Guides

Tattoo and Piercing Guides

Honest, well-sourced answers to the questions people ask us every day, from Tattoo Lab, a tattoo and piercing studio in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Our health and safety guides link to public health bodies, dermatology organisations and peer-reviewed research, so you can check every fact.

Planning Your Tattoo

Your First Tattoo: What to Expect and How to Prepare
Choosing a design and studio, preparing for your appointment, and what happens on the day.
Does Getting a Tattoo Hurt? What Research Says
What a study of 1,092 people found, why pain charts are guesswork, and numbing cream safety.
How to Choose a Safe Tattoo Studio in Halifax
A checklist based on Nova Scotia’s body art rules.
Tattoo and Piercing Age and ID Rules in Nova Scotia
What the province’s rules say, our 16+ policy, and what ID to bring.
Nova Scotia and Ocean Tattoo Ideas
Lighthouses, the Bluenose II, anchors, blueberries and sea life, with real examples.

Aftercare, Health and Safety

Tattoo Aftercare Guide
Step-by-step care for your new tattoo, from second skin to long-term care.
Piercing Aftercare
Cleaning, healing times, swimming, jewellery and signs of infection.
Travelling With a New Tattoo: Flying, Swimming and Sun
What health sources actually say about trips, pools and beaches.
Is Tattoo Ink Safe?
Canadian and EU ink rules, allergies, MRI scans and cancer research explained.
Can You Donate Blood After a Tattoo or Piercing?
Canada’s three-month rule and how other countries compare.
Do Fine Line Tattoos Fade?
Sun, placement, blowouts and touch-ups.
Can My Tattoo Be Covered Up?
Cover-ups, reworks and what dermatologists say about laser removal.

Research and Facts

Tattoo Statistics: How Many Canadians Have Tattoos?
Survey data on tattoos in Canada, the US and Germany, including regret and attitudes.

Visiting Halifax

Getting a Tattoo in Halifax, Nova Scotia as a Visitor
Booking from abroad, ID, walk-ins and timing around your trip.
Getting a Tattoo or Piercing During Your Halifax Cruise Stop
What fits into a port day and how to get back to your ship on time.
Walk-In Tattoos and Piercings in Halifax
How walk-ins work, what to bring and our hours.

Booking and Studio Information

Have a Question We Haven't Answered?

Text us at 902-448-2211. We reply as soon as we can, and your question might become our next guide.

Book Now!

Fill in the Contact form

First Name

Last Name

Birthday

Phone

Preferred Contact Method

How Did You Hear About Us?

Your availability or preferred dates

Placement of Tattoo/Piercing

How flexible are you with the design?

What tattoo style are you looking for?

Do you have a budget in mind for your tattoo?

Upload your reference image(s)

Describe your Idea

Get in Contact!

First Name

Last Name

Birthday

Phone

Preferred Contact Method

How Did You Hear About Us?

Your availability or preferred dates

Placement of Tattoo/Piercing

How flexible are you with the design?

What tattoo style are you looking for?

Do you have a budget in mind for your tattoo?

Upload your reference image(s)

Describe your Idea

Tattoo and Piercing Guides

Planning Your Tattoo

Aftercare, Health and Safety

Research and Facts

Visiting Halifax

Booking and Studio Information

Have a Question We Haven't Answered?

Book Now!

Fill in the Contact form

Book Now!

Fill in the booking form

Get in Contact!