Back in the mid 1980s, when I was 16, I got a tattoo.
I just walked into a tattoo place one day, roughly described what I wanted
and some toothless dude, swigging from a Jack Daniels bottle (seriously),
did a wobbly freehand tattoo on my right arm.
It was black and scarred and uneven... and really, really ugly.
And... it looked like a Nazi insignia.
I was mortified.
I haven't worn anything sleeveless in 26 years.
(Well, I do wear them, but with a cardigan, bolero or jacket.
I have friends who have known me for years who have no idea about
The Ugliest Tattoo In The Universe (TUTITU).
In the late 90s when the new laser became available (Nd:YAG, in case you're interested)
I began having treatments. The treatments were expensive ($400 a pop), incredibly painful,
and had to be spaced further and further apart (3 - 6 months) to give them the maximum time
to work. Slow, expensive and horribly painful... I am the poster child for
not getting a tattoo as an impulse purchase.
Slowly slowly TUTITU began to fade.
After ten sessions, in a couple of small areas the pigment disappeared,
the scarring reduced significantly and the dark dark black colour faded to a sickly green.
It was working!
And then several years ago my financial situation changed overnight...
and the treatments became my lowest priority and I kind of forgot about TUTITU.
But I'm tired of having this monstrosity messing with my fabulousness,
so I've been considering my options:
1 I can do nothing and keep living with it - it's no big deal.
2 I can continue treatments - I require another ten (approx) and the price is
about $285 per treatment and it will take about another five years.
The results are not guaranteed, but my early results have been pretty good.
3 I can have another tattoo put over the top of TUTITU.
I have been considering something small, beautifully, brightly coloured and meaningful...
perhaps a small 50s style rose/floral/bird design...
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| Some inspiration |
But there's a part of me that feels ridiculous, having gone through so much pain and expense,
to put another tat over the top... but I don't want to spend the next 26 years
covering up with cardigans, boleros and jackets...
And having a single tattoo done will be a lot more affordable than another ten laser treatments.
So what do you think?
What is a girl to do?
And a special treat for those of you who have not yet met our favourite
Gay Racist Homophobic White Supremicist Rainbow Unicorn Arse:
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| As always, you're welcome. |
Sarah
xxx
33 comments:
Sarita,
Your looking so Amy Winehouse!
you bad ass!
you certainly know how to wear a wiggle skirt. pervning at your sexy stems.
I think covering up tattooo is a great idea. flowers and birdies so suit you.
I got a horseshoe swallow tatt, I kinda regret thinking of adding a Virgen de Guadalupe tatt.
besios
What an arse and I mean that in all ways lol.Now you my love should get a tat over Tutitu I did wonder why you said you dont go sleeveless now I know.You are too stunningly gorgeous to hide away get that tat.Maybe put some ideas up and let us bloggers pick THE ONE?
All of mine are things that I would have gone BONKERS over when I was five, and I still go BONKERS over them now. Get something that is beutiful and makes you happy and you will love it forever. Nothing "cool" or "what you are supposed to get"... just something beautiful. Mine are all pieces of art I own. :)
Bless you that is a tough one. I had a small turtle on my tummy for my 30th i went to a guys home that was just starting off my husband at the times friend. He did half the outline and then said the dye wasnt taking to my skin so i was left with it half done. I got very upset and plucked up the courage to go into a shop and i took my sons babygrow in which had the turtle on and he did it there and then and i can't tell you how relived i was. I wouldn't have any more done though. Tattoo's are such a personal thing i feel if you have already had all the work to remove it, it makes more sense to carry on with it even though its expensive. But if you like them then it would be easier to get another little on its place and then you could wear short sleeves now instead of 5 years time. What ever you decide good luck. dee xxx
I am forever grateful that I was too broke as a teenager to get any tattoos. Oh, the horrible plans I had for my body! I quiver at the thought.
I think getting a nice tattoo to cover up TUTITU would be a cool idea. Something that is going to make you want to show it off instead of hiding it!
I think covering it with a different tattoo would be a good idea. You would look lovely with a pretty bird with some flowers. Would beat having to fork out for more treatment and it would be a very pretty sight :)!
Abbly xxx
I'd definitely go with covering it up with a new gorgeous tattoo, I especially love the top left birdie one! Something bright and fun that really suits you then you can show it off and feel proud to bare arms!
