Names and tribal motifs named the most regretted types of tattoo

Love is fleeting, but tattoos can last forever.

With more people using body art as a form of self-expression, many are choosing to use tattoos as a very permanent declaration of love.

A recent survey unsurprisingly confirms that when it comes to the most-regrettable type of ink, partner’s names take the top spot.

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Aside from the names of ex-lovers, the survey also found that common 90’s tattoo trends of tribal themes and Asian characters weren’t far behind.

With one in five Canadians having a tattoo of some sort, this news may perhaps a little too relatable for those covered in permanent markings.

The University of Portsmouth study found that aside from a failed relationship, many people came to regret their ink mainly because they were unhappy with the design and technique.

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Surveying more than 1,000 people in the UK, the study found that 31 per cent of men and 24 per cent of women admitted they most regret tattooing names on their bodies.

Discovering a direct correlation between regret and the amount of time study participants spent thinking about getting the tattoo, more than one fifth admitted tattoo planning took “no time at all.”

When it comes to shame surrounding tattoos, the study found that women felt more compelled to hide their ink than their male counterparts.

“The results of this survey make for stark reading. Even today, society still seems to judge women more for having tattoos,” said Dr. Stephen Crabbe, linguist expert at the University of Portsmouth.

While most would like to credit a bachelorette party or peer pressure on a night out for their regretted tattoo, roughly 50 per cent of men and women admit they got their ink on a normal day – and the same amount of people admit they’ve considered getting their tattoos removed.

“People may also just assume that people were young, naive, or victims of their own poor judgement if they regret having a tattoo. This survey actually shows us a more complex picture,” he said.

“There are countless reasons why people get tattoos, but there are an equal number of reasons why they get them removed. Frequently, these reasons are not necessarily associated.”

Survey aside, it’s your prerogative to get whatever you tattoo you want. Butterflies, lower-back tattoos, tribal-arm bands probably all seem like great ideas at the time.

When it comes to body art – you live, you learn. #NoRagrets.

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