Preparing for Your Appointment
1. How should I prepare for my tattoo session?
Get a good night's sleep before your appointment.
Eat a solid meal 1-2 hours beforehand to keep your blood sugar stable.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Avoid consuming alcohol or blood-thinning pain relievers (like aspirin or ibuprofen) for 24 hours prior to your session.
Moisturize the area to be tattooed in the days leading up to your appointment, but do not apply any lotion on the day of.
2. What should I wear? Wear clean, comfortable, and loose-fitting clothing that allows easy access to the area being tattooed. For example, if you are getting a thigh tattoo, wear shorts or a skirt. If you are getting an arm tattoo, a tank top or short-sleeved shirt is ideal. Darker colored clothing is also recommended to avoid any potential ink stains.
3. Can I bring a friend with me? You may bring one friend for support. However, to maintain a safe and focused environment for our artists and clients, we ask that they remain in the designated waiting area and do not crowd the tattoo station.
The Tattoo Process & Safety
1. Does it hurt? Yes, getting a tattoo involves some level of pain, but it is generally manageable. The sensation is often described as a continuous scratching or a "hot" feeling. Pain levels vary depending on the individual's tolerance and the placement on the body. Areas with more nerve endings or less fatty tissue (like ribs, feet, or spine) tend to be more sensitive. Our artists are skilled at making the process as comfortable as possible, and you can always ask for a short break if needed.
2. Can I use numbing cream? Some clients choose to use topical numbing cream. If you plan to use one, you must discuss it with your artist beforehand, as some products can affect the skin's texture and the way it takes ink. Please follow your artist's specific recommendations.
3. Is it safe? What are your hygiene standards? Your safety is our absolute highest priority. We adhere to the strictest hygiene standards, which include:
Using 100% single-use, pre-sterilized, and disposable needles and tubes for every client.
Covering all equipment (tattoo machines, power supplies, wash bottles) with single-use barrier protection.
Disinfecting all surfaces with hospital-grade, EPA-approved virucidal cleaners before and after each session.
All of our artists are certified in Bloodborne Pathogens and Cross-Contamination prevention.
Aftercare & Healing
1. How do I take care of my new tattoo? Your artist will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions specific to your tattoo. The general process is:
Leave the initial bandage on for the time specified by your artist (typically 2-4 hours, or 3-5 days for adhesive film).
Wash the tattoo gently with lukewarm water and an unscented, antibacterial liquid soap.
Pat the area dry with a clean paper towel. Do not rub it.
Apply a very thin layer of the recommended aftercare ointment 2-3 times a day for the first few days, then switch to an unscented lotion.
2. What is normal during the healing process? It is normal for a new tattoo to be red, swollen, and slightly tender for the first few days. Following that, it will likely begin to flake and itch, similar to a sunburn. Do not pick or scratch your tattoo. Allow the skin to flake off naturally.
3. When can I go swimming or tan? You must avoid submerging your new tattoo in any body of water (pools, lakes, oceans, hot tubs) for at least 2-3 weeks to prevent infection. You should also protect your tattoo from direct sunlight and tanning beds during the healing process and beyond to keep the colors vibrant. Once healed, always use a high-SPF sunscreen on your tattoo.
4. Do you offer touch-ups? Yes. We guarantee our work. We offer one free touch-up session within the first year, provided the tattoo was properly cared for during the healing process. Touch-ups are for correcting any small imperfections in healing and are scheduled at the artist's discretion. Hands, feet, and fingers are generally excluded from the free touch-up policy due to their high rate of wear.