
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you're new to the tattoo world or a walking Mona Lisa, our FAQs are here to help. From aftercare to booking, we've got you covered.
Still need help? Get in touch via our contact form.
Booking
Whether it's your first tattoo or your hundreth, our booking process is super simple.
Simply complete our contact form and we'll get back to you ASAP!
To allow us to speed up the process of giving you a quote we ask that you include the following information with your enquiry:
- Tattoo Style (ie. Traditional, Realism, Fine Line, ect)
- Placement
- Size (In CM)
- Colour or Black/Grey
- Preferred Artist (If you don't have a preference we can match you to an artist based on your ideas)
Once we receive your enquiry we'll be in touch via email and likely ask for any image references you have available so please have some images ready.
It's important to note that we don't work into existing ongoing tattoos being completed by another artist. If you have started a project with an artist we would recommend you speak to them before consulting a different artist to work on the piece.
We operate on an hourly rate which varies per artist with discounts being given for full day sessions.
Each tattoo is quoted based on an approximate length of time required to complete the tattoo.
Please drop us an email or message with info about your design and we can provide a quote.
To confirm your booking we will request that you pop into the studio to drop a deposit at reception.
Please Note: All deposits are none refundable.
Due to the nature of the tattoo industry all our artists are self employed and deposits are in place to protect their time and your booking. All deposits are none refundable. Deposits are taken to ensure that if a customer doesn't turn up for their appointment that our team are not left without work and income.
We understand that things do come up and we're happy to move deposits to a new appointment date, however we require a minimum of 7 days notice.
If you need to adjust your appointment we recommend giving us a call on 01904 671118.
We're fortunate enough to be a very busy studio and can find that our artists have waiting lists.
We hold diary openings for each artist a couple of times a year which allow for new clients and existing clients to be booked in.
Information regarding our artists diary openings can be found on their profiles and our contact page.
To be the first to receive information about diary openings, walk-ins and flash days please sign up to our newsletter.
Unless otherwise specified by your artist, our full day sessions are from 10:30am - 5:30pm.
Please be aware that this does not mean that you will start tattooing at 10:30am as the first part of your appointment can be spent finalising design elements, sizing and applying the stencil.
Whilst there are no specific things you should need at your appointment we recommend that you bring a sugary drink/snack as the tattoo process can be taxing on your body and sugar can help combat the fatigue.
We also recommend you wear sensible clothing in relation to where you will be getting your tattoo as we will require clear access to the area being tattooed.
Tattoo Aftercare
Getting the tattoo is only the first part, aftercare plays a HUGE role in how sharp and vibrant your tattoo heals.
We work with skin day in/out and understand that not everybody heals the same way.
With our combined 20 years of tattoo experience we've put together our best practice for tattoo aftercare which can be downloaded HERE.
Consider this the holy grail of aftercare wisdom just hungry to help you heal that tattoo!
The golden rule... CLEAN IT!
Your artist will have wrapped your tattoo up before leaving the studio. This could be using a puppy pad, cling film or second skin depending on the tattoo, artist or customer.
Please refer to the section of aftercare your artist has recommended.
PUPPY PADS
- If your artist has wrapped your tattoo in a puppy pad you will either be advised to keep it on until the next morning or you will have been given a second pad for changing it that evening.
- When you take the puppy pad off, use the shower to give the tattoo a good rinse clean, making sure you have successfully removed any build up or residue. For best results, use in conjunction with ‘Ormis Tattoo; Whipped Soap Tattoo Wash’.
- Simply lather a small amount up in your hands before proceeding to gently massage the tattoo in a circular motion. Rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry with some kitchen roll & allow to air for 10 minutes.
- Follow this by applying either a second puppy pad or cling film or second skin (whatever your artist has instructed).
- Please continue to keep your tattoo clean & covered with the advised method for up to 2 days following your appointment.
- Do not apply more than one of these options at the same time.
CLINGFILM
- If you have left with cling film on, then it is very important to ensure the tattoo is kept very clean and dry under the wrap.
- We recommend washing and changing the cling film approximately every 4 hours. I.e; morning, lunch, late afternoon, evening.
- When cleaning the area, remove the cling film and give the area a good rinse with lukewarm water. For best results, use in conjunction with ‘Ormis Tattoo; Whipped Soap Tattoo Wash’.
- Simply lather a small amount up in your hands before proceeding to gently massage the tattoo in
a circular motion. Rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry with some kitchen roll & allow to air for 10 minutes or so.
- Once the area is completely clean and dry, reapply NEW cling film only. (You do not need to use cream in the initial stages of healing).
