A Cuban woman living in Italy, known on TikTok as @iday2023, recently shared a video expressing deep regret over the 22 tattoos she has on her body and delivered a direct message to young people: do not harm your skin.
The woman, named Idailis, recounts that she got all those tattoos during a very challenging period of her life, marked by emotional, financial, and mental instability following her emigration from Cuba. "I got them at a time when my life was a mess, going through hell, as we say in Cuba," she explains, using terms from Cuban migratory slang to describe perilous journeys.
Finding Stability and a New Outlook
Since achieving stability seven years ago, she has not added any new tattoos. "It's been seven years since I last got inked, ever since I found emotional, financial, and mental stability," she states.
Today, those tattoos cause her discomfort in everyday life. "It's a headache for me to wear a dress and have the tattoos showing because I feel they don't suit me, they don't match," she admits. With candor, she adds, "I envy people without tattoos. I would give anything to have my skin clear."
The Financial Burden of Tattoo Removal
Removing the 22 tattoos is currently beyond her financial reach. In Europe, laser removal can range from 40 to 300 euros per session, with each tattoo requiring four to 12 sessions, making complete removal a costly endeavor of several thousand euros. "I'm not comfortable with the tattoos. I don't like them and would love to remove them, but I can't afford it. So, I'll have to live with them until I can. Maybe someday I'll win the lottery and get rid of them all," she jokes.
A Message to the Next Generation
The most heartfelt part of her video is directed at her 18-year-old son, whom she constantly advises against getting tattoos. The irony isn't lost on her: "He tells me, 'Look how many you have.' That's exactly why I'm telling you not to," she acknowledges. Idailis accepts that she didn't have someone to warn her in time, and now she takes on that role. "As your mother, I'm telling you not to do it, and to all young people that I can advise on this: don't damage your skin."
The Broader Context of Regret
Idailis's testimony is not an isolated case. Cuban women in Italy have openly shared the realities and contradictions of emigration, from job struggles to personal relationships. Regret over tattoos is a growing global phenomenon: recent studies indicate that 16% of tattooed women regret at least one tattoo, and consultations for laser removal have increased by 30% in recent years, with women aged 35 to 50 being the predominant demographic.
Other Cuban women on TikTok have shared life advice based on their experiences abroad, becoming informal guides for compatriots facing similar stages. Some, like this Cuban who spoke candidly on TikTok, use the platform to discuss their realities without holding back.
Idailis concludes her video with a straightforward warning: "If you have unmarked skin, that's the only thing I can envy about you. Don't get tattoos, I've warned you, because one day you'll regret it."
Understanding Tattoo Regret and Its Implications
What led Idailis to get tattoos initially?
Idailis got her tattoos during a difficult period marked by emotional, financial, and mental instability after emigrating from Cuba.
Why can't Idailis remove her tattoos?
The cost of laser removal is prohibitive, as each tattoo requires multiple sessions that can collectively cost several thousand euros.
How does Idailis advise young people regarding tattoos?
She urges young people not to harm their skin with tattoos, sharing her own regrets as a cautionary tale.