Common Questions From Our Clients
Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers!
How old do I need to be to get a tattoo?
Due to insurance reasons we can only tattoo you if you are 19 or older. We do not allow parents/guardians to sign for someone is under 19.
How do I book an appointment?
Once you have taken a look at the artists portfolios you are ready to reach out to us about your next tattoo. There are a number of ways available for you to contact us such as phone, facebook, instagram or email. Once an appointment date has been agreed upon and we have collected your references we will require a deposit to lock in your appointment.
If I change my mind can I have my deposit back?
Deposits are non-refundable and are attached to the person who put it down. You can not transfer your deposit to a friend or family member. Deposits come off the cost of your tattoo and do not expire.
I can no longer make my appointment. What happens to my deposit?
As long as you give us 2 business days notice your deposit will not be forfeited. If you cancel last minute or do not show up at all you will need to put a new deposit down to rebook.
How much do tattoos cost?
Our artist's rates vary depending on the artist you would like to book with and range from 100$-185$/hr. Our apprentice is 40$ a piece but is limited by location and design. If you are getting a really large tattoo and want to pay a day rate talk to your artist upon booking to determine if a day rate is right for you.
How can I get a quote for my next tattoo?
If you have your references ready as well as an idea of size and placement you are ready to reach out to us. Some tattoos are really easy to give an estimate on while other tattoos can be very hard to quote. After we have had a chance to discuss your tattoo with you we will either be able to give you a quote immediately or we may require to book you an in person consult with the artist.
What does your sterilization process consist of?
All non-disposable items (the tattoo machine, the cord attached to the tattoo machine, the power source, and wash bottles) get covered with plastic barriers, and are wiped down with disinfectant after each tattoo. Any surface used during a tattoo (arm rest, bed, table, etc.) is also covered with a barrier and wiped down with disinfectant after each tattoo session.
Any other item that may touch your skin (such as needle, tube, grip, barrier, ink cap, gloves) will only ever be used once before being disposed of immediately and safely.
When will I get to see my design?
Artists are usually working on the designs the night before sometimes the morning of your tattoo so you will not be able to see the design ahead of time. That being said our artists are very good at making small changes at your request during the appointment.
Do tattoos hurt?
YES. All tattoos do hurt but keep in mind everyone's pain tolerance and experience is different. What is excruciating for 1 person does not mean that the next person will have the same experience. For the most part tattoos are painful but tolerable. 90% or more of first time clients find the whole process not nearly as terrible as they had imagined.
How do I take care of my new tattoo?
The artist will go over aftercare with you at the end of the tattoo as well you will be given an aftercare sheet to take home. But if you happened to misplace it here is what you need to know.
TATTOO AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS:
Leave your bandage on for a minimum of 4 hours. You may wish to sleep with your bandage on if there was excess weeping during your tattoo.
After removing the bandage wash your tattoo thoroughly with warm water and mild soap.
Gently pat the tattoo and surrounding area dry with a clean towel.
Keep your new tattoo out of the sun and water as much as possible until the scabs have fallen off on their own. You can still shower but try to keep it out of the main stream of water and wash the tattoo at the end of your shower as your shampoo and conditioner may or may not irritate it. Do not submerge your tattoo under water (no baths, hot tubs, lakes or saunas)
On day 3 when your tattoo starts to feel tight, dry or itchy you can start using a small amount of moisturizer. We recommend washing your tattoo first, patting it dry and letting it dry out for about 10 minutes to get rid of any excess moisture. With a small amount of non-scented moisturizer on your finger lightly dab it over the tattoo trying to cover it in the thinnest possible layer. We cannot stress this enough LESS IS MORE!
Do not pick or scratch your scabs! Your scabbing will be more like thin layers of skin that will peel just like a sunburn. These flakes will come of on their own. It will interrupt the healing process and impact the longevity of your tattoo if you pick at any scabs. On occasion, you may get heavier scabbing. Although these can be uncomfortable and worrisome at times, please leave them be. Picking at these larger scabs will be painful, result in bleeding and ultimately lifting color right out of your tattoo.
