Tattoo FAQ
Booking
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To book a tattoo with spoopy please fill out the booking request form
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After I receive your request, I will reach out to you via email. If accepted, I will give a rough price estimate, and an appointment time slot. Your spot will only be confirmed upon me receiving your deposit.
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If I do not receive your deposit or hear from you within 48 hours (2 days) of this email, your piece/design and appointment slot will be made available to other clients.
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I will also send you a google calendar invite for your appointment
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Feel free to send inquiries and questions to my email: spoopy@spoopy.ca
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Please allow for some grace (approx. a week) for responses. I am just one person who runs every aspect of my tattoo practice and business. Thank you for your patience :-)
Sliding Scale
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I offer a few sliding scale slots per month for folks with lower income backgrounds. If this applies to you, feel free to ask for sliding scale in your booking request form. Please do not take advantage of this, as it will hinder my ability to continue offering sliding scale for the folks who actually benefit from it.
Deposits
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Deposits are non-refundable
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Deposits are given to secure your appointment and will be deducted from the final price of your tattoo.
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Deposits allow for 1 reschedule as long as 48 hours+ notice has been provided.
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Arriving over 20 minutes late without notice will result in you forfeiting your appointment and deposit. You will be required to submit a new deposit to secure a new appointment.
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48 hours notice is required if you need to change your appointment. Any less than this will result in the forfeiting of your appointment and deposit.
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If you cancel your appointment with no intention of rescheduling you will also forfeit your deposit.
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Deposits allow for a few small changes/editing of the selected design. Large scale edits require a lot more time and will require the submission of another deposit likely in hand with scheduling a new appointment to allow for the time it takes to make the changes.
Payments
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I currently accept cash and etransfer payments only. Please arrive to your appointment prepared with this in mind.
Designs and Edits
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Designs are not repeatable unless it’s a matching friendship tattoo or stated otherwise.
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Text tattoos are repeatable as I don't own words (lol).
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I only work in my own style. I will not tattoo other artists’ work (unless clear permission often in addition to a payment to the original artist is given).
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I do not send designs before your appointment. This is to protect my artwork, time and schedule. Please communicate your ideas as clearly and with lots of detail so I can apply myself to your design accordingly.
Medical Safety
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If you have a medical history or condition (like but not limited to: diabetes, acne, scarring, eczema, psoriasis, immunocompromised) that may affect your tattoo process/healing, please consult your doctor/general practitioner before booking a tattoo.
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Do not come to your appointment with a sunburn in the area you plan to be tattooed, you will be turned away. Please plan accordingly leading up to your appointment.
Touch Ups
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Touch ups are free for 6 months after you receive your tattoo. After the 6-month period, you will be required to submit a small deposit and pay a fee relative to the size and complexity of your tattoo. Touchups are free if you come in for a new tattoo/piece.
Before your appointment…
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Please eat and hydrate before your appointment, feel free to bring snacks, water, a book/tablet or anything that might help you feel more comfortable for our session.
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Please bring a piece of ID to your appointment to confirm your age
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Do your best to moisturize the area of the tattoo at least 2 weeks leading up to your appointment
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Consider wearing dark colours/black clothing to your appointment. There is always a risk that ink could get on your clothes so don’t wear your most cherished outfit to your appointment. I can always offer dental bibs or other disposable coverage, but would recommend not wearing white/light colours to your tattoo.
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If you would like a silent session (i.e. only talking to communicate about the tattoo processes and work, no chatting during the tattooing period) please let me know during the booking process.
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Please attend your appointment alone, if you are unable to do this please let me know and we can do our best to work something out.
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I am happy to do my best to make any accommodations you might require for your appointment. I want you to feel good and excited about your tattoo and the process!!
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Please reach out if you have any questions, I am happy to help and want to make sure we both feel our best and most informed going into your tattoo session! :-) I’m looking forward to meeting you!!
Aftercare
Aftercare to follow below
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Human skin regenerates in roughly a month's time (Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, et al)—you can expect your tattoo to be fully healed roughly after this time frame, but everyone is different and some folks may take more or less time to heal.
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Under the bandage, the tattoo may ooze clear liquid (plasma), which helps with clotting to make a clean scab. It is normal for the bandage to fill up with dark liquid (a mix of plasma, blood, and residual ink on the surface). If your bandage is leaking, i.e., liquid is escaping the seal, or is excessively filled with liquid, remove the bandage immediately (before the 24-hour mark) with the steps below.
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24 hours after the application of the bandage, wash your hands, then remove the bandage carefully and slowly by pulling it towards your body, ideally in the shower.
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Wash the tattoo with water and non-scented soap (no bar soaps/loofa). Let air dry or lightly pat dry with a clean paper towel.
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Apply a very small amount of unscented moisturizer 1-3 times daily for the first week of healing, then 1-2 times daily for the second week. Less is more, so ideally only moisturize when you feel itchy.
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Keep the area clean, washing with the non-scented soap once a day.
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After a few days, your new tattoo will become flakey, itchy and your skin may feel tight, as your new tattoo is healing under the surface. It is normal for the tattoo to feel a little tender or sore, especially for the first few days.
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Do not scratch or pick at it, and ideally avoid touching the tattoo altogether for the first 2-3 weeks after receiving it.
During the healing period:
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Do not bathe, swim or submerge your new tattoo into any body of water (i.e. no lakes, pools, hot tubs, saunas etc.).
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Do not expose your tattoo to sunlight. Only once healed, always use sunscreen to prolong the life and crispness of your tattoos.
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It’s best to avoid strenuous exercise, including using heavy weights/strength training, which could cause too much strain on the vulnerable skin (e.g. if you get your bicep tattooed, avoid strength training the bicep area during the healing process). It’s okay to do some exercise, but you want to avoid sweating profusely in the area of the tattoo, as the sweat can contaminate your healing tattoo.
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It’s best to avoid places and activities that harbour a lot of germs, such as going to the gym, going to the beach, hot yoga and camping.
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It’s best to wear loose fitting clothing around the healing tattoo. Do your best to let it breathe.
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If you think you have an infection seek medical attention immediately
Work Cited
Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 4th edition. New York: Garland Science; 2002. Epidermis and Its Renewal by Stem Cells. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK26865/