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FAQ Page
Frequently asked questions
Tattoo Questions
Piercing Questions
You must be 18 or older in order to get tattooed per North Carolina state regulations. We require an un-expired, government-issued photo ID in order to verify your age. We also require you to fill out a consent form to be seen by one of our artists. If you refuse, we will be unable to tattoo you.
Here are some tips on preparing for your appointment with us:
Eat well the week prior, but ESPECIALLY the morning of your appointment
Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water the week prior and the day of your appointment
Get a good nights rest the night before to make sure your body is prepared for healing
Lay off the coffee (we're sorry!) the morning of the appointment. That doesn't necessarily mean no coffee, maybe just replace your usual second cup with water instead
Moisturize the area every day starting one to two weeks prior, but stop one or two days before so that your pores aren't clogged
Brings lots of water and snacks! Most of our clients are in for long days, so we recommend trying to make surfe your body is getting the nutrients it needs
We require a deposit in order to book with us.
Deposits are non-refundable, but they go toward the final cost of the tattoo.
If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please let us know at least 48 hours in advance. When proper notice is given, your deposit will remain on file for up to one year from the date it was submitted and can be applied when you reschedule.
If you do not reschedule within that one-year period, the deposit will be forfeited. Additionally, if you cancel three or more times, a new deposit will be required to book again.
Each of our artists keeps their portfolios updated on Instagram. Even if you don’t have an Instagram account, you can still view their pages in a web browser. Just go to the Artist tab on our website, click on the artist you’re interested in, and then select the Instagram link above their bio.
We are located at the back of the 222 building on East Chatham Street. We offer dedicated parking on the side of the building, accessible via Templeton Street. Additionally, you’ll find street parking available on both Templeton and Chatham Streets. There are also several large parking lots within walking distance to the studio in the town of Cary!
Sun exposure, tanning, and especially sunburn can have a major impact on both the tattooing process and how your tattoo heals. To ensure the best possible outcome, we recommend avoiding sun exposure at least two weeks before your appointment, if possible.
What to know before getting tattooed in the summer:
We cannot tattoo over a sunburn.
Sunburn is damage to the skin. Tattooing over it can lead to poor or uneven healing and significantly increases the risk of infection. If the area is sunburned, we will have to reschedule your appointment for your safety.
Keep the area being tattooed covered or be diligent about sunscreen.
Keeping the area completely covered is better, but we know that is not always realistic. The less exposure, the better if you are wanting to make sure your tattoo is the best that it can be. So make sure to protect your skin in whatever way you can!
Tanning affects how your tattoo heals and looks.
Tanning can cause damage to the skin, even if it doesn’t feel irritated. This can impact how the ink settles and heals, sometimes resulting in less consistent or less vibrant results.
Skin tone consistency matters for color work.
Your artist selects colors based on your natural skin tone. If your skin tone changes significantly from tanning during a multi-session project, it can affect how colors are chosen and applied. This may lead to inconsistencies in the final healed result. If you are someone whose skin tone changes drastically depending on the time of year, please let your artist know in advance so that they are aware.
Immediately after getting a tattoo:
Sun exposure after a tattoo causes increased damage to the skin.
Keeping your new tattoo out of the sun for 3 or 4 weeks is incredibly important to the healing process. Sun exposure on a new and healing tattoo can cause increased pain, irritation, uneven and poor healing, scabbing, and increases the chance of infection.
Make sure to cover up!
It is unwise to put sunscreen on a fresh tattoo since it is an open wound. Wearing loose, breathable clothing, like long sleeves or pants, is one of the best ways to protect your tattoo from sun exposure while it heals. If your tattoo is in a more exposed area, like the neck, try to keep it shaded with options like hats, scarves, or even an umbrella when you’re outdoors.
Do not submerge your new tattoo in water.
This means no pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, rivers, lakes, or even the ocean for AT LEAST 2 weeks after getting tattooed. Since tattoos are an open wound, exposing the wound to water can introduce bacteria and infection. It will also cause the skin or any scabs to become soggy and fall off prematurely, leading to faded and patchy healing
We primarily operate by appointment only for tattoos, as most of our artists are booked out weeks to months in advance. This allows them the time to properly plan, design, and prepare for each individual piece, ensuring the highest quality work for every client.
Before scheduling, we also require an inquiry form so we can gather important details like your concept, placement, size, and preferred style. This helps us match you with the best artist for your idea and provide accurate pricing and timing.
That said, we do occasionally have last-minute cancellations. When that happens, we may have availability for a same-day or short-notice appointment. We always recommend keeping an eye on our social media, as we’ll post any openings there as they come up!
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