About Tattoos
Booking an appointment at Leima starts by filling out the contact form on our website. Once you’ve submitted the form, our customer service will contact you and, if needed, arrange a consultation with a tattoo artist. Submitting the form does not commit you to a purchase, and the consultation is free of charge.
To book an appointment, we will ask you questions in the form related to your tattoo, which helps us choose the right artist for your project. Please fill out the sections carefully.
Consultation
The consultation is a free meeting with your tattoo artist, lasting approximately 15-30 minutes. During this meeting, your tattoo idea will be discussed. Afterwards, you will receive a time and price estimate from the tattoo artist.
Please send any reference images to your tattoo artist before the consultation. Reference images are examples of the tattoo style and theme you wish for your tattoo. They are not mandatory, but they help in selecting the right tattoo artist and assist the artist in visualizing your idea and its costs. The consultation is free of charge.
During the consultation, the tattoo artist may recommend another artist if they feel they cannot execute your idea according to your wishes.
If necessary, the consultation can also be held remotely. In that case, please email a picture of the area to be tattooed to your artist well in advance of the meeting. The picture should be broad enough for the artist to see any other tattoos or relevant details.
Booking Fee
A booking fee is always charged when you make a tattoo appointment. For follow-up appointments, no fee is charged. The booking fee is part of the total cost of the tattoo and will be deducted from the final amount. Instructions for paying the booking fee will be provided in your tattoo appointment confirmation letter.
Tattoo Day
A rested and nourished body tolerates the sensations of tattooing better. Therefore, it’s good to eat well, drink a little more water than usual, and get a good night’s sleep before your tattoo day.
It’s advisable to moisturize your skin (especially during winter months) daily with a thin layer of moisturizing cream for a few weeks before your tattoo appointment. During summer and holidays, please ensure your skin is not sunburned before your appointment. Sunburned skin cannot be tattooed.
You do not need to remove body hair before tattooing. The tattoo artist will shave the hair for you.
It is not advisable to consume alcohol the day before, as the pain from tattooing will only intensify if you feel unwell. Alcohol thins the blood and dehydrates the body.
Note: Please confirm with your doctor well in advance, if you are unsure whether your health condition or medication prevents tattooing.
A nutritious breakfast helps keep your blood sugar stable, allowing you to better endure the tattooing session. For longer tattoo days, it’s advisable to bring snacks, and you can also order food to the studio. There are grocery stores nearby. We recommend avoiding excessive consumption of caffeinated drinks due to their dehydrating and blood-thinning effects.
Please wear clothes that can get dirty and in which you feel comfortable for your tattoo day. It’s important that the area to be tattooed is easily accessible. Comfortable and flexible clothing is recommended. Please be mindful of others at the studio and avoid unnecessary nudity. For example, when tattooing the back, a front-opening hoodie or a cardigan worn backward works well. When tattooing the thigh, it’s good to bring shorts. The tattooing area will be shielded with a screen, but please note that multiple tattoo artists work in the studio. If you require a completely private appointment, this must be arranged with your tattoo artist well in advance.
You are welcome to bring items such as wool socks, your own neck pillow, snacks, and reading material. If you wish to listen to music or watch videos on your phone, please bring your own headphones. Video calls and meetings are not permitted due to the open-plan nature of the studio.
Payment
The tattoo is usually paid for at the end of the tattoo day, but sometimes also in advance, such as during busy Walk-In days.
Depending on the tattoo artist, accepted payment methods include cash, card payment, and bank transfer. Please confirm your specific tattoo artist’s payment methods from the booking confirmation before your tattoo day. Gift cards are also accepted as payment methods, depending on the artist.
Tattoo Aftercare
Begin tattoo aftercare by carefully following the instructions given by your tattoo artist. Please note that the tattoo’s size, location, and the methods used will affect healing. Generally, a tattoo takes 4-6 weeks to heal.
