Natalie Rene, a 35-year-old UK law student, made the mistake of letting a drunk friend tattoo her one night in May 2020. The tattoos done that night included a love heart with an arrow, which turned out to look like a hairy penis due to scarring, along with several other questionable designs. The excessive depth of the tattoos led to a visit to the hospital due to bleeding and pain, with the doctor warning Rene that it was a dangerous situation and she was lucky not to have lost her arm.
After three years of living with the poorly done and distorted tattoos, Rene decided it was time for a change. Spending around $1,700, she finally had all the tattoos covered up with more appealing designs. While she still retains the tattoo kit she used that fateful night, she has not succumbed to the temptation of giving in to her friends’ drunken requests to use it again. Acknowledging that tattoo kits should not be so easily accessible, Rene hopes that regulations could be put in place to prevent situations like hers from happening in the future.
Rene revealed that the decision to cover up the tattoos was not a hard one, as she had never been happy with how they turned out due to being drunk during the process. The transformation of the tattoos was a significant investment, but one that was necessary for her self-esteem and general well-being. She also mentioned that her family was not pleased with her decision to get the tattoos in the first place, leading to strained relationships with the friend who had done them and familial disapproval.
Despite the regrettable experience, Natalie Rene has learned from her mistake and has not repeated it by using the tattoo kit again. She recognizes the dangers and risks involved in such impulsive decisions and hopes that others can learn from her story. Reflecting on the incident, she admitted that she wished she could go back in time and undo the tattoos completely. The experience has served as a cautionary tale for both herself and those who may be tempted to engage in similar behavior. Ultimately, Rene hopes that regulation regarding the sale of tattoo kits can be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.