Do you sell tattoo aftercare products?
We are proud to carry PurKlenz (Vegan Friendly) and H2Ocean aftercare products for your convenience. We do highly recommend using an aftercare system as it is tried and tested by many professional artists and is made specifically with tattoos in mind. They are free of fragrance, common allergens and parabens. Check out our products in the Store.
My tattoo is swollen and hot, does this mean it is infected?
Especially on tattoos involving heavy trauma, such as heavy color saturation or large fields of solid black, this is normal and even to be expected. It is not uncommon for the tattoo to feel increasingly tight (due to swelling) and uncomfortable, especially in the first 1-3 days. Taking ibuprofen may help give you relief as well as using an ice pack through a CLEAN towel or cloth. If your tattoo is on a limb (arm or leg) try elevating it above your heart. Feet and ankles are especially susceptible extreme swelling meaning if you are on your feet all day following your tattoo you will most likely be making the problem worse. Swelling, redness and some warmth is normal and should all subside within a few days.
How will I know if my tattoo is infected?
If your tattoo is weeping a yellow or green fluid or has a terrible odor please seek out medical attention. We are confident in our process and aftercare instructions and it is extremely rare to have a tattoo become infected unless there is an unseen variable during your healing process. This may include but is not limited to situations such as picking your tattoo, hair becoming lodged in the tattoo, dirt or grim coming into contact with your tattoo, dog or cat scratching, ect.
I have become stuck to my shirt!! What do I do?
This is most common with large and heavily saturated tattoos (colour or solid black.) This happens due to your tattoo continuing to weep after you have taken off your bandage and washed your tattoo. Please DO NOT just pull your clothing off your tattoo. That would be incredibly painful and result in injury and loss of ink. Get your clothes wet. Use a cloth or literally hop in the shower with your shirt on. Wetting the clothing will loosen the material gently from your skin without further injury. Please wash your tattoo again at this time. If you continue to notice wetness (plasma) coming from your tattoo, please continue to wash it throughout the day and do not let clothing rest directly on your tattoo.
What are your protocols during COVID?
In accordance with the Ministry of Health there are some extra precautions in place to help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. Please take the time to read through our new protocols.
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If you have travelled outside the country in the last 14 days you cannot be tattooed and are required self isolate.
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Come to your appointment alone. We will no longer be able to allow friends or family to accompany you to your appointment.
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Wear a mask properly. You can wear your own choice of face covering as long as it covers your nose and mouth or, for 2$ we can supply you with a disposable one.
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Hand sanitizer. Upon entering or re-entering the studio you will be asked to use the hand sanitizer provided.
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Practice social distancing. Be conscious of others around you and try your best to maintain a 6 ft distance from other clients.
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Do not bring food to your appointment however you can bring a non-alcoholic beverage.
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We will no longer be accepting cash at this time. Debit and credit only.
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If you or someone you have been in close contact with has any of the following symptoms please contact us to reschedule with no penalty. Fever, chest pain, chills, diarrhea, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath.
We appreciate your cooperation during these strange times.
For returning clients you may notice a few changes around the shop. We are no longer able to provide you with a locker for your belongings so if at all possible use a backpack or purse to keep your things together. We also have fancy new tat soul chairs which have a 300lb weight restriction. If you exceed this restriction please let us know as we have other furniture to accommodate you.
Health and safety has always been our top priority here at I Heart Tattoos. We maintain an exceptionally safe environment to avoid the risk of cross contamination of blood borne pathogens and other potentially infectious materials. Our staff members have completed the blood borne pathogens course as well as various forms of personal protective equipment (PPE) training. We are doing everything we can to do our part in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and appreciate everyone’s understanding and compliance with the new protocols.