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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Upon appointment confirmation, I will 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 :-)
Policies
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Arriving more than 20 minutes late will result in the loss of your appointment and non-refundable deposit.
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If you book an appointment and need to reschedule, you may do so one time until 48 hours before your appointment. If you need to reschedule within the 48 hours leading up to your appointment I will require the submission of a new deposit to rebook. All (re)scheduling and/or cancellation communication should be done via email.
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All deposits are non-refundable. Thank you for your understanding.
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Cash and eTransfer are the only modes of payment accepted. All tattoos and payments will be taxed (like any other purchase) with HST (13%). There is wifi available to use your bank app accordingly. Please come prepared.
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It is encouraged to attend your appointment alone as many other artists are working with clients at once. If you require a buddy, please discuss it with me beforehand and we can work something out. Thanks for your understanding!!
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Please bring a piece of ID to your appointment to confirm your age.
Flash & Custom Designs
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Flash 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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Custom designs are only shown at your tattoo appointment. This is to protect my time, work and labour.
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Small/some changes can be made at your to your piece appointment, but larger reworks/redraws may require rebooking as well as the submission of a new deposit at my discretion
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Depending on the scale of your custom design, it may be required to submit a larger non–refundable deposit to book your appointment.
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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 or open/healing wound 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.
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.
Before your appointment…
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Eat and hydrate well before coming in.
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Bring water, snacks, headphones, whatever you need to feel comfortable during your appointment.
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Moisturizing the area for the tattoo in the weeks leading up will help us both
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If you’re getting tattooed on your thighs/legs/shoulders/etc. bring a change of clothes (like shorts or a tank top) so it is easier to tattoo your spot while remaining comfy! I’d recommend not wearing your most cherished (light coloured) outfits as there is always a chance of ink staining.
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Do not drink alcohol the night before, do not drink or arrive under the influence to your appointment.
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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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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/