FAQs
What styles do you do?
I prefer to work with Blackwork, Illustrative, New School, and Neo-Traditional styles. I love subjects such as pop culture ( movies, TV shows, anime, video games, books, etc.), plants, animals, hobbies, nostalgia, & food. I absolutely love to tattoo with color. I am also open to styles like Black & Grey Realism, Traditional, as well as Fine-Line.
I do not do styles like Tribal, Japanese, or Color Hyper-realism.
How do I book with you?
Fill out my booking form here on my website. I have two forms- one for booking and one for consultations. I manage my own booking, so I ask you please wait 2-7 days for an email response, be sure to check all inboxes (including your junk/spam folder). I am normally booked at least a month in advance. Saturdays are exceptionally busy and must be booked months in advance.
Where are you located?
I currently tattoo at 8th Gate Tattoo & Anime - 14115 S Dixie Hwy #c, Palmetto Bay, FL 33176. It is a two-story building on US1. We are on the second floor.
How do I prepare for my tattoo appointment?
Bring your I.D. Charge your phone. Make sure you get a full night’s rest and eat an entire meal before your appointment. I would advise against drinking alcohol for 24 hours. Wear loose comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. Bring a sugary drink and a snack/meal. I recommend bringing a blanket, phone charger, and headphones for long sessions.
Of all the things I’ve listed- eating is by far the most important step in preparing for the tattoo process. I promise if you’ve eaten beforehand, you will have a much smoother experience.
What if I need to reschedule?
Don’t worry if you need to reschedule! Make sure to let me know at least 48 hours before to ensure you do not lose your deposit. Cancellations, no-shows, and those who do not give me proper notice before 48 hours- forfeit their deposit.
Do you do cover-ups or reworks?
Yes, I do. I am completely open to reworks, but I only take coverups I am comfortable with. Cover-ups require a consultation.
Do you tattoo minors?
No. I only tattoo people over the age of 18.
Are there any places/things you do not tattoo?
I am picky with tattooing the hands, neck, and face of people who do not have many visible tattoos. I don’t mind small tattoos on these areas- but large tattoos may be denied. I do not tattoo genitalia. I do not tattoo any imagery that is racist, bigoted, or disrespectful.
How/when do I pay? Can I tip you?
You can pay with cash, card, Venmo, Zelle, or Apple pay at the shop after your session. Tax will be applied.
Tipping is not required, but is greatly appreciated!
How do you charge?
I charge by the piece for most tattoos. This rate is based on design complexity, size, placement, style, color, etc. Our shop minimum is $100.
For larger pieces that may take a full day/multiple sessions, I charge $160 per hour.
I require a $50 deposit that is non-refundable and goes toward the final price of the tattoo.
When will I see my design?
I typically do not show designs until the day of or the day before your appointment (for larger pieces). I trust all clients who schedule with me have faith in me to understand and translate their ideas to the best of my ability.
Can I change my design?
Please let me know at least 72 hours before your appointment if you are thinking of changing your idea entirely. It is important to me that you are 100% sure and happy about your design! If you’d like to make small changes to the design I’ve shown you, I am absolutely okay with that and will be as patient as you need. Changes such as a significant redesign or increase in sizing may require rescheduling.
Can I bring a friend with me?
Of course. Bringing a family member or friend is one of the best ways to make the experience more fun and comfortable for you- I’d love to share it with you all. Please note: I only have space to sit one person beside you. Anyone else may have to stand, sit in the lobby, or outside depending on the shop’s capacity.
How do I care for my new tattoo?
Always wash your hands with an anti-bacterial soap before handling your fresh tattoo. Do not ever scratch, pick, or re-wrap your tattoo. Do not ever use alcohol on your tattoo. Peeling and scabbing are normal in the healing process. When your tattoo is fully healed, please wear sunscreen.
