Tattoo FAQs

Piercing FAQs
Q: The first and most asked question by far is, "Does it hurt?"
A: Of course it hurts!  But, your demeanor going into the chair makes all the difference. Be fed, rested and hydrated. Staying relaxed is key to the most pain free experience possible.

Q: Do you guys do piercing?
A: Yep! You can see the piercer’s work and read about them right on our website. 

Q: How old must I be to get a tattoo?
A: You must be 18 years of age and have a picture ID issued by a government or state.
We do not tattoo minors with or without parental permission.

Q: Is it safe?
A: We use the same equipment (autoclave) that a hospital uses to sterilize our equipment. We also use disposable setups for each tattoo. 
Visit your tattoo artist to ensure the instruments are individually wrapped and sterilized.

Q: Can I bring in my own design?
A: We’ll be happy to take a look at your design and see if it will be possible to use it for your tattoo. However, some styles of artwork do not convert well into tattoo design. We’ll work together to come up with a design that remains true to your artwork and translates well onto the skin. 

Q: How much does it cost?
A: It is impossible to quote a price without having a design. All tattooing costs according to the time involved. Once the design has been finalized, your artist will estimate the time involved. At Cherry Blossom Tattoo, Body Piercing & Art Gallery, our artists charge $150/hour. A $60 deposit will be collected, which goes directly towards artwork design, then transfers over to the appointment and covers the first 20 minutes of your tattoo. For specifics, see our tattoo and piercing prices here. 

Q: How can I pay?
A: We accept cash, debit, Master Charge, Visa.

Q: Is it permanent?
A: Yes, but all tattoos will age. Sun, improper healing and poor health will affect the final results. How well your tattoo stands the test of time will depend on the size and placement. Older tattoos can be redone and recolored. Unwanted tattoos can be covered with a new tattoo (cover up) or removed (laser).

Q: What about healing?
A: Healing varies from person to person, but will generally take three to four weeks to look as if it was always there. Expect the skin to flake and peel by day 3 or 4, fully healing in approximately two weeks. Be sure to use Aquaphor or another ointment until the flaking and peeling is done, and then you can switch to a fragrance free lotion. Be sure to read and follow the after-care instructions provided by your tattoo artist. It will contain all the information you need to ensure your new ink heals up beautifully! 

Q: How do the colors turn out?
A: Think of your skin as a filter over the tattoo. Darker skins will mute or obscure the color. Lighter skin will allow the color to be more vivid. An experienced artist will use colors that will work well with your skin tone.

Q: Where is the least (most) painful spot?
A: If you’ve never had a tattoo, how would you know the difference? The most important fact is your tattoo should be fun, and part of the fun is getting it where it will work the best for you. 

If you have any other questions or would like to book a consultation, please give the shop a call! 
Q: I’m 16 years old and I want to get my nose pierced but my parents won’t come to the shop with me to sign the release forms. Can I take the forms home, have my parents sign and then bring them back to you?
A: No. If you are under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must be present and sign the necessary consent forms in order for you to receive any piercings.

Q: What can I do to avoid an irritation in my new piercing?
A: To avoid irritation, make sure you:
  • Avoid touching your piercing in any way. That includes you, your friends, your animals, or anything that can transfer dirt or bacteria to your new piercing.
  • Clean your new piercing with a saline solution. DAILY!
  • Stay out of the pool, hot tub, lake, ocean, etc.
  • Treat yourself to a clean pillow case. Clean bedding will help keep your new piercing clean.
  • Follow the after-care information provided by your piercer. It will contain all the information necessary to help you keep your piercing clean and free from irritation. If you are having any issues or concerns about your new piercing, contact your piercer. They want to see your piercings heal clean and healthy!

Q: What should I avoid while my piercing is healing?
A: Most of the time, common sense is all that is needed to help your piercing heal properly. The following list will help you stay on the right track:
  • Over-cleaning, vigorous cleaning, and/or using a cleanser that’s too strong (a saline solution is best!).
  • Friction from too-tight clothing, sexual activity, or excessive movement of the pierced area.
  • Turning your jewelry, which can introduce bacteria into the healing fistula.
  • Sexual activity if you have a new genital piercing or nipple piercings.
  • Eating hard foods within the first week after getting a tongue piercing.
  • Swimming in a pool, lake, ocean, or other body of water.
  • Strenuous exercise that may jar your newly pierced body part.
  • Stress, poor diet and illness may also delay healing or lead to infection.
Q: When is it safe to change my jewelry?
A: Typically, it’s best to wait a minimum of 6 weeks, but for some piercings, you should wait up to a year. Due to the varied healing times of different piercings, we recommend speaking with the piercer before changing jewelry. This way he or she will be able to evaluate the healing process and recommend the right jewelry for you.  They’ll also be happy to help you change your jewelry!

Q: What’s the best type of jewelry for my Piercing?
A: When it comes to material, surgical steel and titanium jewelry is typically the safest type of starter jewelry to avoid an allergic reaction. Implant-grade 100% solid titanium jewelry is always the best option for a new piercing, particularly for those who have sensitive skin or metal allergies.

Piercing Locations