FAQ
Here are some topics I frequently get questions on!
Thank you for taking the time to get informed.
Don't feel shy asking me any further questions - you're the customer and it's your body and your tattoo. I want you to make informed decisions and feel as comfortable and calm as possible when coming to your appointment.
Prices
- Prices start at 100€ - Custom (meaning I draw your idea) adds usually a fee of 50-100€ on top. - The price of your tattoo depends on size, placement on the body and complexity of the design. - Neck, torso, hands and feet are more difficult to tattoo and therefore more expensive than arms and legs. - I will give you a price range of 50€ (120-170€ for example). Within that range you can pay me as much as you want to and feel comfortable to after the appointment. - Please consider that the price may change at the appointment if you change the size or placement. Yes, tattoos are an expensive investment but this is the price you pay for something that isn't mass produced, handmade for you and will last you for the rest of your life.
Things, I do not tattoo
Some of this is out of ethical concerns, some of this I simply don't have the ability to do and some I just don't enjoy to do, so I am choosing not to: - any kind of political symbolism, nazi or right wing symbols (swastika, black sun etc) - lettering, text, dates etc. - massive blackwork - photorealistic work, minimalist fineline or anything that doesn't fit into my style (in doubt, just ask) - colourful tattoos ( I only offer black and red) - cultural appropriation (think Maori style sleeves, symbols of indigenous people etc.)
Studio & Accessibility
I tattoo at Flux Atelier Leipzig. It's located at Krönerstr. 6, 04315 Leipzig. You can also find it via Google Maps. Sadly, the studio is not accessible for people with wheelchairs and doesn't offer any aids for people with seeing or hearing disabilities. However, I am always open to coming to your home to tattoo you there. Don't feel shy about asking me about any accommodations. We can always find a solution :)
Preparing for your Appointment
Some things to consider before coming to your tattoo appointment: - shower before - wear clean, preferably black clothes (black ink stains do not come out!) - don't get drunk the night before - sleep and eat well before - bring something to drink and eat - please bring enough time - card payments are not possible - it's cash or Paypal only - I can not tattoo skin that is sunburned, irritated or wounded (Please let me know as soon as possible in that case and we'll reschedule) - please be punctual (not early!) or let me know if you're running late
Healing and Aftercare
Please plan for the healing process of your tattoo, consider its size, placement and the toll it could take on your body. I will give you an info flyer to take home with a detailed description on how to heal your tattoo. But here is some basic info for you to consider: - 24h after: please try to rest, get enough sleep and food! Next 3-4 days (with Second Skin bandage): - bandage is not waterproof (short showers yes , bathing or swimming no) - avoid extensive sun exposure - check occasionally if you need to remove it - otherwise you don’t have to do anything After 3-4 days: - remove bandage carefully - wash the tattoo with water and mild soap - disinfect if necessary (sweat, dirt, water) - let it dry shortly - use your ointment 2-3 times a day Next 10-15 days: -apply ointment 2-3 times/day -find an ointment that works for you (Bepanthen, Pegasus, Tattoo Med etc. will work, anything with panthenol or for the purpose of wound healing) - avoid zinc (oxide), strongly scented or unhygienic tubs (opt for tubes or bottles) - disinfect when necessary Other important information and longterm care: - please DO NOT pick at your tattoo (you risk ripping out ink) - avoid friction and sweating for 10 days - avoid long contact with water/dampness for 10 days - avoid the sun for 10 days - don't tan: it will age your skin and therefore your tattoo Please always protect with sunscreen once the tattoo has healed! - first touchup is included in the price within the first 12 months since our appointment
Ink and Colours
All my ink is vegan and compliant with German and EU regulation (REACH and TätoV). I currently only tattoo black and red, but sometimes use white for highlights. The inks are as following: Panthera Ink - Black Gold Kuro Sumi Imperial - Warrior Red I Am Ink - #0 White Rutile Paste I don't have a lot of experience using other colors and cannot promise you the best results with other inks - but I am open to trying.
Pain Management
Pain is extremely subjective and varies from tattoo to tattoo. Some factors are: - size of the tattoo (thick lines, big black areas) - duration of the session - placement (insides of extremities, torso, hands and feet tend to be more painful) - personal pain tolerance - state of your physical and mental health It is very hard to predict how bad a tattoo might hurt. Being well rested and in a general good state of health is usually the best you can do to prepare. It can help to take some over the counter pain meds like Ibuprofen beforehand (please DO NOT take Aspirin or other blood thinners). Please let me know if you plan on doing that. During the session we can always take breaks or even cut the session short - please don't ever feel uncomfortable asking me for that. Talk to me about breaking bigger projects into multiple sessions if you feel like that might be a good idea (though this may result in a higher price). Let's quickly talk numbing creams: The effect usually only lasts a couple of hours and then the pain may set in immediately and strongly since so much skin has been hurt already. It also generally works better on areas that have a lot of muscle underneath (so less effect on hands and feet). You have to buy and apply it yourself before the appointment. Please let me know if you want to work with a numbing cream and please TEST it before so you don't have to cancel an appointment because of an allergic reaction. Some people report having a harder time tattooing on numbed skin and some people report having their tattoos heal with less great results (this seems to apply especially to colorful tattoos). It is not advised to use numbing cream on huge areas of your body because that can lead to an overdose of the medication (usually lidocaine) getting into your bloodstream. In doubt please talk to a medical professional about this.
Hygiene
I place enormous value on hygiene in my studio and my work and am as diligent as possible about using sterile or clean materials, surface, hand, skin and wound disinfection to prevent cross contamination. I have also gotten a certificate in tattoo hygiene and am happy to send that to you and answer any questions you might have. Your safety and health is extremely important to me!