Frequently Asked Questions

We get a lot of common questions, from people enquiring about their first tattoo, to people who have had many tattoos coming to us for the first time… or sometimes people just forget! Different artists and tattoo shops have slightly varying processes, too.

So, this month’s blog covers some of the questions that we get asked a lot, which we hope clears up any worries or concerns you may have. But please do feel free to speak to your artist or contact the shop directly if you are unsure of anything, we want to give you all the information you need.

It’s my first tattoo, what should I expect?

Before you arrive to your appointment, your artist will have been in touch either by email or they will arrange for you to pop in for a consultation to chat about what you’d like, your ideas and where on the body you’d like your tattoo. They will give you a quote and an estimate on how long the tattoo should take and chat to you about anything you need to prepare and what to bring etc.

If you’re happy to go ahead, once a deposit has been received with an appointment date and time booked, your artist will draw up your design for you and will stay in touch to make sure you are happy with the design a few days before your appointment date.

The day before or on the day, your artist will ask you to complete a consent form.

When you arrive, your artist will go through size options of your design with you and prepare the skin by cleaning it with an alcohol wipe and shaving the area ready for the stencil (there is no need to pre-shave, your artist will prefer to do this for you).

Once the stencil has been applied, it needs to dry for about 5 to 10 minutes, and then you’re good to go to hop in the hot seat!

When your tattoo is finished, your artist will give it a final clean up, take a few photos and apply second skin or cling film. They will go through the full aftercare process and answer any questions you may have.

What do I need to bring to my tattoo appointment?

On the day of your appointment, bring with you any snacks and drinks, your ID and anything to make your appointment more comfortable, e.g. a pillow, towel, book, headphones etc. You can find even more information in our blog post, ‘What to bring to your tattoo appointment’.

We also have a blog post dedicated to ‘how to prepare’ for your appointment, too. If you’ve any questions about getting ready for your appointment, we should have it all covered for you there, but please get in touch with us if you have any more questions.

What shall I wear?

Loose, comfortable clothing is always best. Wear something that allows for the area to be tattooed to be accessed easily too. If you are unsure about what to wear for the placement of your tattoo, check with your artist as they can help give you some advice.

Don’t forget to plan for after your tattoo, too. Make sure what you are wearing to go home in afterwards won’t rub on your new tattoo. If you are getting a tattoo on your foot, for example, make sure to wear or bring a change of shoes that won’t rub on your new tattoo.

How do I know what size my tattoo will be?

During the consultation process before your appointment, this will all be discussed with your artist, as the final size will be dependant upon your design and the placement of where you would like your tattoo on your body. Your artist will ask you for your design inspiration ideas, where you would like your tattoo on your body and also an approximate size you have in mind before your appointment, so that they can draw up your design beforehand.

If your tattoo is to fill a gap, they may ask you to send them photographs of the area, or take photos themselves at a consultation.

On the day, your artist will have a print out of your design, and depending on the type of design, may also have printed out two or three size variations to see how the design will best fit in the placement area and the size can be adjusted if needed.

Your artist will also chat to you about what will work in terms of the minimum size you can go to, to maintain the integrity of the details in the design, as the ink does spread a little in the skin as a tattoo heals, this is normal, but needs to be considered so that your tattoo looks great for years to come.

Once you’re happy with the printed size, the stencil is then created and applied, which will give you a good idea of how the finished tattoo will look.

Will it hurt?

Each person feels pain slightly differently, so it really is based on the individual. However, tattoos are not pain free! Different placements will be more sensitive than others. Most people find the pain bearable, but if you are worried or anxious, especially if it’s your first tattoo, have a chat with your artist and they will be more than happy to put your mind at rest.

Can I take breaks?

Of course! Just let your artist know, so they can finish up where they’re at if you need a comfort break. For longer sessions, your artist will plan in a short break for lunch, but you are also welcome to take more breaks if you need to.

Can I bring someone with me to my appointment?

We understand that getting a tattoo can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if it’s your first one! Always check with your artist to see if there will be space on the day to bring someone with you if you feel you need some extra support.

We are a small studio and we can get busy, so always check first, as your artist will be able to accommodate for you and may be able to suggest an appointment time and date where the studio will be a little bit quieter.

Will it be private?

If you would like some extra privacy, please chat to your artist, as we are always happy to make our clients feel as comfortable as possible. We are able to switch stations to the more secluded end of the shop; we have banners we can put up as a barrier for privacy; and we can always arrange your appointment on a quieter day or arrange for you to come in with just you and your artist, if you prefer.

Chat to your artist if you feel worried. They can help put you at ease and if needs be, arrange the time and date of your appointment to allow for more privacy.

What happens if I want to stop or feel unwell?

It’s rare that this happens, although when it does, usually most people feel faint. This is usually at the start of their tattoo and is mostly due to the reason that they haven’t prepared fully - such as not eating a good meal beforehand; being well rested etc - or they don’t communicate with their artist when they begin to feel faint. Letting us know straight away means we can stop and look after you and usually, the feeling then subsides.

