Tattoo FAQ Phuket – Frequently Asked Questions

Planning a tattoo in Phuket? We’ve answered some of the questions we’re most often asked about booking a tattoo at Mayhem Ink, choosing a design, preparing for your appointment and getting tattooed while you’re on holiday in Phuket. You’ll also find information about age requirements, pricing, hygiene, healing and what to consider when planning your tattoo around swimming, sun and other holiday activities.

Booking, Pricing & Appointments

Tattoo prices vary depending on the size, style, detail, placement, colour and complexity of the design. At Mayhem Ink Tattoo Phuket, we price each tattoo individually rather than using a fixed hourly rate. Send us your tattoo idea, reference images, placement and approximate size and we'll provide an estimate based on your specific project.

We charge by the piece rather than by the hour or day. Every tattoo is different, and pricing it individually allows us to take the design, size, detail, placement and artist requirements into account. For larger or multi-session projects, we'll discuss the expected scope and pricing with you before your appointment.

The easiest way is to send us an enquiry with as much information as possible. We'll need your tattoo concept, preferred style, reference images, placement, approximate size and clear photos of the area you'd like tattooed. A rough size markup on the body photo is particularly helpful. Once we have enough information, we can assess the project, recommend a suitable artist and provide an estimate.

We recommend booking in advance, particularly if you're visiting Phuket for a limited time, have specific dates available or want to work with a particular artist. Availability varies throughout the year and some artists or dates can book out ahead of time. The earlier you contact us, the more flexibility we'll usually have when matching your tattoo with the right artist and appointment time.

Walk-ins may be possible depending on artist availability and the tattoo you'd like done, but we can't guarantee availability without a booking. If you're already in Phuket and would like a tattoo at short notice, contact us with your design details and preferred date and we'll let you know what we have available.

Yes. A deposit is required to secure your appointment and will be deducted from the final cost of your tattoo. Your appointment is only confirmed once the required deposit has been received. Deposit amounts can vary depending on the booking and we'll provide the payment details when arranging your appointment.

If you need to change or cancel your appointment, please contact us as soon as possible. Deposits are used to reserve artist time and appointment availability, so cancellations, late changes and missed appointments may affect whether a deposit can be transferred or refunded. Please contact us for more information about changes, cancellations or deposits.

Tattoo Designs & Artists

Absolutely. Reference images are one of the best ways to show us the style, composition, details or overall direction you have in mind. You can send multiple references and explain what you like about each one. They don't need to be exact examples of the finished tattoo — they're there to help us understand your ideas and create the right design for you.

Yes. We specialise in custom tattoo designs created around your ideas, preferred style, placement and size. You can come to us with a clear concept or simply a rough idea and some reference images. Our artists will work with you to develop an original design that suits what you're looking for and works naturally with the area of the body being tattooed.

Yes. We regularly work with existing tattoos that need to be covered, reworked or improved. Every existing tattoo is different, so we'll need clear photos of the tattoo along with an idea of what you'd like to achieve. Our artists can then assess what's realistically possible and recommend the best approach.

Tattoo designs are generally finalised with the artist as part of the appointment process rather than sent out in advance. This allows the design to be developed collaboratively and ensures the size, placement, proportions and details work properly on the body.

For larger or more complex custom pieces, we may arrange for you to visit the studio for a design consultation when you arrive in Phuket. This gives you and the artist an opportunity to discuss the project in person, confirm the direction and work through the details before the tattoo session.

You'll always have the opportunity to review and discuss the design with your artist before tattooing begins.

Yes. The design process is collaborative, and you'll have the opportunity to discuss the design with your artist and make reasonable adjustments before tattooing begins. Changes to sizing, placement and details can often be worked through with the artist, while significant changes to the original concept may require additional design time or changes to the appointment schedule.

Our artists have different strengths, styles and areas of experience. When you send us your tattoo idea, reference images, placement and size, we'll review the project and match it with an artist whose skills and style are best suited to the work. If you'd specifically like to book with one of our artists, just let us know when you enquire.

Our team works across a wide range of tattoo styles including realism, black & grey, colour, Japanese, fine line, traditional, geometric, tribal, portraits and more. Because different artists have different strengths, we'll recommend an artist based on the style and requirements of your individual tattoo.

