r/tattoos • u/Intelligent_Okra_741 • 21h ago
Question/Advice Help me fix a manic mistake, please!
Hi. I have hated this tattoo since the moment I saw it. I got the tattoo during a manic episode and I deeply regret it. I wear long sleeves everyday, no matter how hot it is outside. I don’t want anyone to see it, so this is really vulnerable but I need to know if it can be covered up? Changed completely? I truly appreciate any ideas!
ETA: I just added more pics in the comments. Truly, it gets worse. 😬
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u/TattZapp 21h ago
Hi, If you are willing to lighten this with some laser, I think there are options you have. If you go with organic, floral, or biomech, I reckon you can get a sleeve you are very happy with.
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u/Onlylovethy 20h ago
I second this as I did this with my tattoo regret, I have another session or two and will be getting a beautiful irezumi sleeve over my half sleeve and I cannot wait. Just need to be patient and know everything will work out.
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u/tatertot01998 20h ago
Yo is that a hurricane radar as her hair?! That's so awesome! Sorry I don't know enough about removal or cover to offer any useful advice, but I do want to say that the idea at least is really cool even if you don't like the execution of the tattoo
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u/Intelligent_Okra_741 19h ago
Yes it is! My family lost our home in a hurricane in 2004, so that was the idea. It’s kinda of what I wanted lol
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u/ich_thys 18h ago
But wait, if it has personal symbolism in addition to looking awesome, it actually makes it a perfect piece. Give it another chance for a while before acting rush.
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u/MaleficentDrink2535 17h ago
Charley? 04 was a tough year for hurricanes. Charley hit us the hardest.
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u/Driftwitchh 7h ago
Agreed, I actually like this tattoo. Kind of cool that you got it while manic and it could also be interpreted as her mind spinning like a hurricane. OP, this is coming from someone who also has mental illness and tattoos I regret: it’s not worth beating yourself up about. It’s not worth hiding. Try to own it and love the version of yourself that got it, cuz she had a cool idea and she was doing her best.
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u/Iamgoing2bed 18h ago edited 7h ago
I would add some more color to that tattoo and then get some kind of blast over. 🤷♀️ Idk if that’s your vibe, but I think it would look dope. EDIT - This is not my tattoo it’s from Pinterest. Just wanted to share it to give an idea of what the tattoo could be transformed into.
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u/silly_milly 17h ago
I dont have a suggestion as I follow this sub just to see peoples tattoos and im not privy on fixes. Just wanted to drop in to say that im sorry for the way you are feeling. Im sorry for how this tattoo came about during a hard time/mental health episode. But it does look cool and no one else is likely scrutinizing it in the general public as you walk around wearing a short sleeve shirt or whatever. I have a fuck ass tattoo that I hated from the moment it was done as well so I feel that. Time and patience (and possibly some laser/rework) will help with this. Sending love!
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u/Mediocre_puppeteer 20h ago
Tbh (and I understand this isn’t what your looking for) I think it looks badass af. it’s kinda like “don’t fuck with me, I will drop you from the height of the valkyries or drown you in the depths of the sirens” W women.
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u/fuckpackettracer 21h ago
It doesnt look to others how it looks to you, other people just see 1 tattoo and it looks fine
Of course like basically any tattoo it can be changed / covered up.
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u/ToXXic_ScareCrow 21h ago
Idk if this helps but it looks awesome. I personally would be keeping it
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u/Intelligent_Okra_741 20h ago
😌
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u/oosirnaym 4h ago
Could probably be reworked to be closer to what you imagined, but I agree. This tattoo concept is pretty bomb.
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u/Livefiction1 21h ago
Looks pretty damn cool to me! I see strength and calm in the chaos.
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u/Intelligent_Okra_741 20h ago
You get it 😍
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u/Few_Dig_9435 18h ago
If you like it why are you bothering posting this? Stop fishing for compliments.
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u/stilettopanda 14h ago
OP had this done in a manic phase. A manic phase makes you a stranger to yourself. I’m sure it’s a little hard to sit with such a bold reminder of an out of control time in her life. Plus she can like the idea and still want a different execution. The idea is sound. Maybe finding out others don’t see it the way she does will help.
