Are you considering a tattoo? We’ve put together a list of the most frequently asked questions about tattoos and the answers to those questions below. If you find you still have questions please contact us at (205)458-9998.
No. We accept walk-ins. Appointments are set for certain circumstances such as very large pieces or when we need time to custom design a piece. Appointments are set in-house and require a non-refundable deposit which will be applied to the cost of your tattoo provided you show up for your appointment as scheduled. Due to the risk of credit card fraud we cannot set appointments by telephone or email. In most cases we cannot make appointments for Fridays or Saturdays, however, you may discuss special circumstances with your artist who may be able to accomodate scheduling conflicts. You must come by the studio in person to make an appointment, complete an appointment form and leave a deposit if you want us to set aside time to work on your tattoo.
According to Alabama law you must be 18 years of age or older to consent to a tattoo or piercing. Government issued photo ID is required (driver's license, non-driver's ID, military ID, passport.) regardless of how old you look. There is no exception to this rule no matter how often you get work done.
Tattooing Minors
Our policy with tattooing minors is more strict than state laws. According to Alabama law, a minor may be tattooed with parental consent. There is no set age limitation in the law; however, due to obvious reasons such as body growth, personality development, and the amount of cover-up work we do for people who get tattooed before they are 18, our artists rarely tattoo minors. Minors 17 years of age and older may be tattooed (contingent upon artist discretion) if accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. Both the parent and the minor must have valid photo ID and either a birth certificate or legal adoption paperwork to document the relationship. If the minor does not have a driver's license then they must present either a passport, a school photo ID, or a yearbook photo with their name by the photo. If you have questions about documentation required for a minor please call us at (205)458-9998. We will not tattoo anyone under 17 years of age for any reason.
Piercing Minors
As with tattoos, our policy piercing minors is more strict than Alabama law. Body growth and development is one of the largest factor for determining if our piercers will perform any piercing procedure on any minor. School dress codes is another important factor to consider. Any piercing cannot be removed during the entire healing time, which will defy many dress codes. If this is the case, we will not perform the procedure to prevent any damage from occurring. Minors under 18 years of age may be pierced (contingent upon piercer discretion) if accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. Both the parent and the minor must have valid photo ID and either a birth certificate or legal adoption paperwork to document the relationship. If the minor does not have a driver's license then they must present either a passport, a school photo ID, or a yearbook photo with their name by the photo. If you have questions about documentation required for a minor please call us at (205)458-9998.
There are several reasons why we have so many health and medical professionals who choose Cloud Nine for themselves and their loved ones wanting tattoos or piercings. First, to the best of our knowledge Cloud Nine Southside is the only tattoo and piercing studio in the United States that is owned and operated by a degreed public health professional. Karri Henning, MSPH is a graduate of the UAB School of Public Health and has over 16 years of professional experience in infectious disease prevention with a specialty in bloodborne disease prevention.
Tattoo and body piercing studios are licensed and regulated by the Alabama Department of Public Health (health department.) We are inspected on a regular basis to insure that we are in compliance with all health and safety precautions. The health department issues an inspection report for each studio (pass or fail). The report notes any regulation that a studio has failed to meet. Be sure that any studio that you are considering has been inspected and has passed. We pass with flying colors and have never failed an inspection point. You are welcome to view our health department inspection report proudly posted on our studio wall at any time.
Our tattoo artists and body piercers carry the appropriate state issued body art operator permits and have completed bloodborne pathogens training. All permits and training certificates are displayed on our walls.
We take your health and safety very seriously. First, we never reuse needles. Your needle is brand new and sterilized in a hospital grade autoclave and kept in a sterile pack until ready to use. We open the sterile package in your presence so you can be sure your needle is new and has been properly sterilized. After your tattoo or piercing is complete the needles are disposed of in the appropriate red biohazard disposal containers like you see in your doctor’s office. Other equipment is properly cleaned using an ultrasonic, manual scrubbing and autoclave sterilization then kept in sterile packs. Our autoclave is tested regularly to be sure it is working properly and we keep those test results on file for your review. You are welcome to personally view our sterilization equipment, test results and tattoo/piercing procedure rooms anytime our studio is open.
