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Tattoo FAQ —
Booking, Pricing & Aftercare
Planning a large tattoo raises plenty of questions, especially if you're thinking about a full sleeve, a back piece, or a project that will take several sessions.
I'm Rinat Tattarin Mingazdinov, a tattoo artist based in Los Angeles. Here you'll find answers about consultations, booking, pricing, tattoo preparation, aftercare, and how I approach larger projects.
If you don't find what you're looking for, feel free to get in touch. Consultations are free, and I usually respond within 1–3 business days.
Rinat Tattarin Mingazdinov
Tattoo Artist
Booking & Consultation
Start by filling out my consultation form. Tell me about your idea, where you'd like the tattoo, the approximate size, and any reference images you have.
I usually respond within 1–3 business days. We can discuss your idea before scheduling the tattoo.
I usually respond within 1–3 business days. We can discuss your idea before scheduling the tattoo.
Yes. Consultations are free and can take place online or in person at my studio in Los Angeles.
We'll discuss your idea, the placement, the overall direction, and what the project might involve.
We'll discuss your idea, the placement, the overall direction, and what the project might involve.
No. You can come to me with a general idea, a few photographs, or several subjects you'd like to combine.
Part of the process is figuring out how those elements can work together as a tattoo.
Part of the process is figuring out how those elements can work together as a tattoo.
I usually prepare the design 1–2 weeks before the scheduled tattoo session. The timing can vary depending on the project.
Absolutely. References help me understand what you're drawn to, whether it's a particular subject, composition, style, or color palette.
They don't have to be tattoo designs. Photographs and other artwork can be useful starting points too.
They don't have to be tattoo designs. Photographs and other artwork can be useful starting points too.
Tattoo Projects & Styles
I work in several styles, including Japanese tattoos, biomechanical and bioorganic, black and grey, and realism.
I also enjoy large portraits, nature-inspired designs, pop culture subjects, and other compositions. You can explore these directions in my tattoo gallery.
I also enjoy large portraits, nature-inspired designs, pop culture subjects, and other compositions. You can explore these directions in my tattoo gallery.
My focus is on large-scale projects booked in full-day sessions. I'm especially interested in full sleeves, back pieces, chest tattoos, and compositions that connect different areas of the body.
Yes. Full sleeves are a big part of the work I enjoy. I pay attention to how the main subjects and background elements connect and how the composition follows the arm.
You can see more examples on my Tattoo Sleeves page.
You can see more examples on my Tattoo Sleeves page.
That depends on the size, placement, detail, and complexity.
I focus on full-day tattoo sessions. Large sleeves and back pieces may require multiple appointments, and we'll discuss the expected scope individually.
I focus on full-day tattoo sessions. Large sleeves and back pieces may require multiple appointments, and we'll discuss the expected scope individually.
Yes, depending on the idea. I enjoy working with compositions that bring different subjects together.
The important thing is making sure the elements work as one tattoo rather than a collection of unrelated images.
The important thing is making sure the elements work as one tattoo rather than a collection of unrelated images.
Tattoo Pricing & Deposits
Pricing depends on the size, placement, complexity, and amount of work involved.
Once I understand your idea and the scale of the project, we can discuss an estimate and how many full-day sessions it might require.
I've explained my approach to pricing in more detail in my Tattoo Prices in Los Angeles article.
Once I understand your idea and the scale of the project, we can discuss an estimate and how many full-day sessions it might require.
I've explained my approach to pricing in more detail in my Tattoo Prices in Los Angeles article.
Yes. A deposit is required to secure your tattoo appointment, and it's applied toward the cost of the tattoo.
We'll discuss the payment details before booking.
We'll discuss the payment details before booking.
If something comes up, contact me as early as possible. Deposit and rescheduling questions are handled according to the circumstances, so please discuss any changes with me directly.
I'm particularly interested in ambitious biomechanical and bioorganic tattoos, and I can offer especially competitive pricing for larger projects in these styles.
If you're considering a full sleeve, back piece, or something even bigger, send me your idea and we can discuss the details.
If you're considering a full sleeve, back piece, or something even bigger, send me your idea and we can discuss the details.
Tattoo Preparation & Aftercare
Get a good night's sleep, eat before your appointment, and stay hydrated. Wear comfortable clothing that gives easy access to the area we'll be working on.
Avoid arriving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you're taking medication or have a health concern that could affect the session, discuss it with your healthcare professional and let me know ahead of time.
You can also read my tattoo preparation checklist for more advice.
Avoid arriving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you're taking medication or have a health concern that could affect the session, discuss it with your healthcare professional and let me know ahead of time.
You can also read my tattoo preparation checklist for more advice.
After the session, I'll explain the aftercare instructions for the dressing or healing method being used.
Keep the area clean, avoid picking or scratching, and protect the healing skin from unnecessary friction, swimming, and direct sunlight. Follow the specific instructions you're given rather than mixing different aftercare routines.
