Qualifying yourself as a candidate
for a cosmetic tattoo.
Do not schedule an appointment online unless you have thoroughly read the qualifiers. If you schedule and you are not a candidate you will be responsible for the full fee for the appointment. If you have questions simply call us and our guest service staff will be happy to help you!
Are you under 18?
In Ward county cosmetic tattooing is prohibited on minors even with parental consent. Please remember to bring your state or government issued I.D. to your appointment. We can not tattoo you without this form of I.D.
Keloid or hypertrophic scarring?
You have the same risk with permanent makeup and are not a qualified candidate.
Are you pregnant or nursing?
Although there is no evidence cosmetic tattooing affects babies we do not treat during this period as our insurance prohibits it.
Do you workout regularly?
Do not workout the day of your tattoo. Be prepared to not workout for 10 days. Do not do any activity that causes you to sweat in the area of the procedure or that causes you to heat up and turn red during your healing process.
Do you have a sunburn?
If you currently have a sunburn please schedule your appointment with plenty of time to allow your skin to heal prior to receiving your tattoo. Be careful to not get sunburn before you tattoo once you have secured an appt. If you come to your appt with a sunburn we will not tattoo you that day as we can only tattoo healthy skin. You will be responsible for the full procedure fee and be required to prepay to secure a new appt.
Are you currently on Accutane or have been within the last year?
This medication compromises and thins the skin and you will not be a candidate for tattooing until your skin health is restored. You must be off of Accutane for one year in order to receive a tattoo at Nickel & Dodge.
Are you currently using any topical or internal prescription medications that effect the dermal layer of skin? (Steroids, Retin A, etc.)
Many of these medications make the skin venerable and the healing unpredictable. You must discontinue use of Retin A for 14 days prior to tattooing and may resume again at 2 weeks post. Consult with your doctor to get clearance for tattooing if you are on any medications that effect your skin health.
Do you have facial fillers (non-lip), neurotoxin injections, receive microdermabrasion, microneedling/microchanneling or chemical peels regularly?
You must wait two weeks after filler (non-lip) or Botox/Dysport to receive a tattoo. You must wait 4 weeks after a chemical peel or microneedling to receive a tattoo. You must wait 2 weeks after microneedling to receive a tattoo.
Are you currently on anticoagulates or blood thinners?
Long term use of aspirin, ibuprofen and some herbs reduce clotting times, resulting in increased bleeding and bruising. This will effect the implantation of pigment & increase healing times. Do not take any omega supplements, vitamin E, niacin, aspirin or ibuprofen 48-72 prior to your procedure. If you take prescription blood thinners please consult with your physician, we require a doctors note to proceed with tattooing in this instance.
Do you have any active auto-immune diseases?
Auto-immune diseases may contribute to slower healing and an elevated risk of infection. We require a doctors note to proceed with tattooing in this instance.
Are you diabetic?
If you are insulin dependent you may not be a qualified candidate as healing is compromised. A doctors clearance is required.
Do you have Glaucoma?
You cannot have eyeliner as the pressure of the procedure can be damaging.
Do you suffer from blood disorders such as hemophilia, sickle cell anemia or platelet disorders?
Excessive bleeding will effect implantation of pigment and more treatments are typically required.
Are you diagnosed with high blood pressure, have a vitral valve prolapse, artificial heart valves or artificial joints?
If you require prophylactic antibiotics before dental work you will require a doctor’s clearance for cosmetic tattooing. Uncontrolled high blood pressure or poor general health also require a doctor’s clearance.
Do you, or have you ever in your life, had a cold sore or shingles present on your face?
Trauma from skin invasive procedures can cause shingles and cold sores to flare. You will lose all the color in the area of the breakout should it occur. You MUST have a script for anti-virals for any lip service if you have ever had a coldsore.
Epilepsy, Diabetes, Hemophilia or heart disease all require a Doctors clearance.
You must wait if you have had any eye surgery including lasik, cornea repair & scars for eyelifts/brow lifts need to be a minimum of 6 months old and no longer red.
Be mindful of your daily schedule on the day of tattooing.
DO NOT schedule a massage the same day after your tattoo appt.
You will likely be face down in a massage cradle at some point and this would be detrimental to your healing process.
Do not schedule a hair appt. the same day after your tattoo appt.
You may have chemicals from you hair appt. run onto your freshly tattooed brows.