Are Tattoos Safe?
Absolutely, as long as you go to
a reputable tattoo artist/shop that is following all recommended safety
precautions. ex. sanitizing thoroughly between clients, following proper
sterilization procedures and takes other precautions such as wearing gloves, face
masks, etc. All needles used are one time use and never re-used. All our
artists are licensed and hold the proper safety training and certifications to
ensure you are in the safest possible hands when it comes to getting a tattoo.
If you are on any blood thinners or antibiotics please notify your artist. You
will also receive aftercare instructions and guidance on what to and “not
to do” for healing.
Does
it hurt?
This is probably the most common
question and generally one of the first. This is yet another hard question to
answer as pain is relative, long story short, it does, but probably not as much
as you think, and you walk away with a great piece of art made just for you.
The pain level varies on the individual, the placement on the body, and many other
factors. For example, A Tattoo on your outer arm tends to be less painful then
one on your chest or side. All our artists are trained and experienced with
easing you into the process and letting you get accustomed to the sensation.
How
long does a tattoo take?
Tattooing is not a quick process,
nor should it be rushed as you will be living with the results permanently.
Every Tattoo is different. An averagely complex piece of work about the size of
the back of your hand, can take from 1 1/2 hours to 3 to complete, depending on
design. Larger or more complex pieces can take tens of hours, and will require
several sittings to complete. Usually appointments are made in multiples of
hours, but some smaller pieces may only require a thirty minute appointment. A
full sleeve (done by any decent artist), could take anything from 20 to fifty+
hours work to complete depending on complexity. We encourage coming in for a
free consult to speak with our artists about what you are interested in
getting.
How
much does it cost?
This is a tricky one to answer as
every shop and every artist charges differently. Some charge by the hour, some
by the piece. Here at Under The Needle Tattoo our shop Minimum is $100 and our
Hourly rate is $200. If you are looking for something on the smaller size
(example. heart outline) that would take less than an hour it would be based
upon size/design, so $100 to under $200 range. Our artists try their best to
give you some sort of a ballpark estimate for the tattoo you are inquiring
about but often times it is hard to tell exactly until a design is decided
upon. We are happy to speak with you personally about your project or answer
any questions you may have.
How
old do i need to be to get Tattooed?
As per WA law you must be 18
years of age or older to be Tattooed. We cannot legally tattoo you even with a
parent or guardians consent if you are under 18.
What
should i do before getting Tattooed?
Firstly, try and make sure you
have had something to eat and drink at least hour before your tattoo. During
the tattoo, your body behaves in a way very similar to going into shock, as it
generates endorphins to deal with the attack on the skin. This can cause a drop
in blood sugar, resulting in light-headedness, and sometimes nausea or
fainting. Having a meal and consuming natural sugars, such as juice can help to
prevent this. If you feel faint during your tattoo, let your artist know
immediately, and they will help you through it. Don’t be ashamed of telling
them, they will be sympathetic to your needs and help you through the
experience.
Secondly, think about what you
are going to wear. You know where you are likely to get your tattoo, so make
sure you dress so that you can expose this general area while still being
comfortable. Usually the studio area can be covered (door closed or a screen
put in place), if you are feeling particularly vulnerable. Have these
conversations with your studio and they should be able to tell you what they
can put in place to make you feel comfortable.
Avoid sunburn on the area you are
planning to tattoo as we cannot safely tattoo over the damaged area until it is
healed. & Please do not consume Alcohol or Drugs before your appointment.
Can
i bring my own design or get one custom drawn for me?
We encourage you to do your own
research and find pictures online that you like for inspiration/reference, it
doesn’t have to be actual tattoos either, ex. photos of flowers, animals, fonts
you like. Once you have somewhat of an idea of what you are looking for our
Artists will take those and design you your own custom design. We have had
people get art commissioned or a friend draw a design for them they would like
to tattoo, as long as you have their consent we are able to tattoo it for you
but please do make it known to us so we may be aware. We take pride in being a
custom tattoo shop here in Washington, we do also have flash designs
(pre-drawn) that you may look into if you are unsure of what you are looking
for.
Aftercare?
While the major haul of caring
for your tattoo occurs right after application, you will need to continue some
minor aftercare habits to prevent your tattoo from any long-lasting damage.
When you first get your tattoo, you will need to wash it several times a day
with antibacterial soap and make sure you keep the area clean and free from
risk of infection. Clean bed sheets, towels, and clothes will all help, as well
as washing your hands before touching it. You’ll need to avoid direct sunlight,
prolonged hot showers, hot tubs, swimming pools, and bathtubs until your tattoo
is fully healed. Try not to itch, scratch, or rub the tattoo during the healing
process, and avoid any clothing that might do the same, as it can cause
scabbing or even ink loss. When your tattoo gets to the dry/and or itchy stage
we reccomend a unscented-lotion to help keep the tattoo from drying out during
the healing process. Of course, there is a fine line here, as you don’t want
the tattoo to be over-saturated, either. Some people reccomend
“Aquaphor” if you do use it we just advise you to use it sparingly as
it tends to be quite heavy and absorb less into the skin vs. lotion.
Once you’ve made it through the
healing process, you’ll want to keep the tattooed area hydrated and apply
sunscreen before being in direct sunlight to help keep the ink from fading.
Can i get a Tattoo over a Scar?
It is do-able! it depends on
several factors such as the size, type, and age of the scar, Not all may be
tattoo-able. We always have a consultation with the client, assess the scar, in
terms of severity, age, color, placement, and have a conversation about what
your goal with this tattoo.
Does
UTN do piercings?
We currently do not offer any
piercing services here or carry Jewelry options.
Im ready for a new tattoo! How can i set up an
appointment?
Great! we cant wait to work with
you. You have a few options of going about it. You may stop in to our shop
in-person and speak with our artists/make an appointment then and there. You
can Email us with details/photos and we can either book you a time and date if
it is simple or set up a consult for you to come and discuss your plans and
ideas for the tattoo. Give us a call at (206-448-6613) And we can speak to you
further about your tattoo, we may still ask for details and photos to get a
better idea of the project. We always reccomend a Free Consult if you are able
to as it gives us the personal time to speak in-depth with you about your
ideas. Cover-ups require a consult before we are able to book you an
appointment.
Please see our:
Deposit Policy
