Tattoo Policy, Consent & Aftercare
Last Updated: September 8, 2026
Expression Body Art is committed to providing tattoo services in a professional, sanitary, and responsible environment. This policy explains our requirements regarding tattoo appointments, client eligibility and consent, health and safety, aftercare, touch-ups, and the permanent nature of tattoo services.
By receiving tattoo services from Expression Body Art, clients acknowledge the permanent nature of tattooing and agree to comply with our policies and applicable aftercare instructions.
Age Requirement
Expression Body Art requires all tattoo clients to be 18 years of age or older.
A valid government-issued photo ID may be required before tattoo services are performed.
Kentucky regulations provide a procedure under which certain minors age 16 or older may receive tattoos with written notarized consent from a custodial parent or legal guardian. However, Expression Body Art has chosen to maintain an 18+ only policy for tattoo services.
Expression Body Art reserves the right to verify a client’s age and identity and to decline service when acceptable identification cannot be provided.
Client Consent & Information
Before tattooing begins, clients must complete all required consent, acknowledgment, and client-information documentation and provide accurate information.
Kentucky requires tattoo studios to maintain records containing specified information about each client and procedure, including identifying/contact information, applicable identification documentation, the artist, and the type, location, and description of the procedure. Required client records must generally be retained for two years.
Information collected as part of this process will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable law.
Health & Safety
Tattooing involves intentionally depositing pigment into the skin and carries inherent risks, including infection, irritation, allergic or sensitivity reactions, scarring, pigment changes, and other complications.
Before receiving a tattoo, clients will be informed that tattooing poses a risk of infection, tattoos are permanent, and tattoo removal may result in scarring, as required by Kentucky regulations.
Expression Body Art may postpone or decline tattooing when a health or safety concern makes proceeding inappropriate.
Kentucky regulations also prohibit tattooing skin exhibiting certain unhealthy conditions—such as a rash, open lesion, evidence of infection, or sunburn—without written clearance from a licensed medical provider.
Client Health Attestation
Before receiving tattoo services, clients will be required to provide the health and safety attestations required by applicable Kentucky regulations.
Kentucky currently requires tattoo client records to include an attestation that the client:
- Is not intoxicated or under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
- Is not pregnant; and
- Has not ingested an anticoagulant that thins the blood or interferes with blood clotting within the preceding 24 hours.
Clients must answer required questions accurately.
Expression Body Art reserves the right to postpone or refuse a tattoo when applicable health, safety, or consent requirements are not satisfied.
Alcohol & Drugs
Clients may not receive tattoo services while intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
If we reasonably believe a client is impaired or cannot provide informed consent, the tattoo will not be performed.
Applicable cancellation, no-show, or deposit policies may still apply if an appointment cannot proceed because of the client’s condition.
Sanitation & Infection Prevention
Expression Body Art will perform tattoo services in accordance with applicable Kentucky sanitation and infection-control requirements.
Kentucky requires tattooing to take place under the authority of a Kentucky-certified tattoo studio, and tattoo artists must be properly registered and maintain documentation of approved bloodborne-pathogen training. Kentucky regulations also establish requirements concerning sanitation, sterilized equipment, single-use components, waste disposal, and infection prevention.
Design & Placement Approval
Before tattooing begins, clients are responsible for carefully reviewing and approving the final:
- Design
- Spelling
- Dates and numbers
- Size
- Placement
- Orientation
Please carefully inspect the stencil and final design before giving approval.
Once the client approves the design and tattooing begins, certain changes may no longer be possible.
Expression Body Art is not responsible when a client later changes their mind regarding an element that was accurately represented and approved before tattooing.
Permanent Nature of Tattoos
Tattoos are permanent.
Individual results and long-term appearance vary based on factors such as skin characteristics, placement, healing, aftercare, sun exposure, lifestyle, aging, and other individual circumstances.
Fading and changes in appearance can naturally occur over time.
Tattoo removal procedures may not completely remove a tattoo and may result in scarring. Kentucky specifically requires clients to receive written information concerning the permanence of tattooing and the possibility of scarring from removal.
Refunds
Completed tattoo services are final and non-refundable.
Once tattooing has been performed, the service cannot be returned or reversed.
Appointment deposits, cancellations, rescheduling, late arrivals, and no-shows are governed by our Appointment, Cancellation & No-Show Policy and any additional terms disclosed during booking.
Tattoo Aftercare
Proper aftercare is an important part of tattoo healing.
Each tattoo client will receive aftercare instructions before the tattoo procedure. Kentucky regulations require these instructions to address care of the tattooed area, possible side effects, applicable restrictions, signs and symptoms of infection, and when medical attention should be sought.
Clients are responsible for following the aftercare instructions provided by their tattoo artist.
This includes avoiding inappropriate picking, scratching, or disruption of the healing area and following instructions concerning cleaning, moisture, coverings, water exposure, sun exposure, and activities during the healing period.
Possible Infection or Complications
Some temporary redness, tenderness, swelling, itching, peeling, or similar effects may occur during the healing process.
If symptoms become excessive, worsen, or suggest infection—such as fever, excessive swelling, excessive redness, or drainage—the client should consult a physician or other appropriate healthcare professional. Kentucky’s aftercare regulation specifically requires clients to receive instructions concerning these warning signs.
Expression Body Art and its tattoo artists do not diagnose or treat medical conditions.
Touch-Ups
Minor touch-ups may occasionally be appropriate after a tattoo has completely healed.
Expression Body Art may provide one complimentary touch-up within 60 days of the original tattoo appointment when we determine that the touch-up is necessary because of normal healing.
Complimentary touch-ups do not include work required because of:
- Failure to follow aftercare instructions
- Picking or scratching during healing
- Excessive sun exposure
- Injury or trauma
- Significant design additions or alterations
- A client’s decision to change an originally approved design
- Work performed or altered by another tattoo artist
Additional tattoo work may be subject to our normal tattoo pricing.
Expression Body Art will determine whether a requested service qualifies as a complimentary touch-up.
Custom Artwork & Design Changes
Custom artwork created for a tattoo remains the intellectual property of Expression Body Art or the individual artist, as applicable, unless otherwise agreed.
Tattoo deposits may compensate the artist for design and preparation time in addition to reserving appointment time.
Significant changes requested after custom artwork has been prepared may require additional design fees, another deposit, or rescheduling.
Photography
Expression Body Art may ask permission to photograph completed tattoo work for our portfolio, website, advertising, or social media.
Promotional photographs will only be used with the client’s permission.
A client’s decision not to authorize promotional photography will not affect their eligibility for tattoo services.
Refusal or Discontinuation of Service
Expression Body Art reserves the right to refuse, postpone, or discontinue tattoo services when reasonably necessary, including circumstances involving intoxication or impairment, insufficient identification, health or safety concerns, inability to provide informed consent, abusive or threatening behavior, a design or placement the artist is unwilling to perform, or failure to satisfy applicable legal or studio requirements.
Kentucky Compliance
Tattoo services provided by Expression Body Art will be performed in accordance with applicable Kentucky requirements.
Kentucky requires tattoo artists to be registered with the local health department in the district or county where tattooing will occur. Tattooing must be conducted under the authority of a Kentucky-certified tattoo studio, and tattoo artists must have the required bloodborne-pathogen training.
Applicable local health department requirements will also be followed.
Questions
Questions regarding tattoo appointments, policies, consent, or aftercare may be directed to:
Expression Body Art
Website: ceexpression.com
Email: contact@ceexpression.com