In September of 2025, the State of Michigan updated its Body Art Facilities Rules (Mich Admin Code, R 333.13101-R 333.13118), rolling out a wave of new regulations that set the tattoo industry ablaze. While many of these changes were necessary to improve safety for tattoo and piercing clients alike, one rule in particular sparked major conversation amongst both artists and tattoo fanatics: numbing cream. Michigan officially outlawed the use of numbing creams and sprays witho

As a tattoo artist, I’m asked on the daily if the placement my client chose is going to hurt. Usually I reply, “How honest do you want me to be?” — especially when I know that shit is going to suuuck. But honestly? That fear is completely valid. The pain is real, tattoos do in fact hurt, and anyone who tells you otherwise has nerves of steel or is straight up lying to you. But coming from the artist herself: I hate getting tattooed. Yes, it’s ironic. Why do I hate it?

We see a number of people filtering in and out of the shop every day. Some are regulars who might as well be put on our payroll, and others are first-timers nervously twiddling their thumbs and asking, “Does it hurt?” Whether you’re a tattoo veteran or proudly telling your friends you finally are taking the leap, a lot of you still show up unprepared. So today we’re breaking down Client Tips 101: How to Prepare for Your Tattoo Appointment — for your sake and your artist’s. T