Salem Ayala Luna Tattoos

How do I get tattooed by you?

You can book a tattoo by filling out the booking form below, DM me on Instagram, email me at salemtattooist@gmail.com , or stop by South Elgin Tattoo Company Tues-Sat to talk to me in person. I do accept walk ins too but I can’t give a guarantee on a specific date or time without an appointment. For more detailed info check out the “Booking Info” tab above

How Much for XYZ tattoo?

Pricing of tattoos depends on a lot of things, including size, complexity, where the tattoo is going, and more. My hourly price is $120, my predrawn flash are at flat prices. I can give a more specific estimate with some information about what you want to get tattooed.

What’s your minimum?

$100 is the shop minimum.

How old do I have to be?

It’s Illinois law that you must be 18+ to get tattooed. You cannot have a parent sign for you. The law differs in some states but it’s a hard 18+ in Illinois, no exceptions. (see “a.” under section 797.1700 below)

Why Do I Need to Pay a Deposit?

A deposit is a placeholder and covers the time spent drawing for your tattoo and ensures I am paid for my time even if you don’t show up to the appointment. With an appointment, that time slot is saved for you and only you. If you don’t show up, I don’t get paid. But your deposit does come off the end price of your tattoo! (when booking with me)

Can I Use Numbing Cream?

I would strongly advise against using numbing cream. Numbing creams are a high risk for causing a skin reaction, causing ink to heal patchy, discoloring color tattoos which can be extreme, along with more possible issues.

Click here here for FDA warning on numbing cream and specific numbing cream brands in
Click here for pictures + info on skin reactions to numbing cream, made by @kellybrowntattoos

Click here for pictures + info on discoloration made by @gabs.tats

Click here for a video of color ink with no numbing cream vs numbing cream made by @chrissagetattoo

That said, if you really insist on using numbing cream, I will still do the tattoo as long as we discuss the brand of numbing cream and application beforehand. This may also wave my free touch up policy. If you show up with numbing cream on without discussing it beforehand we may have to reschedule your appointment.

Can I Swim After Getting Tattooed?

No. You need to wait at least 4 weeks before submerging your tattoo in water. This includes pools, hot tubs, the ocean, rivers lakes, bath tubs, saunas, etc.

How Should I Dress For My Tattoo Appointment?

If you’re getting your arms or legs tattooed, any regular clothing where the area is easily accessible like short sleeves or shorts is good. If you’re getting an area like your ribs, back, chest, butt cheek, hips, or sternum tattooed there is a lot of possible choices so the area getting tattooed is accessible but you still stay covered. We can discuss what would be best while scheduling.

Never let a tattoo artist pressure you into undressing for a tattoo more than you’re comfortable. You do not need to have intimate areas exposed unless that area is what’s getting tattooed.

What do I need to get tattooed?

After making an appointment (or if you’re coming in as a walk in) you need a valid drivers license, state ID, or passport to bring to your appointment and a payment method. That’s it! 🙂 But I do need a form of government issued ID with your full name, photo, and birthday showing you’re over 18 to tattoo you.

I want a design from a flash event but I can’t come in on the day of the event, can I get the design a different day?

Yes you can get the design on a different day, but it will be a regular tattoo appointment at a regular price.

Tattoo Vocabulary:

Walk-in: a tattoo done on the spot or shortly after a client walks into a tattoo shop without an appointment. There is no saved time or drawn design for the client. There is no guarantee of availability for any specific day or time, walk-ins are first come first serve.

Appointment: a set day and time saved for a specific client. The design is agreed upon beforehand and drawn before the appointment. No one else is scheduled for that time. An appointment requires a deposit to save the date and time.

Flash: a premade tattoo design by the tattoo artist that a client can pick out on the spot. They’re “done in a flash” because no time is needed to draw it since it’s already drawn. (check out my Available Flash Designs tab!)

Linework: the outline and any other solid lines in a tattoo. No shading, no color, just lines.

Shading: a variation of color or black to show depth and/or detail on a design

Consultation: the client and the tattoo artist meeting face to face to discuss a tattoo appointment/design and figure out the specificities of a tattoo. A consultation is done before an appointment is made. I do not require face to face consultations for most tattoos, but if a client wants a consultation that can be scheduled.