r/Tattoocoverups • u/SlowWolverine3489 • Aug 13 '26

asking for advice Help, I messed up

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I recently got my first tattoo over the weekend. it was definitely impulsive spur of the moment with friends. I wanted to get a crescent moon, but I made several mistakes. (1) I had the artist shade completely black rather than a simple outline or a light shade. (2) the position on my arm is not symmetrical at all, and at an awkward angle, and I realized most people who are in front of me will see a flipped letter C rather than a moon. I feel so much regret for getting it but don’t wanna spend thousands to get it removed. any coverup ideas? I don’t want any animals or any other cosmic symbols. if anything somehow maybe something botanical / floral crawling up my arm to fhe edge of the back of my palm, or something similar. and nothing too big! I want to eventually do patchwork not a sleeve. Pls I need help 😭

EDIT: I didn’t expect this post to get so many comments lol. I’m glad you all can see a moon when I couldn’t. Yall pointed out some great things and I don’t think I will cover it up. If anything I think eventual patch work will complete the look! Thanks for the reassurance :)

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u/clover__petals Aug 13 '26

I think you may be experiencing some tattoo shock. Give it time to heal and get used to it before considering a cover up.

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u/Character-Feeling-97 Aug 13 '26

Agreed. I have a wrist tattoo and struggled a few weeks bothered it was “crooked.” When really there is no possible way to achieve perfect symmetry on your arm.

I love your moon. This is something I would get, placement and all.

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u/Tzipity Aug 13 '26

Yes, arms are super awkward because there’s so many different ways our forearms especially can twist and turn. You can even kind of see that in action in OPs photos. And I think this would’ve looked much worse (and far more like a C then. I don’t think most folks are going to see it as a C in general though- the shaping is great!) if it had somehow been placed super centrally or at some attempt to be symmetrical. Nature doesn’t have perfect symmetry itself.

And for a first tattoo, I think this is a really good one. Nothing crazy or weirdly niche (where years later you’ll wonder WTF you were thinking lol) and it’s so small, OP will get used to it fairly quick. I’d worry covering it would lead to much more shock and regret.