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How To Do A Stick And Poke Tattoo?

• Julia
• 04.09.2022
• 0
• 133

Setting up the Tattoo Area –

1. Create a clean work space, ensuring that it has been completely disinfected. Thoroughly wash the hands of the person giving the tattoo and the area that will be tattooed with warm soapy water.
2. Shave the area with a disposable razor, if necessary.
3. Lay out all of the tattoo supplies. Open up the needle packages and unscrew the lid of the ink.
4. Put on medical gloves
5. Using an alcoholic pad, clean the area to be tattooed by rubbing the alcoholic pad firmly in circles.
6. Apply the stencil on the skin using appropriate stencil transfer gel.
7. Allow the stencil to dry for around 5-10 minutes. If the stencil has been applied incorrectly, quickly wipe it away and apply the same stencil again. You can reuse the same stencil several times.
8. Pour the desired colour of ink into a sterile container, perhaps a mini glass jar or cap. You can mix ink colours, diluting inks for a lighter effect and so on.

Can you do a stick and poke tattoo at home?

With people attempting salon services from their homes right now, one thing you should unequivocally leave to the professionals is tattoos. Feel free to dye or shave off your hair. Give yourself a facial. But please don’t give yourself a stick and poke tattoo unless you are qualified to do so.

1. The idea is so tempting that it’s even crossed my mind;
2. After talking to experts, I’m no longer tempted to give myself a DIY tattoo;
3. Consider me scared straight;
4. Stick and poke tattoos, for those who need a refresher, involved dipping a needle in ink before inserting it into your skin repeatedly;

Imagine getting a tattoo without a tattoo gun. You poke the tattoo into your skin by hand. You can easily shop a kit on the internet, but experts advise against doing so. Proper sterilization is hard to come by. As Y. Claire Chang , a dermatologist at New York City’s Union Square Laser Dermatology, tells me, at-home kits aren’t regulated and may be unsterile or contaminated.

1. Your first instinct may be to disinfect everything — including the needle — with alcohol as you’ve been doing so with everything lately;
2. However, your tools need to be sterilized, and alcohol may not be enough to destroy the bacteria on them because “disinfection and sterilization are not the same,” says Evelyn Shaw , a tattoo artist from New York City known for her hand-poked work (seen below);

An autoclave is needed for the later. Evelyn Shaw Allergic reactions are possible. Tattoo ink is also a common cause of allergic reactions , Chang adds. Redness, itching, and blisters are some possibilities she lists off. In severe cases, you could experience dizziness, trouble breathing, and stomach pains.

Can I use pen ink for a stick and poke?

Use India Ink – Joe Raedle/Getty Images News/Getty Images Do not use just any old ink for your stick and poke. Ink, like the ink from your pen, is not sterile and can be highly toxic. A non-toxic ink, like India ink, would be your best bet. It’s natural, carbon-based, and less likely to cause infection.

How long do poke and stick tattoos last?

How Long Do Hand-Poked Tattoos Last? – It is safe to say right from the start that a stick-and-poke tattoo won’t last you a lifetime. As we mentioned, the hand-poking technique isn’t as sophisticated as the regular tattooing process. As a result, the hand-poking can make the ink misplaced in the skin and overall make it last a shorter period compared to a regular tattoo.

On average, a hand-poked tattoo can last anywhere between 5 and 10 years , if you’re lucky. If a tattoo is done by a professional tattoo artist and properly taken care of after , it can last up to 10 years, for sure.

However, if a tattoo is done by an inexperienced tattooist or an amateur, you’re looking at 5 years max. Saved Tattoo.

What kind of needle do you use for stick and poke?

The Different Sizes Available – The leading number on a tattoo needle’s packaging always refers to the diameter of the needle, or its size. There are only 5 sizes to choose from. These include #6, #8, #10, #12, and #13. The most popular one used for stick and poke tattoos is #12 with a diameter of 0.

Is pen ink toxic for tattoos?

Pen Ink – With the number of art stores and online warehouses that you can purchase from, pen ink should never be an option for tattooing. Pen ink is easily accessible and cheap. Still, it is not meant to enter your body in any way, shape, or form. Pen ink is highly toxic and unsterile.

How deep do you stick and poke?

Posted on September 07 2020 Here’s a quick fire guide for those looking to become part of the stick and poke world! Enjoy. What is a Stick and Poke? A stick and poke is a DIY way to create tattoos. it’s a modern version of what people have been doing for years, having a go at creating their very own designs! What do you need for a Stick and   Poke? You will need a needle, thread, skin, ink, and all the precautions to make it safe and sterile.

(things like boiling the needle, wearing protective gloves, using alcohol on the skin etc. ) What needle should I use? You can use a normal sewing needle but a tattoo needle works the best. We recommend not using a hollow piercing needle or a safety pin.

