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before
appointments
All of our artists book independently, so you’ll need to reach out to someone directly to set up an appointment. Not sure who to book with? No problem—just fill out the appointment request form below, and we’ll help match you with the best artist for your request.
walk-ins
aka, same day appointments
We’re mostly appointment-only, but take walk-ins when our artists have time. Email is the quickest way to inquire. After we get your email, we will then be able to quickly determine if someone is available for your project or not. Either way, we'll get back to you.
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Please let us know if you're from out of town, as we always try to make accommodations for travelers. We appreciate you including us in your plans!
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hello@blackcatatl.com
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if you want a specific design
Email the shop with your reference photo(s) and include where on the body you would like the tattoo. Please let us know if this includes multiple people getting the same design.
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if you want to look through flash
Still email us to see if there is availability, but the best way to look through flash is to come in the shop. If you want to get an idea, most of our artists have instagram highlights with at least a sampling of available designs.
deposits
Your artist may require you to make a deposit to book an appointment. Deposits are non-refundable and can be paid via:
zelle
Through your bank app, add us as a recipient with the email: hello@blackcatatl.com
* registered as Black Cat ATL LLC
parking
Pretty much everywhere in the village is fair game and you won't have to pay for parking anywhere. There is street parking right in front of the shop and parking lots on the side and back of the shop. You won't have any problem Mon–Thurs, but the village can get pretty crowded on the weekends. Note there is endless free residential street parking in our surrounding neighborhood on Gresham Ave and its cross streets. Please don't leave anything valuable in your car.
prep
Make sure you come to your appointment well rested and sober. It's best if you have a meal beforehand, and for longer sessions, be sure to bring your favorite snacks to keep your blood sugar up and water to stay hydrated.
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Wear comfortable clothes with easy access to the area that you want tattooed. It's smart to dress in layers as your temperature can fluctuate when getting tattooed. If you run cold, don't forget your warm layers and feel free to bring a blanket, we get it, tattoo artists run hot! Also Keep in mind your clothes are highly likely to get ink on them.
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If you want to get extra comfy and take your shoes off, we're here for it, just try to remember to wear socks.
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Feel free to bring a book, headphones, an iPad, or whatever you like to keep comfortable.
numbing
All of our artists already use a five percent lidocaine spray that is applied after the outline is done. When necessary for more painful areas, we are absolutely numb cream friendly, but there is a procedure that we ask you follow.
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number 1
It is important to game-plan with your artist on application and timing before the day of your appointment. They may prefer to apply it themselves or for you to apply it ahead of time [see instructions below] and may need to adjust your appointment time accordingly.
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number 2
We ask that you only use the brands that we have tested and approved. We try to keep the shop stocked so that artists can offer it for an up-charge, but there is no guarantee that we have it in stock the day of your appointment. We recommend purchasing your own, especially for larger multi-session projects.
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painfree
PainFree's "extreme" cream offers a whopping 14.5 percent lidocaine. We have tested the cream ourselves and had amazing results on both the artist and client side. PainFree distributes out of Denmark and in our experience it takes around two weeks for delivery. They had a little hiccup in shipping right when the tariffs changed, but to our knowledge they are back shipping to the US without a glitch [will update as soon as we place another order].
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numbskin
A close second, NumbSkin cream has a generous 10.56 percent lidocaine. We have also tested this cream and had great results on both sides. Be careful not to order the five percent version from amazon! You have to order from the website for the higher lidocaine percentage. NumbSkin distributes out of Canada so their shipping is a little faster and was not affected by the tariffs.
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application tips
If you are applying the cream yourself, here's our method:
- clean and shave the area, dry well
- apply a generous, even layer—don't rub in, you want to see the layer of cream sitting on the skin
- cover with plastic wrap
- for optimal results, secure the wrap with self-adhesive medical wrap or surgical tape, making it air-tight
- let marinate for no less than one hour, longer is fine
during
privacy
We're an open concept studio, but we have privacy partitions upon request. Just let your artist know beforehand what your preference is. We also have pasties on deck.
friends
It's not a problem if you'd like to bring a friend or two with you to your appointment. Just please no large groups.
after
payment methods
Cash
As always, cash is preferred. For your convenience we have an atm on site that only charges $3.50 every $500 withdrawn.
Zelle
Alternatively you can send us money straight through your bank app via Zelle. Add us as a recipient with the email: hello@blackcatatl.com
* registered as Black Cat ATL LLC
Card
We can take payment via card, but a 4 percent fee applies to your total.
tipping
Tipping your artist is customary and very much appreciated, especially if you had a good experience. Tips can be left using the following methods.
