Let’s be real — what to do if not happy with a tattoo? is a question more people ask than they admit. Maybe your tattoo artist didn’t quite get the design you wanted, or your fresh tattoos didn’t heal the way you expected. Perhaps your black-ink tattoo turned out patchy, the blue in a colour realism piece looks uneven, or your brows healed darker than you hoped. Tattoo regret happens — and that doesn’t make you a bad client.
In our Brisbane tattoo shop, we’ve seen plenty of unhappy clients who came in after a finished tattoo elsewhere left them disappointed. Sometimes it’s a case of poor colour infusion, other times it’s just a rough healing process. Julia Kasperska (that’s me, your author) has spent years fixing cosmetic tattoos and consulting with higher-risk clients who need more than just an aftercare sheet to get results they love. The good news? You have safe, realistic options — and this guide will walk you through them.
Table of Contents
Why People End Up Unhappy With A Tattoo
Tattoo regret can happen for many reasons. Sometimes the tattoo flash looked good in the book, but not on skin. Other times, an actual tattoo consultation wasn’t done properly, so expectations and results didn’t match. And then there are the technical issues:
- Inconsistent colour — uneven saturation, especially in colour realism or blackout tattoos.
- Inflamed skin during healing tattoos — fair skin clients sometimes heal patchier.
- Tattoo heal gone wrong — scabbing, infection risk, or poor aftercare.
- Design regret — that flash tattoo felt “cool client” on the day, but doesn’t reflect you now.
- Cheapest tattoo problem — you get what you pay for, and cheap jobs often need correction.
A great tattoo session takes skill, time and aftercare. Without all three, you’ll be unhappy.
Take A Breath – Don’t Panic During Healing
New tattoos rarely look like the finished tattoo. For the first 24-48 hours, tattoos are inflamed, shiny and tender. By the 8-hour mark, excess plasma can make the piece look darker or muddier than it really is. That’s why aftercare instructions matter.
Here’s a truth from our studio: don’t panic mid-healing. Tattoos go through an ugly duckling phase. One client combo we remember — two sisters — both thought their brows were “too dark” at day three. By week six, the pigment softened and matched their natural beauty perfectly. Healing is messy, but most tattoos settle beautifully if the artist, pigment and aftercare were good.
What To Do If You’re Not Happy With A Tattoo
So, what to do if your tattoo doesn’t look right? Here are your options:
- Wait for full healing tattoos (4-8 weeks for cosmetic tattoos, longer for large body pieces).
- Book a correction tattoo session with your tattoo artist — often just a colour or density tweak.
- Cover-up tattoo — a bigger, stronger design to mask the old one. Great for flash tattoos or outdated designs.
- Saline removal — a gentle, lightening method we use in cosmetic tattooing.
- Laser tattoo removal — for black-ink tattoo work, inconsistent colour or full blackout tattoos.
- Embrace fading — sun, skin turnover, and time will soften pigment.
Table: Tattoo Fixes And Realistic Expectations
| Option | Best for | Timeframe | Notes |
| Touch-up/ correction | Cosmetic tattoos & small flash | 6–8 weeks post-heal | Refines colour, density, or shape. Great for aftercare hiccups. |
| Cover-up tattoo | Body tattoos, flash tattoos | After full healing | Requires a skilled tattoo artist. The new design is usually darker/larger. |
| Saline removal | Brows, eyeliner, lip tattoos | Multiple sessions | Lifts pigment gently. Safe for delicate skin. |
| Laser tattoo removal | Body art, blackout tattoos | 6–12 sessions | Breaks pigment down. Works best on black ink. It can be costly. |
| Natural fading | All tattoos | 1–10+ years | Blue colour and light shades fade fastest. Doesn’t fully erase ink. |
The Reality Of Laser Tattoo Removal
Laser removal is one of the most commonly asked about fixes for tattoo regret. It works by breaking up pigment into tiny particles that your body’s white blood cells can carry away. Black ink responds best, while colour realism pieces (especially with blue and green tones) may take longer.
In Brisbane, most clients need 6–12 sessions spaced at least 6 weeks apart. Each session can cost between $150 and $400, depending on tattoo size. And yes — it hurts. But compared to carrying around a design you hate? Worth it.
