FAQ

  • How should I prepare for my tattoo?

    Do not under any circumstance drink any alcohol before getting a tattoo, this includes the night before. Alcohol thins the blood and promotes excess bleeding, meaning that if you have any alcohol in your system you are going to bleed a lot more then if you had none. This will effect how your tattoo heals and may cause more scabbing and risk losing some ink in the healing process.

    Don't take any aspirin or pain-killers that contain aspirin or ibuprofen, these thin the blood and promote excess bleeding which means a longer healing period and may take longer for the process of your tattoo.

    Don't take illegal drugs before getting a tattoo, these could also promote the excessive bleeding, plus we will not tattoo you if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

    If you are taking any prescription medication, check with your doctor first, you may need to skip your dosage for that day, depending on what you are taking. 

    Some people find that half a week before and after their menstrual cycle, as well as during, that the pain of getting the tattoo is heightened. You may want to consider this time of the month before booking your tattoo appointment.  

    Make sure to eat a good meal prior to getting tattooed and feel free to bring snacks or something to drink. 

  • Do you use numbing?

    If you can avoid using numbing cream, that is ideal! Mostly because it is really unpredictable as to how your skin will react to it. More often than not, numbing cream makes the skin super spongy and it is harder to tattoo as it does not absorb the ink as well. If you know that you can’t tolerate tattoo pain very well, then some numbing cream could help you, but keep in mind it may end up costing more money if it affects the consistency of your skin and takes the tattoo artist longer to tattoo you. 

    Please email me if you are thinking about using these creams as I may have specific instructions for these products. 

    I also have Bactine in the shop which has Lidocain in it (the stuff that numbs) that can be used once the skin is broken, however, this only lasts usually 15 minutes.

    Overall, if you can avoid numbing products, that is the best option! But if you have been tattooed before and know that you need some relief to get through the session, then please email me to let me know.

  • Do I need to put down a deposit?

    I currently ask for credit cards to be put on file to secure you tattoo appointment. 

    In the case that you do not own a credit card I require a NON-REFUNDABLE deposit of $200 to secure your tattoo appointment.

    The deposit will be applied toward the cost of your tattoo. If you are getting a tattoo that requires more than one session, your deposit will be taken off of your last appointment.

    Deposits are payable with Visa or Master Card over the phone; email interac transfers, or you can also pay in person with Cash, Credit or Debit. I require no less than 48 hours notice to reschedule an appointment. If you cancel within 48 hrs of your appointment, you forfeit your deposit. 

    Appointments may be rescheduled at no cost (if outside of 72 hour timeframe).

    If you need to cancel your appointment, please call  right away.

    If you need to reschedule a free touch-up appointment, we require 72 hours notice.

  • How do consultations work?

    Upon reviewing your tattoo request form, I will assess if a consultation is required or not. Most often, consultations are recommended for anyone seeking a custom design, but if you have provided information and reference images that are clear, I may forgo the consultation process. Consultations generally last 10-30 minutes, and allow you the opportunity to discuss your idea directly.

    Please note that while the actual consultation appointment is free of cost, I do charge drawing fees which range from $20-$80 at the time of the consultation. The reason drawing fees are charged is because I put a lot of time into designing each piece, and some can even take several days to complete. At the time of the consultation I’ll make sure to discuss if a drawing fee is needed.

  • How do I know if my tattoo is healing correctly?

    If you think your tattoo is infected stop all aftercare and contact us immediately. We will ask you to take a photo of your tattoo and email it to us at: mika.macabretattoos@gmail.com 
    Include this information in the email: Your name, phone number, date you received the tattoo, location of the tattoo, what aftercare products have you been using.

    There is a chance you may be having an allergic reaction or your skin is just really irritated. Try taking an antihistamine, stop your aftercare for 24 hours, give the skin a rest, don't wear scratchy or dirty clothing against it, and if it doesn't look less red in 24 hours then go to a walk-in or your GP.

    Important: If you can't get a hold of us don't wait. Consult your doctor. You may have an infection and be in need of antibiotics.   
    When you leave the shop you will have a bandage on your tattoo. Please note, once bandage is removed after 2-3 hrs of leaving our shop, you MUST NOT re-bandage your tattoo for the duration of the healing process!

  • Do tattoos hurt?

    Yes.


    That being said some areas may be less sensitive than others! If you’re nervous about getting your first tattoo, the most common thing I have said to me is “Oh thats not as bad as I thought.” I like to equate the feeling of being tattooed to a less stingy cat scratch depending on the area. The best part too is the when the needle is lifted from the skin the sensation doesn’t linger.

    If you are nervous about pain I’ll happily go over more details at the time of your consultation.

  • Do you tattoo feet, hands or the neck?

    I give disclaimers to my clients that hands, fingers, feet and necks are harder areas to tattoo and don't tend to heal very well. A good rule of thumb to consider is if you want your tattoo to look good, choose a different spot. If you still want your tattoo on your hand, foot or neck feel free to email me your idea, just keep in mind, it is very likely you will require one or more touch-ups (I do not offer free touch-ups in these areas).


  • How much do you charge and do you have a minimum?

    Currently I charge $170 per hour and I have a minimum charge of one hour.


  • Do you charge for touch ups?

    Within the first 6 months a charge of $20 for smaller tattoos or $40 for sleeves and larger tattoos will be applied for touch ups if all aftercare instructions have been followed.

    After 6 months and for tattoos on the neck, hand or feet touchups will be charged full price.

  • Do you except walk-ins?

    Typically I book by appointment only, but if I do have time available I will make a post on my instagram.

  • Can I bring friends and family to consultation or appointment?

    Do to limited space in the tattoo area, I ask for you to come to your appointment alone.

  • How old do I need to be tattooed?

    I require clients to be +18 years of age in order to be tattooed.

  • Can I be tattooed on blood thinners?

    Blood thinners or aspirin may affect your tattoo during the tattooing process and during the time your fresh tattoo is healing. This is due to the fact that blood thinners decrease your blood’s ability to clot efficiently. Given these facts, your tattoo may require one or multiple touch-ups in order for your body to let it heal properly.

    Before considering getting a tattoo, I recommend consulting with your doctor prior to booking an appointment if you are on any type of blood thinner medication. I do not recommend stopping the use of any medication without your doctor’s advice beforehand.

  • Where are you located?

    I am inside oak and Aether at 829 Victoria street, Kamloops B.c.

    right beside the dairy queen downtown