Traditional/Dry method (No Dermshield): I recommend washing your tattoo a minimum of 3 times a day with an anti-bacterial soap with no fragrance. Do not scrub, wash by gently rubbing in circular motions. Dry by dabbing with a clean paper towel. Apply a light moisturizer such as Lubriderm. It is important to not use too much moisturizer on your tattoo- only a light layer. Reapply as needed throughout the day. Do not re-wrap your tattoo in any way. You can decrease the frequency of this routine after the tattoo progresses to the dry stage.
I offer Dermshield to my clients- but I don’t always recommend this healing method for everyone or every tattoo. I recommend against this for clients who have sensitive skin, allergies to adhesives, skin conditions, a history of bleeding a lot, or already have experience healing the traditional way.
Do not ever apply alcohol or vaseline to your tattoo.
If you have a simple tattoo and I’ve applied Dermshield: keep this film on for 4 days. On the 4th day in the shower, gently lift and pull the corner of the film. Slowly and gently remove it. Wash the tattoo with an unscented antibacterial soap. Rub in circles to remove any extra adhesive. Dry by dabbing with a clean paper towel. You will only have to lightly moisturize it from this point on.
If you have a color tattoo or some kind of saturated tattoo and I’ve applied Dermshield: keep this film on for 1-2 days. By the 2nd day, the Dermshield is typically full of ink, blood, and plasma. Remove in the shower by slowly and gently pulling the corner of the film. Wash the tattoo with an unscented antibacterial soap. Rub in circles to remove all extra ink, blood, and extra adhesive. Dry by dabbing with a clean paper towel. Continue washing your tattoo with an unscented antibacterial soap minimum 3 times a day followed by a light application of moisturizer such as Lubriderm. It is important to not use too much moisturizer on your tattoo- only a light layer. Reapply as needed throughout the day. You can decrease the frequency of this routine after the tattoo progresses to the dry stage.
Can I use numbing cream?
I require all clients who want to use numbing cream to specify the brand they are using AND do a patch test before their scheduled tattoo appointment. Apply a small amount of the numbing cream to a small area of your skin, and cover it with plastic wrap for an hour. After removing the plastic, wipe off the remaining cream and send me a photo of the skin. This allows us to assess for any potential adverse reactions and any other issues that could affect my tattoo application. If you arrive with numbing cream and your skin isn’t in proper condition or you have an adverse reaction, we will have to reschedule.
The FDA has issued a warning about these products:
TKTX Company: TKTX Numb Maximum Strength Pain Reliever, Mithra+ 10% Lidocaine, TKTX During Procedure Numbing Gel 40% and J-CAIN cream [LIDOCAINE] 29.9%
SeeNext Venture, Ltd.: NumbSkin 5% Lidocaine Numbing Cream (15 grams), NumbSkin 5% Lidocaine Numbing Cream (30 grams) and NumbSkin 10.56% Lidocaine Numbing Cream
Tattoo Numbing Cream Co.: Signature Tattoo Numbing Cream and Miracle Numb Spray
Sky Bank Media, LLC, doing business as Painless Tattoo Co.: Painless Tattoo Numbing Cream and Painless Tattoo Numbing Spray
Dermal Source, Inc.: New & Improved Blue Gel, Superior Super Juice, Premium Pro Plus, Five-Star Vasocaine and Maximum Zone 1
Indelicare, doing business as INKEEZE: Ink Eeze Original B Numb Numbing Gel, Ink Eeze B Numb Numbing Spray Black Label and Ink Eeze B Numb Numbing Foam
Any tattoo numbing cream or pain relief OTC products with a lidocaine percentage higher than 4% is not recommended.
If you come to the shop with numbing cream and I haven’t been provided a brand and/or a test patch wasn’t done- I will have to reschedule you for your safety and the sake of your tattoo’s quality.
If you are getting a full color tattoo, you cannot use numbing cream- it will affect the healing and vibrancy of color tattoos. I do not recommend numbing cream for large tattoos/sessions- it doesn’t last long enough. You cannot wrap your fresh tattoo or use Dermshield if you use numbing cream.