FREEDOM TATTOOS 6800 Freedom Ave NW North Canton, OH 44720 (330) 305-0500
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions:
• How much does it hurt? - Pain depends on client to client. What might hurt for one person doesn’t hurt nearly as bad for another. And yes I did say hurt. Tattoos do hurt but it’s not an unbearable pain, if it was there would be a lot less people walking around with them. Some have described it as bee stings, cat scratches, sun burns or just plain annoying. The discomfort of getting tattooed is nothing compared to the beautiful artwork your going to have with you the rest of your life.
• Does it bleed a lot? - This is also something that differs from person to person and design to design. We are breaking the skin with a needle so blood is expected. But there are things that customer’s do that can cause excessive bleeding, such as drinking alcohol within 24 hours of being tattoo or taking any blood thinners (even Aspirin can cause your blood to thin).
• How deep does the needle go? - The needle might seem terrifying to most but it really doesn’t go as deep as people think. The needle technically only goes 1/16 of an inch under the first layer of skin. There are 7 layers of skin and tattoos are only within the first 3 layers.
• Does lining hurt more than shading?- Some say it hurts more but then some say saw the opposite. A myth is some say lining goes deeper but we are still only working in the first few layers of skin. Really it doesn’t, the needle grouping for lining is just different than shading. Lining needles are closer together so that you get a more centralized effect of the skin to create a tight line, where as shading needles range in different shapes and sizes but the needles are typically more spread out.
• Should I get tattooed when sick or after surgery? - No. When you are sick or recovering from surgery your body is already going through a lot to overcome the strain. You don’t want to add more to this with making your body have to heal a tattoo as well. Also if you are on any medications it can affect the tattooing process or how it heals up. Best to wait until you are well again before you get any new ink.
• Is it better to bring in pictures of what I want to get? - Yes. The more reference you bring us the better finished product for you. Artists can’t always see what is in your head and instead of drawing 20 pictures, bringing in photos will help out both of you. The more the better but still leave a little room for the artist to add their style or touch, this helps them really get into the piece.
• How long should I wait to get my tattoo touched up? - Typically tattoos take 10 to 14 days to heal, after this your skin goes through what I like to call the “onion stage”. This is when the scab has fallen off and you skin looks shinny. Also within this stage your tattoo can appear dull but wait at least 1 more week because the colors in your tattoo will appear very bright. If your tattoo still needs work it’s ok to come in after that time, so I’d say wait at least 2 to 3 weeks for a touch up.
• Is it okay to go tanning or swimming after I get tattooed? - No for both. Tanning is very hard on the skin to begin with and can greatly affect the way your tattoo heals. It can cause your tattoo to fade quickly or burn really bad and peel out the ink. Swimming isn’t a good idea either, you have to treat your tattoo as though it is an open wound and pools, lakes, and oceans aren’t very clean. It could cause your tattoo to get infected. It’s best to wait until you tattoo is heal.
• How long should I keep my tattooed covered? - You want to keep it covered at least 1 to 3 hours after you get your tattoo. It might still bleed a little and this could allow bacteria into your tattoo. Wait until you get home and then follow the Aftercare Instructions given to you by your artist.
• How much is it going to cost? - “Good tattoos aren’t cheap, and cheap tattoos aren’t good.” So true. You need to look at it as you get what you pay for, if you want a really nice tattoo you need to have enough money to pay for it. And don’t haggle over price, it is very disrespectful to the artist, if you don’t have the money save up and come back. Think of it this way, this is an investment that you are putting on your skin for the rest of your life, you want it to be as nice as it can be.
• Should I tip? - Tipping an artist is not required but is always accepted. Most artists know that you might have been saving for awhile to get the tattoo and might not be able to tip. Saying thanks and that you love your new artwork is greatly appreciated. Most artists put their heart into each piece and to hear that you love it always makes us feel good. The best tip you can give and artists is repeat business or bringing in friends next time to get tattooed as well. Take business cards and hand them out also. An artist will never turn down a tip, even if it’s only $5.
