Tattoo Regrets:
What Are The Chances?

Both tattoos and laser removal are big business in Canada, so the team at OnlineGambling.ca wanted to find out just how likely you are to regret getting a tattoo.

Our researchers surveyed 1,000 Canadians with a tattoo and analyzed the results with the help of specialist Elle Virtanen, owner and laser technician of Blackout Removal.

DO YOU HAVE A TATTOO YOU REGRET?
TO GET A TATTOO ONCE YOU’VE DECIDED YOU WANT ONE?
TOP REASONS FOR GETTING A TATTOO
WHERE WERE YOU WHEN YOU GOT INKED?
WHAT IS YOUR TATTOO OF?
WHERE IS YOUR TATTOO?
THE MOST SPONTANEOUS REGIONS
We used Censuswide to survey 1,000 Canadians with a tattoo. First things, first:

DO YOU HAVE A TATTOO YOU REGRET?

Female

male

Yes, more than one
6.92%
7.58%
Yes, one
17.37%
14.77%
No
75.03%
76.52%
Prefer not to say
0.68%
1.14%
How long does it take you

TO GET A TATTOO ONCE YOU’VE DECIDED YOU WANT ONE?

13% same day
23% same day

Female

male

The same day
13.03%
23.11%
1-3 days
7.06%
15.91%
4-6 days
6.38%
9.09%
1-3 weeks
15.6%
12.88%
1 month
14.52%
17.8%
2-3 months
15.2%
9.47%
4-6 months
10.72%
3.79%
7-11 months
12.08%
6.06%
A year or more
5.43%
1.89%
What made you get one?

TOP REASONS FOR GETTING A TATTOO

Female

male

Personal meaning
75.44%
66.67%
Liked the design
40.84%
39.39%
Spontaneous act
27.54%
25.76%
Drunk
3.80%
8.71%
Peer pressure
2.58%
8.71%
Other
5.16%
4.92%

stand-out fact

According to our survey, men are more likely to give in to peer pressure than women, with 8.71% getting a tattoo for this reason compared to just 2.58% of females.

Think of the tattoo you regret…

WHERE WERE YOU WHEN YOU GOT INKED?

Female

male

In my local town
78.77%
69.49%
On holiday
10.61%
22.03%
Travelled to a specialist
6.15%
16.95%
Other
6.7%
10.17%
Prefer not to say
3.91%
3.39%

what some other respondents said:

tattoo convention in my home in custody by a family member military with friends friend’s basement
Most popular designs.

WHAT IS YOUR TATTOO OF?

Female

male

Symbols
23.46%
27.12%
Words or quotes
20.11%
8.47%
Names or initials
16.76%
13.56%
Animal
13.97%
20.34%
Pattern
8.38%
15.25%
Face
3.91%
3.39%
Other
12.85%
8.47%
Most popular places on the body.

WHERE IS YOUR TATTOO?

Female

male

Arm
17.32%
50.85%
Back
25.14%
10.17%
Ankle
10.61%
3.39%
Leg
8.38%
6.78%
Stomach
8.38%
3.39%
Wrist
5.03%
10.17%
Neck
2.23%
3.39%
Feet
2.79%
1.69%
Face
1.68%
3.39%
Other
15.08%
6.78%
Prefer not to say
3.35%
0%

stand-out fact

How much would people be willing to pay to get rid of their tattoo?
A massive 62.2% would be willing to pay over 100 CD to get rid of their tattoo

"Common tattoo artwork that I treat include women’s’ lower back, dark tribal patterns on arm, and symbols from relationships such as initials, rings and hearts.
Many clients report they received these tattoos when they were young and in a different place in their life. The most common reasons I hear for laser removal are: "I was young and dumb", "No longer represents who I am" and "Cover up gone wrong."

Elle Virtanen Owner and laser technician of Blackout Removal

Elle Virtanen
After deciding to get a tattoo, how long did you wait?

THE MOST SPONTANEOUS REGIONS

  • Region

    north

    Same day
    20.41%
    1-3 days
    10.20%
    4-6 days
    4.08%
    1-3 weeks
    10.20%
    1 month
    18.37%
    2-3 months
    10.20%
    4-6 months
    8.16%
    7-11 months
    16.33%
    1 year+
    2.04%
  • Region

    ontario

    Same day
    15.98%
    1-3 days
    9.13%
    4-6 days
    6.85%
    1-3 weeks
    14.84%
    1 month
    16.21%
    2-3 months
    14.84%
    4-6 months
    9.13%
    7-11 months
    9.13%
    1 year+
    3.88%
  • Region

    quebec

    Same day
    15.79%
    1-3 days
    9.65%
    4-6 days
    7.89%
    1-3 weeks
    21.05%
    1 month
    12.28%
    2-3 months
    8.77%
    4-6 months
    6.14%
    7-11 months
    10.53%
    1 year+
    7.89%
  • Region

    Atlantic

    Same day
    15.69%
    1-3 days
    14.71%
    4-6 days
    13.73%
    1-3 weeks
    13.73%
    1 month
    7.84%
    2-3 months
    9.80%
    4-6 months
    9.80%
    7-11 months
    9.80%
    1 year+
    4.90%
  • Region

    west

    Same day
    14.43%
    1-3 days
    7.72%
    4-6 days
    5.37%
    1-3 weeks
    13.76%
    1 month
    17.45%
    2-3 months
    15.77%
    4-6 months
    9.40%
    7-11 months
    11.74%
    1 year+
    4.36%
  • Region

    QUICK FACTS

    THE NORTH

    Would take 113 days to get a tattoo once deciding they wanted one.

    20.41% OF THE NORTH

    Would get a tattoo on the same day as deciding they wanted one.