Here's What Amanda Bynes's Face Tattoo Might Really Mean

If you grew up in the 1990s, you're probably more than familiar with child star Amanda Bynes. Bynes made her debut on Nickelodeon's sketch series All That in 1996, and launched her series The Amanda Show in 1999 (via IMDb). For a period, it felt like Bynes was absolutely everywhere... until all of the sudden, she just wasn't.

In 2010, Amanda Bynes announced her retirement from acting at the age of 24. Entertainment Weekly published her statement, which read, "Being an actress isn't as fun as it may seem. If I don't love something anymore, I stop doing it. I don't love acting anymore, so I've stopped doing it. I know 24 is a young age to retire, but you heard it here first."

However, the actress took back her announcement a few weeks later. She was subsequently arrested on a litany of charges, including possession of marijuana, tampering with evidence, and reckless endangerment (via Entertainment Weekly).  In 2012 she was charged with two separate hit-and-runs, and Entertainment Weekly writes that she was dropped by her agent, publicist, and lawyer in the same year.

In 2018, Bynes revealed that she had been struggling with drug abuse and addiction for years. She told Paper Magazine that it started out as something she could handle, but she quickly graduated from smoking marijuana to abusing molly, ecstasy, and Adderall.

The former child star was quiet during most of 2018 and 2019, so when she debuted a brand new look in late December of that year, many fans were pretty surprised (via Refinery29).

Amanda Bynes took to Instagram just before 2020 after nearly two years off of social media, and fans immediately noticed a heart tattoo on her face just below her left eye(via 22 Words). While she didn't reveal the personal meaning behind the new ink, many tattoo websites write that black hearts often symbolize a loss. Tattoo for a Week notes that black heart tattoos are often done to memorialize a passing or as a way to mark the end of a major life event like the end of a relationship. How it pertains to Bynes is unclear, but considering her past struggles, and rumors of a break up, it could be a sobering reminder of all she's been through, as well as hope for the future.

Despite the surprising new look, Bynes revealed to fans that she's been working on herself. In an Instagram post from just a few months ago she wrote to followers, "My dearest fans, thank you for all the support throughout the year and every year..I know I've been so quiet lately, i just felt that i needed my personal space and that it'd be better for me but it never was..just know that you're my happiness!"

If you, or anyone you know, is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).