Tattoo FAQ
Making an Appointment:
Due to high request volume, some tattoo inquires will take awhile to be responded to. Our artists are typically booked at least a few weeks in advance so please be patient and we will eventually respond. The Silver Spring location usually has lower wait times than our DC locations.
All tattoos are done by appointment only. All tattoo appointments and estimates can be made online on our website by selecting the “Tattoo Appointments and Estimates” menu option. Don't worry, it's easy! Just login in to our portal and from there you can request services. Once your assigned artist responds to your request and messages you, you will receive an email with a link that will take you directly to your conversation with your artist. You can also log back in via our website to your conversation on our portal. Your artist may request an in-person consultation in order to fully understand your ideas and scope of work before pricing your tattoo.Be prepared:
When coming in to get your tattoo make sure you have recently eaten and are hydrated. Also make sure that you have bathed and are clean.
Tattoo Pricing:
Our artists charge a minimum of $195 an hour for tattoos that take 7 hours or more to complete. All other tattoos are priced by the piece. Please understand that we do charge for any time involved in preparing your tattoo including discussing your piece and drawing at the time of your appointment. Our minimum charge for tattoos is $100.
Tattoo Aftercare:
Remove your bandage when you get home. Do not leave bandage on for more than 3 hours. After bandage is removed, all remaining ointment and bodily fluid should be wiped off the tattoo either by using a clean, wet paper towel or in the shower using minimal soap. Make sure your hands are clean before cleaning your tattoo.
For the first 1-2 days, lightly moisturize your tattoo 1-2 times daily with A+D ointment. Once the tattoo is no longer an open wound and the skin has begun to seal, discontinue using the A+D ointment and begin moisturizing the tattooed area as needed with After Inked or a mild skin lotion. Continue moisturizing twice daily until your skin’s natural pH balance is achieved. Always wash hands before applying ointments and lotions. If you have any kind of bad reaction to either your ointment or lotion (rash, bumps, soreness, redness, etc), discontinue using all moisturizing products.
Your tattoo will sometimes flake, peel, and/or scab in a few days. This is a normal part of the healing process. Often a tattoo will itch during this time. Do not scratch your tattoo. Allow the flakes to fall off naturally. Wear loose, breathable clothing that does not rub against your healing tattoo. Do not engage in any activity that would cause any rubbing or friction of the tattooed area. Do not allow anything unclean to touch a healing tattoo including public places, animals, pools, baths, bodies of water, etc.
Avoid the use of oils, sun block and beauty products on a healing tattoo.
For the first night only, Fatty’s recommends that you cover your tattoo with a plastic, breathable bandage right before going to bed. Lightly moisturize your tattoo with A+D ointment before wrapping it. Secure your plastic covering with tape. Take the bandage off when waking and again follow the bandage removal instructions.
After your tattoo is fully healed, Fatty’s recommends using sun block (SPF 40 or higher) when exposing the tattoo to the sun.
Age Requirements:
You must be at least 18 to get tattooed at Fatty’s. We will perform some piercings on minors only out of our Silver Spring location (See Piercing FAQ for details).