Cosmetic Tattoo Fixes – Our Experience
Not all tattoo regret is about body art. Cosmetic tattoos can go wrong, too. We see plenty of unhappy clients with cosmetic tattoos in Brisbane, and most can be fixed.
- Brows too dark. We use saline lightening to lift pigment, then add a softer powder brow later.
- Lip blush healing is cool. Sometimes lip blush tattoos heal with a blue colour on fair skin. We fix this with warm colour infusion based on colour theory.
- Uneven eyeliner tattoos. An eyeliner tattoo can sometimes shift during healing. We correct this with shading or reshaping.
Cosmetic tattooing is especially sensitive because inflamed skin, fair skin, or higher-risk clients may heal differently. That’s why a proper, actual tattoo consultation, pigment selection and aftercare tips are essential.
Healing Timelines – What To Expect
Understanding the healing process makes tattoo regret less scary. Here’s a quick guide:
- Day 1: Fresh tattoos look bold, shiny, swollen. Keep clean.
- 8-hour tattoo mark: Remove wrap, follow the aftercare sheet closely.
- Days 2–5: Scabbing, flaking or inflamed skin is common.
- Week 2–3: Tattoos may look faded or patchy.
- Weeks 4–6: Pigment resurfaces, colour evens out.
- 6–8 weeks: Book an actual tattoo consultation or touch-up session.
Aftercare Tips To Reduce Regret
Tattoo heal quality depends just as much on aftercare as on the tattoo artist. A careless attempt at aftercare is the fastest way to ruin even the best work. Here’s our best advice:
- Follow your aftercare sheet step by step.
- Keep tattoos clean, but don’t over-wash.
- Use aftercare cream lightly — too much suffocates pigment.
- Don’t scratch, soak or sweat heavily in the first week.
- Protect tattoos from the sun. Long-term use of SPF to prevent fading.
The cheapest tattoo with bad aftercare costs more than the most expensive tattoo with good aftercare.
Statistics – Tattoo Regret In Australia
Research shows 1 in 4 Australians with tattoos have considered removal or correction. The most common reasons are:
- Poor design choice (flash tattoos or the cheapest tattoo done on impulse).
- Fading or colour change (especially blue colour or black turning greenish).
- Lifestyle changes (professional roles, ageing skin, evolving personal style).
Interestingly, men are more likely to regret a tattoo design, while women are more likely to regret poor placement or cosmetic tattoo results.
When To Seek Professional Help
If you’re still unhappy at the 6–8 week mark, it’s time to see a professional. Book an actual tattoo consultation, not just a chat at the counter. Ask to see healed tattoos, not just fresh tattoos.
Signs it’s time for help:
- Inconsistent colour after healing tattoos.
- Inflamed skin that doesn’t settle.
- A finished tattoo that looks nothing like the design.
- Tattoo regret that isn’t fading emotionally after months.
Taking Control Of Your Ink
Not happy with your tattoo? Remember this: you have options. From touch-ups to laser tattoo removal, there are solutions. What matters is patience, realistic expectations and choosing a quality tattoo artist or removal specialist.
In our Cosmetic Tattoo Studio, Brisbane Face Figurati, we’ve seen everything from blackout tattoos that need lightening to delicate cosmetic tattoo corrections. The biggest lesson? Don’t settle for the cheapest tattoo; follow your aftercare sheet to the letter and always book an actual tattoo consultation before committing.
Still stuck with tattoo regret? Pop by our shop. We’ll chat through your options with you — whether that’s a correction session, cover-up tattoo or laser removal plan. You deserve to love the skin you’re in, tattoo and all.
Using only natural and eco-friendly components for cosmetics
Special unique receipes are the secret of our spa procedures.
Experienced and skilled staff will make your perfect day
Most of our beauties come from the recommendation
FAQ
How soon can I fix or remove a tattoo I regret?
Wait for the healing process — usually 6–8 weeks. Touch it too early and you’ll scar.
Can I fix a cheap flash tattoo with a cover-up?
Yes, but cover-up tattoos need to be darker or larger than the original.
Does laser tattoo removal work on coloured tattoos?
Laser removal works best on black ink. Blue, red and yellow take more sessions.
What if I only dislike the colour, not the design?
That’s usually the easiest correction. A tattoo artist trained in colour theory can balance out inconsistent colour with one session.