I have no problem with the tattoos.
He is permanently marking himself, declaring he is damaged and can never be fixed, that he is a problem without a solution.
I think Letos Joker was deliberately supposed to make people feel uncomfortable. They dropped the charming criminal aspect and focused more on the psychopathic mafia boss idea.
That sounds good.
I do think if they upping the charming aspect, it would be cool.
I have no problem with his tattoos either. But I understand that many found them too edgy or too-in-your-face.
We never actually saw his actual version of Joker, just glimpse of it. Ledger Joker and Phoenix Joker also aren't looking like what usual 'Joker look' too, except white face + red smile + green hair combo. Leto is perma-white + red smile + green hair. The base is there. As long he can prove himself (he has talent) and delivers great performance like previous three big screen Jokers, then his looks would be more accepted.
In Suicide Squad, his forehead tattoo isn't that distracting, IMO. Aesthetically, he's spot on with general idea of 'Joker visual'.
People soured on him and ridiculed him because of the overwhelming hype, quality of the theatrical cut, and his off screen antics that have been exaggerated. The movie also eliminated his abusive aspects and presented him and Harley as a 'couple goals'. Plus, "He has an Oscar so he better deliver after all of the set method actor BS we heard". Not helping that three other movie Jokers are sublime, two of them got Oscar for the role.
I'm glad he's in Snyder Cut, although for short duration. Hope he'll redeem his Joker.