Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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There are MANY variables that come into play when pricing a tattoo.
 

* SIZE

* DETAIL

* LOCATION
* DESIGN TIME

* SESSION TIME

* MATERIALS
 

These are just to name a few. Here at Acala Tattoo, we prefer to price per piece with smaller tattoos, but with more intricate pieces we charge an hourly rate. Call or stop by for a quote. We encourage and prefer face-to-face consultations.

 1. We request that you please fill out our DESIGN INTAKE SHEET, which describes the tattoo you'd like, placement, and your availability. Feel free to to fill one out at our shop, take one home, or download one here at the bottom of this page. We have also tried to simplify this method by including a similar digital form at the bottom of this website's HOME Page (which we feel is the best option). Once you submit your sheet, along with all necessary reference photos, it will be reviewed for consideration and you will be contacted within a week with further information. Please be patient.
 

 2. After your Design Intake Sheet is reviewed, you may receive a FREE consultation with the Artist, or he will recommend a colleague that may be a better fit for your request. If all goes well during your consultation, all that's needed then is a monetary deposit to book your tattoo appointments. The deposit is non-refundable, yet necessary in case you have to cancel your appointment, or change your mind at the last minute. This covers our time spent creating  the design and secures your spot. However, as long as you follow through with your appointments, the money is put towards the final balance for your tattoo, on your final session.
 

Cancelations and Re-Schedules must occur ONE (1) week or earlier, BEFORE your appointment date and time, to not lose your deposit.

Also, last minute cancelations and/or "No-Shows" for additional sessions are subject to an additional $100 fee and/or loss of deposit. A new deposit will be required before your next appointment.

Anyone that is a "No-Show" twice in a row for a tattoo or consultation will be rejected as a client of this shop; whether family, friend, or general public.
 

If you come down with a legitimate illness or emergency, please contact your artist.

Severe Snow Storms are waived from this policy.

It is required that you read our Shop Policies before filling out an application, as well as viewing the rates and availability of the artist.

3. Depending on your design, the tattoo may be created over one or multiple sessions. Your appointment will be firmly scheduled after your deposit is placed.

This is a subjective question and varies from person to person. Everyone has different pain tolerances and some locations that feel torturous on one person, may incline another person to fall asleep or giggle. That being said, the common locations that tend to be more sensitive than others are the top of the foot, the ribs, the face, neck, and head, armpits, and the abdomen. Anywhere that nerves tend to converge (especially at joints) will be of particular discomfort. Therefore, unless you're looking for a meditation challenge, it is also suggested that you stay away from nipples, genitalia, and the bottom of the feet, along with the inside of the hands.
 

SIDE NOTE
Hand and foot tattoos, while they look so cool when fresh, will certainly have heavy shedding during the healing process and also wear off at a much faster rate than other locations of the body. More so nearer to and on the fingers, toes, and palms. This is due to the constant use of them. So between daily wear and tear, friction, scrubbing, and more frequent cellular regeneration, don't expect the tattoo to last very long in those locations. Acala Tattoo is NOT responsible for the future condition of your tattoo if you insist on a location that is advised against. A separate form will be required to fill out, and you will have to pay for any touch-ups or re-dos.

Yes, tattoos hurt!

We realize everyone's experience is unique to them, and we champion any process that makes your sitting more comfortable. Some want the challenge of enduring the pain. Others barely feel a thing naturally. But one thing is for sure, nobody wants to sit in agony for hours on end!

Thinking about a numbing cream? There's many on the market and none are created equally. Some wear off after 40-60 minutes. Others don't work at all.

Our clients have had success with using Painless Tattoo Co. brand, however if you read further, the FDA has flagged this product..

**UPDATE**

Please note that everyone will have a different experience with numbing creams. The effects could last anywhere from 45 minutes to 3+ hours. There have also been instances where the creams have been known to deaden the skin cells and cause damage to the epidermis; sometimes the tattoo itself. It is always advised to consult with a physician for the best advice. As we are always concerned with safety, comfort, and effective products, we will continue educating ourselves and the public with the best methods available. The world is changing at a fast pace; always err on the side of caution and make the best decisions for yourself.