Try to be sensible! What ink should I use? Tattoo ink is the best, but non toxic india ink (such as Higgins, Speedball or Winsor and Newton) works well also. These are all easily available on the internet. Stay away from pen ink and inks that may be toxic.

Other inks may work, but if you want to get the most from your design and it be safe, tattoo ink is definitely the way to go. How long will these tattoos last? Depending on how deep you poked and the type of skin it was applied on, they should for a really long.

Although this is contradicts popular opinion, you should not think of these as temporary tattoos. How deep should I poke? Our opinion is that you should never exceed 1/8 of an inch. You should feel a pop of the skin while you’re doing it, when you do, don’t go much past that point.

1. You’ll quickly see the results if you’ve gone deep enough so don’t rush it;
2. Don’t overdo it! You don’t want to damage the skin or bleed too much during the process;
3. What should I do for after care? Keep it clean with anti bacterial soap;

If possible, also try to stay out of direct sunlight too. Generally, the aftercare is very similar to a professional tattoo..

How deep do tattoo needles go?

Just How Far Does The Needle Go? – Now that you know a little more about the machine and the needle, it’s time to discuss the third essential piece of the puzzle—your skin. The tattoo needle goes through 1/16th of an inch of skin. That might not sound like a lot of skin, but it is really going through five sublayers of the epidermis, the dermal layer, and also the top layer of the dermis.

1. Among these layers is a collection of sweat glands, hair follicles, connective tissue, fat, and blood vessels;
2. During a tattoo session, the needle passes through the epidermis and epidermal-dermal junction, opening a passage in the 2mm-thick dermis;

The dermis is ideal for a couple of reasons. It is far enough not to bleed out and isn’t exposed. Knowing this, the tip of the tattoo needle is minutely adjusted to ensure that it enters the skin to the correct depth. If you were to look at a tattoo needle in the machine, you will see that it sticks out no further than 2mm.

Is Bic pen ink toxic?

Is a Bic Pen Toxic? – The package itself usually tells you it’s non-toxic. So you’re safe. A Bic pen is a regular ballpoint pen, so if you’ve read everything above, you already know you’re good! Personally, I like to use Bic pens the most, I really like their feeling and there’s a lot of colors to choose from. Also, from experience , I never had problems with extra ink spilling from my pen. From all the Bic pens I’ve bought, it has probably happened once or twice. Another advantage is that they’re quite cheap and can come in big packages if you wish to get a lot of them at once and save them for whenever you need them!.

Can I tattoo over Sharpie?

We’re here to shed some light on “freehand tattooing. ” In today’s age, tattoos have taken more of an artistic route. Gone are most of the dark and seedy street street shops. We’re seeing true artists master the craft of tattoo. Custom tattooing and freehand work has become the true definition of a “good shop.

” So what exactly is freehand tattooing and how does it happen? We are here to show you the process of drawing on the body and designing custom tattoos. From Sharpies to Skin freehand tattoo creation is an extraordinary art form.

A freehand tattoo is drawn on the client and then tattooed. We sketch directly on the skin with markers instead of transferring a stencil. This technique can help with the natural flow and shape of the body. This is the best way to take on curvy or angled areas.

• Also, when a client wants to add to an existing tattoo, the new tattoo can be easily tailored to the empty space;
• There are many great reasons to draw directly on skin;
• let’s start with these;
• You get an absolute original tattoo design;

Something that no one else can have because it’s drawn directly for you. It helps artists express their ideas and it flows directly on the body shape. You can use the muscles and curves to enhance the design. You can see directly what the artist is creating.

• Together you can make decisions and additions to your piece;
• It’s also easier to modify and erase ideas as the design progresses;
• Not all tattoos can be drawn on paper;
• Trusting your artist with a custom tattoo is a wonderful freedom;

Designing it in markers can provide a risk-free approach to concepts before getting the permanent tattoo. Here is the process in creating an original design on skin. First we cleanse the area to eliminate any natural body oils. Starting off with clean skin is always important and it allows the markers to flow gracefully.

Next we begin the drawing with the lightest color and sketch the basic form. As the details progress we will use a variety of colored markers working from light to dark and gradually build the detail in the design.

How To: STICK AND POKE TATTOOS

Then to end we refine it with darker tones to ready it for the tattooing. Usually, this can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. Sharpies, although permanent, are easily erased with tattoo soaps or alcohol. Once the official design is created, the client and artist can inspect the areas thoroughly and make any final decisions before starting the tattoo.

Once everyone is excited about the creation we’re ready to go. The tattooing will lightly go over the on-skin drawing. As we tattoo the sharpie will gently wipe away leaving the client with a beautiful original new tattoo.

