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San Francisco, CA

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Dermafilia

3.9 (40 reviews)
Open • 2:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)
Updated 2 months ago

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Response time

1 day

Response rate

100%

Services - Dermafilia

Tattooing

Gauging or stretching

Dermafilia Photos

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Recommended Reviews - Dermafilia

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DO NOT GIVE THIS PLACE YOUR MONEY! THEY ARE PREDATORY, UNSAFE, AND FRAUDULENT SCAMMERS. This was my experience (which based on these reviews, many other customers can attest to): On 7/3/24, I came to Dermafilia for a tattoo and piercing. The piercing was done first by Wilson. Immediately following my piercing, an iPad was shoved in my face by Apple, the person doing my tattoo after. I paid $150 with a $20 tip. Immediately after I paid her, Wilson approached me saying I can pay him on Venmo. This is when I started to feel that things were off. Apple had just charged me for a tattoo without even showing me a sketch let alone doing the tattoo. I paid Wilson $120 plus a $20 tip for the piercing on Venmo, and then proceeded to wait for Apple to do the sketch. After she finished the sketch, I asked for a couple of tweaks for which she claimed each change would add an additional $50-$80 to my bill. If you look at other reviews, you'll see that Apple is known to upcharge for every possible reason. Another major red flag. She ends up finishing the updated sketch with little time left until closing so we decide that she will keep my $170 as a deposit and add details to the sketch to make it look more textured. I will return on 8/31 to get the tattoo. After this agreement, I followed up with Apple asking if she could send me a picture of the sketch before the date of my tattoo. She agrees. I follow up a few days before my appointment, and she claims she "couldn't find my number" and doesn't have a sketch and doesn't even remember what I wanted so I had to reclarify. I never end up receiving this sketch copy that was promised prior to my appointment date. On 8/31, I arrive for my appointment and there is no sketch. There is a haphazardly-put-together clipart-looking image pasted into a word document. It looked like something that was put together 5 minutes before I arrived. She of course didn't fail to mention however that some of the additional details she added would cost me an extra $200 on top of the $170 deposit they already have from me. I decide that I'm not a huge fan of the sketch and the constant price changes, so I request a refund. Apple tells me she can give me a refund minus $50 to account for artist time spent making the sketch. Despite me never receiving a sketch as promised before my appointment, I was happy to compensate the artist for their time. Apple goes to the back to call Wilson as he is the owner and needs to approve the refund. Wilson then gave Apple instructions over the phone in Spanish. Apple returns with $25 in cash and says she can Venmo me an additional $60 to equate to only an $85 refund. This is very confusing to me because I was originally told they would only be taking $50, not HALF of my $170 deposit. I have a lot of questions at this point, so Apple calls Wilson back to let us address our concerns. Wilson proceeds to yell at us through the phone that the artist's time is worth the $85, and that "it's only $35 more." I explain that I am happy to pay for the artists time, but I believe that the original $50 was sufficient for the half assed sketch I received. He begins to explain to me that we are only owed half of the deposit, even though this new "policy" was not once mentioned to me at any point. We end up leaving the shop extremely upset that they took so much of my money for nothing. As we are leaving, Apple FOLLOWS US OUT OF THE SHOP THREATENING US WITH PHYSICAL VIOLENCE. SHE THEN RECRUITS ANOTHER EMPLOYEE TO CONTINUE HARASSING US ALL THE WAY DOWN THE STREET THREATENING TO "BEAT OUR ASSES." I was close to calling the cops. This business is obviously falling apart at the seams. Wilson, who prior reviews have named a sexual predator, is completely and utterly unfit to run a business. He had no intention of working with us to reach a fair agreement. There are no real policies and structures in place that this business is based off of. If you look and sound like they can pull a fast one on you, they will. They must have desperately needed the money, considering This establishment stole half my deposit from me for a sketch by an apprentice that I could create on Microsoft Paint. They acted like their prices were set fairly and that "all tattoo shops charge this much" as if I don't have plenty of other significantly more intricate tattoos by more highly valued and talented artists for much more reasonable prices. I genuinely believe that the reason they were only able to give me $25 in cash instead of the original $120 or even the $85 is because they straight up don't have that much in the register lmao. I have reason to belive most of their revenue comes from scamming people by taking deposits, upcharging, refusing refunds, etc. I consider this my charity work for the month tbh they clearly need to scam people to make money and keep their business running. Most of their 5 star reviews seem paid for too - I would not trust them.

