FAQ & Aftercare
Everything you should know before booking.
What we tell every first-timer — pricing, sessions, what to expect, and a Florida-specific aftercare guide. Still unclear on something? Send us a WhatsApp.
Before booking
Pricing & logistics.
Do you have a price list?
No fixed list — we quote each piece based on size, placement, complexity, and time. After a free WhatsApp consultation we send a quote and the next available slot.
For reference, Tampa Bay rates in 2026 are roughly $150–$250/hour for experienced artists, $250–$350/hour for specialty fineline. Anything significantly cheaper usually means corners cut on materials or hygiene.
Do you require a deposit?
Yes — a small non-refundable deposit holds your appointment slot and goes toward the final price of the tattoo. The amount depends on session size; we confirm it after the consultation.
How far ahead should I book?
Smaller pieces: 1–3 weeks out. Larger custom work or sleeves: 4–8 weeks, depending on the artist's queue. We'll always tell you honestly when the next realistic slot is.
Can I bring my own design?
Absolutely. We can tattoo your design as-is, or use it as a reference for a custom version that's better adapted to placement, line weight, and how it'll age. Just send it on WhatsApp during the consultation.
How long does a typical session take?
Small fineline: 1–2 hours. Mid-size color or black & grey: 3–5 hours. Larger pieces (sleeves, chestpieces, backpieces) are split across multiple 4–6 hour sessions with healing time between.
Day of session
How to show up right.
What should I eat beforehand?
Eat a real meal 1–2 hours before — protein and carbs, not just coffee. Tattooing pulls a surprising amount of energy; low blood sugar makes the pain worse and increases the chance of feeling faint. Bring a snack and water for sessions over 2 hours.
What should I wear?
Loose clothing that exposes the tattoo area without you having to undress entirely. Dark colors are smart — fresh tattoos can ooze a small amount of plasma and ink. Avoid anything tight that will rub on the fresh tattoo on the way home.
Can I drink alcohol the night before?
Don't. Alcohol thins your blood, which causes more bleeding during the session, which dilutes the ink and makes the tattoo heal lighter than intended. Same goes for ibuprofen and aspirin in the 24 hours before.
Does numbing cream work?
It helps with the surface-level sting for the first 30–60 minutes, then wears off. We have honest opinions on which formulations actually work and which alter how the skin takes ink — read our pain and prep guide before deciding.
Aftercare
Healing in Florida humidity.
Florida heals tattoos differently than dry climates. This is the protocol we send every client.
What aftercare protocol do you use?
We apply Suprasorb F (or equivalent breathable adhesive film) at the end of the session. You leave it on for 3–5 days while the dermis seals. It traps plasma, blocks bacteria, and stays comfortable in the heat.
After the film comes off: wash twice a day with pH-neutral, fragrance-free soap, pat dry, apply a thin layer of unscented healing balm 2–3× a day for the next 2 weeks.
When can I swim in the Gulf or in a pool?
Three weeks minimum. Submerged water — Gulf, pool, lake, even long baths — is the fastest way to ruin a fresh tattoo. Salt water is contaminated with bacteria; pool chemicals destroy fresh ink; standing water softens the scab and pulls pigment out.
Showers are fine after 24 hours. Quick rinse, no direct stream on the tattoo, no sitting in the spray.
What about Florida sun exposure?
For the first 3 weeks: zero direct sun on the fresh tattoo. After it heals (week 4+), apply SPF 50+ on the tattoo every single time it'll be in sunlight, including walks, beach days, kayaking — anything outside between 10am and 4pm.
UV is the #1 reason tattoos fade in Florida, and color and fine lines take the hit first. Read our full Florida tattoo guide for details.
It's itchy / scabbing / peeling. Is that normal?
Yes. Days 5–14 are when the tattoo peels and itches the most. Don't scratch and don't pick — every flake of scab you pull off takes ink with it. Tap firmly with your palm if it itches; apply more balm; wait it out.
Slight color cloudiness during peeling is also normal — that's dead skin on top. The clarity comes back in week 3.
When should I worry?
Reach out to us immediately if you see: spreading redness past the tattoo border after day 3, yellow/green discharge, increasing pain after day 4, fever. These are signs of infection — rare with our setup but possible if aftercare gets sloppy. We'd rather hear from you and confirm it's nothing than miss something early.
Touch-ups
When something's not quite right.
What's your touch-up policy?
Free touch-up within 60 days of the original session if a section heals patchy, drops out, or has minor line issues. We just need a quick look in person to assess.
After 60 days, or if the issue is from picking/sun exposure rather than the tattoo itself, touch-ups are quoted at a discounted rate.
Can you cover up an old tattoo?
Often, yes — depends on the colors, density, and what you want over it. Black ink covers black ink. Light colors over dark ink need careful planning. Send us a clear, well-lit photo on WhatsApp and we'll tell you what's possible. Read our cover-up guide for what to expect.
Still have a question?
Easiest answers come on WhatsApp — we reply within 24 hours.
Book on WhatsApp