- Please continue to wrap the tattoo in cling film for 3 nights in bed, and 2 or 3 days. Making sure you are cleaning, drying, and re wrapping the area every 4-5 hours. We recommend allowing the area to air for about 10 minutes or so each time unless you have been advised otherwise.
- If you can’t allow time to air (for example, you are at work) then feel free to just ensure it is completely dry and re wrap it.
- If you can’t access somewhere to rinse it clean, then please use baby wipes to freshen the area and apply fresh clingfilm until you are able to rinse it properly.
SECOND SKIN
- Your artist may put on a second skin film on your tattoo.
- Follow your artists' advice on how long to leave this on.
- In some cases your artist may tell you to change this the following morning. Alternatively you may have been told to leave it in for 3-4 days.
REMOVAL:
- To remove, using clean hands find a corner and gently peel from there. Do not pull it like a wax strip.
- Wash the tattoo using warm water, making sure you clean off any gunky residue. You can use a mild
unscented soap, we recommend ‘Ormis Tattoo; Whipped Soap Tattoo Wash’.
- Pat the tattoo dry with kitchen roll. Leave to air for 5-10 minutes.
APPLICATION:
- If you’ve been told to put on another layer of second skin, or are applying second skin following a pad, make sure the tattoo is clean and dry.
- With clean hands, peel the paper backing of the second skin.
- Apply to the tattooed area, making sure to leave an inch border around the tattoo. Remove the top layer following the direction of the arrows. This will leave a thin film on the skin.
- For larger tattoos this is easier to apply in smaller sections which can be overlapped.
- Leave this on for 3-4 days. After this don’t apply any more.
- Please note you may get a build up or fluid or an ‘ink sack’ underneath. This is normal, don’t panic.
- Swim
- Sunbeds
- Soak in the bath
- Go to the gym
- Leave uncovered & exposed for 48 hours after tattooing
- Listen to ya mate Terry's advice over trained tattoo artists
- Call us at 3am because you didn't clean it and now it's infected
If you work in a unsterile environment and have just had a tattoo done in an exposed area such as hands/neck/arms/ect we recommend you plan your booking to allow for adequate healing time for the 48/72 hours following your appointment.
This 48/72 hour period following the tattoo is crucial to the healing process as during this time period the tattoo is considered an open wound. Cleaning and wrapping your tattoo is the best way to keep this protected.
We find that customers who get tattoo's done on exposed areas who then work the following day in jobs that don't allow for the tattoo to be kept clean or wrapped can result in infection or deterioration in the quality of the tattoo.
Whilst we do provide touch ups we will not re-work tattoos for free as a result of poor aftercare.
Piercing Aftercare
You've just had a piercing, what's next? ...Aftercare!
We work with piercings everyday and understand that not everybody heals the same way.
We've put together our best practice for piercing aftercare which covers everything you need to sail through the healing process. Download it HERE.
HEALING
- Week 1: Fresh. Swelling, redness and bleeding is totally normal. Ice ice baby!
- Week 2/4: Healing. Yellow ‘crusties’ form, don’t pick 'em and no touchy!
- Week 5: Matured. Redness should be nearly gone.
- Week 12: In most cases it’s now safe to change your jewellery (ear lobes can be changed at 6-8 weeks).
EAR PIERCINGS
- Spray with saline solution 2 times per day then dry with kitchen roll (Don’t use cotton wool sticks or pads)
- Continue this for 3 weeks only
- After 3 weeks allow the piercing to form a light scab
- Do not pick or remove the scabbing
- Swelling and bruising is normal for 2 weeks
ORAL PIERCINGS
- Use mouth rinse twice daily after eating. Don’t overdo it!
- Cold drinks are great during healing.
- Swelling is normal for 2 weeks.
- Do NOT play with jewellery at all.
- Jewellery can be downsized after 6-8 weeks
- Rinse with cold water after every meal.
- Avoid spicy foods and heavy dairy products for a couple of days.
- Stay hydrated! Drink lots of water.
FACIAL PIERCINGS
- Spray with saline solution 2 times per day then dry with kitchen roll (Don’t use cotton wool sticks or pads).
- Continue this for 3 weeks only
- Do not turn/twist
jewellery and DON’T pick at any dried skin or crusties. - Avoid chlorinated pools or spas.
- Be sure NOT to sleep on piercing!
- Eyebrow and nose generally take 12 weeks to be fully healed (this can vary per person)
TORSO / NIPPLES
- Follow FACIAL aftercare.
- Female nipples should be protected with fresh nursing pads for the first 2 weeks.
- No bodily fluids on healing wounds.