Business card, interior and my snake eyes piercing.
Phil L.

This place is amazing, I've was looking for place that does snake eyes tongue piercing and I saw that 2 people so far got it from this place so I've decided to go in after work. This place is cozy and I've felt very comfortable. Wilson was the one that did my piercing, He is very knowledgeable and quick. Now I just have to want 2 weeks before returning back to change up my jewelry and that's it. Thank you Wilson you are amazing

Cupids bow piercing
Frenchie D.

I like my piercing a lot but the septum earring I bought was not the right size. $20 dollars for them to replace and $40 dollars for a new earring. I got my cupids bow pierced for $80.

Missy M.

Another great piercing done by Dee. 4 done by her and she is smooth as silk , every time. Will not get pierced by anyone else. Period.

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Kyana H.

Thank you Mattie! Its a pleasure to be of service.

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7 years ago

Amazing people! So quick and so professional. Love their work. Def coming back next time I'm in SF!

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Ask the Community - Dermafilia

Review Highlights - Dermafilia

“Wilson, the owner, is a very grateful man.”

Mentioned in 19 reviews

Read more highlights

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I was referred to Kevin at Let It Bleed by a friend, and unfortunately my experience was terrible…read moreand traumatic. Every time I worked with Kevin, he was late. At one appointment, I showed up early and still waited over an hour and a half while he got set up, and I was charged for that time. I also had issues with his drawing. I ended up having to redraw some of the details myself to get the design closer to what I wanted/ the inspo photo. After he completed the outline, Kevin texted me multiple times asking me to come back to finish the tattoo. I was already hesitant, but I eventually agreed. Before the appointment, I sent him multiple inspiration photos showing exactly what I wanted for the shading: primarily an outlined tattoo with light shading, contrast, variation, and plenty of negative space. I was lying down while he worked, so I couldn't see what he was doing. About an hour in, I finally looked at the tattoo and was honestly horrified. Instead of the light shading we had discussed, large portions of the outlines had been filled in with heavy black ink. It looked like giant blocks of black to me. There was almost no negative space or variation, and it was completely different from the references and direction I had given him. When I told Kevin this was not what I wanted, his attitude immediately changed. To make the experience worse, I was ultimately charged hundreds of dollars more than I expected. The shop itself didn't make the experience any better. In my experience, it was dusty and grimy, and people regularly came in directly off the street while I was there. I also personally witnessed another tattooer at the shop, Max, shove a homeless man to the ground outside after the man had already left the shop. It was incredibly uncomfortable to witness. Overall, I deeply regret trusting Kevin with my tattoo. Between the lateness, being charged while waiting for him to set up, having to correct parts of the drawing myself, the finished work being drastically different from what I requested, his reaction when I spoke up, and the amount I was charged, I would absolutely not return. For me, Let It Bleed was the definition of a struggling tattoo shop.

Photos
Let It Bleed Tattoo - The four names in the hearts are of my four kitties I was blessed to have. Thank you Karl again 4 your gr8 work today. Sara Jane Firth

The four names in the hearts are of my four kitties I was blessed to have. Thank you Karl again 4 your gr8 work today. Sara Jane Firth

Let It Bleed Tattoo - Big thank you to Let it Bleed today. Thank you Karl 4 your gr8 work today. Sara Jane Firth

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Tattoo Boogaloo - Black and gray moth tattoo done by Chris Henry

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Dream Masters Tattoos - Almost 2 years since getting my tattoo.

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Dragonfly Ink

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5.0(5 reviews)
2.2 mi•Union Square

Sasha is amazing. Not only is she kind and caring but is a true artist. After having a double…read moremastectomy she was able to create 3D nipples that look surprisingly close to the originals. She has helped me regain some of my confidence in the beauty of my broken body and helped me realize what a gift life really is. I am immensely grateful for her talent and ability to read the situation and talk me through the process. I would highly recommend her!

