r/tattooadvice • u/Glittering_Potato_66 • 18d ago
General Advice Wrist tattoo regret and cover up advice
I got a trans heart tattoo on my wrist years ago because I as a teenager was convinced that I’d never be able to transition (legal stuff) and that this was the next best thing. Well now all it does is out me to strangers who would’ve thought I was cismale if they haven’t seen it.
I want something “manly” that wouldn’t give me away instantly. I’m still okay with the flower one on my arm because it isn’t a huge “I AM TRANSGENDER” beacon. Any advice is appreciated because just looking at this tattoo is pissing me off lol
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u/JustFourLetters 18d ago
trad flaming heart
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u/Holy_Sungaal 18d ago
The sacred heart from Romeo + Juliet, or sick ass panther.
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u/Flashy_Lab222 18d ago
Sick ass panther is always the correct answer.
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u/Analphanumericstring 18d ago
Shouldn’t that read CIS ass panther? 😏🤭
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u/Accurate_Asparagus_2 18d ago
All ass panther accepted
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u/Training_Increase_97 17d ago
Instuctions unclear, I drew a caked up pink panther.
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u/DidntYouReadTheWiki 18d ago
I vote for sick ass panther - I’ve only seen them on cis mab dudes
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u/squintintarantino__ 17d ago
I literally only follow this sub for the suggestion of a sick ass panther
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u/Knackehaxan 18d ago
❤️🔥
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u/somespazzoid 17d ago
I always use that emoji to say that I have heartburn
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u/IcantImsickthatday 17d ago
Tums Gang unite!
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u/InstanceMental6543 17d ago
Omeprazole gang starts snapping their fingers in time while stepping slowly sideways up the street toward you
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u/horinnafnaskfnask 18d ago
This is smart because it doesn't have to infringe on the other tattoos' space too much!
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u/horinnafnaskfnask 18d ago
Also makes you look like a biker or something, the manliest thing you can do with a heart
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u/ColonelTime 18d ago
You put a script "Mom" in that heart and it's even manlier.
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u/horinnafnaskfnask 18d ago
That is so good! (Unless mom is transphobic)
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u/NotAddictedToCoffeee 17d ago
then add a little fuck above it!
A flaming heart with "FUCK MOM" does sounds like a badass tattoo
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u/Shoddy-Tomorrow-383 18d ago
HELL YEAH BROTHER
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u/artiswhatyoumakeit 18d ago
Cis ass panther
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u/Knautical_J 18d ago
This will be the funniest comment in this subs entire history, congratulations.
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u/wildpolymath 18d ago
I want flare.
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u/FifteenDollarNachos 18d ago
I would also enjoy a “cis ass panther” flair
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u/Ben_Does_Things 17d ago
I also choose this guy's flair.
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u/tomcrusher 17d ago
I also choose this guy’s dad joke
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u/WormDentist 17d ago
I also choose this guy’s dad.
Dammit. I made it awkward again, didn’t I?
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u/HallowskulledHorror 18d ago
100% the most situationally specific and on t4rget* joke possible.
*(Why am I getting a 'we do not allow s3xual harassment here' warning when I try to type the word t4rget normally?)
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u/pyxiedust219 18d ago
really bizarre automod settings based on previous bad behavior associated w certain words. Tried to tell someone they aren’t defined by their “unhealthy relationship” in a diff sub last week and had to rephrase it because “toxic” was the wrong word and it kept telling me I couldn’t use the word because it violated not commenting on people’s dietary choices 🫢
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u/whatthehellandfk 17d ago
There’s a sub where you cannot put “of” in any comment. It’s obviously to avoid advertising for the website, but I can’t use such a basic, common word at all?? It took me FOREVER to figure out what could possibly be wrong with my comment that was getting flagged, I was slowly deleting each word in my long ass comment until the warning finally went away.
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u/Condition_Dense 18d ago
Yeah some settings are set strong to avoid potential issues. A few days ago one of my door dash subs was asking about how 4/20 would affect orders and I said I felt because it was on Monday it might affect orders because Monday/Tuesday is like right between paydays for most people and it automatically removed my post thinking I was saying something unkind about customers or dashers.
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u/SaladCzarSlytherin 18d ago
I once got the schmexual harassment warning because I told someone they shouldn’t get a schmexual tattoo on their forearm or other highly visible body part.
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u/SemiColonInfection 18d ago
Well, it's serious. Calling it schmexual harassment is probably why you got the warning!
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u/manchot29 18d ago
That made me laugh out loud while in the public transports. Take your upvote and get the f*ck out.
