Frequently Asked Questions About Getting a Tattoo.

How do I book an appointment?   

If you are in the opportunity to drop by our shop we can make a booking directly. The shop adres is: Tempest Tattoo Studio
Paardenstraat 9H
1017CX Amsterdam

But also on the home page of this website click on the button 'Book your appointment"  to write me a e-mail.
 

Can I call the shop for appointment?

No.
You can ofcourse call the shop to check if i have place available for walk in on that day. But since I work with a deposit system It is not possible to book appointments over phone.

Are Tattoos safe?

As long as you go to a professional artist that is following all recommended safety precautions, Here you can find information and registered tattoo shops in The Netherlands:

https://www.veiligtatoeerenenpiercen.nl/

Getting a tattoo is perfectly safe. Make sure you're fully honest about any medical conditions.

Does it hurt?

The simple answer is, yes it does. But pain is relative and therefor depending from person to person. Also depending on placement of the tattoo, some areas on the body are more sensitive than others.
Also the bigger the size and duration of the tattoo the more energy it takes from the body.

After a short period of time your body’s natural pain-killers (endorphins), kick in and make things much more manageable. How long these endorphins last usually defines your natural ‘limit’ as to how long a tattoo session you can handle (usually between 2-4 hours), after this time you will tend to become very uncomfortable.

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How long does it take?
 

Tattooing is not a quick process, neighter should it be rushed as you will be living with the results permanently. An averagely complex piece of work about the size of the back of your hand, usually takes about 2 hours to complete. Larger or more complex pieces can take tens of hours, and will require several sittings to complete ofcourse. Usually big appointments are made in multiples of hours, but some smaller pieces may only require 30 minutes . A Full Blackwork sleeve could take anything from 6/9hours work to complete depending on complexity/is it clean skin/are there colorfull tattoos underneight? etc.

Can I use a numbing cream / anesthetic or pain killers?

No. Here in the Netherlands we are not allowed to use numbing creams or anesthetics.
Some tablet pain killers can also cause a problem. Aspirin is the biggest problem as it thins the blood and reduces clotting, this will cause excessive bleeding during your tattoo, which will affect the quality of the finished tattoo. Aspirin will also extend the healing time that your tattoo needs so it is best avoided. Paracetamol will have little effect but not other than a placebo. Ibuprofen based painkillers can give minor pain relief during the process, by reducing localised swelling, and will not hinder the tattoo in any way.

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Anyway it is always best to keep your body Healthy, hydrated, and fueled (eat healthy before, during and after the tattoo session will be a boost for good and clean helaing of your tattoo.

My Friend Just Bought a Tattoo Kit and Wants to Practice on me, that's okay?

Do not let them do it. regardless how it will look, your friend could be putting both of your lives in danger by foolishly trying to learn this at home. There comes alot more to tattooing than just some random machine and china supplies. There are big health risks and spreading diseases quickly sometimes without even knowing!!! cross contamination etc.

Tell them they need to get a proper apprenticeship, and they can start practicing on you when their mentor (master) feels they are ready...
 

What Is the Best Time of Year to Get a Tattoo?

Although you can get a tattoo any time of the year, your skin gets a lot more abuse during the summer with possibility for swimming, tanning, and just being exposed to the elements more. Winter time is really the best season to get a tattoo.
For big projects and Heavy blackwork don't do it in the summer, since the tattooed area is very big and open, sweat and heat during healing process can cause easily infection.
 

How do i take care of my fresh tattoo?

I always provide my customers with a correct aftercare sheet after the tattoo session.

Here is the aftercare information for regular tattoos.
 

Please Note: Getting your tattoo is only the first step, how you look after it during the healing process can have a huge impact on how it ends up looking. Your body art will be with you for life, you've already been through  the painful part, so a fortnight of proper care should be a breeze to ensure you get the best from your tattoo.

• Leave (plastic)bandage on for 3-5 hours.
  Or Leave Second skin bandage on for 24 hours.
  Or the plasterspray will wash of by itself in 1/2 days.

• (Take the bandage of and) wash your hands with an antibacterial soap (Seba Med

• or Unicura Balance.) and lukewarm water.
  2.1.Wash your tattoo gently with an hypo-allergenic soap.

• Gently pat dry with a clean (kitchen) towel. (Make sure it is dry and clean before using.)

• No cream for the first 52 hours!

• From the next days wash 2times aday (morning and evening) with hypoallergenic

• soap and warm water.

• 7. Pat dry with clean (kitchen) towel. Make sure it is clean and dry before use! 7.1.Let air dry for another 15 minAnd Apply very SMALL amount of hypoalergenic- tattoo cream.

• Repeat cleaning and moisture for 2/3 times per day.
  7.2.Don’t put layer onlayer. (First clean, then put new layer of oinment.)

• DURING HEALING:
  - Personal hygiene is important.
  -DO NOT TOUCH YOUR TATTOO DURING HEALING.

• ONLY WHILST CLEANING PROCESS WITH CLEAN HANDS!
  -Scab wil form over the tattoo. do not pick the scab or scratch!!!
  -Scab will flake on it’s own, it is normal.
  -When ichy or dry, apply a small amount of cream after cleaning process. (with

• clean hands.)
  -The clothing worn during the recovery period that comes into contact with a newly

• applied tattoo must be clean and preffered 100% cotton.
  -Skin disinfectants (antiseptic) can interfere with the healing process. -Antibiotics can cause bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics and can lead to

• allergies. Do not use without medical advice.
  -After 4 days your tattoo should be completely dry, and no signs of open skin/ plasma.

• For the first 2weeks:
  -NO swimming pools, baths, sauna, sea, lakes, sun, tanning.
  -Shower is fine and recommanded.
  -Avoid direct sunlight.
  - No gym/sport activities for at least 3 days, after when you do go to the gym or sport, make sure directly after you wash and clean your tattoo during healing.

• If you are having any questions- please call us or E-mail:Bobby - info@bobbygrey.nl

Is Blackout / Heavy Blackwork aftercare the same as usual aftercare as shown above?

NO!
I have written down a whole diffrent aftercare for Black-out / Heavy blackwork tattoos which is for the first 4 days written day by day and then day 4 and after.
This document I always provide to you when getting Blackout tattoo or heavy blackwork. I also ask you to keep me updated with picture, every morning for the first 4 days just to see if it all goes as should.