Frequently Asked Questions
Please do not book with me before fully reading this information
Tattoo Inquiries
Where are you located and what days do you work?
I currently work out of Toad Hall in downtown Silver Spring, MD (8120 Fenton St Suite 301K, Silver Spring, MD) unless specifically stated otherwise (for guest spots and such). Park at metered spaces only, several lots are nearby.
All consults are via video.
Monday is consult day. I tattoo Friday & Saturday.
How much do you charge? What will this cost?
Prices are dependent on size, location, and level of detail. I work at $200 per hour priced based on the length of the appointment.
How do consults and deposits work? How do I make an appointment?
A 30 minute consult is standard before moving forward and are conducted via Skype or Facetime. They are free and can be scheduled HERE.
Non-refundable $200 deposit is placed to hold the tattoo appointment when scheduling.
Can I see my drawing before the appointment? Will you email it to me?
No. I don’t offer drawing reviews. Your drawing will be based on the information you give me during the consult.
You will see your drawing at your first appointment. Minor tweaks are included. Major changes, redraws, etc will require a reschedule and new deposit to be placed.
How do I contact you?
Email is preferred for standard communication.
Never DM me on social media.
Text is preferred for time sensitive communication.
I will not take phone calls but feel free to leave a voicemail
What don’t you tattoo?
I don’t tattoo Minors (under the age of 18)
I don’t tattoo phoenixes
Tattoos above the clavicle and below the wrist will be considered on a case by case basis (I turn away most of them)
I don’t do tattoo parties, genital, cosmetic, micro, temporary, nor bottom of foot tattoos
Are your supplies vegan? Nickle and latex free? Disposable? Eco-friendly?
Yes! All my inks are vegan, nickle free, made in the US, and meet EU health & safety regulations.
I only use non-latex disposable gloves and disposable needle cartridges. When available I use bio-degradable disposables.
How do I reschedule? Should I reschedule if I’m on Antibiotics/am sick/have recently had surgery/have covid or monkeypox/etc.?
In all these scenarios you will need to reschedule.
48 hours is required to retain the deposit.
Email me if you're rescheduling in advance, text me if you are rescheduling 48 hours or less before your appointment.
Why do you have so many rules?
To ensure the experience of the client and artist is as enjoyable, constructive, and uncomplicated as possible. In other words, so I can give you the best tattoo I can.
I'm always happy to help pair you with another artist if my way of conducting business isn’t suited to the experience you're looking for.
In preparation, Please
Eat a full meal before your appointment!
Plan to come alone, I work best one on one. Of course feel free to request an accommodation exception to this rule if you need one.
Wear loose dark clothing that allows access to the area or bring a clean old article of clothing that can be cut up.
Be well hydrated! You also shouldn't drink alcohol within 24 hours before your appointment!
Get cash if you’d like to avoid the credit fee and pay in cash. Tipping in cash is appreciated for tattoo artists. There is no standard percentage for tips, 20% is most common. If you've forgotten and would like to leave one now you can do so on the payment page.
Bring headphones or a book or something that doesn't require you to move if you’re not a talker. (I don’t mind chatting as long as I can hear you)
Don't be sunburned, wounded, drunk, high, or pregnant at the time of your tattoo.
Let me know if you no longer want to work together. It takes a lot of work, and sometimes costs me income, to maintain files for clients who disappear.
be aware of factors that could reduce your pain tolerance. Hormonal fluctuations (including menstruation), lack of sleep, excess stress, hunger, and dehydration are only a few of the factors that could effect your pain threshold. Feel free to take ibuprofen one hour before your appointment to help mitigate these factors.
Let me know ahead of time if you’d like to use a numbing cream. While I generally support the idea of numbing creams to mitigate pain I no longer recommend a specific brand because I’ve heard of rare adverse reactions from all of them (including infection, chemical burns, severe scabbing, prolonged allergic reactions, etc). Please preform a spot test with the specific container you intend to use at least a week ahead of your appointment.
Aftercare
this is the most important part of your tattoo.
If you are healing with an adhesive bandage like saniderm, tegaderm, tattooderm, etc:
Leave the initial bandage on for three days, after removing it follow these standard aftercare instructions (starting at the three day mark).