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tipping the artist directly
Artist can directly take tips via Venmo and/or CashApp, and of course cash.
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leaving a tip with the shop for the artist
You can also leave a tip with the shop for the artist via card or Zelle.
after care
How you take care of your tattoo while it heals is very important to the quality of your finished product and should be taken very seriously. The most important thing to remember is that a tattoo is essentially a wound and should be treated as such. Everyone's body heals differently, so please use discretion, common sense, and listen to your body! Your artist will give you the choice of either a second-skin bandage or good ol' fashioned plastic wrap before you leave. Below is our general advise for both as well as products we recommended. Always feel free to reach out to the shop or your artist with any questions during your healing process.
second-skin bandage
Second skin is a medical-grade, transparent, adhesive barrier that protects new tattoos while they are healing. It is waterproof, breathable, and can be left on for an extended amount of time. It makes healing tattoos a breeze and we absolutely recommended it. Here's everything you need to know and probably more.
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plasma
After your bandage is applied, a mixture of plasma, ink, and blood will begin to pool underneath, this is totally normal and actually helps with the healing process. Amounts can vary depending on your body's individual reaction to being tattooed, as well as the size, placement, and amount of color packing in the tattoo itself.
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application & changes
Managing this liquid is going to be your biggest battle with the second-skin bandage. There are several different methods to go about your second-skin healing process, and in time, you'll find out which method works best for you.
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one-shot bandage
Some people like to keep the same bandage on for the whole healing process. With this method, if you spring a small leak, as long as the bandage isn't majorly compromised, you can patch it with another piece of second-skin. Tread extra lightly with the water exposure if you need to do this. You'll notice the liquid start to dry up towards the end of your bandage window.
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next day bandage change
Some people like to remove the liquid-filled bandage the next morning and replace it with a new second-skin bandage for the remainder of the healing process. This reduces the amount of liquid build-up during the second bandage application, which in turn, makes it is less likely to spring a leak or get compromised entirely.
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second day one-shot bandage
Some people prefer to wear plastic wrap through the first night, then apply their second-skin bandage the next morning, allowing the majority of the liquid to seep out overnight and any swelling to go down. Then your second day one-shot bandage should last for the duration of the healing process without leaking. This method is particularly helpful for people with sensitive skin so they don't have to traumatize their non-tattooed skin by removing an adhesive bandage and immediately smothering it with another.
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timeline
No matter how you break it up, your skin should not be covered in second-skin for more than 6 days total. We recommend a minimum of 3 days under the bandage for optimal healing results.
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irritation
If you're going to have a reaction to the adhesive, it's most likely going to happen on your non-tattooed skin. It's not uncommon to notice slight redness or irritation around the tattoo. However, if you are having an adverse reaction to the second-skin, just remove that bish and continue to heal your tattoo the old fashioned way.
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removal
No sugar coating, this shit is gonna suck. However, we've found the best way to remove the bandage is under warm water, pulling slowly down and with the skin—not up and away—imagine removing a command strip from the wall, but like the correct way. You can use soap [see products] to assist. After the bandage is fully removed, gently rub your tattoo in a circular motion to remove any slimy or dried residue. If you're applying a fresh piece of second-skin, pat dry with a paper towel, nothing fibrous, and let it air dry completely. If you're not applying another piece, you can use any type of oil [baby, coconut, etc] to help remove any stubborn adhesive left on your skin.
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afterwards
The longer you leave the bandage on the more healed your tattoo will be when you take it off. Everyone's body is different so results may vary.
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In general, if your second-skin has been on for at least 3 days, your tattoo will be healed past the "raw" stage and sometimes even the "dry" stage. Apply topicals [see products] as needed to continue healing and avoid scabbing.
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It is important to maintain a balance between letting your tattoo dry out and keeping it moisturized. Too much in either direction could cause healing issues.
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The total healing process is usually around 7–10 days.
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brands
Not all second-skins are created equal. Here are our favorites based off brands we've tested and use ourselves.
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recovery derm shield
Derm Shield is our favorite for several reasons. It comes in a wide variety of sizes, has a matte texture, and has good flexibility with a strong hold. A little pricier but we think it's worth it. Unfortunately we can't stock this brand at the shop—yall know we hand that shit out like candy—but it's our personal go-to.
