How to Prepare for Your Tattoo or Piercing Appointment

Everything you need to know before your appointment at Tattoos By Charlene. Please take a few minutes to read this guide before you arrive — it helps us keep your appointment smooth, safe and focused on you.

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🖤 BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT

• Eat a proper meal before you arrive. Do not come on an empty stomach, especially for longer tattoo sessions or multiple piercings.
• Hydrate well before your appointment and bring water. Snacks are recommended for longer sessions.
• Get a good night's rest. Being rested can make the appointment more comfortable and can help you cope better with a longer session.
• No alcohol or recreational drugs for at least 24 hours before your appointment. Do not arrive intoxicated or under the influence.
• Arrive on time. A 15-minute grace period applies. If you are running late, please let us know as soon as possible.
• Bring valid identification if requested. Your details must match your consent information where applicable.
• One guest per client is permitted during the session. Children are not permitted unless they are the client receiving a piercing.

📋 CONSENT FORM — PLEASE COMPLETE & SIGN

Your digital consent form must be completed by the morning of your appointment. Please read it carefully, provide accurate information and sign/submit the form before arriving. Completing the form in advance saves time on the day and ensures we have the information needed before starting your tattoo or piercing.

👉 Complete & Sign the Digital Consent Form

Clients under 18 require a parent or legal guardian. Required identification and supporting authority/consent documentation must be arranged before the appointment and sent to us via WhatsApp where requested. Originals/current identification must be presented on the day. The date of birth must match the consent information.

🔐 IDENTITY, AGE & MINOR VERIFICATION

Your consent form is not a substitute for identity or age verification. To protect our clients, minors and the studio, we verify identification in person before any tattoo or piercing procedure begins. Please have the required documents ready when you arrive.

• All clients: We may require valid, original government-issued identification to be presented in person before the procedure starts. The full name and date of birth must match the information on your consent form.
• Clients aged 18 and older: Please bring valid original government-issued photo identification, such as a South African ID/Smart ID, passport or another acceptable government-issued photo ID. If the details do not match your consent form, we may not proceed until the discrepancy has been resolved.
• Clients aged 16–17: You must bring your own valid identification where issued, together with the parent or legal guardian who is required to attend in person. The parent/legal guardian must also present valid original identification. The names, dates of birth and other relevant details must correspond with the consent information. If the accompanying adult is a legal guardian rather than the parent, official documentation proving their authority may be required.
• Clients under 16: We understand that a South African child may not yet have an ID. In these cases, appropriate official identity/age documentation, such as a birth certificate where applicable, must be provided together with the parent or legal guardian's valid original identification. The parent/legal guardian must attend in person and complete/sign the required consent. Additional documentation may be requested where necessary to verify the relationship or authority to consent.
• Parent/guardian consent cannot be provided solely by WhatsApp, telephone call or an unsigned/unclear message. Where parental or legal-guardian consent is required, the required adult must attend in person and provide the necessary consent and identification.
• Photos, screenshots or copies of IDs sent by WhatsApp do not replace in-person verification. We may request documents in advance where necessary for preparation, but the original/current identification must still be presented on the day when requested.
• If the information on the consent form, identification or supporting documentation does not match, or if we cannot satisfactorily verify the client's identity, age, parental/guardian relationship or consent, the procedure will not go ahead until the issue has been resolved.
• Providing false information, using another person's identification, misrepresenting your age or relationship to a minor, or attempting to bypass our consent requirements may result in the appointment being refused.

We may refuse or postpone a procedure if we are not satisfied that the client's identity, age or required consent has been properly verified. This is a safety and safeguarding measure for both the client and the studio.

🎨 TATTOO DESIGNS, REFERENCES & APPROVAL

Please send your reference images, inspiration, examples and any important design information as soon as possible. The earlier we receive your references, the more time we have to understand what you want and prepare appropriately.

