- Bedford: 902.405.4009 ext #2
- Halifax: 902.405.4009 ext #1
ADEPT is an AWARD WINNING tattoo and body piercing studio with two locations located in the heart of Halifax and Bedford, NS. Most recently ADEPT was named BEST TATTOO SHOP in The Coast’s Best Of Halifax readers choice awards for every year from 2012 to 2019. In previous years, The Coast readers poll has awarded us Gold and Silver placements for the Best Tattoo Shop and Best Artist categories each year. Amber Thorpe is an 8 time Coast Best of award winner, voted Halifax’s Favorite Tattoo Artist Faces Magazine 2012 and has won numerous other trophies .
At ADEPT we offer only the best talent with state of the art equipment and ink, tattooing for the future. All of our work will last and still look great for years to come. We achieve this through thorough training and experience.
We specialize in custom artwork, drawn by our talented artists to fit your unique design needs. Call our shop to book a consultation with the artist of your choice. A consultation appointment is a free service offered by us to the client so they can brainstorm with their artist. This is a chance for the client to give the artist their idea and bring any reference images, and for the artist to figure out what will look good and work with the placement of the piece on the body.
Book an Appointment Schedule a PiercingWe use barrier control- this means everything we may come in contact with during the tattoo and piercing process is covered. We have a separate sterilization area specifically designed for the least amount of cross contamination possible. We will gladly guide you through our process because we feel that our clients should know – so don’t be afraid to ask.
Our goal is to make this process as safe and comfortable as possible, for both us and our clients.
Our sterilizer is biologically tested by an outside lab every 2 weeks. An indicator strip is dated and put into each cycle, this ensures that the autoclave is working properly and safely. Results are posted at the front of the shop. ALL NEEDLES ARE BRAND NEW.
Remove bandage in 12-18 hours. If given transparent bandage: remove bandage in 3-5 days (unless otherwise specified by your artist). Wash tattoo with warm water and soap. You will have a sticky or slimy layer on top of the tattoo; the object of washing it is to get this layer off. Wash it well, don’t be afraid. Some people will soak the tattoo for a few minutes in hot water. This will bring the sticky layer to the top and it will be easier to wash. This is the only time you are able to soak the tattoo. Rinse, pat dry, let air dry for one day, then apply a THIN layer of non-scented/natural lotion (H&H Tattoo Butter, Aveeno, Vaseline Intensive Care) anything that is natural will work. When applying lotion massage it right into the tattoo; if there is any left on the top of the tattoo either massage it again or take some off. Apply 2-4 times a day. When it feels dry or tight just apply more, but not TOO MUCH.
Do not soak your tattoo; this means no hot tubs, saunas, swimming or soaking of any kind until you are done flaking, and your skin feels back to normal again. Wash your tattoo twice daily with a mild unscented soap, rinse and pat dry. This can be done in the shower, wash last then dry first. Please take a shower every day and if you don’t shower, don’t come here. You will flake like a mild sunburn. There should be no scabbing but if there is, then DON’T pick it. This is an itchy stage so don’t scratch it either. Use lotion for about two weeks. Then you can slow down the amount you apply once you end your flaking stage.
How to remove transparent bandage: Lift a corner of the film and stretch it horizontally along the skin surface to avoid breaking the adhesive bond. Continue stretching the edge of the shield towards the center. When both sides of the shield are partially removed, grab both sides at the same time and stretch them horizontally and parallel to the skin until the entire shield lifts up. In case the film is particularly resistant, you can use some warm water to aid removing the adhesive from the skin.
This bandage is a transparent adhesive shield made of waterproof polyurethane, permeable to skin perspiration, and hypoallergenic acrylic glue. The particular waterproof structure of the film allows the perspiration of the tattooed skin.
In rare cases some allergic reactions may occur. Please contact your artist right away if any reactions do occur.
If you have any problems or questions, please call or email your artist for further advice.
902-405-4009 Ext 1 for Halifax, Ext 2 for Bedford
[ Click on an Artist’s Name For More Information ]
I grew up in Niagara Falls, Ontario where I studied Fine Arts at Stamford Collegiate. Some of the classes included were sculpting, ceramics, painting (acrylics), mobiles, printmaking, and building/painting stage sets for productions.
I started my career in 1998 at Way Cool Tattoos under Harley Charlie (RIP<3) and Crazy Ace (RIP). I learned all there is to know about cleaning, scrubbing, sterilization and how a tattoo studio functions professionally. After about six months of cleaning and drawing, I finally got to do my first piercing.