If you develop signs of infection, such as worsening redness, spreading swelling, increasing pain, pus, or fever, seek medical attention.
Keep the area clean, avoid picking or scratching, and protect the healing skin from unnecessary friction, swimming, and direct sunlight. Follow the specific instructions you're given rather than mixing different aftercare routines.
If you develop signs of infection, such as worsening redness, spreading swelling, increasing pain, pus, or fever, seek medical attention.
Healing varies depending on the person, the size and placement of the tattoo, and how the skin responds.
The surface may settle within a few weeks, while deeper recovery can take longer. Follow the aftercare instructions and let me know if you have questions about the healing process.
The surface may settle within a few weeks, while deeper recovery can take longer. Follow the aftercare instructions and let me know if you have questions about the healing process.
Some tattoos may benefit from adjustments after they've fully healed, but not every tattoo needs a touch-up.
If you're concerned about a particular area, contact me with clear photographs so I can review it. We'll discuss whether anything needs to be done and the applicable conditions.
If you're concerned about a particular area, contact me with clear photographs so I can review it. We'll discuss whether anything needs to be done and the applicable conditions.
Health & Age Requirements
You must be at least 18 years old to get tattooed in California, even with parental consent.
Please bring a valid government-issued photo ID to your appointment.
Please bring a valid government-issued photo ID to your appointment.
I recommend postponing tattooing during pregnancy. If you're breastfeeding, speak with your healthcare professional before planning a session.
Some health conditions, medications, allergies, and skin problems may affect whether it's appropriate to get tattooed.
Please let me know about relevant concerns before your appointment and consult your healthcare professional when needed.
Don't stop taking prescribed medication just to prepare for a tattoo.
Please let me know about relevant concerns before your appointment and consult your healthcare professional when needed.
Don't stop taking prescribed medication just to prepare for a tattoo.
Tell me about any known allergies or previous reactions before booking.
We can discuss the materials involved, but no tattoo ink or aftercare product can be guaranteed to be completely allergy-free. If you've had a significant reaction before, speak with a dermatologist or other qualified medical professional first.
We can discuss the materials involved, but no tattoo ink or aftercare product can be guaranteed to be completely allergy-free. If you've had a significant reaction before, speak with a dermatologist or other qualified medical professional first.
Cover-Ups & Special Requests
Yes. I work on large cover-up projects, including dark and complex existing tattoos.
What can be done depends on the size, color, placement, and density of the old tattoo. Sometimes I recommend laser lightening before we start.
Send me clear photographs so I can assess the possibilities. You can also explore my Tattoo Cover-Ups portfolio.
What can be done depends on the size, color, placement, and density of the old tattoo. Sometimes I recommend laser lightening before we start.
Send me clear photographs so I can assess the possibilities. You can also explore my Tattoo Cover-Ups portfolio.
Yes, depending on their placement and the new design.
If you're planning to extend a sleeve or connect several areas of the body, it's helpful to consider how the existing tattoos will work with the new composition.
If you're planning to extend a sleeve or connect several areas of the body, it's helpful to consider how the existing tattoos will work with the new composition.
I can review older or damaged photographs individually to see whether they contain enough information for a realistic portrait.
Good likeness depends on the visible details of the face, so not every photograph will be suitable.
You can see more of my work on my Realistic Portrait Tattoos page.
Good likeness depends on the visible details of the face, so not every photograph will be suitable.
You can see more of my work on my Realistic Portrait Tattoos page.
I work at Monna Lissa Tattoo Studio in Westwood, Los Angeles.
10929 Weyburn Ave, 3rd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Consultations can take place online or in person. Please contact me before visiting the studio to arrange an appointment.
10929 Weyburn Ave, 3rd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Consultations can take place online or in person. Please contact me before visiting the studio to arrange an appointment.
Experience & Awards
I've been tattooing professionally since April 2002. Over the years, I've worked with more than 5,000 clients and participated in or attended around 40 tattoo conventions worldwide.
Yes. Some of my work has received awards at international tattoo conventions over the years.
You can see the winning tattoos and competition results on my International Tattoo Awards page.
You can see the winning tattoos and competition results on my International Tattoo Awards page.
Still Have Questions About Your Tattoo?
If you're planning a full sleeve, a back piece, or another large tattoo, feel free to tell me what you have in mind.
Send me your idea, the placement you're considering, and any reference images you have. We can discuss the design, the scale of the project, and what the tattoo sessions might involve.
Consultations are free, online or in person at my studio in Los Angeles. I usually respond within 1-3 business days.
Send me your idea, the placement you're considering, and any reference images you have. We can discuss the design, the scale of the project, and what the tattoo sessions might involve.
Consultations are free, online or in person at my studio in Los Angeles. I usually respond within 1-3 business days.