Getting tattoos to look "cool," then wanting to remove them later because of regret?

The person who brought up the topic of tattoos and attracted attention online was content creator Vo Ha Linh. She posted a video saying: "At 35 years old this year, my biggest regret is probably my tattoos. I deeply regret it."

According to Vo Ha Linh (who has over 5.6 million followers on social media), she used to view tattoos as symbols of individuality and coolness. However, over time, this content creator's perspective has changed. She believes that even with expensive clothes or designer brands, large tattoos can make one feel less sophisticated. "Wearing designer clothes but having a large tattoo on your body still feels cheap," she says in the video.

There are people who got tattoos to look "cool" but later wanted to remove them.

ILLUSTRATIVE PHOTO: THANH NAM

"I wish I had thought more carefully that day."

Tran Minh Thu (27 years old, residing in the Phap Van Tu Hiep new urban area, Yen So Ward, Hanoi ) said: "I wish I had thought more carefully before getting the tattoo." According to Thu, for almost a year now, the tattoo, which once made her confident and considered a "mark of her youth," has made her constantly try to hide it whenever she goes to work or meets clients.

"I got a tattoo when I was 20 because I thought it looked good and that it showed my personality. But as I got older, I realized it wasn't suitable anymore," Thu said.

So when content creator Vo Ha Linh's story went viral online, Thu said, "It's just like me."

Under Vo Ha Linh's video, many people admitted to seeing themselves in the story. Some had tattooed the name of an ex-lover. Some got tattoos based on idols or trends. Or some simply wanted to be different from the crowd. But years later, as their work, lives, and thoughts changed, the tattoos that once made them proud became something they felt awkward about.

Nguyen Hoang Hai (31 years old, working on Ut Tich Street, Tan Son Nhat Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) said he used to see tattoos as a way to express his individuality. At 22, he got a tattoo on part of his arm. "Back then, I thought men had to be a little rugged to be cool," he recalled.

But according to him, he felt uncomfortable when entering the business environment. Meetings with partners always required him to wear long-sleeved shirts. Once, during an interview, he received feedback that he should tone down his personal image. "Clearly, tattoos create certain prejudices in others," he said.

Many young people today find themselves in a similar situation, where tattoos no longer align with their adult selves.

"Getting a tattoo isn't wrong, but many people get tattoos without understanding themselves."

According to psychologist Tran Thanh Lam from the Harmony Psychology Counseling Center (An Khanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), getting tattoos among young people is no longer unusual. "However, the key is the motivation behind that decision. Many young people get tattoos before they truly understand who they are. They are strongly influenced by friends, idols, social media, or a desire to be recognized as unique individuals," he said.

According to him, youth is the period when people tend to seek their personal identity most strongly. But it is also at this age that emotions and perceptions are constantly changing.

"A long-term decision was made when thinking was still unstable. Therefore, regretting it a few years later is understandable. Rebellious styles are gradually replaced as people mature. When young, people want to stand out to get attention. But as they mature, the greater need is conformity, stability, and the feeling of being themselves," he analyzed.

From another perspective, sociologist Do Hong Tuyen from Insight Sociology Consulting Co., Ltd. (Thanh My Tay Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) says that in just a few minutes of browsing TikTok or Facebook, it's not difficult to come across clips showcasing tattoos, turning tattooing into a part of modern lifestyles. Many young people see owning tattoos as a "ticket" to becoming more individualistic, different, and attractive.

She observed that social media is creating invisible pressure, forcing young people to constantly build their personal image. "Young people today not only live but also have to showcase their lives in online space. Tattoos sometimes become a tool for them to create identity," she said.

According to the expert, the problem isn't the tattoos themselves, but rather that many people choose them simply to conform to trends or seek attention. "When self-worth is built too heavily on the opinions of others, people easily change over time. What was considered 'cool' in your 20s may become outdated in your 30s," she added.

There is a view that many young people get tattoos before they truly understand who they are.

ILLUSTRATIVE PHOTO: THANH NAM

Don't let individuality turn into impulsiveness.

Experts argue that tattoos should not be viewed in an extreme way as bad or deviant. In modern society, tattooing is a personal choice, and many people are still successful and live positive lives despite having tattoos.

"However, it's crucial for young people to understand themselves before making long-term decisions about their bodies. If they only get tattoos because they're afraid of being unremarkable, want to look like their idols, or follow a trend, the chances of regretting it are very high," Ms. Tuyen said.

Mr. Lam stated: "Young people should give themselves more time before deciding to get a large tattoo or one in a visible location. Thinking it through properly will help limit impulsive choices. True personality doesn't lie in whether or not you have tattoos on your body. It lies in how a person lives, thinks, and takes responsibility for their choices."

From an employer's perspective, tattoos are now viewed more openly than before, but certain limitations still exist depending on the specific job.

Mr. Dao Thanh Tuan, Head of Human Resources at Hung Gia Phat Production and Trading Co., Ltd. (Long Truong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), said that the company does not evaluate candidates solely based on whether they have tattoos. However, for positions that involve frequent customer interaction, image is still carefully considered.

According to Mr. Tuan, in reality, many qualified candidates are still required to cover their tattoos when working. Some accept this, but others feel constrained and choose to quit after a short time.

Mr. Vu Quang Thanh, Deputy Director of QuickNest Company (Khanh Hoi Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), said: "Young people have the right to express their individuality, but they must also understand which brand they are representing. In many fields, meticulousness is still paramount."

"Society is gradually becoming more open to tattoos, but this change is not uniform across professions and generations. Therefore, young people need to carefully consider long-term decisions, especially since aesthetic trends and career paths can change over time," Mr. Thanh added.

Mr. Ly Thanh Van (32 years old, owner of Black Vein Tattoo shop, Vinh Hoi Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) said that the number of customers coming to remove or cover up old tattoos has increased in recent years. Notably, many of these customers are quite young, only in their early 20s.

"The tattoos most frequently requested for removal are usually the names of lovers, symbols trending on social media, or impulsive tattoos from adolescence. Some people want to remove tattoos just a few years after getting them because they feel outdated or no longer reflect their current personality," Mr. Van said.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/xam-hinh-cho-ngau-lon-len-muon-xoa-vi-hoi-han-185260529140711618.htm