The ink for your tattoo is poured into disposable plastic cups or trays. We never reuse leftover inks, ink cups or trays. All materials used in the tattoo process are set-up for single use in order to prevent cross contamination with bodily fluids. When your tattoo is finished all remaining ink and materials are properly discarded. It goes the same for body piercings. We open all sterile packages in your presence and never re-use cups, surgical scrub solutions, ointments, etc. We clean all contact surfaces with a hospital-grade bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal sanitizer/disinfectant between each tattoo and piercing customer. Tattoo artists and body piercers use latex gloves during the set-up and the tattooing/piercing process in order to protect you and themselves from infection. If you have a latex sensitivity be sure to tell your artist and they will use non-latex protective nitrile gloves.
We do all these things to protect your health...and ours!
This varies from person to person. Depending on your own pain tolerance you may find the tattooing process to be anywhere from somewhat uncomfortable to painful. Most people say that it is irritating, not painful. Where you choose to put your tattoo also makes a difference because some areas of the body are more sensitive than others. The body releases endorphins to deal with pain during the tattooing process. These endorphins can give a temporary, natural “high”. The sensation from tattooing is a temporary discomfort so you shouldn’t let the fear of pain effect what design or size of tattoo you choose because you may regret getting a very small or simple tattoo later. Your tattoo will be with you for a lifetime so you might as well get what you really like in the location that you really want. The discomfort of getting a tattoo usually doesn’t keep people from getting additional tattoos.
Your tattoo may be sensitive for a few days afterwards, similar to a sunburn. This is normal. Some people choose to take an anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen Sodium if they are uncomfortable during the initial stages of the healing process.
Yes. Our artists enjoy the challenge of designing an original tattoo to your specifications. We recommend you make an appointment to sit down with your artist during non-peak hours to discuss your vision for a tattoo that is meaningful to you. You are always welcome to bring in your own design and we can customize almost any artwork that we have here in our studio.
We hand draw designs and, when appropriate, utilize computer software during the creative process. We make a computer available with internet access so you can search for a particular design and so that we can research any details on your tattoo (spelling, wording, etc.)
Yes and no. You are welcome to bring friends and/or family but you should know that we cannot fit more than one or two additional people in the tattoo procedure rooms. For safety reasons we cannot permit young children under the age of 5 to accompany you to the studio lobby at all. Furthermore, we do not allow children under the age of 13 in the tattoo rooms. Children can get very bored and distracting during a tattoo so we recommend that, for everyone’s benefit and safety, you leave your children at home. We are not able to provide childcare while you are getting a tattoo or piercing. Due to space restrictions and to minimize disruption during your tattoo we can only permit one person to accompany you into the procedure room at a time.
We tattoo most parts of the body however we strongly discourage you from tattooing your feet, hands/fingers, joints (knees, elbows), in the waistband area or the sides of your neck. Due to constant friction and on the feet and hands, those tattoos usually require multiple touch-ups which eventually damage the quality of your tattoo. If you insist on getting a tattoo on your foot or hand please understand that we cannot guarantee your tattoo for any period of time. Ankles are ok to tattoo. Due to social stigma we recommend you do not get tattooed on your hands or the side of the neck. These tattoos can seriously limit opportunities for the rest of your life such as being considered for a job, housing or a loan.
You are paying us for our time and materials. The price, therefore, is highly dependent on the size of the tattoo, the amount of detail, whether it is in full color or black/grayscale as well as the part of your body you choose since some regions are more difficult to work on and therefore will take longer to complete. Your tattoo artist will quote a price on the tattoo of your choice taking all the above into consideration. Do not shop for a tattoo based on price alone. A cheap tattoo is not necessarily good. We fix a lot of “cheap tattoos” at Cloud Nine. You’ll save yourself money if you look for a quality artist and get it done correctly the first time. Our shop minimum is $50 for a tattoo which is fairly standard among quality tattoo studios in our area. Be wary of any studios with significantly lower prices since they may be compromising the safety or quality of the tattoo in order to keep it inexpensive.
For a more detailed explanation, check out the Pricing Page.
