First Timers

Welcome to The Dark Essence, your go-to tattoo studio for exceptional ink art. If you’re getting a tattoo for the first time, we understand that you might be feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. We’re here to guide you through the process and ensure you have a memorable experience.

Here are the 4 steps for your first tattoo:

1.

First things first, it’s important to book a consultation with one of our experienced artists. During the consultation, we’ll discuss your design ideas, placement, and answer any questions you may have. This is a crucial step to ensure that you feel confident and comfortable with your decision.

2.

On the day of your appointment, we’ll go over the design with you and discuss any necessary changes or concerns. We use only high-quality ink and equipment, and our experienced artists are skilled in various styles of tattooing. Remember to drink plenty of water throughout the week to stay hydrated, and try to avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before your appointment. Have a big, healthy dinner the night before and breakfast before coming in. Don’t worry about shaving the area beforehand we’ll take care of that for you! (however feel free to trim the hair if it is long). Lastly, please avoid taking aspirin or any blood-thinning medication for at least 24 hours before your tattoo. We want to make sure you have the best tattoo experience possible, so let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

3.

The tattoo process itself involves using a needle to puncture the skin and deposit ink into the deeper layers. You’ll feel a slight discomfort during the process, but our artists will do their best to keep you comfortable. While we do our best to give you an estimate of time, The length of the session will depend on size, skin type, pain tolerance, placement, and complexity of the design.

4.

After the session, we’ll give you aftercare instructions to ensure proper healing. We have a specifically formulated tattoo aftercare available for purchase and we’ll also advise you on what to avoid during the healing process, such as swimming, working out/sweating or exposing the tattoo to direct sunlight.

Contact Us

Wow, you’re so close to booking your tattoo!

At The Dark Essence, we prioritise your safety and satisfaction. Our artists are passionate about their craft and will work with you to create a unique and exceptional tattoo that you’ll be proud to wear. Book a consultation with us today and let’s make your tattoo dreams a reality.

We want to make sure that we can give you the best possible experience when you visit us for your tattoo appointment. That’s why we require a deposit for all bookings, to secure your spot and ensure that we have everything we need to make your vision come to life. We hope you understand that deposits are non-refundable, but we’re happy to work with you to reschedule your appointment with a minimum of 72 hours notice.

If you’re in the area and don’t have a booking yet, we would love for you to come in and see us! We’ll do our best to find a spot for you, so that you can experience the artistry and creativity of our Melbourne-based tattoo artists. Thank you for your understanding and we can’t wait to see you soon!