**UPDATE - APRIL 2024**

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers in a statement issued on March 26 to avoid certain unapproved over-the-counter topical analgesic products because of the risk for dangerous health effects. 

The warning applies to products "marketed for topical use to relieve pain before, during, or after certain cosmetic procedures," including microdermabrasion, laser hair removal, tattooing, and piercing. The ingredients in some of these products, notably lidocaine, are present in concentrations higher than what is allowed by federal law.

"These products pose unacceptable risks to consumers and should not be on the market," said Jill Furman, JD, director of the Office of Compliance in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in the statement. 

The FDA has identified six products of particular concern and has issued warning letters to these six companies for illegal marketing of these pain relief products: 

• TKTX Company: TKTX Numb Maximum Strength Pain Reliever, Mithra+ 10% Lidocaine, TKTX During Procedure Numbing Gel 40%, and J-CAIN cream [LIDOCAINE] 29.9%
• SeeNext Venture, Ltd: NumbSkin 5% Lidocaine Numbing Cream (15 grams), NumbSkin 5% Lidocaine Numbing Cream (30 grams), and NumbSkin 10.56% Lidocaine Numbing Cream
• Tattoo Numbing Cream Co: Signature Tattoo Numbing Cream and Miracle Numb Spray
• Sky Bank Media, LLC, doing business as Painless Tattoo Co: Painless Tattoo Numbing Cream and Painless Tattoo Numbing Spray
• Dermal Source, Inc: New & Improved Blue Gel, Superior Super Juice, Premium Pro Plus, Five-Star Vasocaine, and Maximum Zone 1
• Indelicare, doing business as INKEEZE: Ink Eeze Original B Numb Numbing Gel, Ink Eeze B Numb Numbing Spray Black Label, and Ink Eeze B Numb Numbing Foam Soap

These products and others with illegally high doses of lidocaine could cause serious injury when applied in ways that could promote increased absorption, such as use on large areas, areas covered for long periods, or on broken or irritated skin, according to the statement. 

Potential serious health effects include irregular heartbeat, seizures, and breathing difficulties. The illegal high-risk products included in the warning also may interact with medications or dietary supplements, the FDA emphasized.

Potentially dangerous products remain available to consumers online and through retail stores, despite previous warnings dating back to 2009, according to the statement. 

The FDA has no evidence to support the safety of these products and advises consumers not to apply over-the-counter pain relief products over large areas or on irritated or broken skin and not to cover skin treated with these products in plastic wrap or other dressings because wrapping treated skin can further increase the potential for dangerous side effects. 

The FDA has asked the companies that received warning letters to respond within 15 days of receipt, according to the statement, and failure to address violations may result in legal action including seizure of products and orders to cease manufacturing them. 

Import alerts also have been placed on some companies to prevent the entry of the targeted products into the United States, according to the statement. 

Consumers and health care professionals should report any adverse events related to the use of over-the-counter pain relief products to the MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program.

SOURCE: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/fda-warns-consumers-against-using-some-topical-analgesics-2024a10005ue

Please keep in mind that how you take care of your body before and after your session, will dictate your tattooing and healing experience. We advise the following to better your overall experience.

1. Get plenty of rest before your session. A good nights sleep does more than you realize. It is often observed that getting a tattoo hurts more when you are fatigued.

2. Be plenty hydrated. Drink a lot of water within 24 hours of your tattoo session. Not only does this keep your insides working properly, but also makes your skin prepared to take ink and heal better.

3. Do your absolute best to keep your tattoo clean for the immediate 24 hours after your session. The last thing you'll want is an infection. Remember, tattooing creates an intentional and precise WOUND on your body that the ink is placed into. We BEG you to PLEASE avoid gyms and workouts within the first 24 - 48 hours of getting a fresh tattoo. You're almost guaranteed to get a bad infection.

4. Try not to binge drink alcohol or eat horrible food.

Aftercare instructions will be made available to you after your first session is completed. However, if you happen to lose them, you may download a digital copy at the bottom of this page., Please don't hesitate to contact us with any concerns. It is VERY important that you not only follow the suggested After Care, but also maintain proper health, sleep, and nutrition while your tattoo heals. 

