Frequently Asked Questions

What is a consultation?

 A consultation is a complimentary half hour meeting with the artist you’d like to work with to go over what you would like to get tattooed. This is when you talk about what you want, size, color or black and grey, length or sessions of tattoo time and cost.

What is required for an appointment?

A consultation followed up with a $100 cash deposit (that comes off your total day of) is what you need for booking.

How do I get an appointment for a tattoo?

Call the shop at 303.832.1311, email the shop at SolTribe@gmail.com or contact us through the website and we can help guide you.

Does Sol Tribe take walk-ins?

Yes!

What do I need to get tattooed and pierced?

Proper identification! This means a state issued ID like a passport or a driver’s license or even just an ID or a military ID. If you have questions about what IDs are acceptable, please contact us.

We will accept paper temporary IDs ONLY IF YOU HAVE THE OLD ONE WITH YOU and the void stamp does not cut out any part of the birth date.

How long do tattoos take to heal?

2-4 weeks on average.

What is the recommended aftercare for my tattoo?

Tattoo aftercare is extremely important for the healing process. Your tattoo is vulnerable to infection and a fresh tattoo compromises your immune system. It is important to keep your new tattoo clean, and to follow the aftercare instructions provided by your tattooer. A fresh tattoo will be tender, but the aftercare should feel soothing, listen to your body. If you experience adverse reactions, like persistent stinging, burning, discoloration or redness after a few days, consult your tattooer immediately.

DO: Wear your bandage for about 2-3 hours or until you get home, or a clean place to wash it. 2-3 times a day, with clean hands, wash your tattoo with cool water and a hand pump soap (like Dial). Gently with your fingertips, wash off all the blood and plasma. Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Then apply a THIN coat of Aquaphor from a clean source; this should feel soothing (you can also use Hustle Butter, or coconut oil). If you used too much ointment, remove excess with a paper towel. Wear loose clothing during healing as ointment may stain clothing.

Tattoos heal like a sunburn. In a few days your tattoo will begin to flake and peel. Continue to wash, removing the flakes, and using ointment. When your tattoo begins “flaking”, you can generally switch from the ointment to a light, non-scented lotion. Whatever moisturizer you usually use should be fine. Continue to watch out for stinging, irritation, allergic reactions, and burning. If this occurs, either switch moisturizers or go back to using the Aquaphor ointment. Also about this time your tattoo will begin to itch; don’t scratch it! Slap the area or apply lotion to relieve the itch. When your tattoo is smooth and feels like normal skin, it is healed. Continue to use lotion daily, stay hydrated, and use sunscreen to keep your tattoo looking vibrant!

DO NOT: Wear your bandage longer than 3 hours. Do not submerge your tattoo in any body of water; no swimming in lakes, ocean, pools, hot tubs, or hot springs (showering is fine). Do not touch your new tattoo with dirty hands. Do not let pets or anyone else ouch your new tattoo. Do not use a shared container of ointment. Do not use body soap, bar soap, scented soap, loofahs, or dirty towels on your fresh tattoo. Do not use too much Aquaphor ointment, as it can suffocate your tattoo, compromise the healing, and may result in loss of color. Do not re-bandage your tattoo or wear tight clothing over it (confining your tattoo traps in bacteria and your new tattoo needs to breathe). Do not let your new tattoo touch or rest on public surfaces (like gym equipment, counter tops, etc.). Do not use Neosporin, hydrogen peroxide, scented lotion/soaps, makeup, creams, or anything other than the suggested Aquaphor and unscented lotion on your new tattoo. Do not pick or scratch your tattoo. Other than washing the tattoo 2-3 times a day, leave it alone!

If you’re experiencing any weirdness or anything that makes you concerned about your tattoo or its healing, don’t panic! Contact Sol Tribe and we will be happy to help. Most tattoo issues are easily troubleshot with some simple adjustments to your day to day process!

How long will it take to get a consultation?

It depends on the schedule of the artist that you’d like to work with, but we strive to get you in as soon as possible. You are also welcome to book further out if that works better for your schedule.

How do I prepare for a tattoo?

A good night’s rest the night before, good and healthy food in your belly, and loving the artwork that was prepared for you. If you are in for a long session, bring some snacks and a refillable water bottle with you.

How do I know if I need a touch up on my tattoo?

Touch ups aren’t always necessary. Sol Tribe artists offer them as a complimentary service, but if you aren’t sure, you can meet with your artist to talk about it and decide from there.

Are you able to give a price quote for a tattoo via email or over the phone?

Because tattooing is a visual and body-based medium, it is very difficult to give accurate quotes over email/phone without seeing artwork and gauging the amount of time needed to perform the tattoo. For this reason, we ask that you call the shop or come in person to schedule a complimentary in-person consultation with an artist. This is a free session wherein you will talk to the artist about your design, the placement on your body, the size, etc, and at this time, the artist can give you an estimation of cost.

Our shop minimum price for tattoos regardless of size is $100. Smaller pieces are priced based on size, detail and amount of time required. For larger projects and pieces that will take multiple sessions, the artist will charge their hourly rate, which is $160-$200/hr depending on the artist.

