A woman who let her boyfriend spontaneously tattoo her face has claimed she has ‘no regrets’.
It’s not unusual for tattoos to be an impulse decision.
Less common is for them to be put onto somebody’s face.
Alitia Thoburn harbours zero regrets about her spur-of-the-moment decision, even though it has led to her being judged as ‘stupid’ and a ‘criminal’ by strangers.
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The 20-year-old from Bristol, UK has been passionate about body ink since she was eight years old.
But an impromptu session with her partner Jonathan Saunders, 37, took things to the next level.
Jonathan had originally started off tattooing her arm before deciding to extend the art northwards.
As it currently stands, the tattoo goes from her collarbone up to her hairline.
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Alitia remains fond of her partner’s work, despite regularly been told she has ‘ruined her face’.
She said: "I don’t understand why people always thought that tattoos meant you are a thug or criminal.
"I always thought it could be something positive like a memorial or something you simply enjoy.
"I’m lucky enough to have a face tattoo."
Alitia’s tattoo journey began when she was 14, as she used a stick and poke kit she’d bought online.
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By the time she was 18, she was in an apprenticeship to become a tattooist.
She now works full time at a studio on Oxfordshire.
A face tattoo had been something she’d mulled over for a while, before Jonathan suggested they take the plunge.
Responding to her critics, Alitia said: "The people who think I will regret my tattoos, let them [think that].
"I don’t care what they think."
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It’s not just online that she’s been receiving abuse and jibes.
She was once approached an old lady on the street who asked: "What the f**k have you done to your face?"
As if that wasn’t bad enough, the elderly woman apparently followed up by calling her a ‘stupid b***h’.
Despite the negativity, she has also received a lot of support from others, who have complimented the tattoo.
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Alitia plans for her whole body to be inked up one day, so that they all merge into one design.
She said: "It will all be connected into one large body suit - it’s a work in progress. Everywhere will be tattooed eventually.
"I like to customise how I look. I don’t regret anything in my life because I wouldn’t be the same person.
"A face tattoo like mine won’t be accepted for a very long time, it’s completely ridiculous but I understand."
Topics: UK News
Ben Thompson