Frequently Asked Questions

How do you accept payment?

Cash is always preferred; we also take Venmo, Cashapp, and PayPal at this time.
We do not have an ATM or accept credit cards.

Where are you located?

Scaredy Rat Tattoo is in Waxhaw, North Carolina. We are located past downtown Waxhaw, in a rural setting.
8804 Crossbow Ln. Waxhaw, NC28173

  • We currently have a grass parking lot, with a handicap entrance upon request.
  • 3-4 parking spots (may vary with rain).
  • Please read the Location tab for more information.

How do I make an appointment?

First, we need a consultation! This helps us touch base on what you’re looking to get tattooed, where we’d put the tattoo, approximate size, budget, etc.

  • Please start by filling out a request form: Tattoo Request Form.
  • You’ll be directly contacted by your artist from there, and a deposit will be required to move forward.

What’s a deposit and why do I need it?

Your deposit secures our appointment date and time, as well as gets the drawing process started.

  • Depending on our appointment length, there is a required, non-refundable $40 or $100 deposit via Venmo, Cashapp, or PayPal.
  • This amount will come directly off the tattoo total, so this is not an additional fee.

Failure to communicate an appointment cancellation within 48 hours forfeits your deposit. Extreme changes to the appointment plan (upon arrival) may also result in a loss of deposit.

What does your schedule look like/how far out are you booking?

Scaredy Rat Tattoo currently has two artists, so they can personally give a more accurate estimate during a quick consultation. 🙂

  • While we like to accommodate next-day availability, some of our artists have been known to book 2-3 months out.
  • Updates are posted on our social media platforms to create “walk-in” appointments, day of.

How much is a tattoo? How do you price your work?

We currently price by the piece; doing our best to give an estimated price range during the consultation phase. Based on size and design complexity, a range might be provided. It is very difficult to give an exact number due to the choices that need to be made during the appointment.

Factors such as making major design changes last minute, moving the tattoo’s location, drastically increasing the tattoo’s size, or adding color could potentially raise the tattoo’s initial estimate. If so, we will communicate this before the tattoo begins.

If you have a specific budget in mind, please include that in your request form, and we will do our best to design within that range.

What should I do to be comfortable? Can I bring a friend?

Comfortable clothes, headphones, stress toys, and snacks are all encouraged! Friends and family are absolutely welcome, but we ask that you bring no more than 3 people at a time (unless everybody is getting tattooed). Please keep in mind our limited parking.

What is your aftercare process?

Unless you have specific allergies, Saniderm is used to wrap your new tattoo.

  • Saniderm is a “second skin” bandage that protects the area for the first three to four days after your tattoo. Saniderm helps keep the tattoo sterilized and moisturized for the first phase of healing.
  • A free aftercare packet with written instructions is also provided with each appointment, as well as listed on our website’s Aftercare tab.

Are you okay with numbing?

Lauren’s Answer: Yes 🙂

  • Before the appointment, numbing cream can be purchased and applied by you to relieve the first half of the tattoo.
  • During the appointment, I provide numbing spray only after the line work has been completed/before starting color or shading.

Please read below for brands and how to get the full effect:

  • Please only use Ebanel Liposomal Numb520 or Mad Rabbit Relieve.
  • If you’re curious about a different brand, please communicate. Always test the numbing cream on your skin at least 24-48 hours before the appointment to monitor extreme redness or inflammation. If that happens, do not use it for your appointment.

How to use:

  • At least an hour before your appointment, put a thick coat on your skin. Do not rub it in like lotion; leave extra so it is visible on your skin.
  • Put some sort of plastic wrapping over the area for at least an hour. Plastic wrap or even a grocery bag is fine for this—even a ziplock bag will do. Leave this on until I remove it. 🙂

Why did I lose my deposit?

Deposits are the only way for an artist to protect their time and effort. We are likely to spend time outside of our appointment to prepare your artwork, as well as designating the time to create your tattoo. If all of this is unused, it significantly affects an artist’s income. So please just give us a heads up. <3

I sent you a DM on Instagram! Will I hear back from you?

While we do love direct contact with our clients, our workdays can be very long. During the day, we are busy tattooing, so it’s likely we will be responding on a day off or in between appointments, so please bear with us. Filling out our Tattoo Request Form is the best way to get in contact about new ideas. 🙂 DMs for scheduled clients are preferred.

Do you have any limitations?

  • Inner finger and lip tattoos: Not recommended. No free touch-ups on any finger tattoos.
  • No genital tattoos.
  • If there are tattoo requests out of our wheelhouse, we’ll do our best to refer you to a better fit!