Health

I majorly regret the tattoos I got at 18 – now I’m getting them blacked out

David BenjaminJanuary 27, 2026

TikTok creator Ashley Stratton got her first tattoos at 18. Now 24, she says she is on a self-love journey, blacking out the early tattoos she’s ‘outgrown’ to ‘reclaim autonomy and create a sense of closure.’ Metro spoke with Ashley about tattoo regret, which is currently a huge trending topic on social media. From why people might regret their designs to her advice to young people thinking about rushing into tattoos, she also shares her own experiences and how — if she could turn back time — she might do things differently. (Picture: Ashley Stratton)

Why do people regret their tattoos?

‘People regret tattoos for lots of reasons, but one of the main ones is that we change,’ explains Ashley. What once felt meaningful, funny, or identity-defining at 18, she says, can feel disconnected from who you are at 24. ‘Sometimes it’s the quality of the work, sometimes it’s the placement, and sometimes it’s the reminder of a phase, relationship, or version of yourself you’ve outgrown.’ In terms of the tattoos Ashley is covering, they’re ones she had done between the ages of 18 and 20, during a period when she was in a very difficult place mentally. ‘At the time, tattoos felt grounding, like a way to externalise what I was feeling and assert identity and control when things felt unstable,’ she says. (Picture: Ashley Stratton)

However, they were also very influenced by trends at the time. ‘Certain styles, symbols, and placements felt everywhere, especially online.’ In that moment, she recalls the combination of emotional intensity and trend-driven aesthetics making those choices feel meaningful — she just didn’t realise how permanent they would be. Ashley continues: ‘As I got older and healthier, those tattoos became less reflective of who I am now and more tied to a version of myself, and a moment in time that I had grown past.’ While she doesn’t regret the intent behind them, she no longer wants those influences and emotions to be so visibly present on her body. ‘The tattoos I got were also not all done well and the placements did not flow,’ she adds. (Picture: Ashley Stratton)

Social media can accelerate impulsive decisions. You see highly curated tattoos on bodies that aren’t yours, taken right after they’re done: filtered and perfectly posed. Ashley says these unattainable visuals can make tattoos feel trendy or low-risk, when in reality they’re permanent and live on a moving, ageing body. ‘Trends change fast online, but tattoos don’t, and that gap can lead to major regret as it did for me,’ she says. (Picture: Ashley Stratton)

What would your advice be to someone with tattoo regret?

Firstly, Ashley stresses that you’re not alone — and that regretting your tattoos doesn’t mean you’ve failed or made bad choices. She urges people to try and separate shame from the situation. She says: ‘Regret is just information, not a moral judgment.’ Instead, she advises taking your time before rushing into removal or blackout decisions, and talking to professionals who specialise in cover-ups or laser so you understand your options. (stock image) (Picture: Getty Images)

Ashley reveals that she explored laser removal and endured a few sessions on several of her inks. But ultimately, she felt that the process — especially for those particular pieces — was uncertain, both financially and emotionally. ‘Choosing a blackout felt like a clear, intentional reset and was honestly the safest choice considering all the patchwork tattoos I had all over my arm.’ Rather than slowly erasing something that held ‘heavy emotional and trend-based associations’, she chose to transform them into something neutral and contained. ‘For me, the blackout wasn’t all about hiding or shame; it was about reclaiming autonomy and creating a sense of closure.’ (Picture: Ashley Stratton)

‘And remember that your body is allowed to tell your full story, including the parts you’ve grown past.’ With time and perspective, Ashley says she has learned how much both identity and trends shift, especially once mental health stabilises. ‘I try to hold compassion for that younger version of myself while still allowing room to make different choices now.’ (Picture: Ashley Stratton)

What would your advice be to someone young who is thinking of getting a tattoo?

For Ashley, it’s about two magic words: Slow. Down. She urges people to sit with the idea longer than they think they need to: many months, not days. Plus, ask yourself whether you’d still want it if no one else ever saw it. Finally, she advises choosing an artist for their skill, not convenience or price, and being cautious with highly visible placements early on. ‘Tattoos can be amazing, but they should never be urgent; you don’t lose anything by waiting.’ (stock image) (Picture: Getty Images/Image Source)

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