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FAQ
PLANNING & PREPARATION

HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR MY TATTOO SESSION?

Make sure you are well rested, well hydrated, and have eaten recently. Aside from that, take a shower, charge your phone or tablet up to full, and don’t bring in your 50 closest friends (1 is fine).

 

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR FOR MY TATTOO SESSION?

It’s more important to be comfortable than to be fashionable., Looser is better than tighter, and keep in mind you want to be able to cover up certain places that might show, depending on where you're getting your tattoo.

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WHAT ARE SOME THINGS I MAY NOT THINK OF BEFORE I COME IN?

 

  • Take a shower

  • Don’t bring your kids. No really, don’t bring them.

  • Bring all of the necessary documentation

  • Good work costs money - so bring it!

  • Eat before you come in!

  • If you’re diabetic, plan for a crash and prepare yourself!

  • Your idea may not be able to be tattooed

  • Just because you saw it on Pinterest doesn’t make it a good tattoo

  • Don’t put words with pictures - I'm going to talk you out of it, pictures are worth 1000 words 

 

WHEN SHOULD I NOT GET TATTOOED?

You should not get tattooed when you are:

 

  • Drunk

  • High

  • Pregnant

  • Pre-Surgery

  • Post-Surgery

  • When you don’t know what you want

  • When you can’t afford it

  • When you’re sunburned

  • When you haven’t showered

  • When you have your kids with you

  • If you don’t have an ID

  • Being pressured into it

  • When you’ve been told by me that your idea is bad

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WHAT IS THE PAIN LEVEL FOR A TATTOO?

A tattoo is probably a 4/10.  The best comparison would be to getting a scratch on a sunburn or to having someone draw on you with a ball-point pen on a sunburn. It doesn’t feel good, but it’s more of an intermittent irritation than a constant pain. Remember, a tattoo has more in common with an abrasion than it does with a hypodermic needle shot from the doctor.

How much is a tattoo

I price tattoos based off how many hours the session last. My hourly rate is $200. (Walk-in tattoos will have a set price made prior to the session)

WHY DO YOU REQUIRE DEPOSITS?

Often I will have hours of work in drawing and preparing for a tattoo before you sit down in our chair. Deposits help to ensure you make it to your appointment and that I haven’t done hours of work for nothing.

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How much are Deposits?

Deposits are $200, this is substracted from the sessions total at the end. Once a design and date are agreed on, deposits can be made cash at True Pigments Tattoo Studio or online though a link that can be emailed.

 

Are Deposits Refundable?

Hard no. My time is very valuable to me. That time slot could have been reserved for another project. DO NOT make a deposit without talking with me prior. If a deposit is made and a design and date was not agreed on, I WILL keep it. 

SHOULD I TIP?

You should ALWAYS tip those who provide services for you. Whether it’s your barber/hairstylist, waiter, or the kids with a lemonade stand down the street, if they provide you a service you should tip them.

PRICING
FAQ CONTINUED

WHAT IS THE AGE REQUIREMENT?

Must be 18 or older, Cumberland County Health Departments rules.

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SHOULD I WALK IN OR BOOK AN APPOINTMENT?

Appointment is needed for tattoos hand-sized and larger. I will accept small walk-in tattoos on Saturdays and Sundays. I will no longer make appointments for the weekend.

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WHAT HAPPENS IF I’M LATE TO MY APPOINTMENT?

There is a 15 minute grace period. The sessions time starts on the time the appointment was made for. 

Don’t be. Seriously, if you’re late to your appointment it will throw our schedule off for the day.

 

WHAT HAPPENS IF I NO-SHOW DURING MY APPOINTMENT?

I’ve only ever had a few people do this and it’s a terrible idea.  If you no-show we will keep your deposit. 

AFTER CARE

Remove the bandage after one hour

  • All wounds need to breathe in order to heal properly.

 
Washing the tattoo

  • Use your fingertips or hand only.

  • Use a mild antibacterial soap and warm water.

  • Take care to remove all traces of blood to prevent scabbing.

  • Do not scrub the tattoo with a washcloth during the two week healing time.

  • Pat the tattoo dry with a clean paper towel, or just let it air dry.

 
Aftercare

  • Apply a thin coat of ointment 2 - 3 times a day

  • Just enough to make it shine. A little goes a long way.

  • Lubriderm unscented is my recommended ointment.

  • There is no need to re-bandage your tattoo, just keep a very thin layer of ointment on top keep it moist and prevent scabs.

 
Keeping your Tattoo clean

  • Avoid long showers or baths for 2 weeks. Also, avoid prolonged soaking so no swimming, hot tubs, or saunas.

  • Keep showers to under 10 minutes.


DO NOT

  • Put tattoo in direct sunlight, or tan

  • Swim or submerge tattoo in any body of water

  • Scratch or pick at tattoo

  • Have contact with animals and your tattoo 

  • Put extra ointments or oils

  • Put excessive amount of ointment.

  • Slap, its already set in there, trust me 

  • Rewarp, only sterile bandage film can be used (ex. Tegaderm)

  • Use sunblock. Wait until after the 2 week healing process 

  • Over sweat

  • Touch with dirty hands 


Tegaderm / bandage Film / Second Skin

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  • Tegaderm, a sterile, breathable, waterproof, germ-proof barrier to protect your new tattoo. Leave the Tegaderm on for 3-5 DAYS do not lift it, change it or remove it.

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  • Tegaderm will protect your tattoo from infection, abrasion, irritation and contamination while it is going through the most important part of its healing. It will also protect your clothes, sheets and loved ones from coming in contact with the excess ink, blood and fluid that are the normal by-products of healing a tattoo. Do not be alarmed, It’s normal for the tattoo to have layers of blood and fluid visible under the bandage.

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  • You can perform your usual activities. Do not excessively sweat. Be sure not to bump or rub your new tattoo excessively, or do anything that will scrape or peel the covering off.

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  • Showering will not affect Tegaderm; it is reasonably waterproof. You can shower normal while healing. However, do not bathe or swim until your tattoo is fully healed.

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  • After 3-5 days, remove the Tegaderm by carefully peeling it off of your skin. Do not quickly tear it off, as this can cause skin irritation. The easiest way to soften the adhesive is to stand in a hot shower for several minutes and remove the covering in the shower. 

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  • After removing the covering, rinse the tattoo thoroughly with warm water and wash, then rinse several times using antibacterial soap and warm water. Gently work any excess material off the surface of your skin using the palm of your hand while doing so do not use any wash-cloths, sponges or brushes.

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  • After patting your tattoo with a clean towel, the skin should be shiny and dry. For the next 7-10 days, apply a thin layer of unscented moisturizing lotion when it feels tight, dry, or itchy. Otherwise, let it air out and heal naturally. You might notice a few layers of flaky skin peeling, this is completely normal.

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