To help reduce swelling and irritation, use Ibuprofen or similar NSAID (acetaminophen will not help with swelling but can help with discomfort) for the first 3-4 days as directed on the packaging. At four weeks, the tattoo will typically be fully healed and we can do any necessary touchups after that time.
Over-the-counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help take the edge off the soreness. You may want to avoid aspirin, as it can thin your blood and potentially increase bleeding.
After your procedure, it is normal to experience slight swelling and redness in the tattooed area, and your skin may be uncomfortable. We will discuss ways to ease discomfort with you which may include taking simple painkillers such as paracetamol (always read the instructions; do not exceed the maximum dose).
DO NOT take blood thinners, aspirin or ibuprofen. Thin blood = excess bleeding = bad tattoos.
* THE USE OF PAINKILLERS DURING A TATTOO:
But ibuprofen and paracetamol can help, don't use aspirin as the blood doesn't clot so you get a lot more bleeding during the tattoo.
A $500 tattoo is typically a medium-sized piece, often around palm-sized or slightly larger (roughly 4-6 inches), but the actual size heavily depends on the artist's hourly rate (usually $100-$200/hour), design complexity, color, and location, allowing for 2-5 hours of work, potentially resulting in a detailed forearm piece or a smaller chest/back design, rather than a full sleeve.
After getting a tattoo, avoid scratching/picking, submerging in water (baths, pools, hot tubs), direct sun exposure, tight clothing, and harsh soaps or petroleum jelly; instead, keep it clean with mild soap, moisturize lightly with artist-recommended lotion, and let it heal undisturbed to prevent infection and preserve the ink. Always follow your tattoo artist's specific aftercare instructions for best results.
Line work is more intense concentrated pain while shading is much broader. Shading goes over already raw and worked skin multiple times. Because of this the constant penetration of the needle required for shading can intensify the discomfort, making color-heavy tattoos more challenging for some individuals.
Similar to alcohol, over-the-counter blood thinners like aspirin or ibuprofen can increase bleeding during the tattooing process. These medications may hinder the tattoo artist's ability to work efficiently while achieving vibrant colors.
Yes, a $50 tip on a $300 tattoo is a good tip, landing around 16-17%, which is well within the standard 15-20% range for good service, but if you absolutely loved the work or it was a custom piece, tipping $60-$75 (20-25%) would be even better, showing extra appreciation for exceptional quality and effort.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relief
For some people, taking an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or aspirin before or after their tattoo appointment can help reduce swelling and pain.
Showering With a New Tattoo: Precautions
Use lukewarm water and mild, scent-free soap to avoid irritating the sensitive skin. Remember to pat your tattoo dry with a clean towel gently; avoid rubbing it. After showering, apply a thin layer of scent-free, alcohol-free moisturizer to keep the tattoo hydrated.
Among the rest of the Stories & Ink team, the most painful places to get a tattoo include:
Because most anti-inflammatories and pain relievers contain blood thinning agents, these medications should be avoided. The exception is Tylenol (acetaminophen) For pain control, Tylenol is a safe alternative that can be taken at any time before surgery.
Use Soothing Products
Since tattoos heal up like wounds, it's common to feel some irritation and swelling after your appointment. To help lessen any discomfort or reduce redness, apply soothing, pain-relieving gels and creams to help provide additional comfort.
Red ink is still the most likely color to cause skin problems. Why? Red tattoo inks are the most likely to cause health complications, including rashes and pseudolymphomas, both symptoms of an allergic reaction.
For a $500 tattoo, a standard tip is $75 to $100 (15-20%), but you can tip more, even $125 or higher (25%+), for exceptional work, a long session, or custom design, with factors like artist's expertise and your satisfaction influencing the amount. Tipping 20% ($100) is generally considered great service, but tipping less is also okay if you're on a tight budget, while tipping more shows extra appreciation.
A $2000 tattoo can range from a large, detailed half-sleeve or thigh piece to a significant portion of a full sleeve or back piece, depending heavily on artist skill, location, color, and detail, often requiring multiple sessions for complex designs. It's usually a large, custom design (like 12+ inches or covering a significant limb area) that takes several hours or more, rather than just a small or simple tattoo, as shown in this example of a $2000 tattoo.
Here's a handful of bad habits that are top of the list of things tattoo artists hate.
No, $200 an hour is generally not considered a lot for a professional, experienced tattoo artist in 2025-2026, often falling into the standard or even lower-mid range, especially in major cities or for specialized styles like realism or fine-line work, though rates vary significantly by location, artist demand, and expertise. While some talented artists charge around $100-$150/hour, high-demand or highly specialized artists can easily charge $250-$300+ per hour.
Color vs.
Color tattoos often cost more than black and grey because they typically require additional passes and materials. The difference ultimately comes down to the time involved, the intricacy, and the technique.
Style Suitability: Intricate styles like realism or fine-line work benefit from stable, spacious areas like the upper arm. Simpler, bolder styles such as American Traditional or geometric patterns are well-suited for more dynamic areas like the forearm.
It's a way to show appreciation for the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into creating your tattoo. The Standard Tipping Rate: While there isn't a strict rule for how much to tip your tattoo artist, a standard practice is to tip between 10% to 20% of the total cost of your tattoo.