Have a quick read over our blog posts as a reminder of what to bring and how to prepare.

Your artist will check in with you regularly throughout your tattoo to reassure you, make sure you feel ok and are comfortable. But if you do feel like the pain is getting too much or you start to feel unwell, let your artist know straight away. They can then chat to you about the options you have if you need to stop because it’s getting too painful, or look after you if you feel unwell.

Don’t ever worry about communicating with your artist, they want you to feel at ease throughout and your wellbeing is their priority.

Should I use numbing cream?

Always speak to your artist before buying and applying any numbing cream. Some artists may refuse to tattoo you if numbing cream has been applied. Some artists are happy for their clients to use numbing cream but are particular about the brand that is used. So always check beforehand.

If your artist is happy for you to use numbing cream, it is still your personal choice whether or not you deicide if you want to use it, depending on where you are getting tattooed and how big the tattoo is. Chat to your artist, as they will be able to advise you as to whether they think the extra cost for numbing cream would be worth it for the type of tattoo you plan to get.

Numbing cream can help make the procedure more bearable, especially if you’re in for a longer appointment. There is a process to applying it, so read the instructions fully or chat to your artist. Most brands need to be on at least an hour before tattooing, so allow time for that so you can apply before your appointment.

Even if you have used numbing cream before, always do a patch test 48 hours before your appointment, even if using the same brand, and do not use any more than the recommended amount.

Once a tube has been opened, most brands usually expire after about a week, so if you have any left over, unless you plan to get another tattoo very soon after, it’s best to use brand new cream, as the numbing effect will wear off once opened/expired.

Always buy from a reputable retailer, as there can be many fakes sold online, which can not only be a waste of money, as they don’t work but can also be dangerous with unregulated ingredients. It’s always worth spending a few extra pounds on the real deal.

If you have any health conditions or are on any medications, always check with your GP first, that it’s ok to use numbing cream.

How long will my tattoo take to heal?

It depends on the type of tattoo you’ve had and the placement. Small tattoos, such as linework tattoos, usually heal pretty quickly. A heavy saturation of black, tattoos with a lot of shading, full colour tattoos and large tattoos will take longer to heal.

We give an approximate guideline of between 1 to 3 weeks for healing, when using the correct aftercare procedures.

It is important to follow the aftercare instructions given to you by your artist, as not adhering to these can delay the healing process or risk causing potential issues, such as infection, so it is always best to follow your artist’s advice.

If you are having more than one session on your tattoo, for example, having shading or colour added, your initial tattoo needs to be fully healed before the area can be tattooed again. A good estimate is 2-3 weeks. The longer the better.

Going on holiday, or treating yourself to a spa day? Make sure you plan ahead and allow enough time for your new tattoo to fully heal, as time in the sun, sea, sand or hot tubs and steam rooms can have a drastic effect on the healing of your new tattoo and could potentially damage your tattoo or risk infection. Sun damage is the biggest killer for a new tattoo. For tips on how to look after your new, and old, tattoos in the sun, read our blog post here.

What cream should I use on my tattoo?

There are many creams on the market specifically designed for tattoo healing. However, you don’t need to break the bank. Some creams you may already have at home are completely fine to use on your new tattoo. Just make sure you’re not sharing any creams with anyone and that you use a new tube/tub to avoid any cross-contamination. A new tattoo is at a high risk of infection in the early days of healing, it is important to keep it as clean and germ free as possible.

Avoid highly fragranced creams or any thick and heavy creams. We do not recommend using vaseline, sudocrem or similar creams that promote skin healing but are too thick and heavy. These stop the skin from breathing, which is important for a new tattoo.

Creams that are lightweight and absorb into the skin work well. We LOVE Checkmate aftercare balm, so much so, that we sell it in our shop, and you can also order it online directly from their store. Checkmate is 100% natural, vegan and handmade in the UK, helping to keep our carbon footprint down! It’s fantastic for your healing tattoo and also great for healed tattoos to keep the skin soft and supple. It also smells a-mazing!

Is there parking?

There is plenty of parking in the public car park behind the shop. Just check the bays - the short-stay bays are marked, which allow for up to 2-hours free parking. The long-stay bays are unmarked and you can stay for an unlimited amount of time during the day for free. The small car park next to the shop is private, so please do not park in there, as it is for local businesses only who require access. There is also some street parking nearby, just check for any local parking restrictions to avoid getting any fines.

How do I pay?

Your artist will chat to you about how they prefer you to pay for your deposit and remainder on the day. Usually it will be by cash or bank transfer, as we don’t have a card machine at the shop. There is a cash machine nearby if you need one.

And finally…

As well as a lot of questions, we also get a lot of apologies… for body shapes, body hair etc… we would just like to close by saying, there is NEVER any need for anyone to ever apologise for any part of their body. We are an inclusive tattoo shop, we have seen it all before, it’s all natural and there is never any judgment in our shop and no place for any body shaming of any kind. There is no need to feel embarrassed about any part of your body. We want you to feel empowered. We are all unique and amazing in our own beautiful way!