Are there any tattoos you won’t do?

Every artist has their own individual standards for what they will and will not tattoo. Some artists prefer to avoid certain locations, and some will flat out refuse to tattoo things and places that will not heal well, will not age well, or just plain won’t look very good, such as hands, fingers, necks, certain areas of the feet, and other high-traffic areas. It is always best to set up an in-person consultation with an artist to discuss your proposed placement. It may be that your artist is unwilling to tattoo your design in the place you originally wanted, but that together you can figure out a more ideal placement for the design.

What is your cancellation policy?

We require a 24-hour notice in order to cancel or reschedule an appointment that requires a deposit, such as tattoos or body modifications. In the event that we don’t receive this notice, your $100 deposit will be forfeit to your artist’s time. However, as long as we receive proper notice 24 hours or more in advance, your deposit will be able to be rolled over to a new appointment without a problem. Appointments that do not require a deposit can be cancelled or rescheduled at any time without penalty, however we do appreciate as much advance notice as you can give us for scheduling purposes.

Do you accept credit cards?

We accept all major credit cards as payment. However, all deposits must still be made in cash.

Do you offer any other body modifications at Sol Tribe?

Alicia does body modification on a case-by-case basis. All body modifications outside traditional tattoos and piercings require an in-person consultation, at which point Alicia will decide whether or not she wishes to go forward with the procedure. All body modification appointments require a $100 cash deposit to schedule. Please call the shop or stop by in person if you are interested and would like to set up a consultation with Alicia.

Do you do tattoos on people under the age of 18?

Unfortunately, we do not tattoo anybody under the age of 18 under any circumstances, regardless of whether or not they have parental consent. This is our shop policy. We are happy to consult with someone prior to turning 18, and to set an appointment for after their birthday.

How long do piercings take to heal?

It depends on the piercing, but a wide range of heal time is 2 to 12 months.

Lips, septum, less complex genital piercings (e.g. VCH, PA), and ear lobes take about 2-3 months to heal

Nostrils, surface piercings, and more complex ear lobe piercings take about 4 to 6 months to heal.

A new nostril piercing can be swapped to a hoop after a minimum of 6 months healing.

All ear cartilage piercings, nipple, navel, dermal anchors, and more advanced genital piercings (e.g. apadravya, triangle) take a minimum of 6 months to heal. It is not uncommon for ear cartilage, nipple, or navel piercings to take a full 12 months or longer to heal.

Can I get pierced or tattooed if I am pregnant?

Unfortunately we do not offer services to any person who is currently pregnant. It is advisable to refrain from undergoing any and all body art procedures during a pregnancy, even just an ear lobe stretch. It is best to let your body focus on the important, complex and demanding task that it is handling already.

Can I get pierced if I am breast- feeding?

Yes, just not nipple piercings!

Will nipple piercings affect breast-feeding in the long run?

In our collective, massive experience, we have no awareness of even a single case of a person who wished to breast-feed and could not as a result of having had a nipple piercing. The milk ducts are a multiplicity of little pore-like ducts. Therefore, the likelihood of closing them all off from a piercing of usual size is virtually nil.

Most people do remove their jewelry for breastfeeding, and we believe this to be appropriate for the comfort of the infant. As a result, some milk may come from the site of the piercing during nursing, which is not harmful nor problematic. Some will use an insertion taper (a tool designed for this purpose) to facilitate reinsertion or to check regularly and make certain the holes are open.

There is no special care that is required during pregnancy for healed piercings.

Will you pierce a minor with parental consent?

For any piercing of a minor, a parent or legal guardian must be present to sign a consent form and has to be physically present for the service. Proof positive, state issued photo identification is required from the legal guardian, and a bona fide form of identification from the minor. In the event the parent has a different last name and address from the child, court documentation is needed to prove the relationship, i.e., divorce papers, or a remarriage certificate. Sol Tribe accepts state issued IDs, learners permits, and driver’s licenses as well as passports, tribal identification cards, and military IDs. In some instances, we will accept a student ID for minors as long as it is accompanied by an original birth certificate. Please call us if you have any questions about identification. We are unable to work with minors in any capacity without proper paperwork. Please come prepared, as if you do not have your IDs in order, you will not be able to receive services at our shop.

Under no circumstances is it acceptable or appropriate for a piercer to perform piercings on the nipples or genitals of an individual under 18 years of age. We will perform most other piercings minors on a case by case basis and only with the consent of a parent or legal guardian.

I’m a minor and my sibling/friend/friend’s parent is a legal adult. Can they vouch for me to get pierced?

No. Only a parent or legal guardian can give give consent for procedures on a minor.

This is my teenage child who forgot their ID, and I don’t have their birth certificate. Will you just believe that I’m their parent and pierce them?

No. Under no circumstances will we perform procedures on a minor without proper identification.

What kind of piercings can minors get?

We will pierce children’s ear lobes starting at age 5. We will not pierce anything other than earlobes until age 16. We do not offer every piercing available to 16 and 17 year olds, we will consult about it. We can do all of this on a walk-in basis.

16 and 17 years olds are very likely to be able to get nostril piercings, septum piercings, ear lobe and certain cartilage piercings.

