Think Before You Ink: Perception, Prevalence, and Correlates of Tattooing and Tattoo Regret in US Adults

Introduction Few population-based studies have examined the perception and prevalence of tattoos and tattoo regret in the general United States (US) adult population. Our objective was to report the perception of people with tattoos and describe the prevalence, socio-demographics, health-related quality of life, and the extent of tattoo regret in US adults. Methods Data were assessed from a cross-sectional study of US adults. Participants were recruited using a random stratified sampling framework similar to the US Census. Data collected for all participants included socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, general health-related quality of life (Veterans RAND 12‐item), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item), and perceptions of those with tattoos. Those with tattoos also answered questions about their tattoo(s), including age when first tattooed, reasons for getting a tattoo, and tattoo regret. Categorical data were described by percentages, and continuous data by mean and standard deviation. Proportions were compared with Chi-squared tests and the means with ANOVA. A logistic regression controlling for confounding variables was carried out to assess factors predictive of tattoo regret. Results Of the 3033 participants, 35.3% (1,072) reported having a tattoo. Those more likely to have a tattoo were female (58% vs. 45%), younger (38 vs. 46 years), smoked cigarettes (38% vs. 19% non-smoker), and/or reported an alcohol or drug problem (10% vs. 5%). Those without tattoos were more likely to perceive those with tattoos as less attractive, intelligent, professional, and more rebellious. More time (in years) with a tattoo, having a tattoo on the face, neck, hands, wrist, or fingers, getting a tattoo because of peer pressure, being impaired when getting a tattoo, and experiencing an adverse event related to a tattoo were predictive of tattoo regret. Older age and remembrance as the reason for a tattoo were predictive of not having tattoo regret. Conclusion More than one-third of the study sample comprised of adults in the US reported having at least one tattoo. While most people, regardless of their tattoo status, perceived tattooed and non-tattooed individuals equally, tattooed individuals were more likely to be perceived negatively than positively by those without tattoos. Whether tattooed or not, being aware of varying perceptions of tattoo status may be helpful in facilitating positive outcomes.