Tattoo Aftercare
How long does it take to heal after a tattoo?
For the majority of new tattoos, the healing process will be done within about two weeks. However, the skin is still working to heal and rejuvenate for a few more weeks after that. You should to plan on it taking 4-6 weeks for your skin to be completely back to its previous state.
Why do tattoos itch while healing?
As the skin rejuvenates itself, usually about a week after the tattoo was done, the itch sets in. This is 100% normal. Good moisturizers will help immensely with this, but DO NOT SCRATCH IT! If lotion isn’t helping, run it under cold water for a few moments and you should be itch-free.
Policies
What is the age requirement to get a tattoo?
You must be 18 years old to get a tattoo in New York State. And unlike piercings, there are no exceptions if you have parental consent.
Can I walk in to get a tattoo or should I book an appointment?
We are a private studio and do tattoos by appointment only. We do not accept walk-ins. As a small shop, we have a full calendary and even if there is a cancellation, we have a waiting list of clients waiting to get contacted in that event.
Please contact us to request to book your session in advance if you are interested.
What happens if I don't show up to my tattoo appointment?
If you no-show for your appointment, you forfeit your deposit. This means that if you choose to reschedule, we will need to take another deposit to reserve the session and your tattoo will end up costing you 150% of what it should have cost.
Preparation
How should I prepare for my tattoo session?
To prepare for your tattoo session, make sure you are well rested, well hydrated, and have eaten a healthy meal recently. Aside from that, we recommend you take a shower, fully charge your phone or tablet, and DON’T bring your 50 closest friends with you to your appointment. (Bringing 1 other person for support is fine, but please notify your tattoo artist in advance.)
What should I wear for my tattoo session?
It’s more important to be comfortable rather than fashionable. Looser clothing is recommended.
It’s also important to keep in mind where you are getting tattooed and dress accordingly to make sure you will be able to move clothing out of the way or take layers off so the tattoo artist can easily access that tattoo area. If you’re getting tattooed near a sensitive or private area, you’ll want to dress in a way that considers how to cover those areas during your session.
How should I plan for a larger tattoo?
The first step to a larger tattoo piece is to reach out and talk to the artist so we can plan it out together. The best large pieces begin with a cohesive plan up front, rather than loosely tying pieces together as you go.
We can do a sleeve or back piece with existing work in place, but it will ALWAYS look better if you and your artist come up with a plan ahead of time.
Keep in mind that for large pieces, it’s going to take multiple sessions. Expect to spend at least $1,000 or more dollars to even come close to doing a sleeve. Large pieces should be looked at as an investment and a commitment. Planning ahead will save you money in the long run.
When should I NOT get tattooed?
You should NOT get tattooed if you are:
- Drunk
- High
- Pregnant
- Pre-Surgery
- Post-Surgery
- Unsure what you want
- Unable to afford it
- Sunburned
- Unshowered
- Unable to find childcare (DO NOT bring your children with you to your appointment)
- Without a government-issued ID
- Being pressured into it
- Being told by your tattoo artist that your idea is bad or will not work
Pricing
Why do you require deposits?
We will often have put many hours of work into drawing, planning, and preparing for a tattoo session before you sit down in our chair. Deposits help to ensure you make it to your appointment and that we are compensated for the work we’ve done ahead of time if you don’t make it to your appointment.
What is your shop minimum for tattoos?
Our shop minimum is $75. You might not realize it, but we go through nearly the same amount of very expensive supplies to do a tattoo the size of a quarter as we do for a tattoo the size of a softball. Then there is a lot of work before and after any length of session, as everything has to be sterilized.
Should I tip my tattoo artist?
Although tipping is never expected, we are providing a service, just like a server, hair stylist, masseuse, etc, and tipping is greatly appreciated. Tip whatever you feel is worthy of the service provided.
Process
Will it hurt? What level of pain can I expect when getting a tattoo?
The best comparison to the pain of getting a tattoo would be the pain of getting a scratch on a sunburn, or having someone draw on your sunburn with a ball-point pen. Itdoesn’t feel good, but it’s more of an intermittent irritation than a constant pain. Remember, a tattoo has more in common with an abrasion than it does with a hypodermic needle shot from the doctor.
That being said, the level of pain can vary widely depending on the size of your tattoo, the placement on your body, the style of line work or shading, etc. Talk to your tattoo artist if you are concerned to get a better idea of what to expect.