Tattoos do involve some level of discomfort, but how much really depends on the size, complexity, and where on your body the tattoo is placed. Most people describe the feeling as more annoying or uncomfortable—like a scratch or vibration—rather than truly painful. Everyone’s experience is different, and your artist will always work with you to keep you as comfortable as possible throughout the process.

Get a good night’s sleep. Eat a solid meal beforehand. Stay hydrated. Skip alcohol and excessive caffeine 24 hours before. Wear comfy clothes that let us easily get to the spot being tattooed. A little prep goes a long way in making sure you’re comfortable and your session goes smoothly.

It’s important to note that if you are taking prescription blood thinners or any prescriptions that could affect your healing, consult with your primary care physician before booking your appointment.

We totally understand wanting support! To keep the space calm, clean, and focused, we allow two guests max in the tattoo area. If you’d like to bring more friends or family for moral support, just let us know and we’ll do our best to make everyone comfortable.

Because we’re creating multiple custom designs at any given time, we keep artwork close to your appointment so it stays fresh and focused. Designs often evolve as we finalize details, and sharing too early can limit that creative process. You’ll always have the chance to see your design the day of your appointment, and your artist will be happy to make adjustments so it feels exactly right for you.

It’s best to give your body a little time to heal before jumping back into the gym. Light movement is usually fine after about 2–3 days, but for heavy lifting, cardio, or anything that makes you sweat a lot, we recommend waiting 1–2 weeks. Sweat, friction, and stretching can irritate your new tattoo, and we want it to heal beautifully.

We know it’s tempting, but you’ll want to wait at least 2–3 weeks before getting into pools, hot tubs, oceans, or lakes—or until your tattoo is fully healed. Water can carry bacteria and chemicals that may cause infection or fading. Quick showers are totally fine, but no soaking just yet!

Life happens—we get it! If you need to reschedule, we ask for at least 72 hours’ notice. Your deposit is non-refundable but will carry over to your new appointment date as long as you give us enough notice.

We will both go over aftercare instructions with you in the shop before you leave your appointment and send you home with a printable aftercare sheet to reference.

Healing usually takes 2–4 weeks, depending on the size and placement. Think of aftercare as your part of the collaboration—what you do at home makes all the difference in how your tattoo heals.

If you have any questions about aftercare or tattoo healing after your appointment, feel free to shoot us a text and we would be happy to assist.