The process of growing up often involves a re-evaluation of values, but for reality TV stars, this journey is documented not only in the archives of television shows but also on their own skin. Scheana Shay, known from the show “Vanderpump Rules,” has openly admitted that the period between the ages of 18 and 23 was a time of “seven bad decisions” that she is now systematically erasing with a laser. Her story is not just celebrity gossip but a true manifesto for a conscious approach to body art, which is worth exploring for anyone planning their first or next visit to a tattoo artist.
In tattoo culture, there’s a concept of a “spontaneous tattoo,” which often becomes a symbol of a particular life stage. However, for Scheana, these symbols have become a burden. In a recent episode of her podcast, she detailed her past mistakes, turning her personal experience into a practical guide of six critical questions. Experts in the tattoo industry confirm that most clients seeking laser tattoo removal come with the exact problems the star has voiced.
1. Sobriety as a Guarantee of Quality Results
Many of the works Scheana is now removing share one common ingredient: tequila. A matching tattoo with Kristen Doute, done while intoxicated, turned out to be “technically backward.” The emerald diamond on her neck appeared after a party with cousins in Texas, and the clover on her foot was done after a few shots on a first date. In the tattoo community, there’s an unwritten rule: a self-respecting artist will never work with a client who is intoxicated. Alcohol not only thins the blood, increasing bleeding and hindering pigment retention, but also completely disables critical thinking. If an idea for a tattoo arises at a bar, it’s a sure sign that it should be abandoned.
2. Personal Choice vs. Imposed Opinion
At 19, Scheana called her mother for tattoo ideas, and she suggested the then-popular phrase “Live, Laugh, Love.” “Did it mean anything to me? No. I just got it,” admits the star. Another mistake was succumbing to the artist’s pressure. Initially, Scheana wanted a miniature Britney Spears-style fairy on her lower back, but the tattoo artist convinced her to “go big.” As a result, instead of a delicate accent, she got a massive piece that she eventually grew to dislike. In tattoo culture, it’s important to remember: an artist can offer advice on composition, but the meaning and size should remain your conscious choice.
3. Emotional State and “Revenge” Tattoos on Exes
The tattoo on her lower back (a so-called tramp stamp) was done out of spite for her high school boyfriend during their breakup. “I thought: I’ll show him! In the end, we’re not together, but the tattoo stayed with me,” Scheana says ironically. Using tattoos as a tool for manipulation or a way to get over a breakup is one of the most common mistakes. Emotions fade, but the pigment remains in the dermis for decades. Interestingly, Scheana is keeping only two tattoos: a hummingbird and a hibiscus flower, dedicated to her late grandparents. These tattoos hold deep personal meaning that is independent of fleeting moods.
4. Test of Time and Aesthetic Degradation
Scheana recalls that on the day it was done, the inscription on her ribs looked like thin, clean lines. Today, she describes it as “just an indistinct smudge.” This is an important aspect of tattoo literacy: skin is a living organ, it changes, stretches, and pigment particles migrate over time. What looks striking at 19 can become an aesthetic problem by 30. Fine fonts and micro-realism require special care and an understanding of how they will “age” with the owner.
5. Visibility in Everyday Life
“Every time I wear my hair up, I hate it,” says Scheana about the tattoo on her neck. Red carpets, formal events, and even simple selfies turn into a struggle with a past bad choice. Before getting a tattoo in a visible area, ask yourself: are you prepared to see this design in the mirror daily, and does it fit into your future lifestyle? A tattoo can be small, but still clash with any of your outfits or looks.
6. The Cost of the “Cancel Button”
Getting a tattoo takes an hour, but removing it takes years. Scheana is undergoing the procedure at Lucy Hart Inc. in Los Angeles, using modern equipment, but even this doesn’t make the process easy. Removing the “11/11” tattoo on her wrist is accompanied by severe blistering due to its proximity to the bone. It’s a painful, expensive, and slow process. Below is a comparative table that clearly illustrates the difference between getting and removing a tattoo.
| Parameter | Getting a Tattoo | Laser Removal |
|---|---|---|
| Time | From 30 minutes to several hours | From 6 to 12+ sessions (every 2 months) |
| Cost | Relatively affordable | 5-10 times more expensive than the tattoo |
| Pain | Tolerable tingling | Intense burning, possible burns |
| Result | Vivid image immediately | Gradual lightening over a year |
Scheana Shay’s story is not a call to abandon tattoos, but a reminder that skin is the most expensive canvas in the world. Modern tattoo culture is moving towards consciousness, where each element on the body should be the result of a considered decision, not the consequence of an extra shot of tequila or a desire to prove something to an ex-partner. Before you cross the threshold of a studio, make sure you are ready to carry this symbol for decades, not just until your next visit to a laser surgeon.