Frequently Asked Questions :

• WHAT IS A FAQ?
  (F)requently (A)sked (Q)uestions.
   
• DOES IT HURT?
  Yes, but it's a bearable pain. If it hurt that much then no one would get them. Everyone is nervous when getting a tattoo, and when the needle hits the skin they say "Oh, that's all? I can't take this." It's annoying, not painful. If you can deal with a sunburn you can get tattooed. Just stay relaxed, and in 5 minutes you'll be used to it. Most people think the outline is worse then the coloring, so if you get through the outline you're all set!
   
• DO YOU GUYS USE NEW NEEDLES EVERY TIME?
  Yes. Don't worry.
   
• DOES IT HURT IN SOME PLACES MORE THAN OTHERS?
  Yes, the more nerve endings in an area the more you will feel it. But everyone is different and has a different pain tolerance. Try pinching yourself in different areas the get an idea of how it will feel. The arms and legs hurt less than the chest, back and stomach.
   
• HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
  This all depends on the size, the detail and the coloring. Tattoos start at $60 and go up from there. Session work (tattoos that take longer the one sitting) are by the hour (inquire on the phone, or in the store). We are not car dealers so don't try and haggle with us about a price. If you can get a tattoo from your friend's cousin for $10, then by all means go to them. But keep in mind when you come to us to fix it, it will cost you much more than it would have to come to us from the start.
   
• WHERE SHOULD I PUT IT?
  This is entirely up to you. Think long and hard about this as you'll have to look at it every day of your life. Avoid anywhere below the wrist or ankles, and above the collar. Those areas are just if you intend to stay inside our shop and never venture back into the outside world ... no, just kidding, but you never know where you'll end up later in life and that tattoo on you hand just might stop you from getting that once in a life time job offer. If your heart is set on that tattoo on you hand or neck, we will do it. But think before you ink!
   
• HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
  A tattoo can take anywhere from 5 minutes to many hours or sittings. The average tattoo (3x3) usually takes about 1 hour. Where a small rose takes about 10-15 minutes.
   
• CAN IT GET INFECTED?
  As long as you follow up post-tattoo with good hygiene in the following weeks, the answer is generally no. Some people have an allergic reaction to the red. This happens to 1 out of every 300,000 people. Reactions are usually itching and or swelling, and could happens in 3 to 5 years. Your dermatologist will give you medication to help this if it happens.
   
• IS IT CLEAN AND STERILE?
  We take pride in our shop and keep it as clean and sterile as possible. All of our equipment is sterilized in an Autoclave. All work stations are continuously wiped down with Madacide and other disinfectants. All instruments used for a tattoo are one-time use only and disposed of in medical waste containers. We set up in front of each customer showing them that all items used on them are new and answer any questions they might have. We will gladly show you our Autoclave and our sterilization procedures.
   
• WHAT COLORS WORK BEST WITH DARK SKIN?
  The darker your skin the darker the color you should use. Stick to black, blues, greens, and red. Stay away from white, yellows, and oranges. Your skin is translucent, not transparent. If you put white in brown skin, the skin grows back over the tattoo as it heals and makes the white look light brown. This is why your tattoo looks like it fades a little as it heals. It goes from being an open wound, where you can see the pigment clearly, to looking at it through your skin as your skin heals and grows back over the pigment. This is something we can do nothing about.
   
• CAN YOU FIX OR COVER UP TATTOOS?
  Yes, but you are limited to what you can get. You must come into the shop so we can look at it. Then we can take it from there. Do it right the first time and this question wouldn't exist.
   
• DO THEY EVER FADE?
  Yes, but how much depends on you and how you take care of it over the years. The sun is one of the main reasons your tattoo fades out. The more your in the sun the more it will fade. Put a strong sunblock on the tattoo when your out in the sun. Also, the healing process is very important in keeping a tattoo bright, follow the directions please. Take care of it and your tattoo and in 20 years it can look good as new.
   
• WILL MY TATTOO STRETCH OR DISTORT?
  This only happens if there is a massive weight gain or loss. If you are 100 pounds when you get your tattoo and then become the size of Arnold Schwarzenegger, then maybe it might.
   
• ARE THEY ADDICTING?
  Yes, once you get one you'll be back for more, and more... and more.