FAQ

Thank you for your interest in our Studio! Let me tell you how our process works and how we can help get the right artist and tattoo for you.

The first step would be to choose the artist whose style best fits the aesthetic you’re looking for. Looking through our artists’ portfolios is the best way to determine the style that best suits your taste. You can visit our website (www.studioevolvetattoo.com, click on the Galleries link) or stop by and check out the studio and the portfolios we have on display. Once you have narrowed your choice down to one or two artists, you will need to come in for a consultation. The consultation is integral to making sure that you get exactly the tattoo you want and that you are comfortable with the artist you choose. We are available for consultations Tuesday through Saturday from NOON to 9PM. The consultation will give you a good idea of cost, based on the number of sessions that the artist thinks you should schedule. Most of our artists do not require consultations, but we recommend that you call ahead to make sure that the artist you would like to speak with is here when you’d like to come in. Our number is (757) 497-1865.

If, after consulting with the artist of your choice, you are ready, we will have you fill out a deposit form, make a deposit, and book your appointments! We require a deposit of one or two hours’ work (this ranges from $125 to $400, depending on the artist) to secure your appointment(s). This money goes toward the cost of your tattoo and will be deducted at the completion of your final session. We take cash and debit/credit cards. There is a 3% fee if you use a debit/credit card. If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, you have two (2) business days prior to your appointment to notify us by phone or email, or you risk forfeiting your deposit.

I hope this helps and that we hear from you soon!

Remove Bandage in 2 hours, after icing, 30 minutes on, 15 minutes off, 30 on, 15 off

• Wash, rinse, repeat 3 times in a row for first cleaning, one after another.
• Start with warm, almost hot, water
• Finish with cold for last rinse
• Pat dry with paper towel and let air dry 15 minutes, then blot dry again, apply first layer of thin ointment, then blot so there is no shine
• Blot again with damp paper towel if any seeping, leaking or bleeding occurs
• Starting tomorrow, wash tattoo total of 3 times per day (morning, early evening, hour before bed)
• Use cool to warm water
• Mild liquid soap
• Clean hands
• Pat dry with paper towel
• Let air dry for 15 minutes after washing, blot dry with paper towel again
• Apply thin layer of ointment 3-5 times per day as needed (Aquaphor, Bacitracin, A+D, Neosporin, or triple antibiotic…everyone’s skin responds differently to these)
• One matchstick head sized dot per square inchc
• Massage into skin for a minute
• Blot with a paper towel

In addition to using ointment 3-5 times a day for the first 3-5 days: one hour before bed, wash, rinse, pat dry, air dry, pat dry again, and then wrap the tattoo with saran wrap and tape it down, so that the tattoo doesn’t get stuck to the sheets or p’jams.

• After 3-5 days of using ointment, when skin starts to flake or peel, start using plain white, water-based, fragrance-free hand lotion in place of ointment 3-5 times per day or as needed.
• Use in same manner as ointment, very thin, rub it in, blot it dry
• Continue to wash 3 times per day until tattoo is completely healed
• After 7-10 days, when tattoo is healed completely, continue using lotion 1-3 times per day for a month, along with gently exfoliating daily with a soft wash cloth in the shower once a day

While Tattoo is healing:

• Avoid soaking tattoo in any kind of water
• Avoid the sun (and use baby waterproof sunblock on it after it is healed)
• Avoid touching the tattoo in any way other than to wash it or apply ointment or lotion
• Avoid tight fitting or unclean clothing, straps, socks, shoes, etc
• Don’t let your friends touch your tattoo
•  Contact your tattooer or the shop immediately if there is a question or concern

at studio evoLve, we prefer cash payments, but we do also accept visa, mastercard, and debit cards… if you are leaving a deposit for an appointment, or if you are kind enough to want to thank your tattooer with a tip, we also prefer cash, but credit or debit will work in a pinch.

Being a tattoo artist means being a people person; in fact inking your artwork onto another human’s body is about as personal as it gets. So it seems ironic that the profession of a tattoo artist often comes with preconceptions about being hostile, grumpy and even intimidating. Like most professional settings there is a degree of etiquette that should be used when customers enter a tattoo parlor and for some reason this often seems to get ignored. Being a tattoo artist doesn’t mean being part of a naturally unfriendly trade but there are some pet peeves that are apt to get wearing after a long career in the business. So if you are part of the reported 23% of American’s that have tattoos or you are considering becoming one, then here are some top tips for good etiquette in the parlor.

Don’t turn up drunk

We’ve all been there: a few tequilas on a Friday night and suddenly getting a witty quip or dinky doodle as a lasting memory of your evening seems like a superb idea. But not for the unfortunate tattoo artist who has to deal with you. It is illegal to tattoo someone who is obviously under the influence of drugs or alcohol so right away you are putting the artist in a compromizing position. If you are able to hide your intoxicated state well and consequently end up getting inked anyway you are apt to be more irritable and jittery making the tattoo artists job a lot more difficult. And as alcohol thins the blood you will bleed more too. It might seem like fun and games at the time but if you are serious about getting a tattoo then leave it until you’re sober.

Trust their practice and listen to their advice

Of course you should always ask questions about anything you are unsure of when making a commitment like getting a tattoo. Unsanitary conditions and bad practices can leave you with a tattoo you’re disappointed with or even a nasty infection or disease. But understand that good tattoo artists take pride in their parlors, equipment and artwork so constantly asking ‘is that clean?’ can be insulting. Similarly they have years of experience and a lot of artistic talent – if they say your design of choice may not work in the place you want it or might need alterations then trust their judgement; it’s safe to assume that they probably know best. The same applies when it comes to aftercare. Many artists differ in their ideas in the best ways to care for and heal a new tattoo – some wrap them in cling film whilst others believe this is the worst thing you can do. You should listen to the advice your tattoo artist gives you as they will know the best healing methods and healing products for their particular work. Nothing is more annoying than a client who has ignored the aftercare advice, consequently damaged their tattoo and then expects a free touch up.

Have at least some idea

You can work with a tattoo artist to come up with a design that you’re happy with but you need to have at least some idea of what you want and where you want it. This is a life long commitment so don’t book a consultation until you are enthusiastic about your design. It doesn’t have to be exact – take along photos, prints, album covers, clothing, anything that you find aesthetically pleasing or would like to be somehow incorporated into your tattoo and discuss it with your artist. Clients who go in and randomly pluck something from the wall on a whim are usually the ones who end up regretting their tattoo.

Be clean

It’s not rocket science: a tattoo artist has to get pretty close to your naked flesh for a prolonged period of time in order to carry out their work so have the courtesy of showering, brushing your teeth and being generally well groomed before heading off for your appointment. And don’t go in hungover – not only will it make you jittery and more prone to the pain but you are going to be sweating out last night’s alcohol which isn’t pleasant for anyone.

Don’t haggle

Haggling, complaining about the price and telling the artist how you can ‘get it cheaper elsewhere’ are all sure fire ways to annoy your tattoo artist. Asking them to come down on the price is asking them to devalue their work. And anyway, a tattoo is not something you should skimp on. You are putting a piece of artwork on your body for the rest of your life and who wants that to look cheap? If you can’t afford a good tattoo then it is best not to get one at all. And don’t forget to tip. You would tip a bartender for a drink you’ll finish within half an hour so you ought to tip a tattoo artist for etching their work on your body for life.

article written by site reader Jen Simpson