We accept cash, debit cards and all major credit cards including American Express and Discover. For your convenience you may include a gratuity for your artist or piercer on your debit or credit card. We do not accept checks, however, there are two ATMs within a block of the Cloud Nine if you need to pull cash from your bank account.
No, not everyone can. Various conditions affect your ability to heal and fight off infection. If you have diabetes, any autoimmune disorders (such as Lupus or HIV) or take medication to prevent organ rejection after a transplant we strongly recommend that you consult with your physician before you get a tattoo. These conditions will not prevent you from getting a tattoo at Cloud Nine Southside, we are simply looking out for your health. Severe diabetics should reconsider tattoos on the lower legs or forearms due to prolonged healing times and higher risk for infection in these areas. We will not tattoo you if you are pregnant or nursing. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason.
Tattoos can be removed but it is a long and expensive process using laser treatments. For this reason you should carefully choose a tattoo that you would want to keep for a lifetime. Because of relationship changes over time we discourage you from tattooing your spouse’s or significant other’s name on your body. If you would like to tattoo a name on your body we suggest you consider a family member’s name (children, parents, etc.) because these will never change. An alternative to removing tattoos is getting a cover-up with a new tattoo. You can work with your artist to choose a design that will adequately cover the old tattoo and reflect your personality or interests. Cloud Nine’s talented artists do many cover-ups and restorations.
You will receive written detailed aftercare instructions when you are first tattooed or pierced at Cloud Nine Southside. In general aftercare for a new tattoo is not very complicated. It involves daily cleansing and application of a non-fragranced dye-free light lotion (such as Lubriderm or Aveeno) or tattoo aftercare products (such as Tattoo Goo, Ink Fixx or H2Ocean). See our tattoo aftercare instructions below for more details. Aftercare for body piercings involves a daily cleaning and soaking routine until the piercing is healed. See piercing aftercare instructions below.
If you have already received a tattoo elsewhere and are unsure how to properly care for it, or lost the instructions we gave you, please see our aftercare instructions below or call the studio at (205)458-9998 and we will be happy to advise you.
The average time to complete healing is 4-6 weeks. During this time you should avoid soaking in water such as baths, swimming or sitting in hot tubs. You should also keep your tattoo well protected from sunlight and tanning beds during the healing process. For these reasons we do not recommend getting a tattoo before you go on a beach vacation or cruise. Use of a quality sunscreen will keep your tattoo looking bright and clear longer.
In the unlikely event that your tattoo shows signs of infection (such as increasing redness, swelling or hardness at the site, pus-like drainage, and/or onset of fever), you should consult with your personal physician.
No. Both Alabama law and our professional ethics prevent us from tattooing or piercing you if you have been drinking or appear to be under the influence of other substances. This is for your own protection. Alcohol and drugs reduce your inhibitions and, as a result, you may choose a tattoo that you will regret once you have sobered up. Alcohol also thins the blood and causes excessive bleeding during the tattoo process which can cause you to lose ink. Some drugs can actually heighten sensation and therefore intensify the discomfort of tattooing. This would make it harder for you to sit still during the process. After the tattoo is finished some customers choose to take a non-aspirin anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen Sodium. On the day of your tattoo do not drink alcoholic beverages or take any products containing aspirin which causes thinning of the blood and excessive bleeding.
In general we discourage getting a tattoo or piercing before vacations because it may be harder to keep up with the aftercare. In addition you will need to protect your new tattoo from sun exposure and submersion water activities such as swimming and hot tubs which could take a lot of fun out of your vacation.
Wait until you return from your vacation to get your new tattoo.
Yes. It is customary to tip your artist or piercer for providing you with excellent personal service just as you would for a waitperson or hair stylist. For your convenience you are welcome to put a gratuity on your credit or debit card.
Most artists will provide a free touch-up for one year after you receive your tattoo (excluding hand/foot tattoos) if necessary. It is a myth that all tattoos need touch-ups. If you care for your tattoo properly and avoid injury to the tattoo during the healing process you are unlikely to need a touch-up. Touch-ups can only be done once you have completely healed, a minimum of 4-6 weeks. Sorry, we cannot do touch-ups on Fridays and Saturdays. Our artists are happy to touch up tattoos done by other artists for a fee. Call your artist at (205)458-9998 to schedule a time when he or she can do your touch-up.
