Blackwork
Since 2010
Dana Whitlock
Owner. Custom blackwork, neo-traditional and cover-ups
- Blackwork
- Neo-traditional
- Cover-ups
$200 an hour Booking from mid-November
We don't do laser. We'll point you right.
Laser removal referrals
We look at the tattoo, tell you honestly whether a cover-up can work, and refer you to a physician-supervised clinic when fading or removal is the better path.
Book a free assessment
Free assessment
What it is, plainly.
We are a tattoo studio, not a medical clinic, so we don't do laser removal. What we can do is give you a straight answer about your options.
Sometimes a cover-up works as is. Sometimes 2 to 4 fading sessions first make a much better cover-up possible. And sometimes full removal is the right call.
Good for
- Fading a dark tattoo before a cover-up
- Deciding between a cover-up and removal
- Full removal of a piece you are done with
- Lightening one part of a tattoo for rework
How it works
Four steps, no surprises.
-
Free consult
Bring the tattoo, in person if you can. We'll look at ink density, colors and size.
-
Our honest take
Cover-up now, fade first, or remove. We explain the trade-offs in plain words.
-
Referral
We share our short list of physician-supervised clinics. They assess, price and schedule you.
-
Cover-up after fading
Wait at least 6 to 8 weeks after your last laser session, then we plan the new piece.
Fade first, then cover.
A few fading sessions can turn a "maybe" cover-up into an easy one. This is roughly how lightening works over sessions spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart.
-
Today
-
After session 1
-
After session 2
-
After session 3
Illustration only. Real fading depends on the ink, the colors and your skin, and some colors barely move.
What it costs
Example prices.
Ranges for this demo, the way a real studio should print them. Your artist gives you a range for your piece at the consult.
- Our assessment
- Free
- Part of a normal consult
- Laser sessions
- Set by the clinic
- Ask them for a quote. We don't set their prices or take a cut
- Fading for a cover-up
- Often 2 to 4 sessions
- Spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart
- Full removal
- Often 6 to 12 sessions or more
- Depends on ink, color and skin
Read this before you book
The honest part.
-
Laser is medical
It should be done by trained staff under a physician's supervision. That is why we refer instead of offering it.
-
No promises of full removal
Some colors, like green, light blue and yellow, are stubborn. A clinic can tell you what to expect for your ink.
-
We earn nothing for referrals
No kickbacks. We send you where we would go ourselves.
-
Fading is often enough
For a cover-up, you rarely need full removal. A few sessions can open up far more design options.
Who does it
Your artist.
Dana does our cover-up assessments and laser referrals. Book a free consult and bring the tattoo.
Do you do laser removal?
No. Laser is a medical procedure, so we refer you to physician-supervised clinics and plan any cover-up for after.
How long after laser can I get a cover-up?
At least 6 to 8 weeks after your last session, once the skin has fully settled. Your clinic may ask you to wait longer.
Will you tell me if I don't need laser?
Yes. Plenty of old tattoos can be covered or reworked as they are, and we'll say so.
Bring the idea. We'll draw the line.
Free 20-minute consults, in person or on video. You leave with a plan, a price range and a date, and nothing is tattooed until you approve the stencil.