FAQ

It is usually takes from 2 to 4 weeks to get an appointment, but often I have slots for a spontaneous appointment.

If you're looking for a spontaneous appointment or have specific dates in mind, please mention it in the subject of your email.

Simply contact me via email or use the contact form whenever the time feels right, and I'll guide you through the process. You'll find all the details in the Booking section.

I am taking care of each request personally, since it is essential part of my practice, and usually it takes me from 3 to 7 days to reply, but sometimes waiting time could be up to 14 days. I check spam box regularly, but in case you didnt hear back from me in 14 days, please send your request one more time.

I tattoo my available drawings and create custom tattoos. You find more details here.

Usually our day starts at noon. We take time to chat over the cup of coffee or tee first, then discuss and fit the design and make all necessary adjustments before actual tattooing starts.

I work with one person per day so I can fully focus on our project. I ask you to come to appointment unaccompanied and not being earlier than a set time.

Each session is a unique experience, and I can’t know exactly how long we’ll need. I ask you not to make plans for the evening of our session so there is no time pressure or to let me know about any time limitations beforehand so we can work it out.

After I finish tattooing, I take a photos and video to document the outcome, that can take up to 30 minutes sometimes.

Finally, I protect your new tattoo using second-skin film and give you your care package - aftercare instructions and a tattoo cream.

Session can take anything from 4 hours in case of a smaller less detailed design with no line flow to 12 hours for a full day project, like a full arm or bigger flow on a torso.

Best way to see up to date available designs are here, in my Instagram highlights or hashtag #ustrehova_sketches. For my sketchbook drawings see Flickr and Instagram sketchbook_au.

I do coverups, design is expected to have a bold black area that covers an old one. Blastovers are another fun way to deal with a tattoo you no longer feel connected to.

I price each piece individually depending on complexity and how long the work will take, considering details, textures, black fills, thickness of linework, size, placement, line flow and adjustments, etc.

I'll give you an estimate once you share all the details.

Places like the ribcage, belly, waist, chest or sternum, which require more tattooing time, have an extra charge.

Contact me via email and I will give you all the details.

Yes, to book an appointment, I require a non-refundable deposit that is deducted from total price.

This deposit serves as a processing fee to organize everything around our appointment—securing your time slot, communication, and design work therfore it's not refundable in case of cancellation.

If during appointment you decide not to get tattooed on the day, you lose deposit too. For custom projects, I'll also invoice you for any work done during the appointment. Drawings I prepared in that case gonna go to my available section.

In case of the cancellation you will lose a deposit.

You can reschedule your appointment once without losing your deposit, as long as you give me 48 hours notice, otherwise your deposit will be forfeited and I'll require a new deposit to set a new date.

Life happens - just let me know as soon as possible so we can find a solution together.

Although I have designated time during my session for that, if you live in Berlin, I am glad to offer a quick consultation, where we can get to know each other, try available designs or discuss custom project and take measurments. I would still need to receive detailed request before scheduling a meeting.

A sober evening, a good night sleep and a nice meal before the session are essentials.

Bring or wear a comfy outfit that allows tattooed placement to be reachable and a lunchbox plus your favorite snacks are very much recommended since we would pretty much spend a day in the studio. 

Moisturizing your skin daily during last week before appointment is a nice extra.

Unless you have specific accessability needs ( please let me know about that in your request ) , I would ask you to come to the appointment alone. A friend/partner can come with you for the beginning of the appointment, but as soon as we start working they would need to leave.

I only tattoo people 18 and older, giving the frontal cortex a bit more time to develop.

If you have a history of keloid scarring, psoriasis, or other skin conditions, please let me know in your initial email so we can discuss the best approach.

Eczema:

I cannot tattoo over active eczema flare-ups, as this interferes with healing and ink retention, otherwise getting tattooed is totally fine.

Keloid scarring:

Tattooing carries a significant risk of keloid formation for people prone to them. If you have keloid history, we should avoid bold blackwork and high-risk placements like the chest, shoulders, and upper back, where keloids are most likely to develop. We can explore safer placements and lighter designs together.

Psoriasis:

I cannot tattoo over active flare-ups, as this interferes with healing and ink retention. Even in clear areas, there's a risk that tattooing can trigger new psoriasis lesions (Koebner phenomenon). We can work with areas where you've never experienced flare-ups, but you should understand this risk. Timing is important—the skin needs to be clear and stable.

I recommend consulting dermatologist you trust before booking if you have any skin conditions or concerns about scarring.

Absolutely, let me know if there is something that need a touch-up after tattoo is healed and settled ( month - two ) via email and we will set a date.

Fading and changes:

All tattoos fade and soften over time. Sun exposure, skin type, placement, and healing all affect how your tattoo ages. Bold blacks may lighten, fine lines may spread slightly, and details can soften—this is normal. Proper aftercare and sun protection (SPF) help, but change is inevitable. I do my best to design with longevity in mind.

Occasional reactions:

Even years after healing, tattoos can sometimes feel itchy, overly sensitive to touch, raised, or bumpy. This can happen due to heat, sun exposure, skin sensitivity, exercise, stress, overall your immune system temporarily reacting to the ink. This is completely normal and usually resolves within hours or days. If reactions persist or worsen, consult a doctor, but mild temporary sensations are just part of having tattooed skin.

I work with carbon based black ink, which has an extremely low risk of adverse reactions. True allergic reactions appear during the initial healing process, not years later.