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Seattle Culture

The Tattoo Blues

Many people are rethinking their decision to get inked up

By Rob Smith July 31, 2024

Photo by Ground Picture / Shutterstock
Photo by Ground Picture / Shutterstock

In the locker room at the gym the other day, I encountered a guy whose entire body was covered in tattoos. I innocently asked if he’d ever regretted his decision to ink up.

“Not at all,” he replied. “I knew what I was doing.”

Personally, I don’t have any tattoos. I’ve never even thought about it. Not my thing.

It turns out that many Washington residents, however, are rethinking their decision to ink up. A study by tattoo removal company LLTattoo finds that Washington state residents Google terms such as “tattoo removal” more than residents in all but three other states.

According to a survey by data firm McCrindle, almost one-third of people who have tattoos regret their decision, and 14% have actively considered removing them. A quick Google search reveals that removing a tattoo costs between $200 and $500 per session.

Another study by tattoo removal company Removery finds that one in three Americans has a tattoo, and the average number of tattoos per person is about three. Eleven million Americans get tattooed each year, but 28 million people have at least one tattoo they don’t like.

I recently read an article where a woman said she was denied a job opportunity because of her body ink. I get it.

Art and styles change. What seemed like a good idea at age 22 may not sit well when you turn 40. If nothing else, these studies point to the need to be thoughtful before getting permanent artwork on your body.

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