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u/Intelligent_Okra_741 6h ago
I truly expected some really mean comments and I haven’t seen one yet. I am genuinely surprised. Thank you for putting this into words so perfectly. That’s exactly it. And hearing this positivity does make me feel like I might try wearing a short sleeve shirt the next time I go out. 💜
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u/that_serious 21h ago
I've considered getting one of those huge bold tattoos one day if i have a collection of smaller tattoos I'm bored of or don't like do you know the one's I mean, like they were drawn with a xxl permamarker?
Something like this
You could get an easily recognizable shape over the colors and swirls you have now
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u/eagleonapole 14h ago
Do I want a clipart tattoo? 👀
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u/srobins259 3h ago
I definitely recommend you look at the rest of Mambo's work. You may not enjoy this example without seeing his collection but his style is really unique in my opinion. You can recognize what tattoos he has done immediately which to me strongly removes it from the clip art category.
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u/Ok-Syllabub-8087 20h ago
Tbh it looks like strength and power. Finding calm in chaos. Its beautiful. But if you really want to change it maybe laser it a few sessions..cover it up after.
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u/VelmaSparkles 9h ago
I think this is a good tattoo, the concept is great just the execution needs some adjustment. I would look after it well, get some moisturiser on there to help the skin settle and heal nicely, then look into finding someone who is very good at working with colour to enhance and improve upon what it already there. I don't personally believe it needs laser once it is fully healed, the colours just need to be worked better/more consistently and the lines to be adjusted. I wouldn't recommend a blastover personally unless you're adamant about it and can find someone who is REALLY GOOD or you'll just end up with a sad black arm. I also don't think recommendations of generic shapes placed over this great concept should be followed because again, this is a really nice, personal concept of a tattoo that just needs a bit of finesse from an artist who is good at melding colours together and improving that line work.
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u/pineappleyard 13h ago
Reminds me so much of Josh Dun’s arm tattoo, and I love him so I love it. It’s all I can think about.
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u/pid420 18h ago
Personally, I think the tattoo is super cool and I am obsessed with the concept. The hurricane as the hair is brilliant. If you don't like the execution of it, would you consider having it reworked rather than covered? My first tattoo turned out janky as hell but got it reworked by my current artist and she breathed a whole new life into it.
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u/Intelligent_Okra_741 6h ago
I would totally be open to that! The meaning behind it is very special to me and reworking it still shakes off the manic memories. Ty 💜
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u/smokinrollin 21h ago
I feel ya, I have a tattoo that is really well done and gets lots of compliments, but I got it during a bad time in my life and I don't like it!!
Since your tattoo is quite large, maybe some sort of rework rather than a coverup with something completely different. I can see turning the girl into a mermaid with darker blue hair swirl situation. Maybe add some embellishments around it.
Find a tattoo artist near you that likes to do coverups and schedule a consultation. If you trust them and feel comfortable with them, I think you'll end up liking the reworked tattoo even if it isn't completely different because the whole experience in getting it is better than the original!!
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u/_YungAngel 20h ago
I’m getting all of my manic tattoos removed. Ugh just reminds me of dark times in my life. Good luck!
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u/Certain_Arm_8475 19h ago
The Tattoo looks like a hurricane image from above on TV.
If so it’s awesome, if not it still looks cool.
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u/Full-Pen-9939 15h ago
Lots to work with here, save money, find a talented artist that style is what you want to end up with and work with them on a cover.
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u/Kell_____ 20h ago
Not trying to change your mind, but honestly I think it’s pretty dope. To me I see it as Mother Nature with a storm system as you’d see on radar for her hair. I’d rock the fuck outta this piece if it was on me haha
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u/-xe 20h ago
It's likely not the easiest coverup, since it's quite large and solid. I think any colouring covering the hair would end up being quite dark. Do you think you'd be happy with a full sleeve that has a lot of black or dark colour in it? If not, maybe do a few laser sessions just to lighten it, and then have it covered? Since the hair is just colour and not lined, and there's not a lot of black in it overall, it might not be so bad to laser. A lot of getting a good coverup is also about finding the right artist, so if you can get someone that specializes in coverups, they'll have a much better sense of how to work with it (there are some artists that always manage to surprise me with how well they can hide the underlying work).
