Navigating Tattoo Regret: Insights from Montana Studio

On Tattoo Regret: A Perspective from the Studio

I see a lot of people come through the doors of our studio in Missoula. Some are here for their first piece, full of that specific blend of excitement and nervous energy. Others are seasoned collectors, adding to a story already written on their skin. And sometimes, someone comes in with a different kind of story. They’re not looking to add, but to address something that already exists. They’re living with tattoo regret.

The conversation around regret is often framed in stark numbers and warnings. But in my years in Western Montana, working with people from all walks of life, I’ve found it’s a more nuanced, human experience than a statistic. One thing I can say, I've covered up a lot of tattoos that once meant a lot but not very many that look cool.

Today, I want to talk about this openly. Not to scare anyone away from getting tattooed, but to affirm why we approach this craft the way we do at Montana Tattoo Company. Because the data on regret isn't just a cautionary tale. It's a roadmap for how to get it right. You can fix a bad tattoo, you can't fix a bad design.

Understanding the Landscape of Regret

Studies suggest that between a quarter and nearly half of people with tattoos experience regret at least one of them. That’s a significant range, and it tells us a few things. First, it’s common enough that it shouldn’t be a taboo subject. Second, the wide variance in those numbers points directly to the conditions under which the tattoo was received.

Regret isn't random. It clusters around specific factors. It’s more frequent among those who got their first tattoo very young, or who made the decision on a pure impulse. It spikes for tattoos in highly visible areas like the hands, forearms, or face. It’s strongly linked to work done by amateurs—in kitchens, garages, shopping for the cheapest option, or other non-professional settings where skill and safety are afterthoughts.

Perhaps most telling is the timing. While about half of people who regret a tattoo come to that feeling after two or more years, a notable portion feel it almost immediately. Within days. That immediate pang isn't about a change in life or taste. It’s the gut reaction to a permanent mark that, in the cold light of day, doesn’t reflect who you are. It was a decision made in a context that didn't honor the gravity of the act.

The Stories Behind the Regret

When people talk about why they regret a tattoo, the reasons are deeply personal, yet they fall into recognizable patterns. Listening to these stories in our Missoula studio has been an education in human nature.

Dissatisfaction with Appearance. This is the most direct form of regret. The tattoo simply didn’t turn out as envisioned. The lines are shaky. The composition is awkward. The color has faded into a muddy blur. This is where the choice of artist is everything. A study noted that nearly one in five people were unhappy with their artist’s work. Script and lettering, names, and tribal designs are frequently cited as regretted styles, often because they were executed without the artistry or customization they required.

The Fading of Meaning. A tattoo is a snapshot. It captures a person, a feeling, a belief, or a moment in time. But we are rivers, not photographs. We change. The passionate love declared in a partner’s name cools. The symbol that once felt empowering now feels like a relic of a younger, different self. The trend that felt so urgent last year now just feels dated. This type of regret isn't about poor craftsmanship. It’s about a connection that was severed by life’s inevitable forward march.

The Weight of External Pressure. This is a quiet, pervasive one. Getting a tattoo to fit in with a group. To please a partner. To rebel against a family. When the external pressure changes, the group dissolves, the relationship ends, the rebellion is no longer needed... the tattoo can feel like a scar from a battle you no longer believe in. Furthermore, the very real concern about professional perception still lingers, despite broader acceptance. A tattoo chosen without considering one’s own career path can become a source of anxiety, not pride.

The Impulse and the Visible Canvas. There’s a reason the forearm, bicep, and chest are high on the regret list. They are prime real estate. An impulsive decision—often made with less-than-ideal clarity—placed in a spot you and the world see every day, becomes a constant reminder of a choice you might not make again. Nearly half of regretted tattoos are attributed to spontaneous decisions.

The Antidote: Intention Over Impulse

Here is the hopeful counterpoint, the reason I love this work. For every story of regret, there are far more stories of profound, lasting satisfaction. The data supports this, too. The vast majority of people never regret their tattoos. And the path they took is remarkably clear.

They made deliberate choices for personal, enduring reasons. Their motivation wasn't a trend or a peer, but self-expression, remembrance of a loved one or pet, or a marker of personal empowerment. This is the foundation. The "why" must be yours, and it must be rooted in something deeper than the moment.

