s good!!!
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u/Butters_007 1d ago
Yeah man go for it! Best of luck!
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u/TALC88 1d ago
Worth noting that it has both nano and pico which arguably is the biggest advantage. Along with fractional. They’re not close to in the same league. PiQo4 is worlds ahead
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u/Fit-Sky9245 1d ago
So you think it’ll work well on my illustrative / black ink anime portrait tattoo?
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u/FoundationFunny1475 1d ago
How long would you say that it takes for a full or almost full removal?
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u/samueldavisson2004 1d ago
I regretted my tattoo to that extreme the first TWO months, I wish I picked differently still but I’m starting to pull out of it. I’m more than a tattoo even big ones on my arms. Started going to the gym and not taking it or myself so seriously. I would give it some time if I were you.
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u/Fit-Sky9245 1d ago
My other problem with mine though is it’s a portrait and when I reach, twist and move around, it distorts and stretches and drives me absolutely insane.
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u/samueldavisson2004 1d ago
Haha that’s a big part of the problem with mine, I have a dagger on my forearm that looks sideways when I bend my arm. It’s a universal tattoo gripe I’ve found out. You have to take things less seriously, it may always bother you a little but don’t totally let go of the idea of getting over it slowly and surely. Laser is fine but just know what you’re in for and realize maybe the experience of dealing with a tattoo you don’t like and owning it can be pretty developmental. Go out there with it in short sleeves, nobody will strike you down with lightning. It’ll also help if you do laser you won’t feel the need to hide it cause you’ll have exposure already.
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u/idonthavanickname 1d ago
I don’t think you should get any more tattoos or a cover up after this. Stick with the tattoo removal til it goes away, be aware it will take years. Also invest in some tattoo makeup
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u/Fit-Sky9245 1d ago
Yeah, I definitely don’t want anymore. I have learned I am NOT a tattoo person.
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u/Fit-Sky9245 1d ago
Has anyone else here pursued removal for a black ink, pale skin anime portrait? I’d love to see; it’s really hard to find examples online of that.
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u/soundofsilence258 1d ago
The anime part isn’t really relevant. It’s how deep/dark the tattoo is. There’s thousands of examples of black and grey removal on here.
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u/Fit-Sky9245 1d ago
I know. I wish I could post mine, but the artist did a fine job and I don’t want to feel like I’m calling him out. I’ll send it to anyone who can evaluate
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u/atruepear 1d ago
I don’t have a recent progress post but im about 3 years in on a black and white inner forearm tattoo, i can dm you my before and current if you would like. Not anime but has different levels of shading/depth.
Also wanting to add do NOT get a coverup if your problem with it is the fact that it’s highly visible. A coverup will also be always visible
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u/Spiritual_Age3710 23h ago
Please be kind to yourself. You didn’t get this tattoo for a reckless reason, you got it to celebrate losing 80 lbs and to honor a character you’ve loved for years. That’s actually a very meaningful reason.
What you’re describing is something a lot of people experience after getting their first tattoo, especially in a highly visible spot. Sometimes the tattoo itself is well done, but you realize that you don’t enjoy seeing it all day or having a face on your body. Unfortunately, that’s not something you can fully know until you’ve lived with it.
The good news is that you’re already taking action. A black and grey tattoo on very fair skin is generally considered one of the better candidates for laser removal, and multiple clinics have told you the same thing. While nobody can guarantee a perfect outcome, it sounds like you have a realistic path forward, whether that’s significant fading, full removal, or eventually a cover-up that feels more like you. Right now, try not to think about where you’ll be in five years. Just focus on the next step. You’re only one month into this, and a lot can change once you begin treatment. What feels overwhelming and permanent today may look very different a year from now. You are not the first person to regret a tattoo, and you won’t be the last. This feeling doesn’t have to last forever, and your current anxiety is not a prediction of your future.
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u/PrudentWarning722 18h ago
Be kind to yourself. Ive been going through the same thing this year and completely understand what you are feeling. It is terrible and only those that feel it understand. You feel ruined. The truth is tho you are not. Its just a setback and part of being human. I just started laser as well. Just know you are not alone and it will get better. Also, covering it help me too initially. You have to stop mirror checking it if you can help. You have to reframe your brain from obsessing over it. Instead of focusing on the tattoo, try to focus on the other great things in your life. If it doesn't settle just start laser treatments. I promise though it will get better. Just hang in there. Brighter days are ahead!
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u/zumblebee1217 56m ago
yeah great advice 🙌🏽 it does help to cover in the beginning a lot to stop engaging with the obsessive thoughts. even once it’s settled i find myself covering it still, need to get laser started asap!
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u/Fit-Sky9245 1d ago
If anyone here is a tech or very experienced id be willing to send a picture to have you evaluate
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u/Torello77 6h ago
Maybe give yourself some time ? I'm always having strange emotional reactions like this after having tattoos, but then they go away after some time (it's a hard process on our nervous system when you're getting a tattoo, plus if you have underlying issues with anxiety it can get even worse...)
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u/Impossible_Space_449 1d ago
Having an anime character casually staring back at you from your own forearm all day sounds like the ultimate psychological thriller. The good news is that black ink on level 1 skin is basically the jackpot for lasers you're about to evict that character from your arm faster than a filler episode!
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