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POSTED UNDER Tattoo Removal REVIEWS

The Tattoo is Beautiful but I Feel Like my Leg is Ruined

ORIGINAL POST

I got this tattoo about six months ago. It is my...

Penthesilea
I got this tattoo about six months ago. It is my tenth tattoo and my second that is this large. I have always loved tattoos and was planning on getting full sleeves, my entire back done, etc. But since I got this tattoo I no longer want any other ones. The tattoo is gorgeous and I thought about it for months before getting it. But it's huge! I wasn't expecting it to be as big as it is. I love my legs, I think my calves are my best attribute and I feel like I ruined my leg. Because it's so huge and colourful I know it would be incredibly expensive and time consuming to get rid of it, and I already spent so much money on it. But it just looks so out of place and the contrast with the rest of my body is absurd. I genuinely feel depressed because of it and I've completely lost interest in getting more tattoos. Normally tattoos uplift me but this one is absolutely crushing my self esteem.
Some people have suggested getting my whole leg done so it doesn't stick out so strangely but my exact problem is that my leg is covered. It's only six months old and I told myself I would wait at least a year before doing anything about it in case my opinion changes. But I still feel pretty bad about it and I hate it when people draw attention to it. Again, I think the tattoo is beautiful, but at the same time I feel like it's ruined one of the only parts of my body that I actually like. It also made my mom cry when she saw it, a reaction she's never had to any of my other tattoos, so that just made me feel even worse. The fact that it's on my calf makes it pretty impossible to ignore, too.
Is there anyone here who feels like they ruined a body part with a tattoo, and perhaps found peace with it? I can't afford a removal and the tattoo itself is so nice that it would be a shame. I just wish I could somehow put it on a different part of my body. :/

Replies (29)

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January 18, 2017

Thanks for sharing your experience. We hope you find support in the community.

January 19, 2017
Thank you!
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January 18, 2017
Hello, I like it but it does look like it is at the worng place. The good thing is, everything aroung the ship is just shading and I am sure even after 1 session it will go away and leave you just with the contours of the ship. I have had one first session two weeks ago and almost all my shading is gone, one more session and will be gone forever, and feel much better about my tattoo, the next 10-15 sessions will be just about removing the contours. Don't be sad. I am sure you will remove it easily or at least will just keep the contours of the ship which will look small and nice
January 19, 2017
Thanks for your reply. :) I already feel a lot better just opening up about it. But would my skin look scarred or pinkish after removal? I've seen a lot of colour tattoo laser removal treatments that leave the skin scarred with lots of weird pigments. Most places also charge by every square inch and it's very large. I would want my leg to look exactly the way it used to be. But I agree about the ship staying, I think I would be fine if it was just the ship.
January 20, 2017
I feel the same as you, my tattoo is around my ankle and it makes me feel like I ruined my leg :( Check my profile, I am preparing for 1st removal
January 20, 2017
I hope it goes well for you!! I'm going to wait before I decide to remove or not because mine is still so new. I really WANT to like it but it just bugs me constantly.
January 22, 2017
I actually just got my first tattoo last night. It's a silhouette of a crow flying about 3"x2" or a little bigger on my inner forearm and I'm regretting it but not. My anxiety has gotten bad over it but I keep getting bursts of regret and bursts of joy so I decided for now that once it is healed I'll just wear makeup over it if I don't want to see it.
January 24, 2017
That sounds a lot like me. I like my tattoo but at the same time it stresses me out. Maybe time will change your opinion. It's really hard to get used to something that was never on your skin before!
January 24, 2017
I have a large/colorful tattoo on my calf as well. I have had two removal treatments with the enlighten laser. It has really lightened up! I have yet to update my profile but I can share pictures with you or answer questions if you like. Feel free to ask away!
January 24, 2017
If you could send pics that would be great! Has the laser damaged your skin at all? One of the main things holding me back from at least reducing the size of mine is how raised and scarred some people's skin gets.
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January 27, 2017
i too am in the same boat as you two with a calf tattoo,session 15 of removal is today :-)
UPDATED FROM Penthesilea

Finally came to peace with the tattoo

Penthesilea
It's been a year since I got this tattoo. I told myself I would wait a year before doing anything to remove or modify it. It bothered me so much at first. I took tons of pictures and would spend hours STARING at it. But over time I've come to see it as part of me. It doesn't grab my attention as much as it used to and I've come to appreciate how it looks on my leg. I think that continuing the tattoo up my leg one day will make it even better, but for now I'm going to wait a little longer until I'm totally used to it. I've decided not to remove it. It is a beautiful tattoo, I just wasn't used to such big art on my body.

I hope anyone struggling with a really nice tattoo that just may have been placed on the wrong body part finds acceptance too. If not, removal is also a great option. But I've come to be happy with my body and all the tattoos on it. :)

Replies (3)

September 13, 2017
Hi i have a colored tattoo on my calf that i detest. Been 2 months. Want to get rid of it. Even lightening the tattoo will make me feel better if it's done evenly. Click on my profile to see my post.
September 16, 2017
i have something similar. however i've not come to terms with it and will get it removed. it's a hyperrealistic tattoo on half my forearm. although it's beautiful by itself, it's a large 'head' and i dont wear anything shortsleeved anymore as i constantly feel being judged or looked at. it makes me paranoid. tattoo removal will be costly as its a rather complicated tattoo. i will get it covered eventually, but say just to get 4-6 session will cost me 2000 euros. it sucks but i cant live with it. but im very glad you came to terms with it. it's a beautiful tattoo and there's definitely nothing to be ashamed about or feel bad. spo congrats :D
September 16, 2017
I know what you mean. I feel terrible about my tattoo. The colour is not right and my skin is still healing as there was a wound. Artist overworked my skin and skin fell off. Its so hot here but i dont feel comfortable to be in bermudas. You may click on my name if u are keen to know my story