Tattoo Tips from Tanya, and things to know BEFORE you get a Tattoo

I am committed to working with you to end up with a beautiful tattoo that you will cherish for a lifetime. Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions.

There are four things essential to a quality tattoo:
1. A talented artist
2. A great design
3. State of the art sterilization procedures
4. A good attitude

In This FAQ I will give you general information on choosing a good artist and studio.

Issues with design are too numerous to mention, but email, and I will be happy to help you, and guide you in the right direction.

Below, I address many of the questions to ask in order to assure that your tattoo process is a good one...

First Off:
Choose your tattoo wisely.
(It will be around 6 months longer than you will.)

Please bathe/shower and pop a breath mint before your appointment.
(I will do you the same courtesy.)

Please be on time for your appointment.
48 hours notice on cancellations please

No Alcohol before getting tattooed.

I prefer cash.
Visa and Mastercard available with a 3% fee.

I reserve the right to refuse to tattoo mean, nasty, rude people, or people with bad attitudes.
Feel free to take your attitude elsewhere.

1) What is a F.A.Q.?
FAQ refers to Frequently Asked Questions.

2) How do I know if the tattoo shop is clean?
I, Tanya Magdalena, and Above the Pearl Tattoo, use the highest standards of cleanliness and sterilization techniques dictated by the Oregon State Health Licensing Department. Cleanliness and safety are of the utmost importance. As for other shops, 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 artist supplies should be sterile, single-use needles, disposable, and the artist should change their gloves frequently during the tattoo process. Smoking, eating and pets should be restricted on the premises.

3) How are tattoos priced?
I am $135 per hour, with a $80 minimum. I do not give hard estimates. Typically, if I have a drawing, a size and a location I can give you a time estimate at the consultation appointment. An estimate dictates a cost/time-range based on the amount of time I expect your tattoo to take. Please email tanya@abovethepearl.com to set up a consultation appointment. Quotes cannot be given over the phone or email.

Tips are welcome and appreciated.
A tip is nothing more than a compliment on a job well done.

4) Do I need an appointment?
Yes. Appointments are available Thurs-Sun. Appointments require a deposit and can be made in person, or via Paypal, depending on the individual situation. Deposits are absolutely non-refundable and are applied towards the cost of the tattoo. Do not make an appointment unless you are sure. Deposits are good for up to 6 months. Consultation appointments can take 2-3 weeks to get scheduled, and I am generally booked out roughly 2-3 months for the actual tattoo appt, depending on my workload.
48 hours notice is required for cancellations or reschedules.
I do not give reminder calls, and ultimately you are responsible for showing up to your appointment.

*at the consultation appointment: PLEASE BE PREPARED WITH PRINTOUTS OF IDEAS OF STYLES YOU LIKE. A printout is a physical piece of paper with an image on it. Not your computer, not your iphone.

5) 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. I may choose not to do highly visible tattoos on anyone under the age of 21. This is decided on a case-by-case basis.

6) 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.

7) Can I have a drink before I get tattooed?
No. It is illegal and ill-advised to get tattooed while you are under the influence. 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.

8) Can I get tattooed while pregnant or breast -feeding?
No. Getting tattooed while pregnant or breast-feeding can negatively impact both your health and that of your baby.

9) Should I eat before I get tattooed?
It is ideal to eat within two 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.

10) What can I do to prepare for my tattoo?
Please bathe/shower and pop a breath mint. (I will do you the same courtesy.) 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, and I require a doctor's authorization.

11) How long have you been tattooing?
I have been tattooing since 2005, and was a graphic designer for 15 years prior. A portfolio is the best judge of an artist's proficiency. Take a thorough look at the photographs of work that 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 any questions. I will be happy to lead you in the right direction.

12) Can I bring in my own drawing?
I encourage you to bring in your own artwork or references and ideas to use, to draw you a custom tattoo! The more the better. I may need to rework personal drawings based on the drawing's "tattooability".

Artwork is unveiled on the day of the appointment, based on information, examples, and tracings gathered at the time of the consultation. If I feel a preliminary showing is necessary, I'll call you to come in earlier. But usually artwork is shown at time of your tattoo appointment. I will generally have more than one version of your art to choose from.

I take pride in producing tattoos that meet both the client's needs as well as addressing design issues that are necessary for a tattoo to last, and look good, over the course of a lifetime. Simplicity is key.

Any minor requested changes to the design, will be done on the day of the appointment. Extensive reworks may require a reschedule. Artwork is done in the days leading up to, if not the day before the appointment. 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/ appointment retainer fee, and is non-refundable.

13) Can you fix/cover-up a bad tattoo I have?
Probably. 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.

14) 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.

15) Does it hurt?
Yes. No. Maybe. It all hurts to a degree. Pain varies from person to person. Most people compare getting a tattoo to the discomfort of a cat-scratch on 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.

16) What is the most painful place to be tattooed?
It all hurts to a degree. Pain varies from person to person. Don't 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.

17) What if I¹m allergic to latex?
Inform me of any and all allergic tendencies. I use latex alternatives.

18) How do I take care of my tattoo?

Listen to your artist! Not your friend, your mailperson, or your Uncle Joe. Follow the provided aftercare instructions provided by your artist! You came to them for a reason, and they are just as invested in your healing properly as you are.
How you take care of your tattoo can directly affect how it turns out in the long run.

19) How long can I expect my tattoo to take to heal?

Tattoos take between 7-10 days for the initial healing process.

20) 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.

21) 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.

22) What happens if it gets infected?

More often than not, what you perceive as an infection, is actually 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.

23) Do you do free touch-ups?

Yes, on my own work, if needed. One free touch-up is included within one year of the tattoo appt. I like to schedule everyone for a follow-up appointment. 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 my time and efforts. Future appointments may require deposits, gifts, or cost you money. It all depends on how badly you offend me.

24) Can I tan?

Any form of tanning can and will damage and fade a tattoo. If you are a sun worshiper, I recommend a SPF 30+ sun block. In general it is best to stay out of the sun and tanning booths, especially during the healing process.

25) Is there anything you won't tattoo?

I reserve the right to refuse service to anyone, for any reason. Especially mean, nasty, rude people, or people with bad attitudes. Feel free to take your attitude elsewhere. I will not tattoo hate-based, blatantly obscene tattoos, anything above the collar, below the wrist, genitals, and will only do limited work on feet.

26) What if I don't like it?

I will always give you the absolute best tattoo I am capable of. It is best to circumvent the need for tattoo removal by choosing your artist and your design wisely. Check their portfolio. Remember that you are getting a tattoo that you want to be able to live with for the rest of your life. Tattoo removal is still a painful, expensive, and imprecise process.