Just imagine what you could be spending that treatment money on... a nice new vintage caravan! :D
I adore this sexy sassy outfit you have going on today! Especially that little ruffled cardigan! Gorgeousness! xxx
Oh I have really strong opinions- but I think you know what will make you happy! I love tattoos and believe the mistake was only that your option was a shitty tattooist. Get the best tattoo artist and love the image you're going to put on that arm.
Regardless you look delicious in you !tight skirt + glossy and bumpin' hair
You are so fricking beautiful I bet nobody would ever notice your odd-coloured arm, amor.
If you like tats and you have something intensely personal you love in mind then I say go ahead and have it re-inked. The removal thing-y has gone down in price so hopefully in another couple of years it'll be even cheaper and you'll have the dosh to get it blitzed altogether.
Loving that pencil skirt and bare belly, you hot biatch.
Love ya xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I'm so glad I never actually went through with having a tattoo! It's not an easy decision as to what to do, but I suppose it depends how soon you want to go sleeveless and how much you bank balance can take. The quickest option would certainly be another tatt, but something really nice, like the things you've already suggested.
PS - REALLY like yesterday's outfit x
Cover it with something pretty.
I don't see the sense in waiting another 5 years to show your arms off. *lol*
Plus I could only quiver at even the thought of the pain for those treatments. (Which is why I don't even have one tattoo, cause I am a darn pussy.)
I am find with it as long as you don't get a lobster on your arm... cause if you did I would be insanely jelous of you. *lol*
You are so freaking hot in these photos! OMG look at that hot body! Now you know my answer, get something beautiful to cover it up!!!! Free yourself finally!!! I think beautiful flowers and a bird is totally you and would look GORGEOUS Sarah! do it do it do it!!!
Iloveyouanywayandeveryway~
Krista
CRIKEY!!! Looking so sexacious I am a bit squealy!Squeeeeeeee!PHWOAR!
The hair is divine.....
Ha,looks like we're all going for the cover up!As a successful recipient of a cover up after a nightmare of laser treatment,I too am going for the cover up,as is G! he likes the blue bird sitting on the white flowers,but reckons the flowers would be better in a bright colour.me too.
I'm amazed no one is going for the Gay Racist Homophobic White Supremicist Rainbow Unicorn Arse tattoo.....bahahaaaaaa!!!
Love you more than pretty tattoos!
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
It all comes down to what you want to look like, It doesn't mater what is cheaper. Or what you wanted years ago when you wanted treatment to take it away either. You could just make the same silly discussion either way.
So it comes down to the following. Do you want a tattoo because you have liked a design for ages and you feel it would enhance your appearance and how you feel about yourself? O is it simply cheaper? If this is the case. Take your time. Save your money and get the laser. Both things hurt, just a different kind of hurt.
From someone who has just started a sleeve costing $9500 at least, do what is right for you. Not what is cheaper.
Research the best tattoo artist around and get it done - I love those birds and flowers, you could totally pull that off. I found mine by googling "black cat" initially, then searching for "black cat iron on patch" or something... clicking page 10 and seeing what was there. Find something obscure and special. The leopard print skirt is very sexy by the way!
A friend after the loss of her daughter wanted a dragonfly tattoo and wondered if when she was 60 yrs old she would regret having it done on her boob! Someone said 'Shit at 60 yer tits wold be around yer knees! Who'd see it!' :D She had it done on the small of her back in the end! :D Why not go to a tattoo artist and see what they think. Last year my son had a tattoo of Willy the Waiter http://www.flickr.com/photos/angwickham/3334217609/in/set-72157612178228507
Guess what his chat up line is? Wanna see my willy? Sigh dunno who he gets it off!
If it means that I get to see you in that pervacious leopard-print "my heart is racing" skirt and 50s-style top then please, please, please get another tatt. The Phoenix had a gander and said as long as it doesn't resemble My Little Pony;). I love the tatts you've picked and I reckon you should go for colour and Queen Helga is the expert on the cover up and her's are fecking AWESOME! Oh and Miss Tallulah Porkchop has some amazing works on her arms:)). I always get carried away by the tattoos on many of the people on StyleLikeU. xoxoxoxo
"Fuck the Systsem" - haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!
Sarah, you look so damn sexy in the crop top and leopard skirt! You always look so awesome, I can't imagine anyone looking at your arm, but I understand the dilemma you're having. I have never been able to decide on a tattoo design that I knew I would still love 20 years from now, so my skin is completely unmarked (I'll probably be the only dame in the nursing home who is). I would encourage you to go with what feels most meaningful for you--if you really don't want to get another tattoo, don't do it just because it's cheaper. However, that said, your style very much suits the old school birds and flowers tats, so I'm sure it would look great on you.