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​​​dynarex view guard
This is the second-skin we provide at the shop. It's a sold next-best-choice. Really the only difference besides price point is it doesn't have the matte texture, which doesn't affect the healing process whatsoever.
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Both can be found on amazon but here are their actual product links on their websites.
plastic wrap
If you are healing the old fashioned way, the most important thing to remember is that you are essentially healing an open wound. This means you'll be in a cycle of washing, drying, and protecting your tattoo for the duration of the healing process. Below is a rough timeline of what you should expect.
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the first few days 2–4 times a day
This is the "raw" period of the healing process where your tattoo is still very tender and smooth.
number 1
Wash your tattoo under warm water. Using soap [see products], gently rub your tattoo in a circular motion to remove any slimy or dried residue.
number 2
Pat dry with a paper towel, nothing fibrous, and let air dry completely.
number 3
Apply a protectant. Either—but never both!
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topical
Apply a small amount of one of our recommended products. It is very important to use topical protectants sparingly. You especially don't want your tattoo to be oversaturated at this stage.
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cling wrap
Wrap your dried tattoo in fresh cling wrap to hold you over until your next cleaning. This is especially helpful for keeping your tattoo from getting too dry too quickly overnight and from sticking to clothes.
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remainder of the healing process at least 2x a day
This is the "dry" stage of the process where your tattoo will eventually flake off to reveal healed skin underneath.
number 1
Continue to wash and dry as directed above.
number 2
Apply topicals [see products] as needed to continue healing and avoid scabbing. It is important to maintain an equal balance between letting it dry and keeping it moisturized.
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The total healing process is usually around 7–10 days.
products
There is no shortage of drugstore and tattoo product options for healing on the market from second-skin to soaps to topicals. Everyone definitely has their brands they're loyal too, these just happen to be ours. Below you'll find links to the products on their websites, but a lot of them can be purchased on amazon.
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soaps
Don't overthink your soap. All you need is something gentle, lightly or non-scented, and preferably anti-bacterial. Our go-tos are Dial Gold Liquid Hand Soap and Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castile Soap.
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topicals
Topicals range from ointment-type protectants for the first few "raw" days of healing to lighter moisturizers as you near the end of your healing process.
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protectants
There are lots of tattoo products on the market right now, but the one we think is actually worth the hype is Hustle Butter Deluxe Tattoo Balm. We found most products to be greasy and sit on top of the skin, but this balm soaks into and nourishes the skin without making you feel like a greased pig. The best thing about Hustle Butter is you can't really over do it, but a little still goes a long way. The over-the-counter option we recommend is Auqaphor Healing Ointment. However, tread lightly with this product, it's easy to oversaturate your tattoo using it.
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moisturizers
Same thing here, lots of tattoo and drugstore products out there and [plot twist] Hustle Butter Deluxe Tattoo Balm is our favorite moisturizer as well. Another solid choice is Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion. Similarly to soap, the main thing is to use something gentle and lightly or non-scented.
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second skin
Not all second-skins are created equal. Here's our favorites based off brands we've tested and use ourselves.
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recovery derm shield
Derm Shield is our favorite for several reasons. It comes in a wide variety of sizes, has a nice matte texture, and has good flexibility with a strong hold. Unfortunately it is a little pricier so we can't stock this brand in the shop—yall know we hand that shit out like candy—but it's our personal go-to.
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dynarex view guard
This is the second-skin we provide at the shop. It's a sold next-best-choice. Really the only difference besides price point is it doesn't have the matte texture, which doesn't affect the healing process whatsoever.
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things to avoid
Regardless of which method you are using to heal your tattoo, here are some things that you should avoid.
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• over moisturizing
• sun exposure
• soaking in water
• excessive sweating
Consult a healthcare provider at the first sign of infection.
Black Cat
535 Gresham Ave SE, Suite B
Atlanta, GA 30316
678.747.9909
DeKalb Public Health Department
445 Winn Way
Decatur, GA 30030
other
gift certificates
Gift certificates are available for purchase year-round, for any amount, never expire, and can be used with any artist. They are printed on card stock and sealed in a decorative envelop with a wax seal. If for some reason you cannot make it in to the shop to purchase one, we can accept payment over the phone via Zelle or Vemno and deliver it through the mail.
shop minimum
Our shop minimum for any tattoo is $100.
accessibility
We are ADA compliant for mobility impairments. Everyone is welcomed here with open arms and we are happy to take any extra steps necessary to ensure a successful experience. Feel free to give us a call to discuss further.
piercings
Sorry, no piercings here, only tattoos.
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