Navel piercings require a consultation for everyone. Not all navels are shaped for a successful piercing.

We will pierce infant (3 months-8 months old) earlobes by appointment only.

We require an in-person consultation for ORAL (tongue/lip) piercings on minors.

Piercings we will not do on anybody under the age of 18 include: eyebrow piercings, surface or dermal anchor piercings, and cartilage projects that combine two piercings together with one piece of jewelry such as an industrial piercing.

Do you perform piercings on infants?

Yes, we will perform lobe piercings on infants that are between the ages of 3 months old and 8 months old (right up to 9 months old, not past). After this age, we will not pierce the child until they are 5 years of age or older. Infant piercings are provided by appointment only. There is enough additional information surrounding infant lobe piercings that we have created an entirely separate info document for parents/guardians to look over before scheduling an infant lobe piercing. Please email us at soltribe@gmail.com if you are interested and would like to receive this document.

Why should I get my earlobes pierced at Sol Tribe? Isn’t the mall much cheaper?

There are a few reasons that we strongly caution against getting piercings at Claire’s or other shopping mall-based “piercing parlors.” First of all, the equipment used at these types of places– a plastic piercing gun– uses pressure and a blunt surface to rip through the flesh, as opposed to piercing through the flesh with a sharp needle. Not only can piercing with a gun be traumatic to the piercing, it can also create inconsistent piercings in terms of placement, orientation, and quality. This type of piercing also creates an unpleasant “crack”– ouch! Perhaps the biggest problem, though, with the piercing gun, is the fact that the plastic piercing guns cannot be effectively sterilized– they will melt if put into an autoclave– and therefore there is no guarantee that your brand new piercing is getting a clean gun. All of our piercings are done with fully sterilized, single-use titanium needles that have been laser-cut to a very sharp point. This makes for a much smoother– no “crack!”– much safer, and much less painful piercing.

The second problem we see at these stores is the quality of jewelry, or rather lack of quality. Stores like Claire’s tend to use cheap, low quality jewelry for their initial piercings. This may include flimsy jewelry, and substandard metals that may cause allergic reactions and/or irritation when pierced into flesh. Any jewelry that we use for an initial piercing is made exclusively from implant grade stainless steel, titanium, or 14k gold, all of which has been thoroughly sterilized before piercing, so that you know you are getting the safest jewelry possible for your body. These stores also use a one-size-fits-all approach to the selection of jewelry for a fresh piercing, when in fact everybody’s anatomy is different. We closely inspect the proposed piercing anatomy before selecting jewelry so that we can ensure the best fit for each client. Not only that, but for most initial piercings, we have a large selection of beautiful jewelry from which to choose, in a wide range of prices to fit your budget!

If I bring in my own jewelry, will you pierce me with that?

Unfortunately, if the jewelry did not come from our shop or from another trusted, verified vendor, we cannot guarantee either its quality or its sterilization, and therefore we absolutely will not pierce you with it. It is unsafe for your piercing, and may compromise the sterility of our piercing space.

If you have purchased a piece from Sol Tribe or another verified shop or vendor and you would like to get pierced with it, please take it in and consult with a piercer.

I bought this septum ring for $12 on Etsy. Will you guys help me put it in?

Similarly, we will not insert jewelry that is not from a trusted source, even into a totally healed piercing. There is a lot of cheaply constructed, very low quality jewelry floating around on the internet. Most of these very cheap sellers have no credentials, and there is absolutely no way to know what the piece you’re buying is actually made of; it could be made of extremely unsafe materials that could be harmful and dangerous to your piercing, and we are unwilling to submit you to that risk.

What are your basic piercing costs?

There are two basic charges for a piercing: the piercing fee, and the cost of jewelry.

For anything above the waist, the piercing fee will be $35 per piercing. This means that if you are getting both earlobes or both nipples pierced, for instance, the total piercing fee will be $70.

Common or less difficult/involved genital piercings (VCH, Prince Albert, etc.) require a piercing fee of $65

More difficult/involved genital piercings (Princess Albertina, Apadravya, etc.) require a piercing fee of $85

Cost of jewelry will depend on the specific piercing, the initial jewelry required for that specific piercing, and the style of jewelry you choose. We will only use body-safe, surgical grade stainless steel, titanium, or solid 14k gold for an initial piercing. Depending on the piercing/style of jewelry, initial jewelry tends to start at around $15. Some of our more ornate pieces are quite a bit pricier, but are absolutely worth the cost to give you the best-looking new piercing possible.

Are there any piercings you won’t do?

Much like with tattoos, the “do’s” and “don’ts” will be specific to each piercer. It may be that a guest artist we have in town is willing to do things that our house piercers are not, or that they are unwilling to do things that our house piercers are usually willing to do. We do not pierce cheeks at the shop or any tongue piercings besides the standard (e.g. scoops, snake eyes, etc.). Please see our section on piercing minors for policies regarding “do’s” and “don’t’s” of minor piercings.

What is the recommended aftercare for my piercing?

Please click on one of the two links below for the Association of Professional Piercers’ recommended aftercare for body (non-mouth) and oral (mouth) piercings.