Unless stated otherwise, tattoo designs should be finalised at least 72 hours before your appointment. This gives us enough time to prepare the artwork, make necessary adjustments and get everything ready without rushing your appointment day.

• Please be clear about your preferred design, size, placement, orientation, colour and style as early as possible.
• If you are combining several reference images, tell us which parts you like from each reference and what you would like changed.
• Reference images are a starting point and may need to be adapted to work properly as a tattoo, particularly for size, placement, skin movement and long-term readability.
• Please remember that designs take time. Custom artwork involves planning, drawing, adjusting and preparing the piece specifically for you. We will remain in contact with you regarding your design, and you do not need to repeatedly follow up for updates.
• Where possible, your stencil/design is prepared before your appointment so we can use your booked session efficiently.
• There are situations where a design may intentionally be finalised or adjusted in-session due to placement, body shape, sizing, stencil transfer, cover-up requirements, technical considerations or other factors. If this applies to your appointment, we will discuss it with you.
• Do not assume a design is approved simply because you have sent references. We will communicate with you regarding the design and any approval required before proceeding.
• Design, size or placement changes close to the appointment may not always be possible and can affect your quote, appointment time or whether we can proceed as planned.

🖤 Cover-Ups & Existing Tattoos

Cover-ups often require more planning than a fresh tattoo. We may need to make the new tattoo larger, darker, differently positioned or more detailed to properly disguise the existing work. Please send clear, well-lit photos of the existing tattoo as early as possible so we can assess it properly.

🖊️ TATTOO PREPARATION

🪒 Shave the area

Please shave the tattoo area before your appointment, preferably on the morning of your session. Use a clean razor and shave gently to avoid cuts, razor burn or irritation. If you are not comfortable shaving the area yourself, please let us know — we can prepare the area at the studio.

Do not shave over broken, sunburnt or irritated skin.

🧼 Clean, lotion-free skin

Please arrive with the tattoo area clean and free from lotions, creams, oils, sunscreen, makeup or other products. Avoid applying moisturiser or body products to the area immediately before your appointment so the skin is clean and ready for tattooing.

👕 What to wear

• Wear comfortable clothing that gives us easy access to the tattoo area.
• Choose clothing you do not mind getting ink on.
• For areas requiring more exposure, consider clothing that can be moved or adjusted without restricting your comfort or modesty.
• For larger or longer sessions, think about what you will be comfortable wearing for several hours.

☀️ Check your skin

We cannot tattoo over sunburn, open cuts, rashes, infections or badly irritated skin. If you are unsure whether your skin is suitable, send us a clear photo before your appointment.

💧 Don't overdo the prep

You do not need to scrub, exfoliate or aggressively treat the tattoo area beforehand. Clean, healthy, intact skin is what we need. Avoid getting a fresh sunburn or irritating the area in the days leading up to your appointment.

💎 PIERCING PREPARATION

• Arrive with clean skin around the area being pierced.
• Please do not apply heavy creams, oils, lotions or makeup to the piercing area before your appointment.
• Eat a proper meal and hydrate beforehand, particularly if you are getting multiple piercings.
• Tell us about allergies, metal sensitivities, previous jewellery reactions, fainting history or other relevant safety concerns before we begin.
• We use sterile, single-use piercing needles and do not use piercing guns.
• The basic jewellery required for healing is included in the piercing price unless otherwise stated. Jewellery upgrades are available where applicable.
• Wear clothing that allows easy access to the piercing area without unnecessary pressure or rubbing.
• For intimate, surface or anatomy-dependent piercings, suitability is assessed in person. Not every piercing is suitable for every anatomy, and we will explain alternatives where necessary.
• If you are getting several piercings in one appointment, allow enough time for the full session rather than planning another appointment immediately afterwards.

💍 Jewellery & Healing

Initial jewellery is selected with healing and the placement in mind. Jewellery may need to be downsized or adjusted during healing where appropriate. Do not arrive expecting to immediately change fresh jewellery unless this has been specifically discussed with us.

