My fiance is getting a face tattoo today . I have asked him not to do it, he is so beautiful. when he told his parents they banned him from ever returning to there house. This also affects me as they where really the only supporters that i have in my personal life.  I think that he will regret this in a couple of weeks (has a few tat's that he regrets getting) but he is dead set on getting it. I guess i will have to get used to it. I love him soooo much that sometimes it hurts. Anyway what's your take on face tattoos? would you get one, or let someone you love have one?

I guess it all depends. I would not get one, but if someone likes that and it is good artwork and not too big, why not. Makes me think of Star Trek with all the "aliens" that basically look like humans with some small dots painted near the ears and such. What kind of tattoo will it be?

Obviously personal choice is very important.

I would argue very strongly against a facial tattoo. I would suggest he gets the thing done in henna and wear it for a while and see how it goes.

I realise people will disagree but I think facial tattoos are disfiguring your self.

And they are very difficult to remove, as are all tattoos.

I may be old and silly but why does a person want to permanently scar themselves in a very public area?

Life changes, you can regret doing stuff, and I think most of us do!

Bad idea stick to tattooing arms where they can be covered if necessary.

I agree 100% with Cindy's suggestion that he try it out as a temporary tattoo for a couple of weeks before committing to a permanent tattoo.

I wish it weren't the case, but tattoos are a barrier to employment and they do negatively affect how people perceive you. Body tats are fine because you can cover them up for work if required, but facial tattoos are not easily hidden. So it could have negative repercussions for many years to come.

That having been said, I once saw an elderly lady with a butterfly tattooed on her cheek. It looked like something she'd had done as a flower child in the '60s. It was awesome.

Quote from: Cindy on September 04, 2013, 05:25:41 AM
Obviously personal choice is very important.

I would argue very strongly against a facial tattoo. I would suggest he gets the thing done in henna and wear it for a while and see how it goes.

I realise people will disagree but I think facial tattoos are disfiguring your self.

And they are very difficult to remove, as are all tattoos.

I may be old and silly but why does a person want to permanently scar themselves in a very public area?

Life changes, you can regret doing stuff, and I think most of us do!

Ironically, many of these arguments against facial tattoos are also those used against people who transition...especially the parents' statement "If you do this, you're never welcome in our home ever!" (So much for unconditional love!)

Is it a modest tattoo, like a small butterfly? Or more gaudy, like flames and skulls covering much of the face?

How about his future job(s)?

Henna is a good temp modification...as is using a permanent black marker (which is MUCH less permanent than a tat)

Age/maturity of the fiance? (Is he doing this just to #&%@ with his parents--or you?)

Overall, I'd suggest not doing it. Or if he feels he *must*, at least talk to a the*apist about it...feeling one "must" do anything that is well outside norms is a good cautionary indicator for therapy. (FYI, a "good" the*apist will not try to dissuade you from your plan...s/he will merely explore your reasons "why" one feels the need to be outside social norms. Being outside isn't wrong, but being outside for the wrong reasons should make one hesitate before permanent changes are made).

And lastly...for you, OP...what if this isn't the last time he does something like this? Let's say next time he wants a burn-scar, or hoops and such imbedded in the face, the back, in his privates? Is there a limit to what you will tolerate?

Marriage isn't a relationship where one casually does their own thing, without at least asking for (and considering) the needs/desires of the partner...."look before you leap" is very good advice. If you're already crying about him modifying "his beautiful face"...I foresee problems in the relationship in the future.

Just a thought.

Though it depends on what sort of tattoo, and where it is placed, facial tattoos generally give the impression that the person does not give a crap about what everybody else thinks, and that their desires take precedent.

Not a good omen for a continuing relationship.

I have a lady friend who rocks some very interesting facial tattoos, but she's a jazz singer, who would never need regular employment. That's what it boils down to, I'm afraid: will you EVER need to get a job that isn't at the back of a warehouse? Because with facial tatts you might not even get a job at mcdonalds. If he's independently wealthy, then by all means, draw them on there in sharpie for a few weeks, and if he still loves the idea, then who cares?

He is getting a 1/2" anchor below his left temple. It' supposed to represent grounding and hope and other things i can't remember. He is covered with tattoos, his neck, arms, chest, back. And most of his tat's have meaning to him. I don't think he will be getting a great job as it is, his criminal record (got drunk and assaulted a police officer ) will probably be something that stops him more then the tattoos. I feel like I can deal with this as he deals with my transition to be me. I mean he treats me like a woman all the time, takes me out with five-o-clock shadow in a dress and doesn't bat an eye. He truly want's me to be me. and i would feel like a hypocrite if told him that he couldn't do this. Still i worry about how the world in general will treat him. He does have that personality where "The world can bite me" and always has.

Oh and on a side note he has never been violent to me and has since stopped drinking.

We tried the permanent marker thing, and that only made him want it more. He has piercings and a million scars from self harm (he suffers from borderline personality disorder, by-polar, Gid and adhd) . And i live with that just fine. I not perfect in anyway either.

what up everyone?  this is Alexis's fiance, Brody, the one getting the face tattoo in about ohhhhh 2 hours, yay!    so everyone knows, i am getting an anchor on the left side of my face because it represents hope, stability, stedfastness, grounding and its me starting my new life, sober, trans, and just ME.  now i know alot of people disagree and thats totally cool, not everyones for it, but i didn't just whip it out of a hat and throw it on my face, ive been researching it for months.  so im prepared for whatever comes my way, but i know ill like it and thats what matters to me.  my lovely fiance is behind me, thank you baby, and whoever reads this, im open to all comments, im down for whatever.  thanks everyone for support or just comments.  much love.
Brody.

wassup people, its 2:30pm, just got back from the tattoo shop.  anchor on my face looks amazing, and it didn't hurt not even half as much as i was expecting.  too much cash but hey thats that. peace. Brody

I think it depends on the tattoo and the face honestly. There's a guy I see around here sometimes with some pretty major face tattoos (and piercings and other things) and it looks pretty dang good on him. That's just my opinion though. I'm not sure what he does for a living, but he seems to be doing alright.

Haha, i love this! originality in this world is pretty rare, and of course we all should strive to be original beyond what we can draw on our skin. But Brody, Alexis, you two actually sound like a very interesting couple, a good one, and I wish you all the best. And I'm sure the tats rock....

Hey D!  Thanks for the post.  but ya we actually make a great couple, only saying from our point of view, we work it together and it works!.  the tat is awesome and i couldn't be happier, only if my mother got her head out of her behind that would be good too. anyways thanks again and much love to all in the family here.  peace. BB.