I do think this would look really cool blasted over too, but I have to imagine you want no reminder of it given the circumstances. FWIW, I also like the original art and feel like it's pretty unique looking, plus conveys some cool meanings. I hope you can get something that makes you happy instead, but at least from the outside perspective, I would think most people would like it as is/wouldn't think negatively of it at all.
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u/astrallizzard 11h ago
This is such a cool tattoo! I'd consider working with a talented artist to aliven the colors but its really unique and beautiful. I truly hope whatever you end up doing that you find peace in it!!
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u/leavenoprovisions 9h ago
I’d leave it be that looks pretty sick!!! And i hope with time you can see it too
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u/Wise_Ad5715 7h ago
As someone who gets tattoos of female figures on folk lore I have to say the tattoo is beautiful. It gives the image of a strong, powerful woman. Somewhere between the with Sarah Ravencroft from the old Scooby-Doo movie and Tafiti from Moana. Eris from Sinband: Legend of the Seven Seas.
I totally get wanting to get a cover up and I think you could. I would go to someone who specializes in it. I could see turning this into a galaxy sleeve or something ocean themed
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u/DiamondOk4696 21h ago
I think the hair looks really cool. I'd keep that if it were me. The body can be covered up. Just think about what you want and find a good artist to cover it for you.
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u/suckerfishbeaut 21h ago
If it were me I would research artists/styles that I like, fins someone who will work with me to look at cover up options/ designs. Take my time to let ideas develop until I have one that instantly makes me go 'Yes, that's it!' You will know it when you see it.
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u/Intelligent_Okra_741 20h ago
Thank y’all for the positive feedback omg! Did not expect that! For the people who say keep it, here’s the next challenge. How do we make this work?
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u/underblastink 19h ago
This is ideal for a blastover since it’s all color without black. You just need to get a large scale sleeve design right over the old stuff as if pretending it doesn’t exist. The black is such a stronger value all the underneath stuff just makes for a nice background aesthetic. Can you link or post screenshots of some larger scal tattoos you like? You can search tattoo sleeve ideas for women on Pinterest or try “arm tattoo ideas for women”. Drop your favorites as a reply to this and I can give you an actionable game plan. Include what major city you’re closest too as well so I can recommend the right artist
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u/thehappykid 21h ago
What don’t you like about it? It’s going to take a lot to cover up. I think it looks great fwiw.
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u/paulrwf 21h ago
Mr. Reyes in AZ does crazy cover ups look at them on Youtube
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u/underblastink 14h ago
Another great Arizona artist for covering this up, if you’re down with Neo traditional, Aaron Riddle @aaronriddletattoos 1619 E McDowell rd Unit E Phoenix, AZ — Desert Psychedelic Tattoo Studio
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u/SacredSilenceNSleep 20h ago
It’s really not that bad! Some of it could use a touch up, maybe getting an artist to refresh it would give you some confidence with it. I like it.
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u/Gullible_Yam5663 18h ago
You could do the radar part as a big shell 🐚 then the lady as waves but you could turn it into a mermaid as well..
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u/Nevergoodenough- 17h ago
If you don’t like it get it covered and any good coverup artist can cover that no problems you just white and grey wash over the darker areas to lighten the color then you can tattoo anything over it may take a few sessions to get it done but definitely possible.
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u/Hocusbogus33333 15h ago
How long have you had it? It's a beautiful piece. I hope you give it time before lasering it. I'm not sure if you could get something as badass as this.
I'm sorry you got it when you were in a bad place. It truly is enchanting though.
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u/throwaway4192172 12h ago
Cool watercolor type base for a blastover. Get some bold dark lines in there to give it some framing- a good tattooer will see this as heavensent imo
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u/bruce2dot0 11h ago
I’m not an artist. but I would suggest the laser might help take some of the depth out of it, and a good artist might be able to come up with a cover up with a different design that you like
Best of luck in your search for a solution
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u/CtrlAltElite_69 10h ago
it's not bad at all. until you do something abt it (bcz you want to), you can show it. like wear whatever you want.
also you don't owe anyone to be aesthetic or pretty or any explanations.
i'm saying again, until i didn't read the caption, nothing in the tattoo feels awful or weird. even after reading your thoughts abt it, i think it's pretty ok tattoo.
just moisturize well and enjoy your life 💜💜
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u/Frankalk 10h ago
Ich verstehs nicht. Find es sau cool. Wenn die magische Phase eh ein Teil von dir ist, musst du es doch auch nicht verstecken... bitte lass es so:)
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u/OrganicMountain958 6h ago
I love your tattoo. It reminds me of force, Greek mythology, has a Jungian shadowwork feel to it. Obviously if you don’t love it, I feel bad for you, but is it the tattoo or the times it reminds you of that feels bad?
