Everything You Need to Know About Getting a Tattoo or Piercing – Safety, Expectations, and Everything In Between

Yes, Absolutely! When you go to a reputable artist who follows all recommended safety precautions, you can count on getting a safe tattoo experience. We recommend you research beforehand and ensure that the artist meets all of the necessary health and safety guidelines.

When you come to our studio, expect friendly service from our knowledgeable staff, who will take their time to ensure that your tattoo is perfect. With us, you'll never feel rushed or unimportant - we're dedicated to giving you an enjoyable and memorable experience. Plus, once the work is finished, we ensure everything is spotless before sending you home!

• Does it Hurt? No pain – no gain! While getting a tattoo or piercing may not be exactly comfortable, it's not unbearable, either. Most people describe the feeling as more of a “hot scratching” sensation than anything else. If you’re willing to deal with some short-term discomfort, then don’t let fear prevent you from enjoying this right of passage!

Not really recommended - using numbing cream isn't really worth it since it only takes effect for 30 minutes and wears off quickly during a long session in which multiple applications are usually necessary throughout one or more visits. The shock of suddenly losing the numbing sensation can increase discomfort levels and make for an unpleasant experience overall, so skipping this step could save you from added stress when getting your tattoo or piercing!

When getting a tattoo, it's important to remember that you get what you pay for. If you want quality artwork that you can be proud of, be prepared to invest in a skilled artist who won't cut corners. Haggling over the price is disrespectful, so if you can't afford quality, don't bother - this isn't a bargain bin!

Tipping isn't necessary, but it's always appreciated because it shows appreciation for the work the artist has done for you. It doesn't need to follow restaurant tipping etiquette; choose an amount appropriate for your budget and how much value you've received from the service. Your words may mean even more to your tattoo artist than a tip – so don’t forget to express how pleased you are with the artwork!

The possibilities are endless! Remember, when you choose what type of tattoo or piercing - and where - please consider what suits your lifestyle and job best. Consider placement that can easily be covered up with regular clothing if needed - then let your imagination run wild!

The summertime can be particularly harsh on your skin, so it's best to avoid getting tattoos during this time if you can. This isn't essential, though - your personal lifestyle should guide when would be the best time for you to have a tattoo applied.

No, not really! You need your strength and white blood cells for the healing process – something your body won’t be able to do when it is fighting off sickness. Further, it's also very inconsiderate to bring your illness into the studio and risk passing germs onto others. If you've booked an appointment, reschedule for a later date when you feel better.

Rather than trying to find someone else's design that matches what you want, why not get creative and have your artist craft up a totally custom piece? To start with, try finding images online that match what you're looking for – whether that’s photos of real roses or penguins standing on glaciers – and use those as guidelines for changes or additions that suit your desire exactly! A good artist will welcome the challenge of creating something totally unique!

It’s no secret that tanning isn’t good for your skin, but it’s even harder on your tattoos. Ultraviolet rays, while adding a nice bronze tone to your skin, drain the life out of a tattoo. The more you tan, the more the ink fades and slowly goes from brilliant to boring.

Does that mean your tanning days are over? Well, I guess that depends on how much you love your tattoos and want them to stay bright and looking their best. I can certainly empathize with anyone who loves the sun and can’t stay away. If you absolutely must go soak up some rays, at least be sensible and use sunblock. Find the highest SPF level you can find and re-apply often if you’re going to spend a lot of time outside. If you just can’t accept having pasty white skin and your goal is to go out and get some colour, make sure you at least protect your tattoos with as much sunscreen as possible.

If you’ve got a new tattoo, especially if you are a woman, the question will come up when it’s safe to shave again. Of course, guys might need to know, too, depending on where they got the tattoo and where they usually shave.

When you get a tattoo, the area will be shaved entirely before it’s applied, so at least you’re starting off with smooth skin. After a couple of days of stubble and bristly skin, the urge to shave can be overwhelming. Unfortunately, at this point, shaving is about as brutal on your tattoo as a weedwhacker. The wound is still fresh, and especially if you have any scabbing or raised areas, you run the risk of damaging your artwork by running a razor across it. Chemical hair removers are just as bad, if not worse – you never want to put anything like that on a fresh tattoo.

Of course, you can shave the area around the tattoo. Be sure any creams, gels and hair follicles are cleaned away from the tattoo immediately afterward, and then apply your ointment or lotion as directed by your artist.

So, when is it safe to shave again? Your tattoo will go through several stages, the last being the peeling stage. Once the peeling has finished, your skin will regenerate and produce a new protective layer over your tattoo. Once this new layer has appeared, it is usually safe to shave again. Depending on your tattoo and your body’s ability to heal, this can take anywhere from 5-10 days in most cases. Do this simple little skin test to see if it would be safe for you to shave:

Close your eyes and run your fingertips across and around your tattoo. Are there any bumps? Raised areas? Hard scabs? The tattoo should feel the same as the skin around it – if you can tell where the tattoo begins and ends or feel any skin irregularities, you might need to wait a little longer.

Sometimes a tattoo can remain raised slightly for as long as a couple of months, and this can be very frustrating and itchy to the wearer. An electric razor is your best option if the tattoo is completely healed with no open sores or scabs. Even a chemical hair remover would be better than a blade, but leave it on for the minimum time required to remove the unwanted hair. If you need to use a blade razor, please be sure to exercise extreme caution. Your tattoo is so close to being successfully healed – the last thing you want to do now is open it up.

Once a tattoo is completely healed, you can shave just like usual without worry.

The cost is calculated based on Per sq inch= length in inches X height in inches.