Walk-In Etiquette For Toronto Tattoo Shops

Tattoo shops love walk-ins. There’s nothing quite like it to perk up a slow day in the shop. However, it can be frustrating for tattoo artists when new clients don’t understand how walk-ins work or have if they have unrealistic expectations for them. Here is everything you need to know about walk-in etiquette for tattoo shops in Toronto.

Know What You Want

If you book an appointment ahead of time, there is typically a consultation where you and the tattoo artist will discuss what you want and collaborate to come up with a design. With walk-ins, you’re expected to already know what you want. There may be a chance to discuss a few minor things with the artist, but there isn’t time for a full consultation. If you don’t have a design decided on and printed out, or if you have tons of questions or don’t know what you want, then a walk-in tattoo appointment might not be for you.

Call Ahead

It’s always a good idea to call head on the day you’re thinking of coming in. That way you can avoid arriving at the busiest time or on days where everything is booked up. We don’t like making clients wait hours, but unfortunately, that might happen if you just arrive.

Flash Is Your Friend

All tattoo artists have a book of pre-designed tattoos called flash tattoos. For walk-ins, these are great because they’re already designed and ready to go. Some artists are open to small changes but don’t expect to alter anything major.

Expect To Wait

If you’re walking in for a tattoo there will be a waiting period. Even if on the off chance the shop is dead empty, the tattoo artist will still need time to draft up the template. Toronto tattoo shops will also give priority to booked appointments. Expect to wait at least a half an hour, if not more. If you want to avoid longer wait times then call ahead.

Don’t Bring The Whole Gang

We get it, getting a tattoo is fun and exciting and you want to share that with your friends. But please limit how many people you bring. Tattoo shops in Toronto are typically small, so a large crowd can be in the way. A friend or two brought along for moral support is fine, but an entire entourage is not.

Don’t Haggle The Price

People like to think of tattoo shops like farmers markets where they can bargain the price. Prices are set because tattoo artists know exactly how much time it will take, what the materials will cost, and what their art is worth. Negotiations on price aren’t an option for walk-ins or booked appointments.

Show Up Sober

Who hasn’t thought about a tattoo while having a fun night out on the town? Just know that Toronto tattoo shops don’t tattoo people that aren’t fully sober. Alcohol makes blood thinner, which causes more bleeding during the process. Plus, no studio wants to be responsible for a horrible drunken tattoo.

Other Tips

·            Don’t bring pets

·            Don’t bring kids

·            Make sure you have payment available (Call ahead to know what payment types they accept)

·            Dress appropriately

·            Trust your tattoo artist

Conclusion

Don’t be discouraged from walking in to a tattoo shop in Toronto, just know what to expect. Contact us or stop by our downtown Toronto tattoo shop to learn more or get a new sweet tattoo today.

Nape Piercings 101

Just like tattoos, piercings have fads and trends too. The latest one has been big in Asia and Europe for a few years, but now it’s made its way here. Nape piercings are the hottest piercing trend right now and it’s expected to get even bigger this summer.

Location

As the name implies, the nape piercing is located on the back of the neck, of the nape. The area is pretty large, so people can decide exactly where on the nape they want the piercing to be. Some people get one other go for two or more. Whether you want a single one centered, them stacked or side-by-side, it’s completely up to you.

Design

There’s not one design for nape piercings. The most popular styles are to have a single piercing centered in the neck, or double piercings side by side.

Pain

Pain is always a valid concern for people. Dermal piercings do hurt more than regular ones, but not by much. People who have gotten nape piercings before say the pain is pretty mild.

Piercer and Aftercare

You should always go to a trained professional piercer that knows how to do dermal piercings. There is a higher chance of infection with dermal piercings and the neck has its own risks being so close to the spine and head. Concerns of paralysis aren’t necessary unless you’re going to someone untrained.

Make sure you follow all aftercare advice. Snagging is a big issue with the nape location so be mindful of hair and clothing. Healing could take between two to six months, so keep it clean until it’s healed.