It is normal for your tattoo to become itchy, flaky or have some scabbing during the healing process. Do not scratch or scrape the flakes or scabs off, let them fall off naturally. During the healing process you may notice that your color looks hazy or not as brilliant as when you first got your tattoo. Don’t worry, that is normal during healing. Once your tattoo is healed you will find the color appears bright again if you have followed your aftercare instructions carefully (see below). If you are concerned that your tattoo is not healing properly please return to the studio and let us take a look at it.
Please check out our Tattoo Aftercare or Piercing Aftercare pages for more information.
For your own good, be patient and faithful in your aftercare routine. Everyone is unique and healing times may vary considerably. Following the instructions here will help insure a fast and effective healing process while maintaining the quality of your tattoo. If you have any questions, please contact us. If you have difficulties, we recommend that you contact your doctor immediately.
Under no circumstances should our instructions be construed to supercede instructions from a licensed medical professional.
Yes. We sell two types of gift cards for either retail merchandise (such as jewelry) or for studio services (tattoos and piercings). This is an obvious good option for birthdays or holidays. An even more popular use of Cloud Nine gift cards...health and safety conscious individuals will offer to pay for their loved one's tattoo or piercing provided that they have it done at Cloud Nine. This is when gift cards really come in handy. You can buy gift cards in any increment you choose. Any unused funds will be carried on the card for use at a later date (no cash outs).
FAQs
- Do I need an appointment?
- How old do I have to be to get a tattoo or piercing?
- How do I know your studio is safe?
- Does it hurt?
- Do you do custom designs?
- Can I bring my friends or family with me?
- What parts of the body do you tattoo?
- How much does a tattoo cost?
- What forms of payment do you accept?
- Can anyone get a tattoo?
- Can tattoos be removed?
- How do I take care of my new tattoo or piercing?
- How long does it take to heal a tattoo?
- Can I get drunk or high before I get a tattoo or piercing so it won’t hurt as much?
- I am going on vacation, is it ok to get a tattoo or piercing before I go?
- Is it appropriate to tip my tattoo artist or body piercer?
- Do you offer touch-ups?
- How do I know if my tattoo is healing properly?
- What are your aftercare instructions?
- Do you sell gift certificates?
No. We accept walk-ins. Appointments are set for certain circumstances such as very large pieces or when we need time to custom design a piece. Appointments are set in-house and require a non-refundable deposit which will be applied to the cost of your tattoo provided you show up for your appointment as scheduled. Due to the risk of credit card fraud we cannot set appointments by telephone or email. In most cases we cannot make appointments for Fridays or Saturdays, however, you may discuss special circumstances with your artist who may be able to accomodate scheduling conflicts. You must come by the studio in person to make an appointment, complete an appointment form and leave a deposit if you want us to set aside time to work on your tattoo.
How old do I have to be to get a tattoo or piercing?
According to Alabama law you must be 18 years of age or older to consent to a tattoo or piercing. Government issued photo ID is required (driver's license, non-driver's ID, military ID, passport.) regardless of how old you look. There is no exception to this rule no matter how often you get work done.
Tattooing Minors
Our policy with tattooing minors is more strict than state laws. According to Alabama law, a minor may be tattooed with parental consent. There is no set age limitation in the law; however, due to obvious reasons such as body growth, personality development, and the amount of cover-up work we do for people who get tattooed before they are 18, our artists rarely tattoo minors. Minors 17 years of age and older may be tattooed (contingent upon artist discretion) if accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. Both the parent and the minor must have valid photo ID and either a birth certificate or legal adoption paperwork to document the relationship. If the minor does not have a driver's license then they must present either a passport, a school photo ID, or a yearbook photo with their name by the photo. If you have questions about documentation required for a minor please call us at (205)458-9998. We will not tattoo anyone under 17 years of age for any reason.
