Tattoos Shop Downtown Toronto ON

Tattoo Requirements

Get Your First (or Next) Tattoo

To get a walk-in or custom tattoo at our tattoo shop in downtown Toronto, you need to be at least 18 years old on the day of the session, and provide government issued photo ID. Exceptions may be made for those aged 17 with select artists, and with confirmed parental consent.

Our artists’ rates average between $175-$190 per hour, starting at a minimum of $100 (i.e. a small tattoo). Booking deposit amounts are required, and contingent upon the tattooist provided estimate. Adrenaline Studios maintains the highest standard in sterilization and safety.

Tattoo Aftercare

The First 48 Hours

Leave the bandage on overnight, then gently remove it in the shower by slowly rolling up one corner until it’s off. Gently, wash the tattoo with warm water and a mild, unscented soap, taking care to rinse off any residue. Pat dry using a clean paper towel, and allow to air dry for a few minutes.

Apply a new second skin bandage with clean hands, following the instructions on the TatuDerm pouch. This can be left on for 2-4 days. If there is fluid build-up or irritation, remove it. Always thoroughly clean the tattoo after bandage removal. Wash the tattoo for no more than 20 seconds per day. You may begin to apply a thin layer of Hustle Butter or an unscented, water-based moisturizer no more than twice daily.

Tattoo Aftercare

The Next Weeks

Continue using lotion once or twice daily. Remember to only use the lotion if the tattoo feels dry, tight or itchy – too little lotion is better than too much. Do not pick or scratch at the tattoo during healing. Do not swim or soak the tattoo during healing, and keep the tattoo out of direct sunlight.

After healing is complete (about two to four weeks time), protect the tattoo with sunscreen to keep the tattoo looking crisp. Any deviation from these instructions will void your free touch-up, should you need one. Happy healing!

Aftercare Products

Caring for Your New Tattoo

Hustle Butter

Hustle Butter tattoo ointment is the luxe of creams, miraculously soothing, nourishing, moisturizing and conditioning skin. Launched in 2012, it was the first all-natural, vegan certified, petroleum-replacement used in the tattoo process, both as a tattoo lubricant/barrier/glide and as tattoo aftercare. Gently massage in a small amount to your tattoo, old or new, and watch your skin rejuvenate.

Tatu-Derm

Tatu-Derm is a transparent, sterile bandage for new tattoos, manufactured in the USA. Using the same breathable thin-film technology used by healthcare professionals, Tatu-Derm eliminates the need for multiple daily washings and provides a comfortable layer of protection from dirt, bacteria, abrasion and water while keeping skin hydrated. The thin film contains no active ingredients, provides flexible coverage that conforms to most body parts, and the medical grade adhesive sticks only to dry skin, allowing the open skin on the new tattoo to breathe.

Caring for a new tattoo doesn’t have to be messy, painful or time consuming. When using Tatu-Derm, you eliminate the repeated cleansing and moisturizing, allowing you to go about your daily routine while healing. Because Tatu-Derm acts like a second layer of skin, tattoos are able to remain clean and protected while the film is in place. This means no more scabbing and more brilliant colours.

Contact our Toronto shop ahead of time to find out if we have aftercare products in stock.

Custom

Custom tattoos are uniquely yours, designed by an artist just for you. Browse the portfolios to see which artist you’d like to have create your one-off piece.

Walk-In

Adrenaline welcomes walk-in tattoos, and can usually accommodate non-custom, small tattoos on short notice. Feel free to email or bring your design to us.

Styles

Adrenaline artists can do just about any style, including: traditional, neo-traditional, realism, blackwork, Japanese, illustrative, tribal, watercolour, and new school.

Black & Grey vs. Colour

Deciding between black, black and grey, or colour is entirely your choice. Go with what’s in your heart and what will work best with your skin tone.

Tattoo FAQs

These are some of the common questions we get asked about tattoos and the tattoo process. If you don’t see the info you need, you can always call Adrenaline Toronto and ask one of our friendly and knowledgeable experts.

How much does a tattoo cost?

Adrenaline’s Toronto tattooists charge an average of $175 to $190 per hour on larger pieces, with a minimum of $100 for a small tattoo. Smaller work is priced by the piece. If you’re not sure how long your desired tattoo will take, you can bring in or send us an image and we can provide you with a quote.

Are tattoos safe?

Yes. Tattoos are perfectly safe, assuming that you are seeing a reputable artist in a shop that is following all health regulations, and assuming you are following the recommended aftercare given to you during the tattoo.

Do tattoos hurt?

Pain is relative as everyone has a different tolerance to pain. You could get a tattoo in the exact same spot as your friend, and have a totally different experience. With that said, certain areas of the body are obviously more sensitive than others.

Can I use numbing cream before getting tattooed?

Numbing creams are really not recommended as they change the integrity of your skin. Numbing creams usually only last about a half hour before wearing off, which means it will wear off not long after your tattoo session starts. Numbing creams are more ideal for tattoo removal.

How long does a tattoo take to heal?

In general, tattoos take around two to four weeks to heal, assuming that you are following the recommended aftercare.

What's the best time of year to get a tattoo?

Fresh tattoos cannot be soaked in any body of water or be exposed to sun. This means no swimming or tanning for about a month. You don’t necessarily need to get tattooed in cloudy or cold months, you just need to be mindful of seasonal activities. Even after a tattoo is fully healed, you should always apply sunscreen whenever exposing it to the sun so the tattoo looks sharp for a longer time.

Do you do coverups over old tattoos?

Yes, we can cover up your old tattoo. A FREE consultation with one of our expert artists will provide clarity on what can be accomplished.

How much notice must I give to cancel/reschedule an appointment?

Our reschedule and cancelation policies vary depending on the type of tattoo it is, and how long it’s scheduled for. For a non-custom tattoo booked for under two hours, you must provide 48 hours notice to either cancel or reschedule the appointment without losing your deposit. For a non-custom tattoo longer than two hours, we require a week’s notice. If the tattoo is custom, we require one week’s notice to reschedule the appointment. If you’re cancelling a custom tattoo, you immediately forfeit your deposit.

Book Your Appointment

Ready to start your first – or next – piece of body art? Contact one of our locations in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto and we’ll get you set up.