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Best Tattoo Shops in Lexington, KY

Our Recommended Top 7

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Lexington Tattoo Shops on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

65Reviewed

41Curated

7Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

159 East Reynolds Road, Lexington, KY 40517

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Dream Chaser – The Trinity is a body art studio specializing in custom tattoo artwork in Lexington. Customers have the options of traditional, full color, lettering, portrait, realism, and black and grey compositions. The studio takes pride in its team of highly skilled piercing specialists performing piercing services such as lip, ear, eyebrow, nose, tongue, and belly button piercings. Dream Chaser – The Trinity also offers an apprentice program for both tattooing and body piercing.

  • Traditional Tattoos

709 North Main Street, Nicholasville, KY 40356

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Joker's Inkwell is a custom tattoo shop servicing residents in the Lexington area since 2015. It specializes in different styles of custom artwork and cover-ups, a courtesy of the artists. The company has an online gallery with past work to get an idea of the artists' style. The tattoo studio offers different products for clients, including an organic tattoo aftercare balm created by the shop owner. It also features local artwork on its walls.

  • Body Art
  • Piercings
  • Traditional Tattoos

120 South 2nd Street, Richmond, KY 40475

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (116)
Facebook
4.5 (18)
Yelp
4.5 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Lucky Lady Tattoos & Body Piercing has been offering body art services for over 20 years. Located in Richmond, it is frequented by patrons from Lexington for its friendly and creative vibe. Clients have the option to bring their own designs or let the in-house artists design something unique. The tattooists at Lucky Lady Tattoos & Body Piercing can take on a wide variety of styles, including colorwork, black and gray imagery, portraiture, lettering, as well as new and old school.

  • Traditional Tattoos

470 New Circle Road, Lexington, KY 40505

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.8 (610)
Google
4.0 (350)
Yelp
4.5 (39)

Why choose this provider?

Tattoo Charlie's is a tattoo shop that serves clients in Lexington and nearby locations. Its tattoo artists can accommodate walk-in and scheduled clients. Scheduling an appointment with the tattoo shop will allow tattoo artists to discuss their clients' desired tattoos before proceeding with the service. Additionally, Tattoo Charlie's can work with custom designs that clients bring. The tattoo shop has been featured in several media and news publications, such as CNN, NBC News, and People Magazine.

  • Body Art
  • Piercings
  • Traditional Tattoos

754 North Limestone, Lexington, KY 40508

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (14)

Why choose this provider?

Located in the historic Brucetown area of Lexington, Charmed Life Tattoo offers a wide range of tattoo services. Established in 1999 as a small two-booth studio, it has since grown to become a creative hub for many talented tattoo artists. Its in-house tattooists can work on various styles, including black and gray imagery, geometric, colorwork, and traditional Americana. Charmed Life Tattoo strives to maintain a clean, professional, and fun tattoo environment for the peace of mind and safety of clients.

  • Body Art

2026 Lexington Road, Nicholasville, KY 40356

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (32)
Google
4.9 (26)
Yelp
1.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Zig & Zag Tattoo Creations is a tattoo art provider in Lexington and its surrounding areas. The shop's owner is Ken Sperry who works as an artist at the same time. He has more than 14 years of experience in the tattoo industry and has created more than 4,000 tattoo designs. Zig & Zag Tattoo Creations allows custom tattoo designs from clients and also provides body piercings. It does not buy pre-sterilized needles nor does it reuse them to make certain clients' health and safety.

  • Body Art

119 North Mill Street, Lexington, KY 40507

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Black Rose Tattoo is a body art studio that offers tattoo services to the people of Lexington. Its owner, Asa Castle, brings more than a decade of tattooing experience to his craft. He specializes in classic tattoos and makes use of hand-mixed powder pigments to augment the designs he makes on his clients’ skins. He can also take on lettering, full-back pieces, and watercolor styles. Interested individuals may schedule an appointment on Black Rose Tattoo’s official website.

  • Body Art

Compare our Top Tattoo Shops

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Dream Chaser – The Trinity
159 East Reynolds Road, Lexington, KY 40517
Joker's Inkwell
709 North Main Street, Nicholasville, KY 40356
Lucky Lady Tattoos & Body Piercing
120 South 2nd Street, Richmond, KY 40475
Tattoo Charlie's - Lexington
470 New Circle Road, Lexington, KY 40505
Charmed Life Tattoo
754 North Limestone, Lexington, KY 40508
Zig & Zag Tattoo Creations
2026 Lexington Road, Nicholasville, KY 40356
Black Rose Tattoo
119 North Mill Street, Lexington, KY 40507

FAQs

  • Introduction

    A tattoo is body art that leaves permanent designs or pictures on the skin. They're applied via needle by depositing ink onto the second layer of skin. While the first tattoos were applied manually with a single needle that was first saturated in ink, today's tattoos are done by a machine. These machines feature multiple needles that pierce the skin simultaneously, speeding up the process and creating tattoos that are more visually appealing.

    Tattoos are usually done in licensed tattoo shops. These shops adhere to health and cleaning standards and are typically regulated by state and municipal governments. While tattoos are generally safe, there are associated risks, including skin infections. Any person getting a tattoo is legally required to be at least 18 years of age. It's also inadvisable for anyone who isn't in good health to get a tattoo, as the body requires time and energy to heal and prevent infection.

  • What should you know before getting your first tattoo?

    Before getting tattooed, it's important to think about design and placement. A tattoo is a permanent fixture on the body, and it's important not to rush into things. You should also consider the artist's background and take time to look into their portfolio to ensure their style best suits the tattoo you want.

  • What are some examples of tattoo styles?

    There are many types of tattoo styles, and it's important for a person to familiarize themselves with them before they select a design. Styles include:

    • Americana: Bold lines, vivid colors
    • Japanese: Large images that cover the back, arms, and legs
    • Black and Grey: Colorless grayscale designs
    • Stick-n-Poke: Thick, bold, black lines and small designs
    • Blackwork: Bold black lines and larger geometric shapes

  • Is tipping expected & how much to tip on your tattoo?

    While most tattoo artists don't expect tips, it's often appreciated. If you're happy with the work your tattoo artist has done, consider tipping between 15% and 25%. If the tattoo requires multiple sessions, a flat amount per session is appropriate.

  • What are some basic tattoo aftercare tips?

    It's important to follow all aftercare directions provided by the tattoo artist. Usually, artists will advise clients to ensure that tattoos are kept clean and dry. After showering, the tattoo should be gently patted dry and treated with Vaseline or another tattoo aftercare product.

  • What are the best practices for healing a tattoo?

    After removing the dressing, it's important to keep the tattoo clean, dry, and uncovered. Applying Vaseline or another recommended ointment can help to speed up the healing process. As they heal, tattoos can sometimes itch, but it's vital that you don't scratch or pick at it.

  • What are the most and least painful places to get a tattoo?

    Parts of the body that have the most nerve endings are generally the most painful to have tattooed. That includes the head, ears, and face. Places that don't have a lot of fat, such as the fingers, shoulder blades, and feet, are typically more painful. The least painful parts of the body to get tattooed include the outer arm, buttocks, and thighs.

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