Piercing Minors
As with tattoos, our policy piercing minors is more strict than Alabama law. Body growth and development is one of the largest factor for determining if our piercers will perform any piercing procedure on any minor. School dress codes is another important factor to consider. Any piercing cannot be removed during the entire healing time, which will defy many dress codes. If this is the case, we will not perform the procedure to prevent any damage from occurring. Minors under 18 years of age may be pierced (contingent upon piercer discretion) if accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. Both the parent and the minor must have valid photo ID and either a birth certificate or legal adoption paperwork to document the relationship. If the minor does not have a driver's license then they must present either a passport, a school photo ID, or a yearbook photo with their name by the photo. If you have questions about documentation required for a minor please call us at (205)458-9998.
How do I know your studio is safe?
There are several reasons why we have so many health and medical professionals who choose Cloud Nine for themselves and their loved ones wanting tattoos or piercings. First, to the best of our knowledge Cloud Nine Southside is the only tattoo and piercing studio in the United States that is owned and operated by a degreed public health professional. Karri Henning, MSPH is a graduate of the UAB School of Public Health and has over 16 years of professional experience in infectious disease prevention with a specialty in bloodborne disease prevention.
Tattoo and body piercing studios are licensed and regulated by the Alabama Department of Public Health (health department.) We are inspected on a regular basis to insure that we are in compliance with all health and safety precautions. The health department issues an inspection report for each studio (pass or fail). The report notes any regulation that a studio has failed to meet. Be sure that any studio that you are considering has been inspected and has passed. We pass with flying colors and have never failed an inspection point. You are welcome to view our health department inspection report proudly posted on our studio wall at any time.
Our tattoo artists and body piercers carry the appropriate state issued body art operator permits and have completed bloodborne pathogens training. All permits and training certificates are displayed on our walls.
We take your health and safety very seriously. First, we never reuse needles. Your needle is brand new and sterilized in a hospital grade autoclave and kept in a sterile pack until ready to use. We open the sterile package in your presence so you can be sure your needle is new and has been properly sterilized. After your tattoo or piercing is complete the needles are disposed of in the appropriate red biohazard disposal containers like you see in your doctor’s office. Other equipment is properly cleaned using an ultrasonic, manual scrubbing and autoclave sterilization then kept in sterile packs. Our autoclave is tested regularly to be sure it is working properly and we keep those test results on file for your review. You are welcome to personally view our sterilization equipment, test results and tattoo/piercing procedure rooms anytime our studio is open.
The ink for your tattoo is poured into disposable plastic cups or trays. We never reuse leftover inks, ink cups or trays. All materials used in the tattoo process are set-up for single use in order to prevent cross contamination with bodily fluids. When your tattoo is finished all remaining ink and materials are properly discarded. It goes the same for body piercings. We open all sterile packages in your presence and never re-use cups, surgical scrub solutions, ointments, etc. We clean all contact surfaces with a hospital-grade bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal sanitizer/disinfectant between each tattoo and piercing customer. Tattoo artists and body piercers use latex gloves during the set-up and the tattooing/piercing process in order to protect you and themselves from infection. If you have a latex sensitivity be sure to tell your artist and they will use non-latex protective nitrile gloves.
We do all these things to protect your health...and ours!
This varies from person to person. Depending on your own pain tolerance you may find the tattooing process to be anywhere from somewhat uncomfortable to painful. Most people say that it is irritating, not painful. Where you choose to put your tattoo also makes a difference because some areas of the body are more sensitive than others. The body releases endorphins to deal with pain during the tattooing process. These endorphins can give a temporary, natural “high”. The sensation from tattooing is a temporary discomfort so you shouldn’t let the fear of pain effect what design or size of tattoo you choose because you may regret getting a very small or simple tattoo later. Your tattoo will be with you for a lifetime so you might as well get what you really like in the location that you really want. The discomfort of getting a tattoo usually doesn’t keep people from getting additional tattoos.
Your tattoo may be sensitive for a few days afterwards, similar to a sunburn. This is normal. Some people choose to take an anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen Sodium if they are uncomfortable during the initial stages of the healing process.
Yes. Our artists enjoy the challenge of designing an original tattoo to your specifications. We recommend you make an appointment to sit down with your artist during non-peak hours to discuss your vision for a tattoo that is meaningful to you. You are always welcome to bring in your own design and we can customize almost any artwork that we have here in our studio.
