1. No, I don't regret my tattoos. I one when I was 18 and the other when I was 20, I'm in my mid-30s now. One is on my upper arm and the other is on my ankle, so I guess I don't really see them all the time. I just look at them as another part of my body, like the mole on my arm or scar on my chest. Of course, "tattoo!" was one of my kids' first words.

2. I could see a little bit of change in the one on my arm. It's an udjat and it does look like it's stretched out a little bit as my arm has gotten fatter (I got it 100 lbs ago), but it doesn't look misshapen.

I would like to get another one soon, not sure when yet. My mom, who initially hated my tattoos when I got them, just went and got her first one last year at age 57. I was shocked!

I have tattos on both of my wrists..and I love them both. My first one was on the right wrist, and that means a lot to me, cuz it was my first. And the 2nd one, on my left wrist, says "Mom" in memory of my mom, so I will never ever regret that. My 3rd one is on my ankle..and it stands for all the stuggles I've had dealing with the Navy life. I really love it. My next tattoo will be in honor of my aunt..and I plan on getting it on my neck. My hubby is a salty sailor..but he loves his sailor tattoos..and plans on getting more.

Get tattoos that have a special meaning for you.

Think long and hard about it.

It is not right, but you will be judged by people who don't know you, just because you have a tattoo (the first time I ever heard the words "tramp stamp" was on a guy's workout forum-I didn't know what they meant at the time).

It could especially be a problem in an employment situation.

Will it enhance your life?
Weigh out the pros and cons.
Think about it

I got my tattoo 9 years ago, but only after I had thought about it for 3 years. And I don't regret having it at all.

I wanted to make sure it wasn't just a passing fancy, and that I really did want it since it's permanent!

Mine is on the back of my hip, below the underwear line. This way it can easily be hidden by clothing, and no one even knows I have one unless I tell them or show them.


It's actually kind of funny to see the reaction when I admit that I have one to people. Most people would never guess that about me because I'm pretty reserved (and a little geeky), so it's fun to reveal my "secret" wild side.



As for weight affecting it: it hasn't. I got the tattoo when I was at about my current weight (198). I've bounced up and down the scales for many years, ballooning up to 250, and back down. The tattoo hasn't been affected one bit.

That's one reason I'm trying it out with henna. I think bracelets are pretty cool and interesting, but I've already noticed people judging. Some get this scrunchy look then when I tell them it will fade away they say "Oh, how fun."

Now I do know if I get one later it will be more hidden. We're also going to get some fading color pens that my DD mentioned. I can't wait till summer to see how they would go over when more noticeable. I also have a rep for being a little more uptight than people around me.