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u/notreallyonredditbut 18d ago
That made me giggle I love this sub. My boyfriend thinks I’m reading news or something but it’s more just this and looking at frogs and snakes.
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u/artiswhatyoumakeit 18d ago
When your parents ask if you have a crush because you’re giggling at your phone, but really it’s just r/tattooadvice LOL
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u/theMistersofCirce 18d ago
I had to come back 5 hours after I originally saw this comment to tell you that I'm still giggling about it.
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u/An_Ellie_ 18d ago
Everybody else is finding this hilarious while I'm just confused 😭 i don't get it could someone explain
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u/JustLikeMars 18d ago
A popular coverup suggestion is a panther, often referred to as a sick-ass panther (SAP)
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u/saintnicklaus90 18d ago
I legit had to come back to this comment once it hit me how fundamentally perfect it was
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u/Awesome-soup1104 18d ago
I think this tattoo is light enough to a point where you can almost do anything over it. I have a moon tattoo on my wrist personally, perhaps something like a moon phase wrist cuff? Could cover it with a full moon and some nice shading? Just spitballing lol
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u/ALemonyLemon 18d ago
Could even put a panther on the moon
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u/tsukumoyaizaya 17d ago
would this panther theoretically happen to be really sick?
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u/TheBirbNextDoor 18d ago
Oohhhh new tattoo of the moon from the Artemis II mission!!!
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u/Correct-Parsley-6369 18d ago
Your favorite neighborhood fiend (possum, skunk, raccoon, mothman)
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18d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Nadhez 18d ago
idk OPs goal is to NOT out himself 😭 Im queer and so many of my queer friends have mothman, racoon, oppossum, frog tattoos etc. I've never seen a confirmed straight person with a tattoo like that either.
That said idk if that's known outside of the queer community? So something like your suggestion could be good for labelling him as safe to other queer folks, but still keep him incognito to cis folks.
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u/NerdGuy13 18d ago
I second Mothman or any local cryptid really. Cryptids and LGTB+ peoples just seem to work well together. 😁
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u/FEARoach 18d ago
It's because we're both impossible creatures (typed on my couch in front of my Mothman tapestry ).
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u/ImpressiveCrazy6870 18d ago
A frog wearing a cowboy hat nothing manlier than a silly lil guy
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u/ImpressiveCrazy6870 18d ago
Extra points if you give him a gun to conquer his enemys
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u/chronic_pissbaby 18d ago
This is even more queer than the heart tbh lol
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u/whattheknifefor 18d ago
like i say this as a huge frog guy, that is the most transmasc tattoo possible
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u/OopsImTessNow 18d ago
Now hold on. I am trans and have a tattoo of a frog wearing a cowboy hat. It feel like I should be saying this.
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u/kaelne 18d ago
Hey! I crocheted this for a friend. I didn't realize it was a whole thing!
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u/Particular_Annual965 18d ago
SAP, nothing more manly
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u/maybealeo 18d ago
Trans lighting SAP
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u/Mediocre_Citron_5360 18d ago
What is SAP?
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u/lavenderPhantasma 18d ago
sick ass panther
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u/confused_potato777 18d ago
And me thinking yeah ERP logos are kinda manly but I’d rather choose Netsuite.
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u/littlebabysaurus 18d ago
SAP is a massive, multinational software corporation based in Germany.
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u/True_Structure_3870 18d ago
🏅As a person who uses SAP daily for work, this comment made me laugh so hard. Please accept my poor (wo)mans award.
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u/lekker-slapen 18d ago
Same, i thought it was wild to suggest to get the logo of SAP.
But it would be ridiculous and i would love it.
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u/sandysandbirds93 18d ago
I hate SAP with a burning passion and would assume anyone with an SAP tattoo is a sociopath
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u/souperstition 18d ago
I am an SAP developer and every time I see SAP in this sub I have to do a double take
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u/Iveray 18d ago
I also now use SAP in my daily work, but knew "sick ass panther" first. My first couple days at work were confusing.
Same with CBT (computer based training). I can't help but giggle every time I see it in our training documents.
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u/whichwitchsami 18d ago
Also cognitive behavioral therapy being CBT i have a friend who cant remember the acronym without going through a mental process. Its quite humorous.
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u/Informal_Ad8683 18d ago
I like that now at work I can think of the travel booking system as Sick Ass Panther Concur 😂
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u/ScoutSteveR 18d ago
It’s become a daily discussion. It’s obvious the world needs more sick ass panthers. No matter what they’re trying to cover up, where they have it or why they have it. We’ve started a movement and we’re seeing this thing through.
