Tattoo FAQs

It depends mostly on size and detail. Small, simple designs can often be finished in under an hour, while medium-sized pieces typically run two to four hours. Large or highly detailed work — full sleeves, back pieces, realism — is usually split across multiple sessions. Your artist will give you a time estimate specific to your design during your consultation.

Wash your hands before touching your tattoo. Remove the bandage within 3–24 hours and gently wash the area with mild soap and water — do not reapply a new bandage. Apply a thin film of antibiotic cream for the first three days, then switch to a light coating of fragrance-free lotion until the skin returns to normal.

Stay out of direct sunlight and tanning booths for 7–10 days (use SPF 30+ sunscreen once healed), avoid swimming or soaking in tubs/jacuzzis until fully healed, take showers instead of baths, and keep the tattoo away from soil, gardening, and pets until it's healed. Don't pick or touch the scab — it will flake off naturally in 7–10 days.

Full details are on our Aftercare Instructions page.

That's really up to you and what feels meaningful or visually right — but a good starting point is looking at each artist's portfolio to see whose style matches what you have in mind, whether that's black & grey, traditional, illustrative, Japanese, or full color. Read our guide to choosing the right artist for your style, then book a consultation so we can help refine the idea together.

In most cases, yes — if your tattoo was done at a licensed, state-regulated shop (like ours) using sterile equipment, there is typically no waiting period required by U.S. blood donation guidelines. That said, individual blood banks and the Red Cross can have their own policies, so it's worth checking directly with the organization you plan to donate through.

Start by browsing our artist portfolios to find a style that resonates with you, then reach out to that artist directly to set up a consultation. They'll walk you through placement, sizing, and design options before booking your appointment.

Cooler months (fall/winter) are often easier for healing since you're less likely to be in direct sun, sweating heavily, or swimming — all things you want to avoid while a new tattoo heals. That said, a tattoo can be done any time of year as long as you follow proper aftercare.

Some redness and mild inflammation right after tattooing is a normal part of healing. However, contact a medical professional if you notice fever, spreading redness, swelling, or tenderness at the site, green or yellow discharge with a foul odor, or red streaks running from the tattoo toward the heart — these can be signs of infection.

Yes, to some degree — but how much varies a lot by body placement. Areas with more fat or muscle (like the outer bicep or forearm) tend to hurt less, while areas closer to bone or with thinner skin (ribs, spine, feet) tend to hurt more. See our pain guide by body placement for a full breakdown.

Yes — cover-ups are one of our specialties. A skilled artist can rework old or unwanted ink into a new design that incorporates or conceals the original. Results depend on the size, color, and darkness of the existing tattoo. Browse our cover-up gallery or read more on cover-up cost, benefits, and what to expect.

Black & grey tattoos use monochrome ink and shading techniques to build tonal depth and contrast, giving a more classic or realistic look. Full color tattoos use pigments across the color wheel for a bolder, more vibrant result. Which is right for you comes down to personal style and the design itself — see our black & grey vs. full color comparison for more detail.