Mom Accumulates More Than 30 Tattoos. Now She Says She Regrets Every Single One (Exclusive)

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3 days ago

Alexa Locke got her first tattoo at 18 years oldNEED TO KNOW
Alexa Locke first began admiring tattoos when she was around 16
So when she turned 18, getting her first tattoo felt like a natural next step
Now, 20 years later, the Chico, Calif., resident estimates she has between 25 and 30 tattoos — not including a full sleeve on her left armAlexa Locke first began admiring tattoos at around 16, often noticing them on others and imagining what she might get one day. So when she turned 18, getting her first tattoo felt like a natural next step.
Now, 20 years later, the Chico, Calif., resident estimates she has between 25 and 30 tattoos — not including a full sleeve on her left arm. Her ink primarily reflects two classic styles: traditional American and Japanese.
But at 37, and now a mother, Locke says her perspective on her tattoos has changed dramatically.
"I got the majority of my tattoos very quickly and far too young," Locke tells PEOPLE exclusively. "I started regretting them once I became a mother. The judgment and stereotypes around tattoos are still very strong, which is disheartening — but it's also reality. I hate how everyone's first impression of me is just that I'm a tattooed woman. I'm so much more than that."
"Who I was 20 years ago is nowhere near the woman I am today. And when people look at me, they see her — not the person I am now," she continues. "The woman I am today is far more educated, mature and secure in herself. Yes, I hate my tattoos, but I've accepted them because they came from choices I made when I was younger. I understand that I did this to myself, and I understand why I'm judged for it. I don't see myself as a victim, this is simply one of the consequences of my actions."
Locke says the social stigma surrounding tattoos has taken a toll. For instance, she's been overlooked for jobs and rejected on the spot simply because of her ink.
"That's been a tough pill to swallow, especially knowing it's my own doing," she says. "I hate that everyone's first impression of me is that I'm a tattooed woman. I'm so much more than that. You'll never know how funny I am. You'll never know how kind I am. You'll never know that I'm probably the most nonjudgmental person you'll ever meet."
"People always say, 'Why do you care what others think? Just be confident in who you are!' And it's not about confidence — I am confident," she adds. "What's painful is not being given the chance to show people who I really am because my tattoos are all they see."
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A licensed esthetician, Locke enjoys using social media to share her passion for skincare and makeup, along with honest reflections about her life and experiences.
Recently, she recorded a video on her balcony candidly sharing her tattoo regrets — never expecting the impact it would have. The video quickly went viral, garnering nearly 7.4 million views and over 20,000 comments. Many viewers, like Locke, expressed regret over their own tattoos.
"I've received a lot of love and, surprisingly, a lot of hate," she says. "Millions of people related to me and felt so alone in their regret. I've received so many private messages from people thanking me for speaking out. It's embarrassing. It's humbling. That's why no one talks about this, because no one wants to admit they made a permanent mistake on their body."
"Regret is a normal feeling, especially when you've grown and matured into a better version of yourself," she adds. "Most of the hate I've received has come from within the tattoo community. I'll never understand how people can take my story and my feelings about my body as a personal attack on them or their tattoos."
Despite the backlash, the positive responses have outweighed the negativity.
"I've had a lot of parents and teachers reach out to tell me they plan to show my video to their kids, and that makes me incredibly happy."
She adds, "[My friends and family] are all so proud of me! It's a big conversation and hard topic to discuss, especially in front of millions of people to watch and then criticize me for, and they are just so excited and proud of me."
Looking back, Locke says that if she could go back in time, she wouldn't get a single tattoo.
"I mentioned in my video that I wish someone had told me to wait, and honestly, I'm sure someone did. I probably just didn't listen," she says. "At 18, things go in one ear and out the other. But I wish more people had told me to slow down and really think about it. When you're young, you tend to ignore advice, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't keep trying to educate people about the long-term consequences."
She adds, "A lot of kids and young adults — myself included — grow up thinking tattoos make you cool. But the truth is, you make yourself cool. Your uniqueness. Your sense of style. Your beautiful red curly hair! Your freckles! The gap between your teeth! Your sense of humor. Tattoos are cool, but they don't make someone cool. If a tattoo is something you truly want, just take the time to think long and hard about it."
When it comes to what's next for her tattoos, Locke says she has no plans to cover them up.
"For me, it's not about thinking the tattoos are ugly; I actually still think many of them are beautiful. I just don't want them on my body anymore," she says. "I've considered removal. In fact, I've done two sessions on my fingers. It was excruciatingly painful, and it's a very slow process. I've realized that removing these tattoos will take years and be incredibly expensive."
"I am in no way shaming the tattoo community or anyone with tattoos, and I never will," she adds. "I am the most nonjudgmental person you will ever meet. I have so many friends and family members with tattoos and they are all amazing human beings. This is also not a message telling people not to get tattoos. Please just think it through and wait until you are older, once you have found yourself and your identity."
Read the original article on People
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