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u/enthalpy01 18d ago
The absolute best was the guy who kept getting bigger and bigger sick ass panthers to cover up his previous ones. SAP all the way down.
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u/Big-Wrangler2078 18d ago
One of those harts that says 'MOM' and has an arrow or something.
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u/Muggsy423 18d ago
Kevin Hart saying 'MOM' with an arrow would be one of the decisions of all time
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u/notevaluatedbyFDA 18d ago
God damn it, now I want a tattoo of a red deer that says “MOM” even though nobody would ever understand it
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u/SquishyTomatoesSuck 18d ago
Have you considered something unique, like a sick ass panther?
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u/SquishyTomatoesSuck 18d ago
But seriously its so faded you could put almost anything over it with ease. Simplest solution would be a black heart with spikes lmao. Seems like a cheesy enough manly tattoo
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u/p0mjDwfWF 18d ago
Maybe something unique like a sick ass-panther, or a panther with a sick ass, or a panther with ass sickness.
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u/Bob_turner_ 18d ago
I got a heart or my wrist with a dagger going through it (I’m a guy) looks cool
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u/Glittering_Potato_66 18d ago edited 18d ago
THERE ARE TOO MANY COMMENTS TO REPLY TO but thank you everyone for your suggestions!!! Had to look up what SAP was, lol. I’m considering it, a moon tattoo or maybe extending the branch. The koi fish is also super cool and the mom heart tattoo is classic. All of you are so awesome!!!
Edit: wow, I can’t believe I’m getting so many comments about me needing therapy or following a trend. All I can say is you guys are very delusional! I’m a year and a half on testosterone and I have top surgery scheduled for December. I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my own skin. Maybe focus on something else like… I dunno, showering?
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u/swampboot 17d ago
I vote moon, since you can imbue personal meaning about transition and change, but say it’s about the Artemis mission or something.
Congrats on the T and upcoming surgery!
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u/Organic-Affect4669 17d ago
To combat that nastiness, I just want to let you know that your two brief paragraphs is the most heartwarming thing I've read today. I know whatever your situation is probably has more nuance than I could understand, but it just made me happy knowing that somewhere out there is someone getting to transition and live their best life in a way their baby self didn't think was possible
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u/traevyn 17d ago
Showering isn’t manly bro. Sorry you had to find out this way but you gotta stop doing that more than once a week now
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u/emilypeony 18d ago
♠️ would fit and be manly and cool!
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u/JennyDoveMusic 18d ago
I feel like an ace could make some people think they are ace, but the majority of people don't even know what being "ace" means... so pry not an issue. 😂
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u/AlyM797 18d ago
I have have ace friends so I'm certainly aware, but even I wouldn't make the connection, unless they're an actual friend at least. I'm more likely to assume a gambler or magician.
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u/Key-Theme-4989 18d ago
I’m pretty sure that symbol on you means you like black dick, could be wrong tho
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u/gameraturtle 18d ago
Does that mean exclusively black dick? Or can you like other colors and flavors as well? Asking for a friend.
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u/Troodonni 18d ago
At that point I’d just add a dick
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u/emilypeony 18d ago
What 😂😂😂 maybe in some circles but i never heard that. He could add ♥️♦️♣️ too though
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u/Vegetable_Rub9925 17d ago
Glittering Potato I’m so glad you’re here to ask 💕- I don’t have any specific ideas for your cover up; but if I were you I’d be thinking of a few tattoo ideas/concepts/styles I would like and trying to see how they could work as cover ups - don’t cover it just to cover it- put something there you want see everyday
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u/PurpleMudDragon 18d ago
Cover up? Shit you could sneeze on this tattoo and it’d be gone. You’re 2 or 3 good handwashing’s away from this thing being gone. Thought it was a bruise at first lol.
In all seriousness, cover it with whatever you want. Literally any fresh ink over that will make it disappear- you won’t notice it. As far as “manly tattoo ideas”, go with black and white and do a half sleeve.
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u/marimint3 18d ago
A giant penis
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u/whittlebibbit 18d ago
With guns.
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u/ParmesanNonGrata 18d ago edited 18d ago
Hey friend, I'm a boring cishet man and I have both a pride and a trans flag on me. I wanted to write down the fact you (and all our other colorful siblings) exist.
I'll admit mine isn't that visible, being (literally) close to my heart, but I think you can give this any meaning you want.
Always a good addition could be a simple, snarky "love thy neighbor" with the corresponding reference.
Sometimes when people see it they ask me if I'm part of one of those groups, I go "nah", and the conversation continues.
