Sixty percent of Americans have at least one tattoo. But not all those tattoos turned out to be good ideas. In fact, almost 1/3 of people who get tattoos later regret them.

We all have that friend that gets a tattoo they were super stoked about but now regret it. How do you make sure you don’t get a stupid tattoo and later have tattoo regret?

Read below to discover how to make sure you’re actually ready to get a tattoo.

Think About It

We all make stupid decisions. But it’s the stupid decisions we follow through with that lead to regret.

If you are thinking about a tattoo, keep thinking. Find an idea you like and file it away for a few months. If after some time you still like the idea, go for it.

You might find that what you liked six months ago is completely different in the future.

Run It by Friends, Family

Think about the look on grandma’s face when you show her your tattoo. Is she happy? Disappointed? Grossed out?

Running your tattoo idea by your close friends and family is a good way to see if it’s a good idea. Tell them you want an honest reaction and hear them out.

If everyone thinks it’s a bad idea but you, it’s a sign you’ll regret the tattoo later.

Try It Temporarily

Once you find an idea you like, try it out temporarily.

Grab a marker and a friend with artistic talent and “tattoo” the design on your body. Walk around with it for a few days and reevaluate how you feel about it. You might find you don’t like the placement or that it’s a stupid tattoo.

If you do end up with a tattoo you regret, don’t fret. Nothing is permanent forever. Look into tattoo removal. With a few sessions and a little cash, your tattoo will become a distant memory.

Make Sure It Has Meaning to You

Are you doing this tattoo because it means something to you?

Maybe you saw an awesome idea on a friends Instagram. Maybe your significant other thinks you need matching tattoos. Always remember that this is your body and a tattoo should be your decision.

If you have an original idea that holds significance, go for it.

If not, buy a thoughtful gift for your significant other instead and avoid the tattoo regret.

Look Towards the Future

There are still instances in society where tattoos are frowned upon.

Do you have a specific career path in mind? Some careers, like teachers or nurses, insist that you have no visible tattoos. If you have a large tattoo in an area that’s hard to hide, it may affect your ability to land a job.

Tattoo placement is also important. Think about if you want that neck tattoo to be in all your wedding photos. Or what about your future children asking why daddy has a busty female tattooed on his arm? Finding the right tattoo placement can save you regret in the future.

Avoid the Tattoo Regret

If you have doubts about getting a tattoo, odds are you’ll end up regretting it. Avoid the tattoo regret and find other ways to express yourself.

Try a few of these ideas:

• Get a piercing.
• Try a new hairstyle or hair color.
• Get creative with makeup.

Try expressing yourself through your wardrobe. Don’t know where to start? Learn about the latest wardrobe essentials.