What Is a Tattoo?

A tattoo is a puncture wound, made deep in your skin, that's filled with ink. It's made by penetrating your skin with a needle and injecting ink into the area, usually creating some sort of design.

What makes tattoos so long-lasting is they're so deep — the ink isn't injected into theepidermis (the top layer of skin that you continue to produce and shed throughout your lifetime). Instead, the ink is injected into the dermis, which is the second, deeper layer of skin.

Dermis cells are very stable, so the tattoo is permanent.

Does It Hurt to Get a Tattoo?

Pain is really relative. Everyone has a different tolerance to pain. Getting a tattoo can hurt Because getting a tattoo involves being stuck multiple times with a needle,

it can feel like getting a bunch of shots or being stung by a hornet multiple times. Some people describe the tattoo sensation as "tingling."

It all depends on your pain threshold, how good the person wielding the tattoo machine is, and where exactly on your body you're getting the tattoo. Also, keep in mind that you'll probably bleed a little.

Is it safe to get a tattoo?

Rick's Tattoo believes that it's very important to make sure the tattoo studio is clean and safe.

All the equipment used is disposable (in the case of needles, gloves, masks, etc.) and sterilized (everything else).

Virginia State law requires that no person shall tattoo or perform body piercing on any client unless they complies with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines for "Universal Blood and Body Fluid Precautions."

 

How old do I have to be to get a tattoo?

Virginia State law requires that you must be 18 years of age or older to get a tattoo except in the presence of the person's parent or guardian .

We do not advocate the tattooing of anyone under the age of eighteen.

You will be asked to present a valid, legal photo ID every time you come in for any tattoo.

Acceptable forms of ID include: driver's license, state issued non-driver ID card, military ID, embassy issued ID, passport, etc.

If you arrive for a tattoo appointment without proper ID, you will not get tattooed and you may lose your deposit money.

What kinds of tattoo designs can I choose from?

When it comes to today’s tattoo designs, the choices are almost endless! Your first step is to browse some web sites – just do a Google search for tattoo designs”. Chances are, you’ll be overwhelmed by the sheer variety – there’s tribal, Celtic, traditional, fine line, asian, biomechanical, black and grey, … the possibilities are endless.

Can your artists do different styles of art?

Our greatest requests are for custom, one-of-a-kind tattoos. Our artists are well rounded and are very experienced in
all types of artwork from the traditional style to the most popular styles such as Japanese, fine-line black & grey, tribal,
new colorful and realistic. 

How much is it going to cost?

When it comes to tattoos, you get what you pay for. Yes, there are plenty of people tattooing out there that will ink you cheap, and you'll be crying to a real artist to have it covered up.

Look for quality, and be willing to pay for it. NEVER haggle over the price of a tattoo. If you can't pay for quality, don't bother. This is not a bargain bin. It is a piece of art you will wear for life.

Tattoo prices vary according to the size and tattoo designs, a larger and more complex design will cost more than a smaller, simpler one.

As an example a, relatively simple tattoo design about the size of a silver dollar usually costs about $70 or $80.

Can I bring in my own drawing? 

We encourage you to bring in your own artwork or references and ideas that our artists can use to draw you a custom tattoo.

Our artists may need to rework your personal drawings based on the drawing¹s tattoo ability.

Custom tattoos require time to draw. The amount of time necessary to draw your tattoo will depend on how booked the artist is and on the scope of the piece.

Once the artist has drawn for you he/she will re-work it, if necessary, so you are satisfied.

Do i need an appointment?

We have both appointments and walk-in spaces available for tattoos. We accept appointments for everyday except Saturday, which is reserved for walk-ins.

Appointments require a deposit. We do not take new appointments over the phone, so, When you come in to make A new appointment please bring a $65 non-refundable deposit. The $65 deposit is applied to the cost of the tattoo if you arrive for your appointment.

Walk-ins are taken on a first come, first served basis and are purely luck of the draw.  Some days are busier than other and we cannot guarantee the availability of walk-in spots.

Can I have a drink before I get tattooed?

It is illegal and ill-advised to get tattooed while you are under the influence. Contrary to popular belief it will not make your experience any better. It actually makes the process more difficult for you and the artist and raises the risk of complications.

If you appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol we may decline to tattoo you.

Should I eat before I get tattooed?

It is ideal to eat within four hours of being tattooed. Having stable blood sugar bolsters your immune system and helps the body deal with the fluctuation of endorphins, which are emitted during the tattoo process.