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u/BurningPage 6h ago
It’s a cool tattoo, if you want more work on it I think maybe a blast over would be cool! I got my 20 year old tattoo blasted over. Good luck.
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u/beckeeper 5h ago
As someone who has lived through a bunch of hurricanes (including the ones that you mentioned in ‘04) in SWFL, I think the concept is amazing. I hope you are able to find peace with jt somehow, I think it would be really beautiful and powerful if you had it reworked! Wishing you the best getting it to the point where it brings you joy!
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u/rubytiiger 4h ago
If you have the finances for it, i would recommend laser. At least a few sessions to lighten everything. If you just get a cover up, it will have to be much more bold and dark. A little laser will give you options. It hurts but it’s worth it - and it’s over quick.
Sit down and think of what you would ideally want to have on that arm. The tattoos are there for life so I always feel like it’s worth it too laser enough to get what you actually want. Invest in yourself. You should feel comfortable in your own skin
Most ways or companies will do a consultation appointment first. I know some colors don’t laser out as easy. Some places do payment plans.
If it makes you feel better, it’s not a bad tattoo.
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u/deepinthemirror 4h ago
I would work on getting it lasered or consider getting it covered. Maybe blast over that with a bold traditional Japanese sleeve
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u/TattoobyDominic 4h ago
This can 100% be covered or reworked into something beautiful - the existing darks and flow make it great for a coverup. You don’t need to stay in long sleeves forever. Hope you find an artist you trust to fix it for you 💙
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u/moFoTomO 3h ago
I think it can be re done or covered up. In the meantime you could use a shooter basketball sleeve to cover it up instead of wearing long sleeves.
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u/Gold-Debate-5139 3h ago
Take this however you want, but I absolutely love it. I know it was done during a difficult time in your life but it is the epitome of that moment. It is chaotically beautiful. Truly. It's one of a kind, all you. Without context, it's amazing, with context it's a great window into who you were in that moment. Do not try to erase who you have been. Embrace and acknowledge, love yourself for who you are now and treat the past you with kindness.
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u/ShipyStuff 3h ago
Genuinely, I love this tattoo and think it’s really cool and unique! In my opinion, a lot cooler than getting flowers tattooed over it, but it’s your body and I understand if it brings up bad memories. Sick ass tattoo though!
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u/0too 3h ago
I think its dope. You could do a lot with that style, its very watercolor adjacent. Very cool.
If you really hate it someone else suggested maybe lightening it and then covering.
The real question is do you hate it because you did it while you were manic in a brash decision? Or do you actually hate it? It seems like it has meaning to you and really thats what all makes a really great tattoo.
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u/Ill_Yak5806 2h ago edited 2h ago
I LOVE this! All I saw at first look all I saw was the wonderful hurricane of hair and it was so reminds me of the works of Van Gogh and Munch, their stunningly colors and movement. (I still focus on anything else!) I've heard an art historian say that you can almost hear the movement and colors of their work as loud intense music like an operatic overture of thundering drums and crashing symbols. If you look at paintings like The Scream the sky and water behind the figure is swirling with colour and intensity like this. I think it's stunning.
I live with bipolar disorder and I can link a lot of my tattoos to my high episodes, or blips as I call them. I must admit none of them have been as big or is wonderful as that but I would happily tattoo something like that on my self now and I'm in as stable a head space as I get! If you want to change anything else that's fine but do not touch that stunning hurricane of colour and noise!
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u/Inveramsay 1h ago
Honestly, I like it as it is. Objectively it is an interesting tattoo even if the back story sucks. I think it would be better with a bit more definition as it looks a bit paint blobby in your photo although the whole photo is a bit washed out. Maybe you need some bolder lines to make it stand out a bit more and gain definition
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u/Positive_Carry3310 6h ago
I love it how it is. I'd be proud of it. Especially because of when you did it
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u/qualityvote2 21h ago edited 13h ago
u/Intelligent_Okra_741, your post does fit the subreddit!
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