About a year later, I received an opportunity to open a shop in Medicine Hat, Alberta called Extreme Tattoos with Charlie. I made the journey west and began my tattoo apprenticeship under him. After three years of learning, I decided to venture out on my own. I moved to Calgary and found myself at the Arthouse Inc. where I was for two and a half years.
To further my education, I have taken classes from predominant tattoo artists (such as Deano Cook and Mike Demassi). I have also attended many conventions and been tattooed by artists I look up to. I taught a drawing class called The Art of Tattooing at the Alberta College of Art and Design for two years.
I opened Adept Tattoos in May of 2006. Two hours after I opened the door, a gentleman came in for a tattoo. I asked him what he wanted and he said the Alexander Keith’s deer. So that was the first tattoo I did in Halifax. Since then I started The Maritime Tattoo Festival.
The festival has kept me on my toes and hanging out with some of the best artists to date. I try to keep a hungry outlook on tattoos and my art. I have won numerous awards and am blood borne pathogen certified.
In my spare time I like to cuddle with my fur babies, play sports, competitive billiards, ride my motorcycle and interior/landscaping design.
Instagram: @ambertattoos
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Amber will be tattooing out of Hart & Huntington in Niagara Falls, ON starting June 1st 2023
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Instagram: @billieluoink
Hello! 🙂
I’m Kassandra, an illustrator & tattoo artist with a passion to create.
I have a dorky obsession for print, I enjoy making merchandise that makes you go that’s so cute! Lately I have been experimenting with Risograph and traditional fine art painting.
Along with my personal work I also tattoo full time at ADEPT TATTOOS in Bedford. Learning this craft was something I dreamed of when I was younger but it felt impossible to achieve. I am proud to say I have been tattooing for nearly 2 years and loving learning more about it.
I look forward to creating fun tattoos that make you smile 😊
Instagram: @kassandra_lois
Hey,
I’m Roy (she/her), but you might know me as Sushmita Roy or Frozen Ink And Art. I’ve been diving into visual art for a good decade since my college days at Delhi University, India.
I’m all about experimenting—painting, clicking pics, sculpting stuff, and yeah, tattooing is my jam! Love to meet people as I find inspiration from their stories. From small fine line, typography to realistic inkings, I’ve tried it all, improving every day focusing on one small step at a time.
My personal art? Well I am still exploring however for now It’s a mash-up of photorealism
alism, surreal bits, and geometric vibes—a mix that tells stories in its own quirky way.
Guess what? In 2022, I made history as India’s first woman tattoo artist to ink a full-body suit in just three months! Quite a thrill ride, I’ll tell ya.
Now, here in Canada, I’m bouncing between cities in Canada, soaking up the vibes, and finding inspiration in its diverse scenes. I don’t have a permanent studio—I crash at different spots, doing cool art gigs wherever I land.
Currently working at Adept Tattoos in Bedford, NS.
Whether it’s capturing life through videos, snapping cultural moments, or creating stuff in paint or sculpture, my art screams diversity, resilience, and the beauty of everyday life.
So, if you’re into making some art together or got a rad project in mind, hit me up! Let’s create something awesome!
Instagram: @frozeninkandart
[ Click on an Artist’s Name For More Information ]
My name is Keimara, and I’m originally from Chile. I’m an visual artist and what I love about tattooing is the ability to help people express their individuality through art. I’m particularly inspired by the traditional tattoo style, with its bold lines and vibrant colors, which deeply influence my own artistic approach.
Instagram: @kei_tatu
My name is Lucy. I’m a tattoo artist from Europe with 2 years of experience. For the past 6 months I have been working in Vancouver at the “Karmma tattoo” shop. I finished 5 classes of art school. I specialize in fine line, graphic, minimalism, mini realism, surrealism, shading. As well I develop individual sketches for clients, help choose the right place on the body for tattooing and have an aesthetic artistic vision that helps me create a harmonious drawing.
Instagram: @setoflines_
Hello, I’m Nithik, an engineering student at Dalhousie University who moved from India to Halifax in December 2022. My artistic journey began in 2019, focusing on black and gray realism. This passion led me to tattooing, where I started my apprenticeship at 902 Tattoo Collective in January 2023, tattooing there for a year and later joined Adept Tattoos and continuing my journey. Specializing in black and gray realism, fine line, microrealism, and watercolor. I continue to explore my love for the arts.
