Tattoo & Piercing FAQs

TATTOOS:

YES - Absolutely! Although, pain is relative and tolerated by everyone a little differently. The area you choose to get your tattoo on will also play a BIG factor into how much it will hurt - Example: areas where skin and muscle aren't very prevalent or where your skin isn't exposed to the elements as much (ribs, inner bicep, armpit, etc.) are going to hurt much more than an area such as your upper back or shoulders. Numbing creams are not recommended as they can potentially negatively affect the final outcome of your tattoo.

Rates will vary from shop to shop and are also largely determined by the size, location and complexity of your tattoo. When it comes to tattoos, you are paying for talent, skill and a piece of art - which may not be in line with your budget.  Sure, there are plenty of people tattooing out there that advertise "cheap prices", but at Art and Soul, we pride ourselves in our quality, and ask that you be willing to pay for it. Its generally disrespectful to the artist to try and haggle over the price of a tattoo. Most will work with you if you are upfront about your budget, but don't expect a full sleeve or back piece for $50.00. 

There are no solid ground rules for tipping, but it is always greatly appreciated!  

Our artists follow all the recommended safety precautions and run a clean shop which should help to better ensure you of the safety getting a tattoo. Keep in mind, it is up to you to be completely honest about any medical conditions you might have when signing up for a tattoo.

There are several things to consider regarding the placement of your tattoo. If you work in a strict office environment, you may want to get your tattoo in an area that can be easily covered by clothing. Consider the shape of your own body and how it contours/moves. Your tattoo will look slightly different on a rounded surface vs. a flat one.  If you have a low pain tolerance, don't choose areas such as the feet or ribs as they are going to HURT - the last thing you want to do is to start a tattoo you can't finish due to the pain. If you run in differing social circles that might be offended by your tattoo, again, consider a spot you can easily cover - otherwise, the choice is entirely up to you!

If you want your tattoo to look its best for a long time, you have to take care of your skin. Check out our Tattoo Care section for details.

When you are sick, your immune system isn't functioning at 100% - which means it isn't a good idea. A tattoo is healed by your white blood cells and if they are already preoccupied trying to fight bacteria or a virus, they can't focus on properly healing your tattoo. It is also EXTREMELY rude to the other customers and artists at the shop to bring an illness in. If you already had an appointment booked, simply call and reschedule.

DO NOT put yourself at risk with this type of situation. You could be putting your life in danger by allowing someone who doesn't have the necessary training, equipment, sanitary materials, proper practices & procedures etc. to inject ink into your skin. In many cases, these individuals don't throw out used needles and simply "clean them" for re-use in order to save money. This is NOT safe. A real tattoo artist needs to get a proper apprenticeship, and can start practicing on people when their mentor (master) feels they are ready. 

BODY PIERCINGS:

No. Our body piercers can't guarantee that the piece of jewelry you brought in is sanitary and free of germs, which will cause an infection when inserted into your body. Jewelry for your piercing must be purchased at the shop. When the piercing is healed, you can usually switch it out with something else.

In general, most piercings don't hurt, but the area you have pierced will definitely play a role in the amount of pain you may experience. The actual piercing usually only takes a few seconds and the discomfort most people feel is from getting used to having a piece of jewelry in the spot you just pierced. If you experience continued pain after getting a piercing, contact the shop.

In all cases, make sure to keep the area clean and free of things that may irritate the area. Do not touch the pierced area without first washing your hands and don't let it come into contact with other people or objects. You can use a cotton swab to gently swab around the pierced area to ensure that it is completely cleaned. Use fragrance-free soap to reduce the chance of irritation or swelling. Healing time varies from person to person, but it can take up to 6 weeks.