When David Beckham first displayed his Guardian Angel tattoo 13 years ago, tattoos were a statement more associated with students and bikers than a premier league football player at the top of his game. Today tattoos are the ultimate permanent accessory, with 20 million people in the UK choosing to have one. Following research by The British Association of Dermatologists that shows close to a third of people regret their ink the question on everyone’s lips is: will he live to regret it?
According to Louis Molloy, the man responsible for Beckham's Guardian Angel, it all depends on your approach to having a tattoo in the first place. "I view a tattoo as a work of art, something you feel proud of which is part of you. If customers see it in the same way then I am 90% certain they will continue to love their tattoo. It's often a bespoke piece that they have thought a lot about. I know David was thrilled with his Guardian Angel and I can't imagine he will feel any different in twenty years from now. Plus it’s not like he’ll find himself out of a job because of his tattoos, is it?
To avoid "tattoo regret" Louis offers the following tips:
- Don't rush in. Research your ideas and book an appointment for an initial chat with your tattoo artist. I would discourage anyone to have a spur of the moment tattoo. Book an appointment a month ahead and gather your thoughts.
- Keep certain areas off limits. I always advise against neck, face, and hand tattoos, as these are nearly impossible to cover up should you want to.
3. Leave romance for Valentine cards. If you're thinking of having your lovers name tattooed somewhere prominent then don't. It's a nice gesture but if the relationship sours then you will want it removed.
4. Be serious. A jokey tattoo is much more likely to fall out of favour with you as you age. Imagine framing a cartoon you thought was funny when you were 18 and living with it on your wall for a lifetime. It probably won't seem so funny after a few years.
5. Take care of your skin. It is essential to take care of your tattoo just as you would the rest of your skin, if not more so. Newly inked tattoos are vulnerable and need a specialized product to help recover and protect. I recommend Forever Ink Balm. Longer term, everyday maintenance is essential to prevent fading and keep tattoos looking vibrant. Forever Ink Shield is great for this, especially because it has SPF 45, as the sun can wreak havoc on tattoos.
6. Don’t be a follower. Never have a tattoo done just because it’s a fashion trend or because all your friends are having it done. Fashions change and this should be taken into consideration when getting work done.
7. Be informed. If a tattooist is prepared to just do a piece of work on you on a whim and not explain any potential down sides to it then reconsider! A professional tattoo artist will give advice so that you can make an informed choice.
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