Tattoos are generally safe, depending on the shop, artist and their equipment. It’s always best to go to a trusted tattoo studio, like Watford Tattoo, to make sure you only work with experienced tattoo artists who use well-sanitized tools. Be honest about your medical conditions before getting any work done and follow all the recommended safety precautions during and after your tattoo session.

 Yes, but the pain varies per person. The pain from getting a tattoo done is often compared with cat scratches or a mild burning sensation. Technically speaking, the pain has more to do with where you plan to get the tattoo.

Areas directly over the bones, like ribs, hands and feet, tend to be more sensitive. If you are looking to minimize the pain, consider body areas that are protected by a large muscle like forearms, thighs and calves. You can always ask your artist for more information on tattoo pain charts.

Tattoos are a long-term commitment and picking a design is no joke – it will be on your body for a good amount of time! We recommend going through several designs just to get an idea of what you’d like for a tattoo.

Watford Tattoo takes pride in its artists who specialize in many different styles of colorful tattoo designs. Once you select one of our artists, the same artist will work on a design with you and make sure you are only left delighted with your tattoo experience with us!

Laser tattoo removal can be very effective in removing tattoos, depending on the age and color of the tattoo. This process can also be pricey and time consuming. Alternatively, you can have an old tattoo covered up with new and better art.

Before your tattoo appointment…

Numbing creams are not always recommended because you will need to apply it several hours before the actual tattoo session and they only usually last up to 45 minutes. In addition, some creams might have a reaction with the tattoo ink and affect your tattoo’s final look.

Taking painkillers can also cause issues with the tattoo process. Aspirin, for example, thins the blood and reduces clotting. Taking aspirin can cause excessive bleeding while you’re getting a tattoo and will extend the healing time so it’s best to avoid taking aspirin before your tattoo session. If you must take a painkiller, consider ibuprofen-based products. These will not affect the tattoo in any way.

Get enough rest and eat a full meal. The tattoo process can cause a drop in blood sugar and possibly lead to light-headedness and sometimes nausea or fainting. You can prevent this by making sure you eat sufficiently, you can also bring a snack or a juice drink.

Prep the area where you plan to get a tattoo. Make sure the skin does not have a wound and is not sunburnt. Shaving the area also helps the tattoo process.

 Don’t get high or drunk before getting a tattoo. Apart from obvious difficulties in dealing with a high or drunk client, intoxication thins the blood and will cause excessive bleeding. The blood can wash out the ink and lead to a substandard tattoo.

 Wear something comfortable and consider the possibility of getting some ink on whatever you wear. It helps to wear clothing that would easily expose the area where you’ll get a tattoo.

Tattoos are never rushed, at least not with Watford Tattoo. We work carefully on every detail of clients’ tattoo designs. A simple and small design could take as short as 30 minutes, larger and more complex designs could take as long as 5 hours or even multiple sessions. You can discuss this in detail with your tattoo artist.

After getting a tattoo…

 Healing time also varies depending on the design of a tattoo. Simpler ones heal faster, while larger and more detailed tattoos can take weeks to heal. It’s important to follow your artist’s aftercare tips to help the healing process, prevent infections, and make sure your tattoo will not be damaged.

After getting a tattoo…

 It’s recommended to avoid exercising or excessive sweating at least 48 hours after getting a new tattoo.

 Avoid swimming and excessive sun exposure while your tattoo is healing. These can hamper the healing process and affect the look of the tattoo.

 Tattoos fade over time but the extent will depend on your skin care and the type of ink used. Don’t worry, high-quality ink can take years before fading and you can always schedule touch ups to keep your skin art bright and alive.

 Keep your skin moisturized and be generous with sun protection.

This question comes up almost daily for us at Watford Tattoo, and is a vague one to answer. For us to determine how much your tattoo will be, we need to know details: what would you like tattooed? What size would you like your tattoo? Would you like colour or black and grey, simple lining or dotwork? etc.

All of these details are necessary to help the artist and studio estimate a cost for your tattoo. Generally, most studios have an hourly rate, a day rate and a minimum charge, but without asking these questions it will be difficult to give you an appropriate estimate.
We suggest that you have these three things ready when enquiring about a tattoo;

1. A rough idea of what you would like tattooed
2. The size of the tattoo, in cm or inches
3. The placement of the tattoo

The simplest answer is: yes, having a tattoo DOES hurt, anyone who tells you otherwise is lying. However, we can’t tell you HOW MUCH they will hurt. To some, the pain feels like a scratch, to others like a stinging, and with each needle the feeling changes. Everyone has a different pain threshold, meaning you might not feel it as much as your friend/brother/sister has told you.
The pain will also depend on the placement of your tattoo. For example, tattoos on the areas of the body with less flesh over the bone, such as hands, feet, ribs, head, and hips, will hurt significantly more. If you are looking for your first tattoo to ‘test the waters’ with the pain we suggest going for an area covered with more muscle, such as the forearm, thigh, calf or top of arm.
Ultimately, all tattoos DO hurt, but from person to person the pain varies.

You have to be 18 years of age to get a tattoo in the UK. There is no leniency on this rule.

Your artist will give you a rough estimate of how long your tattoo will take but cannot give you an exact time, as there are many factors that may affect the time a tattoo takes to complete.

We take bookings by telephone, social media or in studio; whichever way best suits you. However for all appointments to be secured and allow your artist to begin working on your design, we ask for a 50% deposit. Check out our about us (hyperlink) for step by step advice.
We suggest coming in for a consultation if:
– This is your first tattoo
– You are wanting large scale work like a backpiece, chest piece or sleeve etc.
– You want a coverup of existing tattoo/scars etc
– You are unsure of a design/idea and would like to speak to an artist first
All our consultations are FREE and are put in place to ensure you will be completely happy with your new tattoo.
You can contact us

We strongly advise against using numbing cream for your tattoos unless absolutely necessary, as numbing cream actually softens the skin. This can make it difficult for the artist to work safely, therefore causing more trauma to the skin, negatively affecting your tattoo and the healing process.
If you do choose to use numbing cream, you must inform your artist before your tattoos session starts, and be advised that they may ask you to rebook and your deposit will be lost.

 We provide a sheet detailing the best steps to care for your tattoo, and stock a range of aftercare available to purchase after your session. Your aftercare procedure is the most important part of your tattoo. If you are unsure of which aftercare is best for you, check out our post on aftercare (link to aftercare)

If you attend a safe and reputable studio that abides by all health and safety precautions and you are honest when asked about any medical conditions or medication that may affect your tattoo process: yes.

Here at Watford Tattoo, we prioritize our artist and customer safety, using single-use disposable needles and cartridges. You can be assured there is no cross-contamination with old needles.
We ask all clients to fill out a mandatory consent form in which we ask necessary questions regarding medication and medical history. It is crucial that you are honest with us as there can be complications to your health and tattoo if our information is not 100% accurate.

We recommend that you follow a fairly strict routine before coming in for your tattoo, to ensure your body feels healthy and ready to take the inking! You will need to stay away from alcohol the night prior, as drinking thins the blood and makes it difficult for your artist to work with. We suggest drinking WATER and lots of it to keep your skin hydrated. Try and get a solid sleep, and eat well on the morning of your tattoo, we do NOT recommend coming in for an appointment on an empty stomach.