No. In order to create as safe and comfortable of an environment for our clients as possible, we are an appointment-only studio.

We take being a private, safe space very seriously, so our address is not given out until you make your appointment. For general location reference, we are nestled between the 101 and the 60 in Mesa, Arizona.

We don’t have a phone number, but we are all pretty great about checking our DMs on socials, so feel free to reach out. To specifically book an appointment, fill out our inquiry form about the tattoo you are looking to get and we will get back to you asap.

• Avoid heavy drinking alcohol and any drug use at least 48 hours prior to your tattoo appointment, as well as sun/bed tanning.

• Get a good night‘s sleep the night before your appointment. The more rested you are, the easier it will be for you and the artist to complete your tattoo session.

• It is very important that you eat and hydrate before your appointment. Heavier meals will help make your session easier to handle. Never get tattooed on an empty stomach.

• Due to circumstances outside of our control, your artist may fall behind schedule on rare occasions. If you are on a tight schedule the day of your appointment, please notify us at least 24 hours before your appointment and we will get you rescheduled.

Please note: If your skin is showing signs of inflammation, damage (including bruising in the desired area of the tattoo), or infection, we won’t be able to tattoo you. This includes, but is not limited to: skin showing signs that you’ve had an allergic reaction to something, a flare-up of eczema or acne, cuts, sunburn or peeling skin, severe dryness, fungal infection, scratches, blisters, or areas of broken or cracked skin. Tattoos can cause flare-ups of existing skin conditions, even if they are not near your planned tattoo site, so if any of the above are present, or you have any related concerns, please contact us via email as soon as possible!

A skin flare-up anywhere on the body can indicate an elevated immune system response, meaning that the skin may not react well to a tattoo. We expect that our clients notify us of any flair-ups, wounds, etc 48 hours before your session. If it’s not safe to tattoo you on the day of your appointment, your deposit will not be refunded.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU FOR A SESSION:

• Remember to wear comfortable clothing that allows your artist to easily access the area your tattoo will be in!

• Headphones for listing to your music/watching videos

• A sweatshirt or blanket if you get cold easily

• A snack for a session longer than two hours (or if you haven’t eaten much)

• Your favorite non-alcoholic beverage

Each of our artists have different views on the use of numbing creams or sprays, so please ask your artist directly before booking if you’re concerned about the pain.

If you’re planning to use numbing cream, you must let us know in advance so we can ensure that we have additional time blocked for numbing to take effect. Failure to do so could result in us not being able to tattoo you on the scheduled day and forfeiting your deposit. 

Disclaimers:

• Numbing does not work for everyone.

• Numbing cream can change the texture of your skin and can make the process difficult for the artist, cause a reaction, or complicate the healing process, so it’s up to the individual artist if they will agree to tattoo you with it on.

• It is rare (but possible) to have an allergic reaction to the cream itself. Please read ingredients of the numbing cream we provide here. Sound Sanctuary does not accept any responsibility for adverse side effects or healing issues that could be related to the use of numbing creams.

Please know that if you decide not to numb your skin before your appointment but added the upgrade at booking, you will not be reimbursed in any way for the upgrade cost, as our schedule has been blocked for that additional hour.

• We’d greatly appreciate if cell phones/devices of any kind are put on silent before entering the studio, as they can cause distraction to your artist, as well as other artists in the studio.

• Videos/pics during your session are ok, but please be considerate of your artist’s need to focus.

• Please note: We request that you do not consult with friends/family on the phone during your appointment, about your design or placement. It’s very important to us that each person being tattooed is 100% in control of the process, for their own bodily autonomy. We need to be sure that we have your consent to do the tattoo without outside influence and be confident that you are able to take responsibility for your own decision-making as part of the process. Your artist will support you with advice, and help you try out different sizing and placement options whenever necessary. If you are unsure about placement, please tell us!

