Frequently asked questions
Are Tattoos Safe?
Yes, as long as you go to a reputable artist who follows recommended safety procedures. Tattooing is an invasive procedure, therefore there is risk involved. Epona Tattoo Studio are registered with the Environmental Health Authority and we use NEW needles, inks and new disposable equipment for EVERY client. All equipment that cannot be disposed of after each tattoo (such as the tattoo machines and powerpacks etc) is covered with a new disposable cover to prevent cross contamination. However, we can only speak of our own strict codes of practice so do not be afraid to ask questions on this subject in other tattoo studios.
I am under 18 but I have my parents permission - can I get a tattoo?
WBy law you must be at least 18 years old to be tattooed in the U.K. All of our clients are required to bring Photographic ID showing their date of birth to their tattoo appointment. Unfortunately parental permission does not override the law.
I am scared of needles, can I still have a tattoo?
If you have a fear of needles (very common) or blood you should know that tattoo needles do not actually go into the skin very far (0.5 – 1.5mm on average) and they should never actually pucture through the skin completely (when done by a professional). A tattoo does not feel like an injection, it feels more like a hot scratch and the damage done to your skin is so minimal that many people don’t bleed at all and if they do it is very slight.
Does it hurt?
Every one of us has a different tolerance of pain, but for the most part getting a tattoo is tolerable. Just like eyesight or hearing, skin sensitivity varies from person to person as well as in different parts of the body. However, it is more important that you choose a tattoo based upon what you want rather than worrying about the pain aspect. The ‘pain’ comes from the needle grouping hitting your skin very rapidly and is more of sharp and constant irritation than a pain. Areas that are ticklish are likely to be more painful, as are areas that have bones close to the surface such as the ankle, wrist and ribs.
Do not drink or take drugs for pain relief prior to your tattoo session. Both aspirin and alcohol thin your blood and cause extra bleeding which can cause your tattoo to look faded after healing. In addition to this they can both also significantly slow down your healing. If you take aspirin on a daily basis at the request of your doctor please let us know and we will discuss how to deal with this at your appointment.
Some people find that the pain received whilst getting a tattoo is part of the tattoo. Like a challenge well met, they feel that the work of going through the tattoo session increases their sense of well-being after the session and their tattoos seem to become a more important part of themselves through this process.
Do not drink or take drugs for pain relief prior to your tattoo session. Both aspirin and alcohol thin your blood and cause extra bleeding which can cause your tattoo to look faded after healing. In addition to this they can both also significantly slow down your healing. If you take aspirin on a daily basis at the request of your doctor please let us know and we will discuss how to deal with this at your appointment.
Some people find that the pain received whilst getting a tattoo is part of the tattoo. Like a challenge well met, they feel that the work of going through the tattoo session increases their sense of well-being after the session and their tattoos seem to become a more important part of themselves through this process.
Stencil Preparation
This tattoo also involved a small amount of coverup and is a lower back tattoo. The stencil was used for the majority of the preparation because of the intricate and precise nature of the tattoo.
Some DO's and DONT's for your tattoo appointment:
Do :-
- Ensure you have eaten a good meal within an hour of your appointment time. Tattooing can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar levels and so it is always a good idea to make sure they are up and stable. You are welcome to bring snacks and food with you.
- Wear WARM and CLEAN comfortable clothing that can be removed and allows access to the tattoo area. A zip or button-up cardigan is a good idea especially if you are having your arm tattooed as you can still wear most of it to keep you warm whilst leaving the tattooed arm exposed.
- Make sure you drink plenty of water the day before and the day of your appointment, this will help the healing process.
- BRING YOUR ID! Environmental health now requires us to check Identification documents for all of our clients, not just those under 25.
- Being distracted helps. You are welcome to bring along headphones and music or a film to watch - something to keep yourself occupied as being tattooed can be very very boring!
- Give yourself enough time for your appointment. Feeling rushed tends to add to the anxiety.
- Make sure you have enough parking, you will need at least 2 hours longer than your predicted tattoo time. There is lots of free parking in Southwell (for information on this see here) but if you happen to have chosen to Pay and Display please ensure you have paid for at least two hours longer than your tattoo time. In other words if you have booked in for 3 hours please make sure you have 5 hours parking.
- Wear white or new clothing - tattooing is messy and we cannot guarantee that your clothing will remain clean and new looking!
- Do not drink alcohol or take asprin in the 24hours before your tattoo, these thin your blood and will make you bleed more possibly causing loss of ink and slowing down healing rates.
- Sugar-load! Don't eat nothing but sugary food and drinks before your tattoo, this will de-stabilise your sugar levels and can lead to fainting and light-headedness, please eat a balanced meal with carbs and proteins with two hours of your tattoo appoimtment. You are welcome to bring snacks and food with you.
- Bring along your entire family and all your mates. Our tattoo studio is not large and we do not have enough room for everyone so they will unfortunately be asked to wait elsewhere. We are sometimes able to accommodate one friend or family member but please also remember that tattooing is the world's most boring spectator sport so they come at their own peril!
3. After Your Tattoo
When a tattoo is first done it is an open wound and as such it is open to any bacteria that you expose it to. It is important therefore, that you follow the instructions given to you by your tattooist. Once your tattoo is completed it will be dressed and sealed from the environment. Please leave this dressing on until the next morning to give your tattoo a chance to heal a little before being exposed to the outside world and all it's bacteria. Your tattooist will go through our aftercare instructions with you and give you them in writing but if you forget them you can always find them here again.