FAQ

Yes, tattoos hurt. The pain involved is more irritating and annoying. It feels alot like a cat scratch or a bee sting.

It depends on the tattoo. The size, detail, placement and how well you sit all determine how long your tattoo will take.

According to Iowa State Law, you MUST be 18 years old. You may NOT get tattooed with parental permission. We require a valid state ID, Driver License or military ID to get a tattoo at Skin Kitchen Tattoo.

Our rate is $150.00 per hour and our minimum is $80.00. Your tattoo artist will give you a quote on the amount of time that will be needed and a rough estimate before scheduling the tattoo appointment. 

YES!!! All the needles and pigments that the artists use are single-use only and are disposed of as medical waste after each client.

The ultrasonic is a piece of equipment that use vibration and a soap/water mixture to break up the ink particles on the tube. This is NOT sterilizing equipment. After the equipment is cleaned and disinfected it is then ready to be put in the autoclave. The autoclave uses heat, steam, and pressure to kill any and all bacteria. The instruments are in the autoclave at 270+ degrees and 27psi (pounds per square inch) for 15 minutes. The state of Iowa requires 250 degrees at 15psi for 15 minutes.

The State of Iowa requires that all tattoo shops have a permit to operate. Every tattoo artist in Iowa must also have a tattoo permit. We are also inspected once a year by the Health Department

We do everything from flowers to portraits and everything in between. We do custom drawings as well. As long as ou can give the artists a good enough of an idea of what you want they can draw it for you. The only exception to this is if your idea will not lend itself well to being tattooed. They will aid you in getting what you want.

Skin Kitchen Tattoo opened its doors in November of 1997. Jack has been tattooing since 1993 and DaVo has been piercing since 1994. For more information on our other artist go to our Artist Page.

There is no magic number. On average through 7-14 days for scabs and flakes to disappear. The underneath layers of skin take longer to heal, anywhere from 2 weeks to a month.

Yes, you will need an appointment. We tattoo exclusively by appointment. To set up an appointment use the request an appointment form, send us an email at shop@skinkitchen.com, give us a call at 515-255-4430 or stop by the studio during our normal business hours Thursday through Monday 1 pm to 8 pm.

Yes, we stand behind our work and will do touch-ups free of charge unless there was improper aftercare or damage caused by the actions of the wearer of the tattoo. This does not include touch-ups of tattoos on Hands, Fingers, inside of the mouth, or some foot tattoos where touch up will be the same cost based on the rate of $150.00 an hour or a minimum of $80.00.

Skin Kitchen Tattoo Studio's hours are:

• Sunday 1 pm - 8 pm
• Monday 1 pm -8 pm
• Tuesday Closed
• Wednesday Closed
• Thursday 1 pm - 8 pm
• Friday 1 pm - 9 pm
• Saturday 1 pm - 9 pm

The Axiom Body Piercing Studio (Piercing Hours) are:

• Sunday - 2 pm - 8 pm
• Monday - 2 pm - 8 pm
• Tuesday - Closed
• Wednesday  - Closed
• Thursday  - 2 pm - 8 pm
• Friday  - 2 pm - 8 pm
• Saturday  - 2 pm - 8 pm

Yes, DaVo of the Axiom pierces Thursday through Monday 3 pm to 8 pm, or by appointment.

Tattoos

No, we do not offer tattoos by walk-ins, Since all of the tattoos we do are custom designs, we do all of our tattoos by appointment. To start the process to set up an appointment go to our Appointment Request Page.

On rare occasions, we do have a last-minute cancelation and can maybe able to get you in. To find out if we have any available appointments give us a call at  515-255-4430.

Yes, we do and you can purchase them at the studio during normal business hours. For more information go here.