💳 DEPOSITS & PAYMENTS

• A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your appointment.
• Your booking is only officially secured once the payment has reflected in our account. Sending proof of payment does not by itself secure the appointment if the payment has not reflected.
• Bookings are handled on a first-paid, first-booked basis. Requested slots may be offered to another client until payment reflects.
• At least 24 hours' notice is required to reschedule and retain your deposit, subject to the booking policy.
• The remaining balance must be paid before you leave the studio/premises, or before we leave your premises for a house call.
• If your service, size, design or requirements change, the final balance may change accordingly and must be settled before leaving.

🧴 AFTERCARE, NUMBING & SECOND SKIN

Proper aftercare is an important part of getting the best possible healing result from your new tattoo or piercing. We will explain the relevant aftercare before you leave.

Our aftercare products, Second Skin and medical-grade numbing products are available at an additional cost. For numbing, we use medical-grade numbing cream and gel for use before or during your session. If you are interested in numbing, please message Charlene directly so we can discuss what is suitable for your appointment.

For tattoo aftercare products and available options, please visit our Tattoo Aftercare collection.

We keep limited stock on hand and these products sell out quickly, so pre-ordering is strongly recommended if you know you would like aftercare, numbing or Second Skin. This allows us to reserve your items and helps avoid disappointment.

🏡 SOUTH STUDIO & ARRIVAL

Unless otherwise agreed with you in advance, all bookings are made for our South Studio.

Our South Studio is currently undergoing renovations as we continue improving the property. Our dedicated tattoo and piercing room is already fully prepared, clean, suitable and ready for client appointments. Renovations are taking place elsewhere on the property and will not prevent us from providing your tattoo or piercing in the prepared studio room.

On-site parking is available inside the property. The property is secured and locked, with 24/7 CCTV for added security and peace of mind while you are with us.

📍 South Studio: 79 Xavier Street, Crown Gardens, Johannesburg South, Gauteng

👉 Open South Studio in Google Maps

When you arrive, look for our turquoise/mint and grey fence and Tattoos By Charlene signage outside. This will help you identify the property easily.

🍽️ FOOD, DRINKS & LONG SESSIONS

For longer tattoo sessions, we strongly recommend bringing your own snacks and drinks. Keeping your energy and hydration up can make a long session much more comfortable, especially if you are sitting for several hours.

If you need something while you are here, Uber Eats/Mr D delivery is available to South, and there are also shops in the surrounding area that you can check out for snacks, drinks or anything else you may need.

For the smoothest experience, especially during longer appointments, having your food and drinks with you from the start is always a good idea.

🎶 COMFORT, WIFI & ENTERTAINMENT

• Free studio Wi-Fi is available, so you can stay connected throughout your appointment.
• You are welcome to connect your phone to our studio speakers and play your own music.
• Headphones, a charger and something to keep you occupied are welcome during longer sessions.
• You may watch Netflix, listen to music, chat or scroll, provided it does not interfere with the area being worked on.
• For longer tattoo sessions, bring snacks, water and anything else that helps you stay comfortable.

⚠️ IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

• Tell us before your appointment about relevant allergies, sensitivities, medications or safety concerns that may affect your tattoo or piercing.
• Do not arrive intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• If you are unwell, or the skin being tattooed or pierced is damaged, infected, sunburnt or badly irritated, contact us before arriving.
• If you are taking medication or have a condition that may affect bleeding, healing or your ability to safely receive a tattoo or piercing, please discuss it with us before your appointment and seek appropriate medical advice where necessary.
• We reserve the right to reschedule or refuse a service where it would be unsafe to proceed.

📱 NEED HELP?

WhatsApp us: 071 334 4172

Consent Form: Complete and sign your consent form

Website: www.tattoosbycharlene.co.za

Our website contains current pricing, booking information, policies, payment options, aftercare and other studio information.