Always handle your tattoo with clean hands. A fresh tattoo is protected with a wound film (Second Skin) or plastic wrap (e.g., cling film), which prevents impurities from entering the wound. Remove the wound film within 1–3 days. If your tattoo is protected with plastic wrap, remove it 2–4 hours after getting the tattoo. Do not apply new protection.
Wash the tattoo daily with potable water and pat the skin dry with a clean towel or paper towel. Do not use disinfectants, as they dry out the skin and may also kill beneficial bacteria that promote healing.
Apply a thin layer of fragrance-free basic cream or a cream specifically for tattoo aftercare 2–3 times a day. This lubrication prevents excessive scab formation and promotes healing.
During healing, avoid swimming, sauna, direct sunlight, and rubbing the area. Do not remove any scabs that form on the surface of the tattoo; let them come off naturally.
It is normal for a tattoo to cause mild pain, redness, and tissue fluid discharge. There is no need to worry about these. However, if you notice abnormal symptoms, such as pus discharge or severe pain, contact your tattoo artist immediately and a doctor if necessary.
A healed tattoo will remain beautiful longer if you always protect it from the sun, for example, with sunscreen that has an SPF of 50. However, do not apply sunscreen to a healing tattoo; instead, protect it with clothing.
Things to Note
About Sports
Heavy exercise increases perspiration and creates favorable conditions for harmful bacteria. Additionally, exercise carries risks of the tattoo stretching (e.g., bicep curls stretch a healing tattoo on the upper arm and can tear open scabs). Pressure on a fresh tattoo can increase the risk of a so-called blowout (ink spreading under the skin). Other risks associated with sports include rubbing, soiling, and impacts to the tattoo.
About Sauna and Swimming
Sauna increases perspiration in the wound area and can promote the growth of harmful bacteria. Avoid sauna during the healing period. Stagnant water (such as in swimming pools and hot tubs) contains many bacteria, so it should be avoided during healing. Also, do not wash your tattoo with lake water, for example.
During Summer
Remember to protect your tattoo from the sun during summer. UV radiation fades tattoos, and good protection helps the tattoo’s colors last longer. During summer activities, festivals, and cabin trips, it’s good to remember that lake water is not suitable for washing your tattoo.
During Winter
Please ensure that a tattoo done in winter does not get frostbitten or that the scab of a healing tattoo does not rub, for example, under wool clothing. In winter, it is important to consider moisturizing the skin before the tattoo appointment and while the tattoo is healing.
In a Pet Household
Please ensure that your pets do not come into contact with your tattoo. We recommend changing to clean sheets and not allowing pets into the bed until the wound has healed. Please protect your tattoo especially well when cleaning up after your pets.
When Traveling Abroad
If potable water is not available for cleaning your tattoo, you can use saline solution or bottled water. Disinfectants should not be used unless the skin is infected, as they dry out the skin and also kill beneficial bacteria that aid healing.
Things to Observe While Your Tattoo Heals
If you notice signs of infection in your tattoo, such as severe redness, pus discharge, or intense pain, please contact your tattoo artist and a doctor. A fresh tattoo will excrete tissue fluid, which is not dangerous. Wound film can cause an allergic reaction, resulting in a bumpy rash around or under it. In such cases, remove the film immediately and wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and mild soap.
Removing the Wound Film
Always remove the wound film carefully under warm water, slowly lifting from the corners. Water will loosen the film’s adhesive.
Remove the film if a rash, wounds, or severe pain develops on the skin. Do not tear the film quickly off the tattoo.
Guarantee
Every tattoo includes a free touch-up session. A touch-up will be performed if the tattoo has lost color during healing or if there is anything else to be corrected that is not due to the following reasons:
The client has neglected aftercare
The tattoo was done on the feet, palms, or fingers
The tattoo was done on scarred skin.
A free touch-up session is booked when the tattoo has healed for 4-6 weeks. The guarantee is valid for 6 months from the date the tattoo was done. Please always send a picture of the healed tattoo when booking a touch-up appointment.