Contact us with any question or concerns or stop by our downtown Toronto shop to get a nape piercing today.

What Medical Details Do I Need to Disclose to Tattoo Artists?

Your tattoo artist doesn’t need your entire medical history, but it is important to let them know if you have certain medical conditionals or are taking certain medications. Tattoos aren’t dangerous usually, but there are cases where medical conditions have made tattoos deadly. Be smart and tell your tattoo artist if any of the following medical details pertain to you.

Medical Conditions to Disclose

Certain medical conditions make getting a tattoo incredibly dangerous. In many cases, having one of these conditions doesn’t mean you can’t get a tattoo. It just means that you and your tattoo artist may need to take extra precautions to keep everyone safe and healthy.

If you have any of the following medical conditions you should disclose them to your tattoo artist:

·            Heart Conditions

·            Diabetes

·            Hemophilia

·            HIV

·            Hepatitis

·            Severe Allergies

·            Epilepsy

·            Pregnant or Nursing

·            6 Months (or Less) Postpartum or Post-Weaning

Medications to Disclose

Some medications can make getting tattoos dangerous too as they cause strange reactions. If you’re taking any of the following medications be sure to talk to your doctor first and then tell your tattoo artist.

·            Acne Medications: Acne isn’t a major medical condition, but if you’re taking certain medications like Accutane, Minomycin, or any other prescription drug for acne, you probably don’t want to get tattooed. These medications make the skin incredibly sensitive. Getting a tattoo on these medications can lead to pain and scarring.

·            Antibiotics: Discuss all antibiotics you’re taking with your tattoo artist. Some are perfectly safe to get tattoos on, but others make skin hypersensitive or can cause unusual skin reactions when tattooed.

·            Blood Thinners: If you’re taking any medication to thin your blood, your tattoo artist should definitely be informed and you should consult with a doctor. Depending on the medication, it may not be smart to get a tattoo, or it may require shorter sessions.

·            Anti-Rejection Drugs: If you have had an organ transplant or are on anti-rejection meds, getting a tattoo may not be wise. Ask your doctor first to determine if it’s safe. Some medications may interfere with the healing process.

Concealing vs. Revealing

Going ahead with getting a tattoo even knowing it isn’t safe isn’t a smart move. It puts your life at risk and is potentially dangerous to others. Make sure to disclose any of the medical details discussed above. Also, make sure you follow all the aftercare advice. If you have any questions or want to book an appointment please to contact us or visit us at our Toronto tattoo shop.

Questions You’re Too Scared to Ask About Vagina Piercings

Piercings may no longer be taboo, but some are still shrouded in mystery. Genital piercings, and particularly vagina piercings, aren’t discussed as openly or freely as ear, nose, or lip piercings. The area is far more intimate, and some women may be afraid to ask certain questions. Fear not, we’ve answered all the questions you’re too scared to ask about female genital piercings.

What types of piercings are there?
Professionals use the term “vagina” piercings, but vulva would probably be more accurate. There are tons of different types of piercings out there- vertical and horizontal clitoris piercings, inner and outer labia piercings, and also fourchette and Christina piercings. It ultimately comes down to a women’s anatomy to determine which piercings work best.

How do I find the right piercer?
It’s a lot harder to find a good piercer when it comes to vagina piercings. It’s not like professional piercers can advertise that sort of work on their Instagram. Many of them only have images of that type of work in their portfolios in the shop. Read some reviews, ask friends, and once you’ve found a reputable piercer ask what sort of vagina piercings they’ve done before.

Will it bleed?
Not a ton, but if you rip it out that’s a whole other story.

How old do I have to be?
In Ontario, a person needs to be 18 years or older to get genital or nipple piercings. Even if a person has parental permission, this sort of piercing can’t be given to anyone under 18.

Do I need to shave before?
Nope, piercers are able to work with whatever hair you have down there.

