Are you interested in getting your new ink done when visiting Istanbul? The tattoo scene in Istanbul is one of the most exciting ones in Europe along with fantastic tattoo artists and shops delivering some of the best quality tattoo arts for their visitors. Here you can read our insider guide on sensational tattoo and piercing studios and shops to check out in Istanbul, Turkey, including where to find tattoo studios in Istanbul, top tattoo artists, prices, tips, and advice.
Some Important Things to Know Before You Get Your Tattoo
* You should not only say “Let’s get a tattoo!” and act! There are certain preparations required before you take action.
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* You should learn about what you should and shouldn’t do, critical points to be considered, and aftercare before getting a tattoo.
* You should decide on the tattoo style first. Many find a style on the internet, but it is better to created your own model as you may get bored with a model that everyone has.
* Tattoo removal is more difficult than getting a tattoo. Therefore, it is very critical issue to decide on the tattoo style well from the very beginning.
* Hygiene of the tattoo studio and work done, the ink used, the knowledge and the experience of the tattoo artist is very important. We recommend you to review the instagram accounts of the tattoo studios and artists, check out their works on their own websites, and read the comments.
No Regrets Booking Advice
* If you have time, you can go to the tattoo studio and check the above important issues on location and face to face. You can also ask about price information, the most suitable area regarding the shape and size of the tattoo.
* If you have an outstanding problem with your tattoo, you should contact the tattoo artist immediately.
Before Getting a Tattoo
* If you planned a holiday in less than a month, then you should get your tattoo done when you get back home. This is because exposure of the new tattoo to the sun can affect it badly, as well as you can get infection while swimming in the sea or pool.
* You should not drink alcohol before getting a tattoo as alcohol thins the blood and can increase bleeding.
* It is recommended that you should not sunbathe or not go to the solarium two months before getting a tattoo. This is because ultraviolet rays expand the pores in the skin, and can increase bleeding during tattooing.
* Medication and drugs taken a week before the tattooing can also increase bleeding.
* You should inform the tattoo studio and artist if you have diabetes, hemophilia or infection.
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* You may have allergic reactions to tattoos. You can predict this with your past interaction with any make-up materials. So it is recommended to have a test on what kind of ink is used.
After Getting a Tattoo
* The area will be covered and care cream is applied on the bandage after tattooing procedure. The bandage should be kept for at least 1 to 3 hours. You can wash the tattooed area afterwards, and should not apply bandage back.
* You should apply care cream during the 2 weeks healing period of the tattoo. After that thin crusts formed on the tattoo shed on their own.
* You should not scratch your tattoo during the healing period.
* It is also very useful to apply sunscreen when you go out into the sun after the healing period, so that the colors of the tattoo do not fade.
Some Practical Things to Know about Piercing
Piercing is a type of jewelry used by puncturing different parts of the human body and placing it on. It is the process of modifying the body by puncturing the area determined in the skin or cartilage.
The choice of using the right piercing in the right place is very important. It requires a very delicate choice in terms of creating an impression with the outer appearance of the person who has the piercing.
Piercing is mostly preferred in the nose and mouth areas. It is mostly produced from precious metals such as gold, diamond or silver.
Piercings attached to sensitive areas of the skin such as Nipple, Genital and Microdermal Piercings are inserted using local anesthesia. In this way, the piercing is inserted without feeling any pain during the procedure.
The most important stage of piercing is the care stage. You should carefully protect the piercing and perform daily care. You should not keep the piercing area moist, creamy or wet. It is useful to be cautious in this respect, in case you get any infection.
You should apply the antibiotic-based cream to the area of the piercing 1-2 times a day, which can be easily obtained from any pharmacy. You should carefully dry the area with a sterile napkin or a sterile cloth by gently moving the piercing up and down 1-2 times a day.
Top Areas for the best tattoo & piercing in Istanbul
Bakirkoy, Taksim, Galata, Karakoy, Nisantasi, Besiktas and Kadikoy are the top districts to find some of the best and contemporary tattoo and piercing studios in Istanbul.
How Much a New Tattoo Cost in Istanbul?
When it comes to tattooing, prices may vary with the style you will choose but we can say that getting a new tattoo can be very cheap in Istanbul and Turkey, when compared with the tattoo prices in UK, EU or USA.
About pricing, while tattoo prices abroad are usually per hour, no studio or artist in Turkey charges hourly.
Tattoo price in Istanbul and Turkey is determined by the size, the detail of the design, the area where the tattoo will be made, and finally which artist you choose.
Average cost of a medium size tattoo in Istanbul starts from €30 and goes up to €500.
