Possible Regret, Depression

Hey girl I'm going through this [RS bleep] too I definetly know what you are going through & it's a dark place to be in. message meeeee

Tattoo anxiety could be bad. I had some really dark days and I wknow I will have more. If you need mental motivation send me private msg.

Sorry to hear you're struggling. Those days where you feel down in the dumps are unfortunately a standard part of this process. Please don't hesitate to message any of us as that's why we're here! Are you hoping to start treatment soon (if that's what you're planning to do)?

I'm going through the exact same thing right now... just got basically all my arm done. Hate it... which is funny, because I've been thinking about it for many many years... then not even 1 week after I just couldn't stand it! I thought I might get over it in a few more days, but this tattoo is just not me... so I'm already looking into ways I can have it altered or removed. I know exactly how you feel, and there are some times when I don't even want to look at my arm. I've been wearing full sleeve shirts and hoodies around the whole time... Sometimes there's a moment when I think "oh, its not that bad", but then I realise Im kidding myself. So Ive just accepted that I'm going to get it removed as best as possible... reality is that its going to hurt, cost heaps, and probably never totally dissapear, but I need to tell myself there's a way out. And in some way, its given me back a bit of ease... Everyone has there own way of dealing with these things, but if you dont like, dont try to like it... realise you dont like it, accept it, and tell yourself theres going to be an end to it. You can do this!

Hi, I just wanted you to know I'm going through basically the exact same thing with my new tattoo. I've had it for a week and I honestly cannot believe it's on my body. I totally regret it and I want to look into removal but it's so damn expensive. I had a really intense anxiety attack about it and I feel like I'm obsessing. If you ever want to talk pm me, I'd be more than happy to. Keep your head up, Emma

Hi! I had really bad anxiety over my tattoo before I decided to get it removed. I would go to bed thinking about the tattoo and wake up thinking about it! The anxiety has lessened a lot now that I have started removal, however, I find that I feel less anxious about my tattoo if I have put a lot of effort into the rest of my appearance- i.e. If I feel like I look good then my tattoo doesn't bother me so much. I also found that when I opened up to people about how I was feeling it really reduced my anxiety. If your anxiety is really bothering you it also might be helpful to see a psychologist.

I had terrible anxiety on and off with mine as soon as i got it. whenever i was thinking i will have to live with this tattoo for the rest of my life i felt really badly and dark emotions started to take over. I might say that maybe i'm just one of those people that are not built for tattoos, but it didn't happen to me with the first one. After i got the first one i liked it, and just forgot all about it. wasn't conscious for him at all (although it was a lot smaller). Eventually i decided to start removal because two months with anxiety and stupid ink taking over your life and emotional status, disturbing your general happiness - it's just shouldn't be this way! I decided that if this is the situation this S#@$ needs to be off my body - and as sooner the better. Might as well consider this if you can relate to all of this...

Same i had one removed but it was one i did myself and its not even all the way gone after a couple shots but its so tiny, but the lack of results and my current mindset has me on pause about the rest of mine. im covered in pictures of cats i have a poorly done alien front and center on my arm. I got these at 18&19 when i lived in a town that people were covered in tattoos before they finished high school. I have about twenty one starting in the middle of my back and ending a few inches above my knee . I moved to los angeles three years ago and unlike my hometown on the east coast where its rare to meet someone who doesnt have any females dont really have them or atleast not as many visible ones and obviously got older and at 27 i realized no matter what i wear or how much make up i put on ill always look trashy and immature bc of these coloring book tattoos i got literally just to get tattoos.
And for me i dont know if i can ever afford removal not just financially but mentally bc i have cover ups of cover ups and very saturated ink in very visible large spots all over my body sometimes my anxiety is so bad about it i feel like im getting old and aging and if i start the removal process ill be a blistered gross mess for years and when theyre finally removed ill be old and unattractive
But My anxiety isnt just based on tattoos though and the last two years of my life have basically been eaten by anxiety and the tattoos are just one thing i beat myself up about bc i wasted my pretty years but whenever i go out i panic so its a bad cycle.
I realize though my feelings are irrational and have decided to work on the anxiety BEFORE i begin the removal process bc its going to be a long and ugly time for me. And as much as i hate the tattoos i know i need to work on myself esteem and get in a more rational state of mind before i can start. I dont have panic attacks about waiting or the tattoos like i used to unless triggered by somethjng else because i just keep reminding myself that i would be worse off starting right now and maybe if i wait some fancy technology will be on a clinical trial and ill get it all done for free lol i seriously have looked up trials and tried to calm myself down with some research about developments in removal and things like that. And although i KNOW im being crazy and irrational about being ugly i know im also thinking irrationally that in the next two years ill find a miracle trial but for the person who said they felt trapt and the other person who said about dark emotions, thats how ive been for two years and i let it win so im working on myself mentally just recently and the counter acting bad irrational thoughts with the happy fantasy irrational thoughts has been a good tactic to calm me down or distract me in the moments that i seriously just cant handle how badly i want to just not be inside my own skin.
So perhaps if your able to use that tactic but do so with the knowledge that its an unlikely scenario and just a way to trick your brain into pleasant hopeful thoughts so it stops releasing the adrenaline from your initial anxiety and instead release some happy brain chemicals or whatever instead. I know that advice wont work for everyone though

Thank you for sharing your story, regret is a hard pill to swallow and I am sorry that you are feeling this way. You will connect with many people here going through different stages of tattoo removal and they are great support. Anxiety is an aweful feeling that intensifies the situation, you are on the right path by talking about it and sharing your feelings. I would suggest talking with your parents as well,  I am sure they would want to know and help you through this, maybe even offer to help pay for the removal. Your tattoo should respond well to laser, especially if you could find a Picosure. Here is some information about removal that may help you - best of luck! 

Hello, thank you for sharing your story, I am sorry you regret your tattoo, I think your tattoo is very unique, but if you don't want to keep it, you will be able to erase it easily, because it only black ink. don't give up, nothing is imposible today.

I agree with FrenchMilitary; your tattoo is unique and I think it's pretty cool! Is it possible that you just haven't adjusted yet? It can be a bit strange seeing something so dark and dense on your skin and it's going to take some getting used to. If you want it removed then we're all here to support you!

I agree with the tattoo isn't bad you could get it adjusted, now in days tattoo artists are specialist In this especially cover ups. I'd stay away from negative people during this process they can really make everything 1000times harder coming from someone who deals with these kinds of people daily. At the end of the day its your tattoo, your skin, your decision, hope everything goes well for you!