How much does it hurt?
Of course, it hurts, but the pain isn’t unimaginable. Most people find the pressure put on the skin before the needle goes in to be the most painful part of the process.

Will it increase sensitivity?
Some people say it does for them. The piercing may add some spice to your sex life, but it won’t necessarily increase sensitivity to the area. What happens is the piercings increase stimulation to the area.

What aftercare is there?
Trust us, you’ll want to make sure any piercing near your vagina is well taken care of. Luckily it comes with a pretty good self-cleaning system. Some warm water and soap are all it needs. Ask your piercing for a complete list of aftercare tips.

How long until I can have sex again?
Everyone heals at different rates, but piercers say it’s important to wait until it’s healed. Of course, in reality, most people don’t want to wait months. Be careful, avoid touching it with hands as much as possible, and if anything hurts stop immediately.

What about if I get pregnant?
Pregnancy doesn’t impact piercings usually. Most doctors will require patients to remove vagina piercings before giving birth so that nothing gets caught or torn during delivery. If it starts to feel uncomfortable when you’re pregnant take it out, but most women don’t notice pregnancy impacting it.

Contact us if you’re interested in a vaginal piercing!

Cuticle Tattoos 101

Yet another tattoo trend we can credit Rihanna for bringing into popularity. The Queen of Cool first sported cuticle tattoos back in 2013, and since then they have taken over Instagram. These tiny tattoos are just the latest in tattoo trends.

Location
The name says a lot, but cuticle tattoos aren’t actually on the cuticle. Rather, they’re placed around the nail. People usually opt to stick close to the nail but some people have taken to extending the design up the fingers and even across the whole hand. One choice people interested in these tattoos have to make it how many fingers they want to be done. Some get a few, some get only one hand, and others get them all done. It’s all up to you!

Pain
Here’s the bad news- the hands hurt to get tattoos. That pain only increases for that area on the finger. Hands and fingers are mostly bone and skin, with very little fat to cushion. The area near the nail is even more bony and sensitive. Ever gotten a hangnail? Imagine that pain times a thousand.

Time
Since most cuticle tattoos are small and have simple designs, the process can be done quickly. Make sure that you find an artist skilled in small tattoos though so that they don’t make any mistakes and can work in the small area.

Design
There is no single design for cuticle tattoos. Some popular designs are geometric shapes, lines, dots, and henna-style designs. Due to the small space simpler designs tend to work best.

Aftercare
It’s super important to follow all aftercare instructions. Since your hands usually come in contact with germs and objects first, it’s important that you keep your new ink clean and dry.

Conclusion
Cuticle tattoos act like jewelry, elevating whatever outfit one is wearing. They can hurt though, and it’s pretty costly for a small tattoo. Some people are opting for alternatives like temporary tattoos or nail art to get the design. If you want to book an appointment please contact us today!

Constellation Piercings 101

We talk a lot about tattoo trends, but piercings have their own trends in styles too. The last year has seen a huge boom in on particular style- constellation piercings. This style allows for creativity and individuality as people cultivate their own unique cluster of piercings on their ears. Here is everything you need to know about this piercing trend.

Style
Constellation piercings are basically an artful cluster of piercings on the ear. The multiple piercings allow people to go as simple or as creative as they want. Having multiple ear piercings have been a trend for a while, but it’s only recently that it’s gotten the starry name and taken off. It’s a fresh modern take on multiple ear piercings that really is unique to each person.

Location
Part of the reason people love constellation piercings is that they can be anywhere on the ear. For those that don’t want multiple cartilage piercings, having the option for a cool lobe-piercing trend is exciting. The cluster can be anywhere, whether you want it on the earlobe, the cartilage, the inner ear, or up the entire ear, it’s up to you.

Jewelry
The great thing about this trend is that it can be tailored to your ear shape and sense of style. Most people have been opting for smaller, daintier piercings that give an understated minimalist look. Other’s are going for statement shapes like stars, moons, and crosses. People can use any mix of jewelry, such as studs, shapes, rings, and bars, for constellation piercings.