We know every person’s body is different, so first and foremost, we ask that you listen to your body and give it the care it needs. You know your body best, but keep in mind that a tattoo should be cared for like a wound and given time to heal in order to maintain its full, beautiful potential. Guidelines to heal a tattoo vary from shop to shop (and even artist to artist), but it is highly recommended that you follow our aftercare process closely if you haven’t found another method that works perfectly for you every time. Failure to do so may result in a tattoo that does not show your idea or the artist’s work properly. After a month of healing, if you feel like your tattoo may need a touch up, please reach out to us at soundsanctuary@icloud.com.

Healing time for most tattoos is 2-3 weeks, but it can take up to 6 weeks for a tattoo to reach the point that it’s considered fully healed. 

TATTOO GOLDEN RULES

• NO SWIMMING (lakes, oceans, pools, hot tubs, baths, or other long exposure to water) for the first two weeks. Keeping your newly tattooed skin away from getting soaked makes a huge difference in the longevity and overall quality of your tattoo.

• Expect itching on your freshly done tattoo as a normal part of the healing process. However, do not to scratch it, as it can cause scarring and even warp your tattoo.

• NO GYM (or sauna) for 2 weeks. This is for your protection, as well as those around you. No matter how clean your gym claims to be, it’s an easy breeding ground for serious contaminants. You can do light activity like yoga until the tattoo is healed, as excess sweat can cause issues with the healing process.

• Sunlight and tattoos don’t make a good combination. Left unprotected for long durations of time, your tattoos can fade or skin will end up damaged. Avoid exposing your tattooed skin to sunlight, especially the first couple of weeks. If you have to go outdoors, cover your new tattoo with baggy clothes. You should NOT use sunscreen on a fresh tattoo! Please wait until it has healed for at least 2 weeks

OTHER THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

• If you feel your tattoo has been compromised through excessive sweat, exposure to external agents, etc., conduct a normal cleaning of the area. It’s important to keep external objects and dirt away from your newly tattooed skin, especially when it’s so fresh.

• Do your best to be hyperaware of potential “dangers” to your new tattoo: bumping into someone, your pets, rubbing against your clothes, etc. Things like fur/pet dander or germs on any surface, including another person, are the BIGGEST risk factors for infections.

• As a rule of thumb, you can shower 3-4 hours after getting your new tattoo. Stick with neutral, unscented soap and keep the temperature warm rather than hot for the first few days to reduce discomfort.

  If you have any questions during the healing process, feel free to reach out to us at

  soundsanctuary@icloud.com

  ! We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

The use of Saniderm, DermShield, and other “second skin” tattoo-covering options is not usually recommended for those with sensitive skin, especially sensitivities to adhesive bandages. However, if you do choose to utilize a bandage option, please refer to the directions on the package, which generally states that you should replace the bandage after 24 hours. We can help apply second skin after your appointment if requested, however, some of our artists prefer not to use it. We cannot guarantee it will be a good choice for your skin.

HEALING WITHOUT SECOND SKIN

After your session, keep plastic wrap on the tattoo for 2-4 hours. After removing the wrap for the first time, clean the area with antibacterial or neutral soap. Let air-dry, then apply a thin layer of healing ointment (A&D, Aquaphor, etc). Please do not use Vaseline because it can cause the tattoo to “suffocate”, or not get enough air to begin the healing process.

We recommend the wash/air dry/ointment method 3-4 times a day for the first 5 days of the tattoo healing process. After those five days, switch to washing once a day and moisturizing with unscented lotion or your preferred natural moisturizer.

If you are concerned about the tattoo being exposed to pet fur, dust, soiled linens, etc. while going about your day or while you are sleeping, you can put another piece of plastic wrap on the tattoo after removing the first and cleaning your new piece.

If you are sensitive to ointments or your tattoo feels “smothered”, you can use less or opt for a more natural option, such as coconut oil or shea butter. The main idea is to keep the tattoo moisturized so it is given the opportunity to heal properly.