Sometimes, depending on your personal healing process, some color may "fall out" in tiny areas. It happens, don't panic. This is different from the normal shedding of the epidermis, and we are more than happy to fix it for you. Any necessary touch-ups immediately after your final healing (within one month) are "on the house" at no charge. We pride ourselves in giving you the best tattoo possible, within reasonable practices from both parties. However, we will not "freshen you up" every few months just to keep that bright, new look. That costs extra, and is unnecessary since we use very high-quality inks. Negligent aftercare also falls on your responsibility, and will not be fixed for free.

While this was common practice in the not-so-distant past,  back in 2008 New York State made it illegal for anyone under the age of 18 years to get a tattoo, even with parental consent. It is classified as a Class B Misdemeanor (NYS Penal Law 260.21 Unlawfully Dealing With A Child in the Second Degree). While some shady tattoo shops and "home artists" don't care, we do care here at Acala, and politely refuse to put you, your child, or ourselves in an illegal situation. We understand the motivation and fashion for young people to get inked up. But believe us when we say that it is best for them to wait until they're at least 18 years old, for many reasons. If anything, it should give them plenty of time to REALLY make sure of what they want on their body for the rest of their lives. Don't be impatient, and certainly don't settle for just any artist or design. We are more than happy to get them started on this beautiful and expressive art form, once they are of age, and provide them with a good experience.
 

NOTE: Please do not bring small children into our shop while getting your tattoo done. It is distracting for all, and we must maintain a clean and relaxed environment here. Be advised that it is also a very adult atmosphere. Keeping your entourage to a minimum of 1-2 people is appreciated as well.

Uuuhhhhh, NO. There are many brands of inks on the market and VERY FEW that we actually trust. Those "fad tattoos" that use the "black light inks" are not safe at all to use. They are unregulated from China, and industry sources report that cleaning detergents are used in them, and are therefore, unsafe for the human body. 

**UPDATE** December 2018 - It appears that Mom's Inks has made safe Glow / Neon / Black Light products. However, reviews have shown that the effect doesn't last more than a few days to a few weeks at best. Therefore, we will still not be doing these kinds of tattoos.

Here at Acala Tattoo, we are proud users of StarBrite Colors TM. They are manufactured here in the USA in Somers, Connecticut, in a sterile manufacturing environment. Their colors are bright, bold, and last a long time. We know Tommy, the owner and manufacturer, and trust his product.  StarBrite Colors go in, stay in!

COMMUNICATION

With social media being what it is, we understand the convenience of communicating with us on whatever platform you happen to be on at the time. After all, we have to show our works and advertise over many interfaces. However, there are so many avenues that it becomes both confusing and overwhelming to keep up on everything. Unfortunately, some inquiries have gotten lost in the shuffle here and there, so we wish to streamline the methods of communication. Therefore, we will only be accepting bookings, questions, and reference photos in the following way...  

WEBSITE & EMAIL

AcalaTattoo@gmail.com or fill out our form at the bottom of the website's Home Page.

We will NOT accept booking inquiries from Text Messages, Comments or DM platforms on Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, Twitter, SnapChat, or any other social apps (they get lost in the shuffle). We love hearing from you, and want to make it easier for everyone in simplifying our methods of communication. But by all means, please continue to show your love by Liking and Commenting on our posts across all of the apps we participate on. We sincerely appreciate your support and sharing our interest in Art with everyone! 

WALK-INS & POP-INS

Since it’s founding, Acala Tattoo & Design has been, and currently remains, an “Appointment Only” shop. While we greatly encouraged walk-ins at our previous location, it is simply not possible at the new, private location. Please feel free to fill out a Design Intake Sheet to get booked at a later date.

The best time for walk-ins is during our Flash Friday events, which take place on the 3rd Friday of every month.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH for taking the time to familiarize yourself with our policies. As our business grows and evolves, so must the manner in which we have to conduct business. We can not express our gratitude enough for those that have supported us both as clients and fans. Our hope is to make everyone’s experience better with these policies, into the future.