Design
There are endless possibilities and combinations for constellation piercings. Just like the starry constellations, the piercing is named after, each piercing helps create an image. A popular lobe constellation design is a triangle arrangement where three piercings are close together. A more classic one is a linear design where the piercings go up the ear. You can add dimension to the design by alternating between longer rings and shorter studs for a staggering height.

Timeline
There’s no set timeline, but most professional piercers don’t recommend getting a ton of piercings done at once. It can make it harder to heal with all the swelling. Sleeping and other normal tasks may also be uncomfortable with multiple new piercings. It’s best to build them up one at a time.

Pain
How much a piercing hurts depends on where it’s done. Lobe piercings generally tend to hurt the least, while cartilage and inner ear ones hurt more. The good news is that pain from piercings is brief.

Conclusion
Constellation piercings look like a trend that will last awhile. Make sure you always take care of your new piercings my following proper aftercare advice. If you’re interested in getting a new piercing, or a tattoo, contact us or visit our downtown Toronto tattoo shop!.

10 Historical Figures You Didn’t Know Had Tattoos

Tattoos have been around for a long time. While they remained taboo in the Western world until recently, quite a few powerful political leaders had hidden ink of their own. So next time someone shames you for your tattoos, inform them about these 10 historical figures that had tattoos of their own.

Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the 7^th president of the United States. He’s mostly remembered for his controversial campaign to kill and relocate Native Americans. As if that wasn’t enough, he ironically had a tattoo of a giant tomahawk on his inner thigh. Yeah, a tomahawk, a weapon, and toll closely associated with the culture he tried to destroy.

James K. Polk
Another president with another hidden tattoo. James Polk spent most of his presidency buying up land for the US. We can also credit him with starting the Chinese character tattoo craze. President Polk had a tattoo of a Chinese character, which translates to “eager”. It could have been worse!

Teddy Roosevelt
Teddy Roosevelt was the 26^th President of the US and had such a great run as president that his face even made it up on Mount Rushmore. What Mount Rushmore didn’t capture was his ink. Roosevelt reportedly had the Roosevelt family crest tattooed on his chest. We would expect nothing less from a man like him.

John Wilkes Booth
John Wilkes Booth wasn’t a president, but you probably learned about him in history class. He was a 26-year-old actor that shot and assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. They say actors have big egos, and we believe it after learning that Booth had his own initials tattooed on his hand.

Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison invited a ton of things, but did you know he also had a hand in creating the first tattoo machine? He was the one that created the first electric pen, which Samuel O’Reilly then used to develop the first tattoo machine. Edison was so intrigued that he ended up with 5 cryptic dots on his forearm.

Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill was a fantastic leader for Britain during WW2. Many would be surprised to know that he had a tattoo, a classic anchor on his forearm. His mother probably didn’t mind, seeing as she had a tattoo of a snake on her wrist that she hid with jewelry.

Czar Nicholas II
He’s known as the last emperor of Imperial Russia, but Czar Nicholas also had some ink. In 1891 he traveled to Japan to try to improve Russo-Japanese relations. He came back with a little souvenir- a colorful dragon tattoo on his arm. That’s one way to mend a relationship.

George Orwell
The famed author of classics like, 1984, no only used ink to get his words across but also to mark his body. While serving as a policeman in Burma in his youth, Orwell for a blue dot on each knuckle, the dots were supposed to protect the wearer from harm.

King Frederick IX of Denmark
King Frederick led Denmark for 25 years, and he was known for being a badass. His number of tattoos only reinforced this. His ink covered his arms and chest and he acquired them during his time as a sailor.

R.H. Macy
You might not know the name, but you sure know his legacy. R.H. Macy was the founder of Macy’s department store. You probably know the red star logo, but did you know it was inspired from R.H. Macy’s own tattoo? He had a red star on his forearm that he got in his youth when he was a sailor.

Want some cool ink? Contact us to set up an appointment today.