This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/dec/12/experience-i-regret-my-face-tattoo

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Experience: I regret my face tattoo Experience: I regret my face tattoo
(1 day later)
I hate looking in a mirror. I can’t remember what I really look like: all I can see is this terrible mistake I made two years ago. I hate looking in a mirror. I can’t remember what I really look like: all I can see is this terrible mistake I made two years ago.
I had my first tattoo when I was 16. I was curious about what it would look and feel like and, not thinking twice, I got my mate to give me a cross on my finger with a home-tattooing kit. I liked it, but as I apologised to my very disappointed parents, I was convinced that it would be my last tattoo. I had my first tattoo when I was 16. I was curious about what it would look and feel like and, not thinking twice, I got my mate to give me a cross on my finger with a home-tattooing kit. I liked it, but as I apologised to my very disappointed parents, I was convinced that it would be my last tattoo.
But when I was 18 I felt ready for more. I became obsessed with the ink and kept adding – at one stage I was having one tattoo a week. The stinging pain and burning sensation can be addictive. And the more you get, the more bearable the sensation. It makes you relax, as the pain triggers your body to release endorphins. But when I was 18 I felt ready for more. I became obsessed with the ink and kept adding – at one stage I was having one tattoo a week. The stinging pain and burning sensation can be addictive. And the more you get, the more bearable the sensation. It makes you relax, as the pain triggers your body to release endorphins.
My three-year-old daughter Amelia’s name is on my neck, surrounded by stars, and my 12-month-old daughter Ava’s name is on my wrist. I’ve got swallows on my hand, and my arms are covered in tribal symbols, dragons, stars, a muscle man holding a dumbbell, boxing glove, red cherries that look like bombs, Russian stars, a black widow spider and a cobweb on my elbow. There are too many to count. But if I could turn back time, I would remove every single one. My three-year-old daughter Amelia’s name is on my neck, surrounded by stars, and my 12-month-old daughter Ava’s name is on my wrist. I’ve got swallows on my hand, and my arms are covered in tribal symbols, dragons, stars, a muscle man holding a dumbbell, boxing glove, red cherries that look like bombs, Russian stars, a black widow spider and a cobweb on my elbow. There are too many to count. But if I could turn back time, I would remove every single one.
I had my facial tattoo a couple of years ago. The design is based on the ex-boxer Mike Tyson’s. I don’t actually like him that much – he’s not someone I look up to – but I decided it would be cool to have something on my face, and then saw his picture and thought his tattoo looked really good. I was turned down by five different tattoo shops in Littlehampton, where I lived, because it was their policy never to ink a face. I should have seen that as a warning. But, finally, I found someone who agreed to give me the tattoo. I had my facial tattoo a couple of years ago. The design is based on the ex-boxer Mike Tyson’s. I don’t actually like him that much – he’s not someone I look up to – but I decided it would be cool to have something on my face, and then saw his picture and thought his tattoo looked really good. I was turned down by five different tattoo shops in Littlehampton, where I lived, because it was their policy never to ink a face. I should have seen that as a warning. But, finally, I found someone who agreed to give me the tattoo.
Within a year I wanted the tattoo off my face, because of the way strangers were treating me. Initially I didn’t notice people’s reactions or I shrugged them off. Then I moved to Bognor Regis, where things became rough. People judged me and made me feel uncomfortable; strangers would call me names, saying I was a mug for getting it done. Within a year I wanted the tattoo off my face, because of the way strangers were treating me. Initially I didn’t notice people’s reactions or I shrugged them off. Then I moved to Bognor Regis, where things became rough. People judged me and made me feel uncomfortable; strangers would call me names, saying I was a mug for getting it done.
I began to get into a lot of trouble because I found it hard to take. I would stick up for myself, but situations would quickly escalate. The police were sympathetic, but told me I had to learn to control my anger. I began to get into a lot of trouble because I found it hard to take. I would stick up for myself, but situations would quickly escalate. The police were sympathetic, but told me I had to learn to control my anger.
I feel vulnerable and exposed, and I don’t go out much, especially in the evenings. People stereotype me as a thug, or someone who thinks they’re a big deal. I’m not like that at all – I’m humble and my friends know I’m quite soft, really. I’ve been brought up very well and I have a lot of respect for others.I feel vulnerable and exposed, and I don’t go out much, especially in the evenings. People stereotype me as a thug, or someone who thinks they’re a big deal. I’m not like that at all – I’m humble and my friends know I’m quite soft, really. I’ve been brought up very well and I have a lot of respect for others.
My family have always been loving and supportive. They disagreed with my tattoos, but they’ve never judged me. They simply say, “It’s just not you.” And I agree with them. Finally, this year, I’ve found a clinic where I can get my tattoo lasered off. I’m so excited. It is a life‑changing opportunity. My family have always been loving and supportive. They disagreed with my tattoos, but they’ve never judged me. They simply say, “It’s just not you.” And I agree with them. Finally, this year, I’ve found a clinic where I can get my tattoo lasered off. I’m so excited. It is a life‑changing opportunity.
I’ll have a 10-minute, £100 treatment every six weeks. I’m quite immune to pain, but laser removal is a different sensation from anything I’ve experienced before, and it’s just about bearable. Each zap feels like a pin slowly pushing into your skin and pulling out. With every treatment the tattoo will gradually fade. It will take about 15 sessions, so it will be more than a year and a half before it is gone. I’ll have a 10-minute, £100 treatment every six weeks. I’m quite immune to pain, but laser removal is a different sensation from anything I’ve experienced before, and it’s just about bearable. Each zap feels like a pin slowly pushing into your skin and pulling out. With every treatment the tattoo will gradually fade. It will take about 15 sessions, so it will be more than a year and a half before it is gone.
At 22, with two young daughters, I want to get a good job in the building trade. I can’t yet, with this tattoo. But now I’ve started to do something about it, I feel my life is coming together again. At 22, with two young daughters, I want to get a good job in the building trade. I can’t yet, with this tattoo. But now I’ve started to do something about it, I feel my life is coming together again.
People get tattoos because they want to express how they are feeling, what kind of person they are, or to tell their own story. But my face tattoo tells the wrong story about me. I would tell anyone thinking about getting one on their face not to do it. I can’t wait for the day this is finally removed.People get tattoos because they want to express how they are feeling, what kind of person they are, or to tell their own story. But my face tattoo tells the wrong story about me. I would tell anyone thinking about getting one on their face not to do it. I can’t wait for the day this is finally removed.
• As told to Sarah Smith• As told to Sarah Smith
Do you have an experience to share? Email experience@theguardian.comDo you have an experience to share? Email experience@theguardian.com