I'd go for another tattoo over it but only if you really want a tattoo!! You should be able to show off those arms!! xx
My new son-in-law makes his living as a tattoo artist. He has totally changed my mind about tattoos...and I now consider them art. I would get another tattoo over the old one, but take your time finding a tat YOU like and inquiring about the skills of the artist.
wow you look amazing!!! You are so very pretty Miss Sarah!!!!
I have been thinking of you all day and the question of to remove or replace. Hmmmm it is a big question!!! I have thought about if I was in your shoes(preferably the red polka dot ones) and you know I think it is replace.
Let the old be gone to be replaced with a beautiful new piece, one from the heart, start a new story.
Love v
Everything will be barred after a few years, even tattoos. Old tattoos are forgiven, and quite sweet.
I'd say cover it up with something you really love. The amount of money it would cost you to get it removed, you can get a really great artist and tatooist.
x
Hi!
I just discovered your blog and it's fantastic so of course I joined your list of "followers". I vote for covering it up with a gorgeous and brightly-colored new tattoo that's done by a brilliant artist and is really meaningful to you! That bird in the upper left corner is so beautiful...it's hard to imagine that you could go wrong with something along those lines...
Um, OF COURSE YOU ARE GETTING AN AWESOME TATTOO.
What the hell?
How is that even a question?
I have a tattoo I got one night when some people I knew and I were hanging out drinking at a tattoo parlor and I sketched something out and the guy tattooed it on for about $50. It's still fucking AWESOME and makes me feel like a badass and even though I've gained an asston of weight, it still looks cool curlicued across my bicep.
Get one. Please. GO!
I vote for new tattoo. Something you'll love.
Well, first of all - hubba hubba, look at you, all foxy and sexy and delicious! I think this look is one of your very finest. Yes I do.
Now the tattoo. Oh I don't know what you should do... You obviously wanted it removing or you wouldn't have shelled out for the treatments. But if you don't feel quite as strongly now, and there's a design you like, then a new tattoo is quicker and easier.
I can definitely imagine you rocking a lovely bird tattoo, cos you love the birdies. Just don't put them on your tits in a second fit of tattoo madness, OK?
NOTHING messes with your fabulousness, Sarah! xxxxxxx
Cover up the oops with something lovely but only when you absolutely 100% sure it is what you want to have, therefore saving on another oops!! I have been toying with the idea of a tattoo for years, its more of a plucking up the courage thing for me.
PS: word verification problem solved!!
Ooh it's a tricky one, I'm kind of on the fence about tattoos generally. I've seen some beautiful ones, and I find them quite fascinating, but as you know there's a big difference between arty and tarty - the right design and a dodgy scrawl. Even in the bird and flower ones you've put up, there's quite a difference between the first bird top left (very realistic) and the ones on the right (cute, but more cartoon-y). I see something like this suiting you, but is it what you REALLY want? If the need to go sleeveless now is stronger than to be completely bare armed in 5 years then get researching and find something amazing done by someone really talented.
I don't have any tattoos, despite toying with the idea in my teens/early 20s. My husband is Jewish and really doesn't like them, so no chance of it now. I actually can't imagine one design fitting with everything I'd want to wear though. It's just my opinion of course, but 9 times out of 10 they don't look good with evening wear - great when Angelina Jolie is being badass, not so good when she's at the Oscars. That said, your style is so bright and colourful a beautiful tattoo could be a great match.
Think long and hard, I'll be excited to see what you decide.
xx
PS. if not nazi unicorn, how about this?
http://www.greatwhitesnark.com/2010/12/15/terrible-twilight-tattoo/
I said love, I said pet, I said darl ..... I'm with the majority ..... cover it with some thing gorgeous and colourful! To match you and your personailty!
If your arms are as hot as your legs we all wanna SEE them!
Best of luck on decision making!
x
A new one, get a new one! Definitely with flowers. And colours! Geeeeeez I never realised laser removal was so expensive. I am now glad I waited until I was a bit older to get my tattoo (which I love, & is covered most of the time anyway, much to my father's relief).
Mmmm...I am in the minority here with thinking you should get the darned thing removed, even considering the pain and expense. I'm not a fan of tattoos, I keep thinking of the circulon ad....
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