What should I do before I get a tattoo or piercing?

It is important to eat a light meal an hour before your procedure. It is important that your blood sugar is up. Also, come with a positive mental attitude. It is incredibly important that you come optimistic. Remember, mind over matter. Also, it is a good idea to bring a sugary smack and a drink. (Mountain Dew, Sprite or Orange Juice)

I am not 18; can I get a tattoo or piercing with my parents' permission?

Yes and no. We can not tattoo any minor with or without permission. It is a NC state law that any individual getting tattooed must be 18 years of age. So, in other words, under no circumstances can a minor be tattooed.

Yes, we can pierce a minor under age of 18. Proper ID on both the minor and the adult must be present. A Proper ID is a state issued picture ID. We must have this in order to prove guardianship. (last names and addresses must match) Please call in advance to be sure you have everything needed for us to pierce you!

My friend is a tattoo artist; he has a professional kit and works out of his house. Why shouldn't I get tattooed by him?

First of all there are no "professional tattoo kits". Those kits in the back of magazines are the furthest from professional. Any real licensed professional artist won't be working out of their house using a kit. A professional artist has spent thousands of dollars on tattoo equipment, supplies and sterilization tools. Not to even mention the time involved in learning proper techniques. A home artist does not have the skill or sterile technique knowledge. It is unsafe and unsanitary to get tattooed or even pierced in that environment. It is a good way to get a disease, such as Hepatitis, not to mention, bad art. Remember that not only bad art is forever, so are some blood borne diseases!

I want to be a tattoo artist. Are you guys hiring?

This is a question that we get at least a dozen times a week. Please know that we do not hire. Tattooing and piercing are learned by apprenticeships, which are paid for. In some way, it is like attending college. A tattoo/piercing apprenticeship lasts months, if not years and costs thousands of dollars.

We very rarely will take on an apprentice. It is a huge commitment on both parties.

Can I drink alcohol, smoke (weed), or take pills before a tattoo or piercing? Will it help the pain?

No and No! First of all, we will not tattoo or pierce you if you are under any influence. Alcohol makes your tolerance for sitting still for a long period of time poor, not to mention is a blood thinner. Weed will make you light headed and sick, not to mention it will make you more sensitive. Pills will cause the blood to thin too much and can also make you sick to the stomach. Come sober and optimistic!

Do you tattoo men?

With the name Man's Ruin and being an all female staff, we get this question all the time. Yes, of course we tattoo men! More than half of our clients are men. The term Man's Ruin came from back in the sailor days. Women, booze, gambling, tattoos, etc. were considered man's ruin and the icon is depicted as a woman in a martini glass. So that is the story of Man's Ruin.

Does it hurt?

Yes! It does hurt! Some people do better than others and some parts of the body hurt less than others. If pain is your main fear, then you are not ready! A tattoo is a lifelong commitment. Think before you ink and be prepared!

Can I buy cheaper jewelry and put it in my piercing?

Yes, you can buy cheaper jewelry. NO, you should not put it in your body. With the popularity of piercing, many places sell body jewelry. This DOESN'T mean it is safe for you to put in your body. There are different grades of metal (some containing metals unsafe to use in wounds). We only carry safe jewelry made specifically for the industry of body piercing. Keep in mind.... CHEAP IS CHEAP!

Why won't you tattoo or pierce some areas of the body?

We consider ourselves professionals, with that title comes responsibility. We do not pierce certain piercings on minors. We do not tattoo certain areas of the body as first tattoos. Its just isn't ethical. We truly believe in ethics within our industry and work accordingly.

Can I bring my children with me to the studio?

NO! We do pierce minors under the age of 18 with parental consent. It is ok for them to be in the studio at that time. Any other time we ask to leave the children at home. Babies and small children we do not allow in the studio. There are many things that are inappropriate for children to see in a tattoo/piercing studio. Please respect our policy.

Do I need an appointment? Do you take walk-ins?

We take walk-ins on a first come, first serve basis for tattoos. We also accept and recommend appointments. Tattoo appointments require a 50% non-refundable cash deposit based on the cost of the tattoo. Piercings are mostly walk-ins, as most piercings are very quick. Appointments can be made, if you desire a certain time and day.

Are tattoos expensive?

That is a yes and no answer. A good tattoo by an experienced,well trained,well known artist can cost a fair amount of money. Keep in mind,you are paying for the skill of an artist that is trained not only in art,but trained in health and safety. Remember,a good tattoo lasts long after the price is forgotten. "Cheap work is not good and good work is not cheap".--Sailor Jerry Collins

Does the art gallery art only focus on tattoo style art?

No! In fact we have as many as 35+ artists exhibiting their work at one time in the gallery. The styles of art vary and the mediums are extremely diverse. We have clay, metal, oil, acrylic, paper, photography, magnets, clothing, jewelry, digital etc etc etc! Just about any style you can think of, we are exhibiting. The gallery rotates artists every few months and we are always adding new art. Please come by often to check it out. If you are an artist and want to sell your art in our studio, please contact us via email, with pictures of what you create.

I want a custom tattoo. What do I do?

Please call ahead to schedule a consult. You can also try to walk in,but if we are busy we may not have time to talk with you in depth about your design. Also bring all artwork needed with you PRINTED OUT! We cant get artwork off of your 2 inch phone screen,nor will we google search artwork for you. So please come prepared with all material needed in order for us to convey your ideas onto paper to achieve a  great custom tattoo for you.