- Piercing can take up to 6 months to settle.
DERMAL ANCHORS
Please note, we do not presently offer these piercings however we do provide check-ups.
- Ice 10mins on/10mins off, 3 times a day for first 2 days
- Come in to let us change your tops. (Where you had it done)
- Anchors heal in around 3 weeks.
- Do NOT cover or bandage.
- Be careful not to catch it!
- Sleeping on / bumping a piercing will slow healing and cause lumps to form.
- Hot chamomile tea bag compress soaks reduce bumps and increases blood flow.
- Low karat/quality gold or sterling silver can cause site irritation.
- Oral piercings that are constantly played with will rip & cause white, bumpy scar tissue. Saline rinses can help to get rid of bumps.
- Using alcohol wipes, Dettol, Betadine, Listerine or any harsh products will harm your piercing. Don’t use them please 🙂
- Avoid chlorinated pools or spa for 1 month following a piercing. We recommend even more time to be left before swimming in open water to avoid infection.
- Cleaning with cotton wool causes fibres to get caught in the piercing promoting infection, only use fresh paper towel/kitchen roll.
- Always have clean hands before cleaning fresh piercings.
Any questions, feel free to contact me via Instagram @piercings_by_Danny.
Gift Cards
We offer physical gift cards. Gift cards purchased online are sent via tracked postage to your delivery address.
Please bring your gift card with you on the day of your appointment.
Without proof of the gift card we will unfortunately not be able to discount the value from your session.
Our gift cards can be used within studio towards any tattoo, piercing, or item of clothing. Available in £10, £20, £50 for you to create whatever amount you like.
You can purchase a gift card online or if you would prefer to pop in you can purchase it from us directly in-store!
Shipping
Adara Tattoo Collective is 100% operated and distributed by our team in York. Whilst we try and ship orders within 3 days of purchase, please be patient and you will be notified via email once your order has been dispatched.
For in stock items we generally try to ship within 3 days of purchase.
Once your order is dispatched you will receive an email with your tracking code.
From dispatched our services aim to deliver orders within the following time frames:
Standard (Tracked 48) - 48 Hours
Standard (Tracked 24) - 24 Hours
If your parcel hasn't arrived with you please get in touch via then contact page or email us directly on hello@adaratattoo.co.uk.
Please include your full name and order number when contacting so we can assist in location your package.
We're sorry to hear that you haven't received a confirmation of your order!
As we're still in the early days of launching our site we're noticing that depending on your email client some of our emails are going straight to the junk folder.
Please check your junk folder and mark us as a safe sender so we can keep you up to date with your order!
Returns & Refunds
We accept returns within 14 days of the original delivery date. After 14 days from the original delivery date has passed we will not be able to accept a return on your order.
Returned items must be in NEW condition. We cannot accept used items. All returns must be free of pet hair and odor. If you send an item back in poor condition, it will be returned to you.
If you would like to return some or all of your order, please refer to our full return policy below and email us at hello@adaratattoo.co.uk with your full name, order number, and a request for an authorized return form.
EXCHANGES
We are accepting returns, but are not currently accepting exchanges.
If you need a different flavour we recommend ordering that product while it is still available online and then returning the original unused item(s) that you would like to be credited for.
If you would like to return some or all of your order, please email us at hello@adaratattoo.co.uk with your full name, order number, and return request.
Before contacting us, please read our full return policy below:
- You will be responsible for the return shipping cost for the item(s) you decide to send back. We cannot supply prepaid return labels.
- We will not refund any shipping costs, including the original shipping costs.
- Returns must occur within the 14 day return window.
- Returned items must be in NEW condition (unused and free of odor or pet hair.) We will not accept your return if it does not meet the above requirements.
- All sales are considered final for gift cards. Returns will not be permitted for any of the above items.
- All refunds will be processed using the original method of payment.
- Your return will be processed within 1-2 weeks of arriving at with Adara. Please note: During or following the busy holiday season processing times may be extended.
- Once we submit a refund the banks have to do their part which can take a few days. Bank processing takes an average of 3-5 business days for the credit to post to your account.
Once you've been in contact with our support team and have your return form ready please send the item(s) to:
Adara Tattoo Collective
52 Clarence Street
York
YO31 7EW
IMPORTANT: Please retain tracking information for your shipment and keep the tracking number until you've received your refund!
If you believe your item is damaged, please email hello@adaratattoo.co.uk within 5 days of delivery.
You should include your order number, a brief description of the issue, and a picture of the damaged item so that we can investigate.
If more than 15 business days have passed since we’ve approved your return, please contact us.