needle IN A HAYSTACK TATTOO

Bring a valid government issued ID for paperwork. (You must be over 18 to get tattooed at our shop!) Get a good night's rest - Your body needs the energy. Have something in your stomach at least an hour before your appointment. We want to keep your blood sugar up! The sooner you eat before your appointment, the better. Don't take any bloodthinners for 12 hours prior to the appointment. (i.e. acetaminophen, ibuprofen, alcohol, marijuana, etc.) They can thin the blood or slow clotting time. Bring a snack or cold drink! (I supply some treats, but if you have allergies, I may not be able to accommodate!) Don't shave beforehand - It may cause skin irritation which could impact the application of the tattoo.

Not at this time! While it is completely legal in Kentucky to get a tattoo as young as 16, our shop will not tattoo anyone under 18. If you find a shop that will tattoo minors, they will have specific paperwork that will need to be notarized beforehand. Some shops have a notary on staff to help expedite the process. We don't know of any shops locally that will tattoo minors, so we are unable to give recommendations at this time.

This is completely up to the discretion of you and your tattoo artist. Please discuss with your artist before using numbing creams prior to your appointment. There was an article put out by the FDA that warns against specific brands and applications [[here]](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-warns-consumers-avoid-certain-topical-pain-relief-products-due-potential-dangerous-health). Honeykak prefers not to tattoo skin that has been numbed (i.e. it constricts blood vessels which can cause for a rougher healing period once the numbing wears off, it can impact the texture of the skin & how the ink is retained, etc). However, she does offer Bactine (4% lidocaine spray) upon request.

You are more than welcome to bring your own design if you've drawn it yourself or purchased it from an artist. To maintain artistic integrity, we will not copy tattoos off someone else's body unless given explicit permission. 99% of the time, we want your new tattoo to be unique and specialized just for you. We prefer to redraw or incorporate *your* touch into the design if you find one you like outside of our shop.

We specialize in making your tattoo experience as calm and relaxed as you desire. Needle in a Haystack Tattoo is a private studio space, so we can maintain a quiet and calm environment with little to no interruptions. If you want to chat to keep your mind off things, or would prefer to put on headphones and zone out, we can accommodate either. If you start to feel faint, you are in safe hands. We have specific procedures (& tips/tricks) for keeping you feeling your best. There's also a fully-stocked snack bar that includes light eats, sodas, water, and tea. Honeykak can even pace you through each step of the process, and work at your speed if you need breaks.

You are more than welcome to bring a friend (or a few) with you to your appointment. We have enough seating for up to five individuals, not including the person receiving the tattoo.

Tattoos hurt differently on different body parts and different people. Everyone has a different pain tolerance. This can make it hard to estimate exactly how much a tattoo will hurt in any given area. Softer, meatier areas (i.e. underarm, armpit, inner thigh, etc.) are known to be spicier. Thinner skinned areas (i.e. sternum, collarbone, joints, etc) are also known to be more sensitive. This can vary to person to person. Many people compare the feeling to a very bad sunburn thats being poked with a sharp pen. Cat scratches are also a close comparison. It tends to be a hot, spicy sensation more than sharp, stabby pain. Variables like artist, tattoo machine, and technique/style can also all play a role in pain.

90% of the time, we will need a consult to be sure. Feel free to reach out to our artists about scheduling a free consult, or we may be able to tell from a picture.