How should I prepare for my tattoo session?

I always recommend firsty, to make sure you are well rested and hydrated. No matter the size of the tattoo, you want to give yourself the best odds of an easy, successful heal.

Secondly, eat a high carb meal before your tattoo. This helps prevent getting light headed or dizziness. You can also bring snacks or a sugary drink with you- we also provide this in the studio.

Thirdly, shower before your appointment. As the artist, it’s not fun working on a client who has bad personal hygiene.

It’s advised not to take medication that can thin your blood before your appointment, eg. Ibuprofen. Do not drink alcohol before your tattoo session- your skin won’t lie to me, ill know if you’re hungover! Be honest about any allergies you may have to certain skin products- we can avoid using them.

You do not need to shave the area of the tattoo before the appointment, I will do this for you in the studio.

Our studio is close to Saint Mary’s Stadium, please make sure you prepare extra time to get to your appointment if it’s a game day. Also, be aware of traffic in Ocean village caused by cruise ships or the ferry terminal.

How do you take payment?

Bank transfer is my current preferred method of pay.

Where are you based?

Outpost Tattoo, in Basepoint Business Centre.

Unit 81, Basepoint Business Centre, Andersons Rd, Southampton SO14 5FE

Is there parking at the studio?

You are welcome to use the Basepoint car park. You can park all day for free if you scan a QR code we provide you when you arrive at the studio.

Are your inks vegan?

The inks I personally use are Kuro Sumi, Dynamic Ink, and World Famous Ink. I advise to do your own personal research on the ingredients of these inks and make your own judgment.

Some colour ink may not be vegan due to the source of the pigments.

What are your policies?

My policies are highlighted on my Instagram profile.

Do you tattoo pregnant or breastfeeding individuals?

I will not tattoo you if your pregnant or breastfeeding due to the potential risks involved and my insurance policy.

Do you tattoo hands and/or fingers?

Yes, under certain conditions.

In order to book this in for me, I will need you to read through specific policies regarding this placement and the possible required touch ups which are NOT free. All hand/finger tattoos require a set up fee for touch ups, and sometimes you may need a few to make sure the ink stays in the skin properly.

I do not to cut corners and will not attempt tattooing your skin too deeply just to avoid a touch up- blow outs in these are areas are common. A lot of pictures of hand/finger tattoos you see online are either fresh, have had touch ups, or are edited, so you must have realistic expectations.

This is not the right placement for someone who wants to be low maintenance with their tattoos. I may also need to you sign a more customised consent form for this placement.

It is also preferred if you are a regular client as I need full trust and transparency with you, as I have been badly treated by clients before for having unrealistic expectations for this placement.

Always feel free to message me if you want more specific and detailed info!

How old do I have to be to get tattooed?

You must be 18 or over, and have ID on you and be willing to show this to me if asked. You can not be tattooed under the age of 18, even with parental permission.

I’ve been told different aftercare advice from a another artist or friends/family.

Please follow my aftercare instructions for tattoos I have given you, above any other advice you may have been given.

When will I see my design?

Larger projects and designs will be sent a day or two before your appointment in case there are changes that need to be made. Smaller tattoos are designed on the day of your session. This is how I have the best workload balance. Please do not spam me asking for design proofs. If you book in with me, I need your full trust in my design skills.

Can I use numbing cream?

Personally, I think the risks outweigh the benefits when it comes to using numbing creams.

Numbing cream changes the texture of your skin, almost rubberising it. This makes it harder for me to successfully get ink into your skin. I work delicately, and like to take my time in order to achieve my fineline results. Your appointment will need to last longer in order for me to tattoo your skin- ultimately risking your numbing cream wearing off. Using numbing creams, your body does not ease into the pain- it will hit you all at once when the effects stop working. This makes it more uncomfortable for you, defeating the purpose of its original use.

It also increases chances of infection. A lot of ingredients in numbing creams are not well regulated or even entirely legal in the EU. I will not take any fault for infected tattoos if numbing cream was used. Touch ups on tattoos which have had numbing cream on them will not be free- they will require a set up fee.

I also cannot guarantee how your tattoo should heal. Numbing cream effects everyone’s skin differently, and due to my lack of experience with it, I can’t assure you on its healing process.

Are your touch ups free?

The healing of fine line tattoos can have a more unpredictable nature, which is why it’s up to me as the artist and my professional discretion whether your touch up will be free. I like to work as honestly and transparent as possible, and if I can see fault in my technique or application I will take responsibility and do the touch up for free.

You must expect a delicate heal, and understand human bodies are not robotic and will not always provide an absolute perfect, seamless heal. Everyone’s skin regenerates differently, and the placement can also impact the heal. You must also wait 4-6 weeks before enquiring for a touch up, because then you can see how the ink has truly healed into the skin. A touch up does not mean something is wrong with your tattoo, it is simply maintenance, which you must consider a possibility with delicate tattoos.