Instagram: @nithik_ink
Greg always knew he wanted to have an exciting career in body piercing so he left his small home town at the age of 16 in search of greatness. In Alberta is where he honed his skills for many years and now with 22 years of experience he is here to offer only the best of service. With multiple techniques for each piercing and vast knowledge in human anatomy you can rest assured your piercing is done correctly and with the proper jewelry. Greg can do any and all body piercings imaginable as well as microdermals. If you have an idea for something new or a fun modification project in mind Greg is the right piercer for you.
Meeting Greg Brown was what first sparked my interest in piercing. So when the opportunity to become his apprentice came, I jumped on the chance and never looked back. I’ve always been a very technical person and the precise art of piercing came very naturally.
My upbeat personality and easy going nature is a great asset for putting nervous clients at ease before a new piercing.
I can do the rubik’s cube in under a minute, and love to do party tricks. Come in for a new piercing or jewelry and be entertained as well.
Piercings are done by appointment only. For a client to sign for themselves, they must be of age with a government-issued photo ID.
(ID, Drivers License, Passport) Ages to sign for yourself with a government-issued photo ID are as follows:
*Parental consent is not accepted for piercings that you must be 18+ for.
*A health card or birth certificate is not acceptable as the only form of ID for a minor to sign for themselves.
*Parental consent requires a health card or birth certificate for the minor & government-issued photo ID from the Parent.
No swimming: You cannot submerge your new piercing in any kind of water for at least 3 weeks! This means no pools/lakes/oceans/baths/hot tubs or saunas
DO NOT touch your new piercing with dirty hands! The only time you should touch it is when you are cleaning it!
Navel, Nipple, Eyebrow, Ears, Nose:
Leave your piercing alone for today! Tomorrow morning when you wake up take the piercing aftercare spray and spray onto piercing, let it soak, then take a Q-tip and roll it around the hole of the piercing. If you did not purchase the piercing spray aftercare, then take a cup with some warm to hot water and a pinch of Epsom or Sea Salt. Take a Q-tip or place the cup on the piercing itself and soak for five minutes. You will have a buildup of crusties on the holes and the jewelry- what you are doing is soaking these crusties so they will become soft. Once soft you can take them off.
Do this twice daily for the next two weeks. If you aren’t getting crusties anymore slow down the cleaning process to once a day, then to once every other day. NO alcohol or peroxides! No swimming for three weeks – this will only infect your piercing.
Tongue, Labret/Lip:
Rinse with our H2Ocean mouthwash after everything you eat, drink, smoke, or put into your mouth except water. You can alternate between mouthwash and salt water. There are diseases related to the over-use of mouthwash and since you will be rinsing a lot, salt water works great!
Don’t play with it, move it around, or bite it. Try to eat softer foods. Remember, it is an open wound so there is a chance of rupturing veins. No alcohol for two weeks- this will only make it swell more. No kissing or oral sex for at least three weeks. Do NOT suck hard from any straws this can also cause a rupture.
Swelling usually lasts 4-10 days depending on your body- in the meantime ice water or ice cubes, slushies’, popsicles-anything cold- will make it feel better. If the swelling is severe, you can take Advil or Ibuprofen and this will take the swelling down a bit.
For the outside of your lip, you can soak with salt water. See navel instructions.
Genitals:
At the end of your shower lather up soap and warm water (more water than soap) and place on jewelry. Rotate jewelry through, then rinse, rotating the jewelry through again. Do this every day. Urination after cleaning is best as you are sterile to your own body fluids. This can help heal your piercing (But please no golden showers from your mate until after it’s fully healed.) Do NOT use the piercing until after is it healed, you will know! Any other person’s body fluids are bad for your new piercing and will only infect. This includes semen, saliva and vaginal fluids.
Surface:
Soak with Q-tip and saline solution or piercing aftercare spray twice daily for two weeks to clean the crusties off. Soak and then take crusties off. Do not shift or move jewelry.
If you have any problems or questions please call us @ 902-405-4009 Ext 1 for Halifax, Ext 2 for Bedford
At Adept Tattoos Amber Thorpe has been performing cosmetic tattooing for many years, including facial tattooing (eyebrows etc.) and nipple tattooing.
Amber takes pride in helping breast cancer survivors / reconstruction patients to regain confidence in their bodies. Local Halifax surgeons refer their patients to Amber regularly. Most recently Amber spoke at the Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day Event and works closely with that community of doctors to continue to provide this valuable service.
Amber is currently working out of Ontario, but will be back at Adept Tattoos in Bedford in February. For mastectomy tattoos please call 902-405-4009 ext 2 to book for February.
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