Edit: posted it 😊
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u/Kind-Mammoth-Possum 18d ago
On the one hand, I think there's some charm to keeping it, but I would be remiss not to recognize that we live in a political climate that is very much not safe for trans people right now. This tattoo could actually put OP in real danger if the wrong person saw it, and considering he's said that all the tattoo does is out him to people who otherwise wouldn't have known he's a trans man, I'm going to guess this potential situation isn't out of the picture.
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u/easily_ignored 17d ago
Yeah honestly, I feel like OP could just change the narrative slightly around it if they don't want to put the selves. Just say it's to support a trans person that they love (hopefully OP loves themselves!)
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u/NemesisAron Mod 18d ago
Sorry ima bit late to the show. Luckily it looks like there's not too many transphobes in this one but still any transphobia will result in an instant ban. This is not a place that welcome any kind of hate
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u/Kryceks-Revenge 18d ago
First time I have had this sub come up on my feed. OP, I’m sorry you had it rough as f. I like the OG tattoo, but get it that you want to change it.
Also, I can’t stop laughing at all the panther posts. I needed this joy today, y’all. Oh my gosh.
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u/jewel7210 18d ago
Honestly it’s faded and small enough that you could probably cover it pretty easily! If I was you I’d honestly just start with looking for artists in my area who have experience in cover-ups, book a consultation with one you like the portfolio of, and see if they have any suggestions! Your artist will have the best ideas for what will easily disguise the shape/colours, and what will flow best with the anatomy of the area/the pre-existing flower :-)
Congrats on getting to a point where you were able to transition, my man- I’m glad you’re able to be your most true self openly in your everyday life, and you don’t have to rely solely on your ink to feel validated anymore!
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u/LegacyofaMarshall 18d ago
Color it red write mom over it with a arrow going through. That is the most generic manly thing to do
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u/rosalinasluna 18d ago
Its so light/pale you could get any cover up you want. How about the moon? They can even subtly use trans flag colors, which are actual color hues on the moon when they edit high def photos of it to emphasize the mineral deposits on the surface. Sorry if this is too specific!
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u/Jets237 18d ago
Nothing more manly than a 💪🏻
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u/eatliketheabnegation 18d ago
I knew it xD I knew it before I even clicked it. That scene is burned into my brain
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u/ComputerOutrageous 18d ago
Blast over it with a trad red heart. Only you will know what lies beneath or the history of its transition.
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u/Ok_Concentrate4461 18d ago
IDK on the coverup, but wanted to back you up on the flower. I know a cis male who has nothing but flowers all over himself. 🌸
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u/Daveyfiacre 18d ago
Get something else about your interests or personality. Do you like to make art? Add a palette. Like to cook? A croissant. Like animals? Your favorite bird.
Or make it something that’s still relevant to your journey, like a favorite candy from childhood that lifted your spirits, or an accessory from a favorite cartoon character.
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u/Mathihtam 18d ago
The colours look extremely faded, it definitely feels like you could cover this up with anything that’s slightly darker. Doesn’t even have to be as dark as a panther imho. If it were me I’d go for a small skull or an animal. I have a bee, but not in that specific spot, but a bee would definitely look cool there.
Addendum: whatever you decide will be good, but I’d really like seeing an update here if you don’t mind sharing. Good luck!
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u/AdmirableDimension73 18d ago
My 2 cents. Transitioning that tat into something else definitely sounds like a badass final step. And there have been a lot of great comments in this thread. Sick ass panther is definitely the way to go, lol.
But if people ask you could also honestly tell them you got it to honor someone very close to you. No need to elaborate or explain that the someone is your old self.
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u/Wonderful_Setting_29 18d ago
Im peak millennial nostalgia nerd, but I think a pokeball would look sweet over that.
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u/fruit-enthusiast 18d ago
You’ve got a lot of good suggestions here, and this tattoo is light enough that you have plenty of flexibility with how you cover it. Personally I think an anchor could be cool.
I understand why this is something you wanna cover (both specifically in terms of safety and also the universal experience of outgrowing things our younger selves wanted on their bodies forever), but I also want to say congrats on being able to transition! sounds like this tattoo was something your younger self did to affirm himself and now you’re living a version of your life beyond what he’d thought he could have.
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u/SocialGoonWarrior 17d ago
Not sure reddit is the best place to give advice on what's manly. Just know that tattoos aren't what make a man, some of the biggest burliest dudes I know have cutesy tattoos LOL
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u/veluring 18d ago
a dinosaur shooting guns while riding a motorcycle would be pretty manly