I just got home from seeing/working with Sasha so this review is hot like fresh baked bread…read more Where to start? Okay so 15 years ago I had surgery on my chest (keyword: transman, ftm, transguy, transgender male, you get the idea) and my nipples did not stay in tact. They actually feel off in front of me in the shower with the scabs. What a nightmare. Reconstructing new nipples was not possible or ideal with my surgeon so I've been living with flat nipples and discolored areolas for the last 15 years. I really thought I had NO hope until I found Sasha. Angels sing please, wait for it and rejoice. I've been wanting to do 3D nipple tattooing and areola re-pigmenting for awhile but was 1. not in the best state of health and 2. very very very nervous. Well today, we finally made this happen. I got an appointment schedule over a month in advance. I put down a $100 deposit via Pay Pal. I waited and panicked and then the big day came. I got a ride down to SF. Sasha's shop is on the 17th floor of a building in Union Square. There's a parking garage a block away. It cost $35 and gets you up to 12 hours in the lot. You are not going to find street parking so if you're driving you will want to fork out $35 and be happy your car is safe with only a block to walk! Sasha gave me complete instructions and directions ahead of time. She is VERY professional and organized with her scheduling and timing. The office she works out of is awesome! The entire office and outdoor patio (with wild beautiful birds and parrots might I add) has a total zen approach. The front desk folks were also REALLY NICE and totally trans/queer friendly. Sasha's room was very clean with a sitting area for guests. She was extremely polite, patient, compassionate and thorough to walk me through the ENTIRE process and 1. give me voice throughout it all and 2. check in frequently to see how I was doing. Nipple and areola shopping is quite fun! I got to pick the size, shape and color variation to design on my chest. Boom! I feel so Hollywood now ;) She is extremely sterile and showed me ALL the needles she was using before and as she was using them. Everything from the office, her station, the tattoo bed, frequent changing of gloves, packaged needles, organized ink palettes, fresh paper towels, rubbing alcohol, ETC were CLEAN. I really appreciated how intuitive she was like when I held my breath during bits of pain and she could feel me tense up and gently remind me to breathe. I was excited and anxious and nervous and emotional all at once but she eased me through EVERYTHING. May I also include she has a gentle hand so the needles don't feel like they are digging deeper than deep like some tattoo artists who put all their weight on their artistry hands. Pain level ... well this boy whimpered some but she did use some topical anesthetic after the skin had been broken into to help ease pain. It DID help some. My results, pre bandaging, were beautiful. The bandaging she used is really neat. It's waterproof and clear like a clear tape. I honestly can't stop staring at my new nips even if things are still bloody and bandaged up! I was given very detailed after care instructions which I will be meticulous about following. I can't wait to see the overall results. I'll be scheduling a touch up/follow up in a 1 1/2 months or so. I look forward to seeing her again! Cost breakdown for ME and what I got done: $700 total... that's $100 deposit then $450 the day of the tattoo and then I will pay $150 during our touch up + tip today and I'll tip again on the touch up. Don't forget to tip. Some artists will say you don't have to, don't listen! Tips for those new nips my friends! TIPS! 100% happy with my experience, actually happy is an understatement. I am enthralled like a unicorn catching rainbows and sprinkling glitter from the sky. Yes, indeed. I will recommend her in a HEARTBEAT to any other trans folks who need this procedure, cancer and mastectomy patients or just anyone in need of this kind of help. I was SO ASHAMED of my chest, a chest I fought so hard to learn to love post surgery but still deeply upset about what happened and the trauma from loosing my nipples to my feet in the shower (yikes, just imagine). Now I can live again. This is part 1 of my chest tattooing process (I'll be doing scar coverage with another artist since Sasha is not taking new decorative tattoo clients at this time) and then I will be free. You deserve to be free too. I hope you will consider Sasha and let her help you change your life, confidence and get your groove back!!!

Dermafilia - tattoo - Updated October 2026

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