Frequently Asked Questions & Tattoo Aftercare

Frequently Asked Questions

  • I only tattoo people over the age of 18 with a valid photo ID.

  • This is not the place for small children or those offended by nudity, profanity, or adult subject matter.

  • Single session or “one shot” tattoos carry a piece price to be determined after consultation. Multiple session work is billed hourly ($250 per hour). This is the most fair way to get large work. You only pay for what gets done and I only get paid for what I do.

  • If you are planning on going swimming, camping, backcountry hiking, or any other activity that would prevent you from keeping your tattoo clean and moisturized multiple times a day, then schedule for after that activity.

  • Please eat a full meal before coming in for a tattoo or piercing.

  • Please turn your phones to silent when entering the body art area. Phones can be distracting and cause mistakes.

  • Please come to your appointment clean, well-hydrated, and mentally prepared to get tattooed. If you come to your appointment sick, unclean, or intoxicated I will ask you to reschedule.

  • Please take care of the area you plan on getting tattooed. The area must be free of sunburns, rashes, scratches, scabs, acne, or any other skin irregularities.

  • Feel free to pre-shave with clippers only. Razors may cut the skin and prevent the tattoo from being performed.

  • I have some options for covering your body, but I highly suggest you come in appropriate attire that covers anything you don’t want exposed.

  • No pets allowed. Service animals will be allowed with information provided, as dictated by the ADA.

  • A Non-Refundable Tattoo Deposit is required for every appointment. If you didn’t pay a deposit, then you don’t have an appointment. If you have to reschedule please let me know 24hrs in advanced. Or your forfeit your deposit. If you don’t show up for your appointment, you have lost your deposit and will be required to pay another deposit to get another appointment. If you are not satisfied with design at time of appointment. Deposit will be carried over to next scheduling.

  • A Non-Refundable Tattoo Deposit is not transferable from artist to artist.

  • All tattoo designs smaller than 8x8” are drawn the night before the appointment. These designs will not be shared electronically. Time is booked within each appointment for design refinement. If you are interested in designs services only they are billed at $60/hr and this must be stipulated on the book an appointment form.

Aftercare

The first few days and weeks for a new tattoo are the most important.
Make sure you care for it properly.
Below is the healing procedure and do’s and don’ts I recommend.

  • Leave the bandage that you received after the tattoo on for 2 to 10 hours.  Tattoos will ooze. This is a normal part of the healing process.  The bandage is there to keep airborne bacteria and any other contaminants in the environment from invading your wound.

  • Make sure your hands have been washed thoroughly before you remove the bandage, and before touching your tattoo to wash or apply ointment.

  • After removing the bandage, cleanse the tattooed area with soap and hot/warm water using your hand in a circular motion. Rinse well, leaving no soap residue.  Do not scrub the tattoo with a brush or towel (this should not be done until the tattoo has healed). Once rinsed, splash with cold water.

  • Let the tattoo air dry completely (approximately 10 minutes).

  • Lightly rub a small amount of your chosen moisturizer. (We recommend an unscented lotion, Aquaphor, Redemption, etc.) If you notice that your chosen moisturizer seems too heavy or is clogging your pores, switch to a thinner, unscented healing lotion.

  • You do not need to re-bandage.Repeat steps above for 2-3 weeks, approximately three times a day.  The idea behind this part of the process is to not let the tattoo dry out.

  • If you had a Second Skin bandage applied to your tattoo, please care for it as your artist recommended. In the first 24 hours, there may be a buildup of plasma under the bandage. This is normal. You may remove the bandage at any time, but we recommend leaving it on up to 4 days, if it maintains its integrity. When removing the bandage, pull an edge up slowly and wash with soap and water at the same time. Wash and clean as detailed above for 2 weeks. After a few days, you may notice some peeling and possibly a little scabbing.  It is at this point in the healing process that your tattoo will begin to itch.

  • RESIST THE URGE TO SATISFY YOUR DESIRE TO SCRATCH, RUB, OR PICK at the tattoo.  Remember-- the first few days and weeks, for a new tattoo, are probably the most important.  

  • Make sure you care for it properly.  Consult a physician if you experience symptoms such as excessive swelling, redness, yellow or green discharge, or fever.

    DO NOT

  • Go swimming, rafting, or soak in a hot tub, bath or hot spring, use hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol on your tattooItch, pick, scratch, or shave the tattooExpose your tattoo to sun or harsh conditions, such as mud, non-potable water, chemicals, flour, food, etc.

    DO

  • Stay out of the sun until your tattoo has healed completely

  • Apply sunblock to tattoo after it has healed whenever it is exposed to the sun to protect it from damaging ultraviolet rays