About

Get a custom tattoo from one of Portland, Oregon's finest tattooists! Almost 20 years of tattooing using vegan pigments, hablo español!

Read more about Ximena and see her portfolio on the ARTIST page.

FAQ

  • Appointments require a minimum $80 cash deposit, which is applied to the final session of your tattoo. Call the shop at 503.233.4292 to arrange a consultation.

  • Deposits go towards the price of your tattoo. Deposits are non-refundable. We require a $80 minimum deposit for each tattoo. If the work is complex the artist may require a larger deposit, to be decided at their discretion. If you need to reschedule we require 24-hour notice or you forfeit your deposit. We will apply your deposit to your tattoo as long as your artist receives the 24-hour notice. If you choose not to get your tattoo after placing a deposit, you choose to forfeit that deposit.

  • We charge a minimum of $90 for most parts of the body, $100 minimum for below the ankle, below the wrist, and above the collar bone (yes, that includes behind the ear). Single session pieces may be charged by the piece, multiple session pieces are charged by the hour, starting at $175/hr. We can not accurately predict the total cost of a sleeve, large back piece, or other large pieces. Please communicate with your artist about any budget concerns.

  • No. To accurately estimate the cost of a tattoo, we will need to see both you and the design in person. If a design does not exist, we will need to create it, and will then be able to give you a general price quote. To schedule a consultation, please visit the shop, or call 503.233.4292

  • Please give us 24 hour notice and it won’t be an issue. If you do not, unfortunately we cannot refund your deposit. The best way to contact the shop, as stated earlier, is to call the shop at 503.233.4292. Please do not send a message via social media to reschedule your appointment.

  • Yes! All of our inks, stencil paper, and other products that touch your skin are vegan-friendly. If you have questions about any specific products, just ask.

  • Yes! If you decide to go ahead with the tattoo, we will ask for a deposit.

  • Yes, absolutely. We want you to be as comfortable as possible.

  • YES! You will be more grounded and comfortable. Plus, rumor says it might make the tattoo hurt less.

  • Yes, with the exception that below the wrist or ankle and above the collar bone are tricky areas to heal correctly.

  • Unless it’s brutally obvious you messed it up, or the tattoo is in a non-guaranteed area, then touch-ups are included in the price of your tattoo.

  • Honestly, it truly depends on your pain threshold and where you want it done. sometimes we do have numbing agents, so please do not let the pain thing deter you! Please ask, as there are pros and cons to some of these products.

  • Only artists and clients are allowed in the work area. While support is good, please respect that other people may be getting tattoos, and they (as well as their artist) will want to concentrate on that. Pets and unsupervised children are not allowed in the shop.

  • Nope. Come back when you are sober.

  • Nope. However, we can refer you to some awesome piercing specialists!

  • No.

  • We can but the tattoo doesn’t last long.

  • If it’s two years old or older it’s possible, but all scars are not the same. We can take a look in person and help inform you as to what can be done with your particular scar.

  • Absolutely not, sorry. Call us when you are 18. Even if you have rad parents who consent to it, you are not legally allowed to be tattooed.

  • We will ONLY accept a valid state-issued picture ID, a valid passport with a picture, or a combination of your birth certificate AND your social security card.

  • Many of the answers to our Frequently Asked Questions reflect our adherence to the Oregon State regulations regarding policies and practices for tattoo shops and tattooists. You can learn more about Oregon State tattoo laws here.

    If we have not addressed your question here, please call us at 503-233-4292. We’d love to hear from you!

AFTERCARE

You are responsible for taking care of your tattoo. Please follow these aftercare instructions to ensure a properly healed tattoo. Do not hesitate to call if you have any questions.

YES:

  1. Leave the bandage on for 4-12 hours.

  2. Wash your hands thoroughly and carefully remove the bandage

  3. Wash the tattoo with your fingertips and mild soap. Do not use a washcloth, sponge, or anything that will scrape the tattoo. Make sure all the ointment and blood are washed off.

  4. Let the tattoo air dry. You may pat the tattoo dry with a clean paper towel. DO NOT SCRUB.

  5. With your clean hands, apply a water-based, fragrance-free lotion such as Lubriderm. H2Ocean Tattoo Formula and Tattoo Tonic are also great.

  6. Use aftercare products sparingly!!!

  7. Wear loose, clean, comfortable clothing.

  8. Wash the tattoo two to three times a day, or when necessary. If the tattoo gets dirty or sweaty, wash & re-moisturize, but don’t overdo it.

  9. Flaking and scabbing are normal. Let the scabs fall off by themselves.

  10. Normal healing time is 6 weeks. The tattoo must be fully healed before a touch-up can be done.

NO:

  1. Do not rebandage the tattoo.

  2. The showers are great. Swimming, hot tubs, saunas, or otherwise immersing the tattoo is not ok during the healing period.

  3. Keep out of sunlight. UV rays will fade your tattoo.

  4. Do not use bacitracin, Neosporin, fragranced lotions, your friend’s used bottle of their lotion, etc.

  5. Do not over-moisturize the tattoo. It needs to breathe.

  6. Do not pick the scabs off or scratch the tattoo.

  7. Do not allow others to touch the healing tattoo.

PIGMENT LIGHTENING

There are many reasons one may want a tattoo removed or covered up. Whatever the reason may be, laser removal is the first solution many people think of, or perhaps it’s some topical agent a friend suggested because they saw the ad on TV.

Skeleton Key Tattoo offers a pigment removal method employed by many cosmetic tattoo artists that involves using all-natural sea salt and our normal tattooing equipment. This is a safe and more affordable alternative to laser removal. It is important to remember that we can not guarantee 100% removal, however, we may be able to lighten the old tattoo enough to make it easier to hide it with a new tattoo design. Multiple sessions are usually necessary to achieve the desired effect. The number of sessions necessary depends on the individual and results will vary.

We require an in-person consultation for saline pigment lightening. The client and artist will determine the desired goal for the procedure, how many pigment lightening sessions may be necessary, as well as evaluate other factors including, but not limited to skin condition (skin type, psoriasis, eczema, prone to keloids/scarring), allergies, etc.

When choosing a tattoo removal method, it is important to research your options carefully. Skin types vary and not all tattoo removal options may be the best one for your skin. Meet the removal technician in person, look at pictures of previous work, and be wary of TV and radio commercials for topical agents.