So, how do we translate that into practice? How do we, here in our Montana studio, help people walk the path of intention?

I start with getting on the same page, we both want your next piece to be both of our favorites. We all basically want the same thing: Positive attention when we enter the room, from across the room, without anyone needing to invade your personal space to appreciate it. A Conversation Starter.

A Guide for the Thoughtful Journey

This isn't a checklist. It's a philosophy. A way of thinking about the act of getting tattooed that honors its permanence and its potential.

Embrace the Pause. The single most powerful tool you have is time. If you feel a rush, a need to get it done this weekend, that is your signal to stop. Sit with your idea for weeks, if not months. Let it live on your fridge, as a sketch in your notebook. A design that retains its meaning and appeal after a long pause is a strong candidate. This one step alone neutralizes the threat of the spontaneous decision, which accounts for so much regret.

Seek Meaning, Not Just Imagery. Instead of latching onto a specific, literal image you saw online, think about what you want it to represent. Then collaborate with your artist to create a unique symbol for that feeling or memory. This is where custom design is non-negotiable. A name or a generic symbol pulled from a wall flash has a high risk of losing its resonance. A piece of art born from a conversation about your life, your landscape here in Western Montana, your personal journey, that has a soul. It’s harder to regret something that is fundamentally a part of your story.

Placement is a Conversation. Think of your body as a gallery, not a billboard. Some art is for public halls, some for more intimate viewing rooms. Be brutally honest with yourself about your life, your profession, and your future. A tattoo can be deeply meaningful without being on your forearm. Starting in a less visible area allows you to understand the process, the feeling, the commitment, before moving to more prominent places.

The Artist is Not a Vendor. This is the most critical professional choice you will make. Research is not scrolling Instagram for five minutes. It is a deep dive into portfolios. Does their style align with your vision? Do their lines look confident? Does their shading have depth? Are their healed photos, taken years later, still solid? In Missoula, we are fortunate to have a serious artistic community. Seek out a professional studio where artists are masters of their craft, not hobbyists. The regret rate for amateur work is catastrophically high for a reason. You are investing in art that will be on your body for life. Invest in an artist who treats it with that level of seriousness.

Honor Your Life Chapter. If you are in a period of tremendous transition—fresh out of school, moving across the country, stepping into a new career—consider that your future self might have a different perspective. This isn't to say young people shouldn't get tattooed. It is to say that the first tattoo at 18 might carry different considerations than one at 30. Give yourself the grace to let your identity settle a bit.

Clarity is Key. This should go without saying, but the data shows it must be said. A decision made under the influence is a decision compromised. Your judgment, your pain tolerance, your ability to communicate with your artist, are all altered. Approach this with a clear mind.

Start with a Sentence, Not a Novel. There is no shame in a small, beautiful first tattoo. It allows you to learn your body’s response, to build a relationship with an artist, and to confirm that this is a form of expression that fits your life. A collection can grow. A massive piece regretted is a much heavier burden.

When Regret is the Reality

And what if you are already living with a tattoo you regret? First, know you are not alone. The community of people with tattoo regret is large and understanding. Options exist. Laser removal has advanced significantly and is a common path, often pursued for career or personal esteem reasons. Cover-up tattoos, when designed and executed by a master artist, can transform old regret into new, powerful art. Sometimes, the solution is simply giving it time and context; a tattoo from your past can become a valued mile marker in your long journey, even if you wouldn't get it today.

The goal is not a life free of regret. That’s impossible. The goal is to make choices so considered, so aligned with your core self, that your tattoos become anchors to who you are, not reminders of who you were.

In the end, the numbers tell a story, but your skin tells your story. Make it one you want to read for a lifetime.

At Montana Tattoo Company we host independent tattoo artists who run their own businesses and create work with intention. We do not do generic walk ins. Every project starts with a conversation and a vision. Choose the artist whose style fits your idea and reach out directly. Connect with Mickey Schlick, James Strickland, Noelin Wheeler, Nicole Miller, and boldbooking.io" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BoldBooking. Book a consultation, explore portfolios, and bring your idea to life. I have completely automated the studio side. Aftercare, directions, booking links 24 hours a day with completely consistent customer service. At any interaction you are welcome to ask to talk to Mickey directly and you will either be connected to me or I will get back to you asap.