First tattoo experience turns into a nightmare when the artist lies about their experience, guy gets his money back after receiving supportive feedback from strangers online: ‘The owner of the shop was mortified’

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Apr 30, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

Boomer parents have been telling their kids for decades that 'they're going to regret that tattoo when they're older!' As someone with many tattoos, I can confidently attest that I'll never regret any of the art I've put on my body; however, I've done tons of research, found reputable artists, and spent years curating designs. Plus, I've gotten pretty lucky with great work! Unfortunately for the novice tattoo enthusiast in this next story, he thought you could just walk into any shop, pick any artist, and end up with a cool design on your body forever. Because of this nonchalant approach, he ended up getting stuck with a very cursed and very permanent piece of ink on his chest. 

You'd think that everyone in the comments would be chanting, 'I told you so's' at this guy, but instead, he received a ton of supportive feedback, helping him cope with his unfortunate situation and move forward with a full refund and some confident advice on next steps. Keep scrolling for the tattoo disaster that turned into an unfortunate learning experience for this young man, who will likely think long and hard about his next piece of ink—if he's ever confident enough to try again. 

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  • About a week ago a friend of mine and I were excited as we had planned to get tattoos together, I just lost my cat of 17 years and wanted a piece with her on it, the stencil of the design
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  • came out really well but the tattoo is completely off. I was wondering what my next steps should be and what I can do to potentially get it remedied.
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  • Initially it was going to be smaller only covering the left part of my chest it was expanded to included more "detail" at the "artists" reccomendation
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  • I've called and the store said no refunds I'll go in tomorrow and tell them everything, please help with cutting remarks. I've learnt it's the manager who tattooed me not the owner
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  • The owner of the shop looked at it and was mortified he'd already sent my money back and went over some changes he'd make to help bringing out better and then also sent me information for a removal specialist he knew
    via Cmanpatel
  • SPACESNA1L Ok, tattoo artist here. so yeah, this is terrible. If this was not done by the shop owner, I might reach out to that person for a conversation in regards to the
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  • artist and quality. Tough conversation to have though depending on the person. My old shop owner would have been very receptive but who knows. This person shouldn't be
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  • charging that much or working in any capacity without supervision. Next, let it heal. It'll lighten up. After 2 months you'll be able to check in with quality artists about cover ups or get
    via SPACESNA1L
  • some opinions on what can be done. If folks are not into a coverup you could consult a laser removal outfit and look at a few sessions to lighten it up then
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  • revisit coverups. Usually need to wait at least a year from getting the tattoo before lasting though. You still have lots of options so don't stress, let it heal. Whoever did this though, they need to
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  • know how bad of a job they did. Cool off. Get a buddy to go in with you if it feels weird or call the shop. There definitely should be accountability there. Where are you from? Maybe I could look around and offer you my take on some good options in your area.
    via SPACESNA1L
  • RunningOnATreadmill oh boy, I'm sorry. You can try asking the artist for the money back and complaining to the shop owner. For a tattoo this bad I would blast this artist all over
    via RunningOnATreadmill
  • social media and review sites. This is bad. You can do a blackout or get it removed. I'm sorry that someone did that to you. That's crazy.
    via RunningOnATreadmill
  • CarryOk3080 Holy sh this is BAD BAD like my 6 yr old niece can draw better BAD. You march yourself into that tattoo shop and DEMAND a refund for ruining your skin if they don't comply you stand outside the
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  • shop and show everyone walking in what they did to you, and you blast them all over FACEBOOK, insta and GOOGLE REVIEWS till they give you your money back + the cost of Lazer removal. This is CRIMINAL what they did to you
    via CarryOk3080
  • tinatinytattoos Hey there, tattoo artist here, so sorry that this has happened to you especially on a memoir piece that is supposed to mean dearly to you
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  • Highly recommend going somewhere that can specialize in coverups and is confident on capturing your vision for you I drew up a quick mock up that can potentially salvage your piece
    via tinatinytattoos
  • for you, of course it still isn't perfect but at least your lil kitty doesn't look as bloated, and I'm sure whoever you go to that specializes in fixing tattoos will be able to make it 1000% better, just know that there will most likely be a hefty price tag on it.
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  • All I did essentially was darken up your whole kitty as it isn't as saturated (which is a good thing for the fix up) and made the head and end of the tail slightly larger to balance out the rounder body. As
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  • for the negative space for the arms and eyes I've used the brand star brite and it really shows through even in dark pigment as I have used this ink to make dark tattoos lighter; I suggest you
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  • purchase it yourself in case your chosen future tattoo artist does not have this brand of ink available, and request them to use this ink for the negative spaces in
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  • the cat. Of course it's possible you may need to come in again to touch up the white but in my opinion is so worth it. I wish you luck!
    via tinatinytattoos
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drama artist tattoo tattoos Ugliest Tattoos regret
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