Melania’s Touch-Up Policy
I want your tattoo to heal beautifully and stay looking its best for years to come. While every tattoo is applied with care and precision, healing varies from person to person. Touch-ups are sometimes needed, especially in areas with more movement, friction, or fine detail.
Touch-ups are meant to restore the original design, not alter or expand it.
Design changes or additions will require a separate appointment.
Some areas naturally fade faster — such as hands, fingers, feet, or the inner lip — and may need more frequent maintenance due to their unique skin texture and constant use and friction of the area.
Why do hand and foot tattoos fade faster?
Hands and feet have what’s called regenerative skin, which means those areas are constantly shedding and renewing their outer layers.
Because of this rapid turnover, tattoos in these spots can fade quickly, heal patchy, or in some cases fall out altogether.
This doesn’t mean hand or foot tattoos are impossible — they just require extra care and may need more maintenance or touch-ups over time.
We also have to tattoo a bit deeper in these areas to ensure the ink stays, which can create an effect similar to an intentional blowout.
If that level of application and upkeep isn’t for you, you can look at where the skin color and texture naturally change in those areas
and choose to avoid getting tattooed directly on those high-shedding zones.
Are touch-ups like a “post-op” appointment?
Touch-ups aren’t mandatory, and they’re not an automatic follow-up appointment.
They’re something we assess on a case-by-case basis, depending on how your tattoo healed and whether anything needs refinement.
Some tattoos heal perfectly with no touch-up needed, Others may need a little extra love.
Especially in areas that move a lot, rub on clothing, or have fine detail etc.
What Can Affect Healing
Certain factors can impact how well your tattoo heals, including:
Excessive sun exposure
General neglect
Picking, scratching, or premature peeling
Soaking in pools, hot tubs, baths, or ocean water
Using irritating or unsafe products on the tattoo
Heavy friction from clothing, gear, pets, or work environments
Certain medications that may affect your skin, immune system, or overall healing
These are simply things to be aware of so your tattoo can heal at its best.
To learn more about safe aftercare procedures, click this link.
Fine Line Tattoos
Fine line or delicate detail work may naturally heal softer.
A touch-up may be recommended within the 1-year window to refine the design if needed.
This style requires a lighter hand pressure and uses smaller needles, therefore they are notorious for needing touchups.
Large or Multi-Session Projects
For sleeves, back pieces, or multi-session designs, touch-ups of healed areas may be done during later sessions and are typically included as part of the ongoing project.
How to Request a Touch-Up
Once your tattoo is fully healed (4–6 weeks), send me clear, well-lit photos via email or DMs. Or just stop in!
I’ll take a look and let you know if a touch-up is recommended, and we’ll get you scheduled.
Touch-ups are meant to restore the original design, not alter or expand it.
Design changes or additions will require a separate appointment.
My Guarantee
My number one priority is that you are truly satisfied with your tattoo. Even if there are little to no inconsistencies,
there is no such thing as an unreasonable touchup request. Everyone notices different things,
and some people are more bothered by small details than others — and that’s completely valid.
A good rule of thumb is:
If it’s bothering you, we will take care of it.
Free Touch-Ups
Touch-ups are free for up to 1 year from the date of your original appointment.
This covers normal healing-related fading, light spots, or minor inconsistencies.
In certain high-friction or high-movement areas that naturally fade faster,
I may ask for a small fee to cover my setup costs, depending on the situation.
Is it standard to tip on a touch-up?
You’re never required to tip for a touch-up unless we have spoken about fees prior to your tattoo appointment.
My philosophy is that you already paid for your tattoo, and you shouldn’t have to pay more for compromising factors that could be entirely out of your control.
That said, tips are always appreciated.
Tattoo artists pay various fees to work in a licensed, operational shop.
We also cover the cost of many disposable supplies out of pocket.
A standard touch-up usually costs an artist around $10–$40 in needles, ink, wraps, and setup materials.
While tipping is never expected, it’s definitely helpful — and always appreciated.
Protocol for Touching Up Other Artists’ Work
There are many valid reasons why you may not want to return to your original artist — maybe they were unprofessional,
maybe they moved or stopped tattooing, or maybe you simply didn’t feel comfortable with them.
Whatever the reason, you never need to explain your personal situation to me.
That said, if you do feel comfortable and there’s no specific reason not to,
I always encourage clients to reach out to their original artist first.
Most artists are happy to touch up their own work. But I also understand that sometimes people don’t respond,
life happens, or the situation isn’t ideal — and that’s okay.
Because touching up another artist’s work is considered a new service,
the process is handled differently. To inquire about this type of touch-up, please fill out an Inquiry Form so I can properly
assess the piece and determine the best approach.
You may also book a free consultation to discuss what’s possible.
(Please note: This is not the same as booking a touch-up. To be scheduled for your touch-up, please follow the protocol above.)