We hand draw designs and, when appropriate, utilize computer software during the creative process. We make a computer available with internet access so you can search for a particular design and so that we can research any details on your tattoo (spelling, wording, etc.)
Can I bring my friends or family with me?
Yes and no. You are welcome to bring friends and/or family but you should know that we cannot fit more than one or two additional people in the tattoo procedure rooms. For safety reasons we cannot permit young children under the age of 5 to accompany you to the studio lobby at all. Furthermore, we do not allow children under the age of 13 in the tattoo rooms. Children can get very bored and distracting during a tattoo so we recommend that, for everyone’s benefit and safety, you leave your children at home. We are not able to provide childcare while you are getting a tattoo or piercing. Due to space restrictions and to minimize disruption during your tattoo we can only permit one person to accompany you into the procedure room at a time.
What parts of the body do you tattoo?
We tattoo most parts of the body however we strongly discourage you from tattooing your feet, hands/fingers, joints (knees, elbows), in the waistband area or the sides of your neck. Due to constant friction and on the feet and hands, those tattoos usually require multiple touch-ups which eventually damage the quality of your tattoo. If you insist on getting a tattoo on your foot or hand please understand that we cannot guarantee your tattoo for any period of time. Ankles are ok to tattoo. Due to social stigma we recommend you do not get tattooed on your hands or the side of the neck. These tattoos can seriously limit opportunities for the rest of your life such as being considered for a job, housing or a loan.
You are paying us for our time and materials. The price, therefore, is highly dependent on the size of the tattoo, the amount of detail, whether it is in full color or black/grayscale as well as the part of your body you choose since some regions are more difficult to work on and therefore will take longer to complete. Your tattoo artist will quote a price on the tattoo of your choice taking all the above into consideration. Do not shop for a tattoo based on price alone. A cheap tattoo is not necessarily good. We fix a lot of “cheap tattoos” at Cloud Nine. You’ll save yourself money if you look for a quality artist and get it done correctly the first time. Our shop minimum is $50 for a tattoo which is fairly standard among quality tattoo studios in our area. Be wary of any studios with significantly lower prices since they may be compromising the safety or quality of the tattoo in order to keep it inexpensive.
For a more detailed explanation, check out the Pricing Page.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, debit cards and all major credit cards including American Express and Discover. For your convenience you may include a gratuity for your artist or piercer on your debit or credit card. We do not accept checks, however, there are two ATMs within a block of the Cloud Nine if you need to pull cash from your bank account.
No, not everyone can. Various conditions affect your ability to heal and fight off infection. If you have diabetes, any autoimmune disorders (such as Lupus or HIV) or take medication to prevent organ rejection after a transplant we strongly recommend that you consult with your physician before you get a tattoo. These conditions will not prevent you from getting a tattoo at Cloud Nine Southside, we are simply looking out for your health. Severe diabetics should reconsider tattoos on the lower legs or forearms due to prolonged healing times and higher risk for infection in these areas. We will not tattoo you if you are pregnant or nursing. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason.
Tattoos can be removed but it is a long and expensive process using laser treatments. For this reason you should carefully choose a tattoo that you would want to keep for a lifetime. Because of relationship changes over time we discourage you from tattooing your spouse’s or significant other’s name on your body. If you would like to tattoo a name on your body we suggest you consider a family member’s name (children, parents, etc.) because these will never change. An alternative to removing tattoos is getting a cover-up with a new tattoo. You can work with your artist to choose a design that will adequately cover the old tattoo and reflect your personality or interests. Cloud Nine’s talented artists do many cover-ups and restorations.
How do I take care of my new tattoo or piercing?
You will receive written detailed aftercare instructions when you are first tattooed or pierced at Cloud Nine Southside. In general aftercare for a new tattoo is not very complicated. It involves daily cleansing and application of a non-fragranced dye-free light lotion (such as Lubriderm or Aveeno) or tattoo aftercare products (such as Tattoo Goo, Ink Fixx or H2Ocean). See our tattoo aftercare instructions below for more details. Aftercare for body piercings involves a daily cleaning and soaking routine until the piercing is healed. See piercing aftercare instructions below.
