Here at Adorn Body Art we are committed to working with you to end up with a beautiful tattoo that you will cherish for a lifetime.
In order to facilitate this we have come up with answers to the most frequently asked questions.
There are three things essential to a quality tattoo:
In This FAQ we will give you information on choosing a good artist and studio. Issues with design are too numerous to mention but our friendly counter staff will be happy to help you. We will also address many of the questions to ask in order to assure that your tattoo process is Good Clean Fun.
1) How do I know if the tattoo shop is clean?
Cleanliness is of the utmost importance. Take a look around. Do you like what you see? Trust your eyes and instincts. If you have any doubts, run don't walk to the nearest exit. Better safe than sorry. Ask if there is an autoclave on premises and if so, do they spore test? The answer to both questions should be yes and they should be able to show you proof. The artists supplies should be single-use disposable and the artist should change their gloves frequently during the tattoo process. Smoking, eating and pets should be restricted on the premises.
2) How are tattoos priced?
All our artists averaging 10 years experience cost $125 an hour, which is industry standard. You may find shops that price tattoos by amount of colors or have higher or lower standards for their hourly rate. Typically, if we have a drawing, a size and a location we can give you a price quote. A quote dictates a cost range based on the amount of time we expect your tattoo to take. We have a starting artist who costs $80 an hour, and we also have two apprentices that are doing suitable tattoos for tips only.
3) Do I need an appointment?
We have both appointment and walk-in spaces available for tattoos. We accept appointments for everyday except Saturday, which is reserved for walk-in clients. Appointments require a deposit and must be made in person. Deposits are applied to the cost of the tattoo if you arrive for your appointment on time. Walk-ins are taken on a first come, first served basis and are purely luck of the draw. Some days are busier than other and we do not guarantee the availability of walk-in spots. If you want to be sure to get a quality tattoo with one of our artists, we recommend setting appointments a week in advance.
4) How old do you have to be to get tattooed?
It is illegal to tattoo anyone under the age of 18 in the state of Oregon. Our artists may choose not to do highly visible tattoos on anyone under the age of 21. This is decided on a case-by-case basis.
5) Can my parent sign for me?
No. All tattoo clients must be over the age of 18 and have valid state or federal issued photo id.
6) Can I have a drink before I get tattooed?
It is illegal and ill-advised to get tattooed while you are under the influence. Contrary to popular belief it will not make your experience any better. It actually makes the process more difficult for you and the artist and raises the risk of complications.
7) Can I get tattooed while pregnant or breast-feeding?
No. Your body is going through tremendous changes and is under extreme stress. Getting tattooed while pregnant or breast-feeding can negatively impact both your health and that of your baby.
8) Should I eat before I get tattooed?
It is ideal to eat within four hours of being tattooed. Having stable blood sugar bolsters your immune system and helps the body deal with the fluctuation of endorphins, which are emitted during the tattoo process.
9) What can I do to prepare for my tattoo?
Happy, healthy people heal better. Getting tattooed when you are sick, post or pre-surgery or extraordinarily stressed out is not ideal. Furthermore, people with compromised immune systems (e.g. diabetes, Hepatitis, HIV) typically take longer to heal.
10) How long have your artists been tattooing?
Most of our artists have been tattooing for 8-10 years. A portfolio is the best judge of an artist's proficiency. Take a thorough look at the photographs of work that the artists have accomplished. Most artists are able to do a variety of styles but they may have a particular style that they enjoy and are considered exceptional in. If this is the style that you appreciate then that is the artist for you. Feel free to ask the counter or the artist any questions. They will be happy to lead you in the right direction.
11) Can I bring in my own drawing?
We encourage you to bring in your own artwork or references and ideas that our artists can use to draw you a custom tattoo. Our artists may need to rework your personal drawings based on the drawing¹s tattooability. Custom tattoos require a deposit and time to draw. The amount of time necessary to draw your tattoo will depend on how booked the artist is and on the scope of the piece. Once the artist has drawn for you he/she will re-work it, if necessary, so you are satisfied. Your deposit will be applied to the cost of the tattoo. If you choose not to be tattooed the deposit is considered a drawing fee.
12) Can you fix/cover-up a bad tattoo I have?
Probably. One of our artists has an extensive portfolio of cover-ups and is considered exceptional in this area. Cover-ups require a special skill level. A consult is typically required to determine what imagery is necessary to adequately cover the old work. FYI: Two most frequently covered up tattoo styles are gang related and lovers names. Based on this fact our artist may choose not to do them on a case-by-case basis.
13) Can you tattoo over a scar?
It depends on the severity and maturity of the scar. This is judged on a case-by-case basis. In general, a scar should be at least one year old.
14) Does it hurt?
Yes. No. Maybe. Pain varies from person to person. Most people compare getting a tattoo to the discomfort of a sunburn. Relax, don't fight it and it will all be over soon or in 3-4 hours, depending upon the size of the tattoo.
15) What is the most painful place to be tattooed?
Pain varies from person to person. Do not choose an area or a size based on the pain factor. The tattoos beauty will last for decades longer than the minimal difference in sensation.
16) What if I¹m allergic to latex?
Inform your artist of any and all allergic tendencies. We have latex alternatives.
17) How do I take care of my tattoo?
Listen to your artist! Not your buddy, your mailman, or your Uncle Bob. You came to them for a reason, and they are just as invested in your healing properly as you are. Leave the bandage on for 6-12 hours. Remove bandage and wash thoroughly with a mild soap. Pat dry. You may use A& D ointment for the first two days and then switch to lotion without fragrance or dyes and ideally without alcohol. Alcohol-free lotions are difficult to find. Feel free to use Lubriderm or Eucerin. Do not pick, scratch or soak or tan.
18) How long can I expect my tattoo to take to heal?
Tattoos take approximately 2-3 weeks to heal.
19) What area of the body is hardest to heal?
Blood flow is an integral part of the healing process so the closer to the heart the better the healing. Healing of the calves can take longer based on that fact. The other significant factor affecting healing is the friction. Tattoos of the torso where pants can constrict and where pivotal movement is constant can also take longer to heal. Areas of the body with natural seams, like elbows and knees can also heal rough.
20) Is it normal for my new tattoo to scab?
Scabbing, flaking, peeling, dryness are all natural parts of the healing process. Severe scabs that are deep and thick may indicate a need to change your aftercare routine and should be addressed with your tattoo artist.
21) What happens if it gets infected?
More often than not what you perceive, as an infection is an irritation. Allergic reactions or infections are extremely rare. If you think there is an issue, please come speak with your artist. If there is an actual infection, a physician will help you get healthy, hopefully without allowing personal prejudice against tattoos or tattoo artists to cloud their professional responsibility.
22) Do you do free touch-ups?
99%of the time our artists will continue to fix up their work for as long as you can find them. Hands and feet are an exception to this rule. Another exception would be blatant disregard of the rules of common sense and tattoo aftercare. The final exception to free touch-ups is if you blow off a touch-up appointment, thereby disregarding the importance of your artists time and efforts, future appointments may require deposits, gifts, or cost you money. It all depends on how badly you offend the artist.
23) Can I tan?
In general it is best to stay out of the sun and tanning booths, especially during the healing process. Any form of tanning can and will damage and fade a tattoo. If you are a sun worshiper, we suggest a SPF 30+ sun block.
24) What if I don't like it?
Tattoo removal is still a painful, expensive and imprecise process. It is best to circumvent the need for tattoo removal by choosing your artist and your design wisely. Remember that you are getting a tattoo that you want to be able to live with for the rest of your life.