• How much does it hurt? - Pain depends on client to client. What might hurt for one person doesn’t hurt nearly as bad for another. And yes I did say hurt. Tattoos do hurt but it’s not an unbearable pain, if it was there would be a lot less people walking around with them. Some have described it as bee stings, cat scratches, sun burns or just plain annoying. The discomfort of getting tattooed is nothing compared to the beautiful artwork your going to have with you the rest of your life.
• Does it bleed a lot? - This is also something that differs from person to person and design to design. We are breaking the skin with a needle so blood is expected. But there are things that customer’s do that can cause excessive bleeding, such as drinking alcohol within 24 hours of being tattoo or taking any blood thinners (even Aspirin can cause your blood to thin).
• How deep does the needle go? - The needle might seem terrifying to most but it really doesn’t go as deep as people think. The needle technically only goes 1/16 of an inch under the first layer of skin. There are 7 layers of skin and tattoos are only within the first 3 layers.
• Does lining hurt more than shading?- Some say it hurts more but then some say saw the opposite. A myth is some say lining goes deeper but we are still only working in the first few layers of skin. Really it doesn’t, the needle grouping for lining is just different than shading. Lining needles are closer together so that you get a more centralized effect of the skin to create a tight line, where as shading needles range in different shapes and sizes but the needles are typically more spread out.
• Should I get tattooed when sick or after surgery? - No. When you are sick or recovering from surgery your body is already going through a lot to overcome the strain. You don’t want to add more to this with making your body have to heal a tattoo as well. Also if you are on any medications it can affect the tattooing process or how it heals up. Best to wait until you are well again before you get any new ink.
• Is it better to bring in pictures of what I want to get? - Yes. The more reference you bring us the better finished product for you. Artists can’t always see what is in your head and instead of drawing 20 pictures, bringing in photos will help out both of you. The more the better but still leave a little room for the artist to add their style or touch, this helps them really get into the piece.
• How long should I wait to get my tattoo touched up? - Typically tattoos take 10 to 14 days to heal, after this your skin goes through what I like to call the “onion stage”. This is when the scab has fallen off and you skin looks shinny. Also within this stage your tattoo can appear dull but wait at least 1 more week because the colors in your tattoo will appear very bright. If your tattoo still needs work it’s ok to come in after that time, so I’d say wait at least 2 to 3 weeks for a touch up.
• Is it okay to go tanning or swimming after I get tattooed? - No for both. Tanning is very hard on the skin to begin with and can greatly affect the way your tattoo heals. It can cause your tattoo to fade quickly or burn really bad and peel out the ink. Swimming isn’t a good idea either, you have to treat your tattoo as though it is an open wound and pools, lakes, and oceans aren’t very clean. It could cause your tattoo to get infected. It’s best to wait until you tattoo is heal.
• How long should I keep my tattooed covered? - You want to keep it covered at least 1 to 3 hours after you get your tattoo. It might still bleed a little and this could allow bacteria into your tattoo. Wait until you get home and then follow the Aftercare Instructions given to you by your artist.
• How much is it going to cost? - “Good tattoos aren’t cheap, and cheap tattoos aren’t good.” So true. You need to look at it as you get what you pay for, if you want a really nice tattoo you need to have enough money to pay for it. And don’t haggle over price, it is very disrespectful to the artist, if you don’t have the money save up and come back. Think of it this way, this is an investment that you are putting on your skin for the rest of your life, you want it to be as nice as it can be.
• Should I tip? - Tipping an artist is not required but is always accepted. Most artists know that you might have been saving for awhile to get the tattoo and might not be able to tip. Saying thanks and that you love your new artwork is greatly appreciated. Most artists put their heart into each piece and to hear that you love it always makes us feel good. The best tip you can give and artists is repeat business or bringing in friends next time to get tattooed as well. Take business cards and hand them out also. An artist will never turn down a tip, even if it’s only $5.