Preparing for Your Tattoo

Get a good night's sleep, eat a proper meal beforehand and make sure you're well hydrated. Avoid excessive alcohol before your appointment and look after the skin in the area being tattooed. Most importantly, avoid sunburn — particularly if you've been enjoying the Phuket sun in the days leading up to your appointment.

Yes. We recommend eating a good meal before your appointment, especially for longer tattoo sessions. Arriving well fed and hydrated can help you feel more comfortable during the tattoo. For longer sessions, you may also want to bring a drink and something to snack on.

We recommend avoiding alcohol before your tattoo appointment. Arriving intoxicated can affect the tattooing process and, importantly, we will not tattoo anyone who is intoxicated. Save the drinks until after you've finished at the studio.

Wear clean, comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that gives the artist easy access to the area being tattooed. Keep in mind that tattoo ink can sometimes get onto clothing, so we don't recommend wearing anything you're particularly worried about staining. For tattoos in areas such as the chest, ribs, back, hip or upper thigh, choose clothing that allows the area to be accessed while keeping you as comfortable and covered as possible.

Please speak to us before applying any numbing cream. Different products can affect the skin differently and may not be suitable for every tattoo, placement or session. If you're considering using numbing cream, contact us beforehand so we can discuss it with you and the artist.

We cannot tattoo over sunburnt or significantly damaged skin. If the area you're planning to have tattooed becomes sunburnt before your appointment, contact us as soon as possible so we can assess the situation. When you're in Phuket, take particular care to protect the area being tattooed from strong sun in the days leading up to your appointment.

Getting Tattooed While on Holiday in Phuket

This depends on what you have planned for your holiday. A fresh tattoo needs to be kept out of direct sunlight and you should avoid swimming, soaking and activities that cause heavy sweating while it heals. If you're planning plenty of beach, pool or outdoor time, it usually makes sense to schedule your tattoo towards the end of your holiday. For larger or multi-session tattoos, contact us before your trip so we can help plan your appointments around your time in Phuket.

No. You should avoid swimming and soaking your tattoo while it's healing. This includes swimming pools, the ocean, baths and hot tubs. If swimming is an important part of your Phuket holiday, enjoy it before your tattoo appointment rather than afterwards.

You can go to the beach, but a fresh tattoo needs to be protected from direct sunlight, seawater and sand while it heals. In practice, if you're planning proper beach days involving swimming and sunbathing, it's much better to do those before getting tattooed.

No. Direct sunlight and sunbathing should be avoided while your tattoo is healing. Once it has fully healed, we recommend using SPF 30 or higher whenever the tattoo is exposed to sunlight. This is particularly important in Phuket, where strong sun exposure can be difficult to avoid.

You should avoid heavy sweating, contact sports and activities that may expose the tattoo to shared gym equipment while it's healing. Saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs and other activities involving prolonged heat, moisture or soaking should also be avoided. If you're planning gym, spa or similar activities during your Phuket holiday, it's best to do them before your tattoo appointment.

In most cases, having a new tattoo doesn't prevent you from flying. However, you'll still need to follow your normal aftercare routine and keep the tattoo clean and protected while travelling. For larger tattoos or long flights, consider comfort, clothing and how easily you'll be able to care for the tattoo during your journey.

Age, Safety & Studio Policies

Thailand does not have a parental consent system that allows a parent or guardian to authorise a tattoo for someone under 18 in the way some customers may be familiar with from other countries.

At Mayhem Ink, you must be 18 years or older to get tattooed. We do not tattoo anyone under 18, even if a parent or guardian is present or gives permission.

You must be 18 years or older to get tattooed at Mayhem Ink Tattoo Phuket. We do not tattoo anyone under 18, including with parental or guardian consent. If there is any doubt about your age, we may ask to see valid photo identification.

As with anywhere in the world, tattoo studio standards can vary, so it's important to choose a professional studio that takes hygiene, equipment and infection prevention seriously. Thai public-health requirements for tattoo businesses cover areas including cleanliness, infection prevention, gloves, pigment handling and equipment procedures.

We follow strict hygiene and infection-control procedures throughout the studio. Work areas and reusable equipment are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between clients, disposable materials are used where required, and our artists wear fresh gloves during the tattoo process. We also use professional tattoo equipment and high-quality imported inks.

Yes. Tattoo needles are sterile and single-use and are disposed of after each client. Other disposable items used during the tattoo process are also replaced as required, while reusable equipment and work areas are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between clients.
Scroll to Top