If you are experienced with adhesive bandages (and understand wound sanitation) you may replace the first bandage after 24 hours and leave the second on up to a week.
If the bandage leaks or a side lifts enough to expose the tattoo, remove it immediately.
When removing an adhesive bandage please do so in the shower under warm water, work soap under the edges, only pull parallel to the skin (never directly upward or at a right angle), and remove the bandage in the direction your hair grows.
As general advice: I trust that you know your skin better than me. I always prefer clients use a moisturizer they’re familiar with and know works well for them. Moisturizer is simply to help relive discomfort during healing and is not strictly needed for the healing process, don’t over moisturize!
Recommended Lotions: (make sure you buy scent/dye free versions only!) you may use a heavier moisturizer for the first three-five days then switch to a lighter one, us a lighter one all the way through, or heal with no moisturizer at all depending on your preference. These are some suggestions if you don’t have a standard moisturizer.
Aquaphor can be used as first stage heavier moisturizer
Eucerin & Cetaphil lotions (or any gentle fragrance and dye free moisturizer you have experience with) are great lighter moisturizers
After Inked, Hustle Butter, Ink Balm & Ink Spray are moisturizers that can be used throughout the whole healing process
DO NOT USE NEOSPORIN, ANTIBACTERIAL OINTMENT, OR PETROLEUM JELLY.
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After one - three hours:
Remove the bandage from your tattoo. Wash it with non-scented, dye free, soap & lukewarm water in a clean sink with clean hands. Ink, blood, and other residue is normal to see under your bandage and on your tattoo (Gently remove all residue from skin using only your hands and soap, this is a very important step).
Very gently pat dry with a clean paper towel then allow to air dry for a few minutes. Apply a very small, pea sized or less, amount of your moisturizer. DO NOT RE-BANDAGE! If your tattoo is still weeping at bed time feel free to wear clean clothing over it. Upon waking, get in the shower & dampen clothing to allow it to naturally separate from your healing tattoo without ripping the scab.
Day one - day five:
Continue to wash twice a day with scent/dye free soap using clean hands. Moisturize two or three times a day as needed.
During this time you will notice paper thin flaking skin begin peel away. Heavier scabs may form, if so please reduce the level of moisture and clean more thoroughly to prevent this.
Day five - day fourteen:
You may now switch to a second thinner lotion if you have chosen to use multiple products.
Continue to clean once a day and moisturize as needed to keep the tattoo at the same moisture level as the surrounding skin.
See "healing concerns" section for help judging moisture levels.
After seven - ten days:
The flaking will stop and you will be at the Primary Heal Stage. At this point the layer of skin holding the ink has healed, but new skin has not formed over top. The tattooed skin will have a waxy or shiny appearance. Continue to clean and moisturize daily.
On average, Within 2-3 Weeks: The epidermis (top layer of skin) will form and your tattoo should be fully healed. At these stage the waxy appearance should be gone.
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Healing Concerns:
If you are taking longer to heal then I've described don’t worry too much, some people take two months or longer to fully heal a tattoo.
If your tattoo is scabbing heavily or small pimples are forming around it you are likely over moisturizing. Please reduce moisturizer use or "dry heal" by using no moisturizer (or only a product like Ink Spray) for the rest of the healing period.
If your tattoo is red and irritated: In the first few days this is normal. After that time it may be caused by moisturizing too little.
If you are concerned that you may have infected your tattoo please contact your doctor or urgent care immediately.
If a small area of your tattoo has healed lighter or has "fallen out" you may be eligible for touch up at no cost to you (only available 1-3 months following your final appointment). Contact me via email, including a clear photo, to begin the touch-up process.
Ongoing Care:
Your final healed tattoo will be lower in contrast than your fresh tattoo. This is due to the fact that the top of skin acts as sort of a veil over the ink. Tattoos will also fade and blur naturally over time as your body disperses the ink particles.
The aftercare process doesn't end after initial healing. Poor skin health, lack of moisture, and sun exposure can age, fade, and blur your tattoo quicker.
Keeping your tattoo moisturized daily after it is healed will help your tattoo look fresh for longer.
When healed, protect your artwork with a sunblock lotion of SPF 45 or above before going into the sun.
Some clients prefer to have their tattoo touched up every five years or so (at standard hourly prices). This isn't necessary but is an option.