In addition, about all the tattoo studios in Istanbul and Turkey offer free new tattoo design consultation. You should also keep in mind that you are usually paying for the quality of service and artists’ reputation.
Top 5 Best Tattoo & Piercing Studios & Artists in Istanbul Turkey
We are Istanbul insiders that were born and lived in the city for more than 40 years, and here we only suggest the proven and top rated tattoo studios and artists with the patients’ comments. If you are planning a trip to Istanbul, already in the city or living as expat, and want to have a well organized Tattoo or Piercing, we would recommend the below tattoo studios and shops.
Also bear in mind that price shouldn’t always be your guide. You can get offers with much lower cost than the average prices, but cheap procedures can cause problems and may mean that there may be some compromise in the skill of the tattoo artist or the quality of the art done on your body.
Cleopatra Ink Tattoo Studio Bakirkoy
Cleopatra Ink can be considered as one of the best tattoo & piercing studios in Istanbul, as well as in Turkey and the world. The brand have total 91 studios in 16 countries.
Here we highly recommend Cleopatra Ink Tattoo Studio’s Bakirkoy branch. They provide amazing tattoo experience for tattoo lovers in the most modern studio with highly skilled artists, hygienic environment, and professional equipment. They also offer free design consultation.
They have inked thousands of tattoos so far and have excellent expertise in all categories of tattooing. Top tattoo styles include; Minimal Tattoos, Black & Gray Tattoos, Avangart Tattoos, Realistic Tattoos, Dotwork & Linework Tattoos, Blackwork Tattoos, Portrait Tattoos and Japanese Tattoos.
Cleopatra Ink is also the largest multi-branch tattoo and piercing brand in the world having branches in top cities in Turkey such as Istanbul, Antalya, Marmaris, Bodrum, Ankara, Izmir, as well as in many countries in the world such as Germany, USA, Azerbaijan, Cape Verde, Czechia, Finland, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Cyprus, Norway, Spain, Ukraine, Jordan and Greece.
Master Team Tattoo Burak Capin
Talented tattoo artist Burak Capin (instagram), combined his passion for charcoal drawing with tattoos.
Address: Cevizlik, Ebuzziya Cd. No:31A, Bakirkoy, Istanbul
Website: cleopatraink.com
Instagram: instagram.com/cleopatraink
Note: You can fill out our form at the bottom of the page to make a tattoo or piercing reservation at Cleopatra Ink Istanbul Studio Bakirkoy. You can also get your free tattoo design consultation with their artists, plus 15% discount as being our website visitor.
Tattoo & Piercing in Turkey FAQs
Where can I get a tattoo in Istanbul?
You are able to find many tattoo parlours in Istanbul. Majority of them are located at tourist zones such as Bakirkoy, Taksim, Galata, Karakoy, Nisantasi, Besiktas and Kadikoy districts. They all offer lifelong artwork of your dreams.
How do I choose a tattoo studio or artist in Istanbul?
Hygiene, the ink used, the knowledge and the experience of the tattoo artist is very important. It is advised to review the instagram accounts of the tattoo studios and artists, check out their works on their own websites, and read the comments.
How much does it cost to get a tattoo in Istanbul?
Tattoo price in Istanbul is determined by the size, the detail of the design, the area where the tattoo will be made, and finally which artist you choose. Average cost of a medium size tattoo in Istanbul starts from €30 and goes up to €500. We can also say that majority of the tattoo studios in Istanbul and Turkey offer free new tattoo design consultation.
Are tattoos expensive in Istanbul and Turkey?
When it comes to tattooing, prices may vary with the style you will choose but we can say that getting a new tattoo can be very cheap in Istanbul and Turkey, when compared with the tattoo prices in UK, EU or USA.
Does tattooing hurt?
Yes it hurts! But in the best possible way. When you're in pain, your brain releases endorphins and your body loves endorphins, so yes, it hurts, but it's not as scary as you might think.
Are there any preparations I need to make before tattooing?
You should eat well and drink water. You should not drink alcohol the night before and on the tattooing day, as alcohol can increase bleeding for up to 24 hours. Blood also dilutes the pigments of your skin, affecting both the appearance of your tattoo and the healing process.
How long does the tattoo healing process take?
In typical cases, the crusts heal in 2 weeks, the full healing of the tattoo takes 1 to 1.5 months.
Get a Free Quote / Book Your Tattoo / Piercing in Istanbul
If you want to get a quote with free tattoo design consultation, than please fill out the form below. Feel free to write or ask anything, even any ridiculous requests. Upon submitting the form, the tattoo studios and artists will contact you within an hour and provide you all the details for your tattoo design with price information.
Note that when you book your Tattoo or Piercing request via the form below, you’ll also get 5% discount for being our website visitor.