If you have already received a tattoo elsewhere and are unsure how to properly care for it, or lost the instructions we gave you, please see our aftercare instructions below or call the studio at (205)458-9998 and we will be happy to advise you.
How long does it take to heal a tattoo?
The average time to complete healing is 4-6 weeks. During this time you should avoid soaking in water such as baths, swimming or sitting in hot tubs. You should also keep your tattoo well protected from sunlight and tanning beds during the healing process. For these reasons we do not recommend getting a tattoo before you go on a beach vacation or cruise. Use of a quality sunscreen will keep your tattoo looking bright and clear longer.
In the unlikely event that your tattoo shows signs of infection (such as increasing redness, swelling or hardness at the site, pus-like drainage, and/or onset of fever), you should consult with your personal physician.
Can I get drunk or high before I get a tattoo or piercing so it won’t hurt as much?
No. Both Alabama law and our professional ethics prevent us from tattooing or piercing you if you have been drinking or appear to be under the influence of other substances. This is for your own protection. Alcohol and drugs reduce your inhibitions and, as a result, you may choose a tattoo that you will regret once you have sobered up. Alcohol also thins the blood and causes excessive bleeding during the tattoo process which can cause you to lose ink. Some drugs can actually heighten sensation and therefore intensify the discomfort of tattooing. This would make it harder for you to sit still during the process. After the tattoo is finished some customers choose to take a non-aspirin anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen Sodium. On the day of your tattoo do not drink alcoholic beverages or take any products containing aspirin which causes thinning of the blood and excessive bleeding.
I am going on vacation, is it ok to get a tattoo or piercing before I go?
In general we discourage getting a tattoo or piercing before vacations because it may be harder to keep up with the aftercare. In addition you will need to protect your new tattoo from sun exposure and submersion water activities such as swimming and hot tubs which could take a lot of fun out of your vacation.
Wait until you return from your vacation to get your new tattoo.
Is it appropriate to tip my tattoo artist or body piercer?
Yes. It is customary to tip your artist or piercer for providing you with excellent personal service just as you would for a waitperson or hair stylist. For your convenience you are welcome to put a gratuity on your credit or debit card.
Most artists will provide a free touch-up for one year after you receive your tattoo (excluding hand/foot tattoos) if necessary. It is a myth that all tattoos need touch-ups. If you care for your tattoo properly and avoid injury to the tattoo during the healing process you are unlikely to need a touch-up. Touch-ups can only be done once you have completely healed, a minimum of 4-6 weeks. Sorry, we cannot do touch-ups on Fridays and Saturdays. Our artists are happy to touch up tattoos done by other artists for a fee. Call your artist at (205)458-9998 to schedule a time when he or she can do your touch-up.
How do I know if my tattoo is healing properly?
It is normal for your tattoo to become itchy, flaky or have some scabbing during the healing process. Do not scratch or scrape the flakes or scabs off, let them fall off naturally. During the healing process you may notice that your color looks hazy or not as brilliant as when you first got your tattoo. Don’t worry, that is normal during healing. Once your tattoo is healed you will find the color appears bright again if you have followed your aftercare instructions carefully (see below). If you are concerned that your tattoo is not healing properly please return to the studio and let us take a look at it.
What are your aftercare recommendations?
Please check out our Tattoo Aftercare or Piercing Aftercare pages for more information.
For your own good, be patient and faithful in your aftercare routine. Everyone is unique and healing times may vary considerably. Following the instructions here will help insure a fast and effective healing process while maintaining the quality of your tattoo. If you have any questions, please contact us. If you have difficulties, we recommend that you contact your doctor immediately.
Under no circumstances should our instructions be construed to supercede instructions from a licensed medical professional.
Do you sell gift certificates?
Yes. We sell two types of gift cards for either retail merchandise (such as jewelry) or for studio services (tattoos and piercings). This is an obvious good option for birthdays or holidays. An even more popular use of Cloud Nine gift cards...health and safety conscious individuals will offer to pay for their loved one's tattoo or piercing provided that they have it done at Cloud Nine. This is when gift cards really come in handy. You can buy gift cards in any increment you choose. Any unused funds will be carried on the card for use at a later date (no cash outs).