Going from Sharpie to skin offers a tattoo creation that is original and unique. It can compliment your body’s shape and create an amazing flow with the design. We strive to create on-skin whenever it can enhance a tattoos possibilities. Tattooing has become an incredible art form.

Do stick n pokes go away?

How Long Do Stick and Poke Tattoos Last on Average? – Most stick and poke tattoos generally won’t last forever. On average, a stick and poke tattoo will last between five and ten years depending on where it is and how it’s been cared for. After this length of time, a stick and poke tattoo will generally look very washed out and faded.

Hand and finger designs often fade within a few years since we wash these places regularly. Areas like the upper arms and chest will last longer if they’re not regularly exposed to sunlight. The experience of the artist is another determining factor.

With stick and poke tattoos, the artist must often repeat the lines several times for the ink to show through and stay put. Inexperienced artists may go too deep or not deep enough, causing the tattoo  to fade prematurely. Deciding whether or not to get a stick and poke tattoo isn’t easy. .

Are stick n pokes permanent?

Are stick and poke tattoos permanent?  – Stick and poke tattoos are permanent but they do fade. You may get a DIY tattoo that you love but need to have a professional tattoo artist go over after a while. Quality of the ink and artist can also be variables in how quickly the tattoo fades.

How much do stick n pokes cost?

– Professional stick and poke tattoo artists charge between $100 and $150, on average. How much you pay depends on how big and detailed of a design you want. Your location, plus the artist’s experience and popularity, can also influence the cost. If you’re talking DIY, you can buy stick and poke tattoo kits online from $15 to $200.

Why did my stick and poke peel off?

Skip to content I am not a professional tattoo artist (yet), merely a Stick and Poke Safety Advocate (Harm REDUX!). I found some info that might help some of you out there regarding tattooing, inks & skin behavior. I got this information from the Spirit Galley Tattoo (located in Connecticut, USA) Web Page. I think this tattoo artist knows what they are talking about. “How is the tattoo applied, and how do people react to tattoo ink over time? Getting a tattoo is permanent, and has some serious implications that you may want to be aware of. While most of the risks are very minimal or even unlikely – here are some things you should know about the inks used in tattooing and how they are applied to your skin. How far down does the ink go into my skin? Tattoo artists use their skill to apply ink three layers deep into your skin.

• You have seven layers of skin tissue;
• By applying the tattoo ink to the skin cells three layers down, the tattoo can remain permanent without causing scar tissue;
• This also prevents the tattoo from falling out as the top two layers of your skin are constantly regenerating;

Tattoos that are  too high up  will fade quickly, and often will seem to practically disappear as your skin heals in the first two weeks. If this happens to you it is not a tragedy. You can always tattoo the area again after it is healed and aim for a slightly lower layer.

1. Most tattoo artists are happy to touch up a tattoo that has lightened due to being placed too high up in your skin;
2. There are some exceptions to this rule that you can read about in future posts on Wrist Tattoos, Ankle and Foot Tattoos, andHand and Finger Tattoos;

Other spots that are difficult to gauge the proper depth include elbows and knees. Tattoos placed there may not be guaranteed by your artist, and you may have to pay each time you rework those tattoos. Tattoos that are placed  too deeply  into the skin cause scarring.

• This is why some tattoos are raised while others feel just like your normal skin;
• Scarring cannot be reversed, so you are best off with an artist who has a great record of tattooing, and who would rather err on the side of caution by tattooing too lightly than too deeply;

Can I be allergic to some inks but not others? Yes. The most common allergies I have seen are to  reds  and to  blues. I once met a man who healed his tattoo perfectly, but all of the yellow was completely missing after the heal. Being allergic to a specific color of ink can do with the ingredients used for the pigment, or for the base. If I have never had a problem with being tattooed, can I develop an allergy to the same tattoo inks later on? Sadly, this is true. Even though you may have several hours of tattoos already healed to perfection on your body, spontaneous allergies can develop. The good news is that once a tattoo is healed, that tattoo will probably not reject any ink even if you suddenly develop a reaction to that same color ink in the new tattoo.

1. If you know you are allergic to certain metals or organic materials make sure your artist knows this!  Then they can review the materials in each tattoo ink to make sure that you won’t end up with a swollen and irritated tattoo;

I personally don’t know of any cases of a prior tattoo suddenly rejecting color after a new tattoo has a reaction. Where does all the ink go when my tattoo fades or ages? Our skin is pretty amazing, and our skin cells hold the tattoo ink in tiny pockets within each cell.

Think of it as a casing that holds the tattoo ink in its place within each cell. As you get older, your skin cells have to regenerate as old cells die. With each splitting of a cell to create a new one, a small fraction of your tattoo ink moves to another location in the new cell.

Over time, this causes the tattoo to “spread. ” That’s why tattoos that are 50 years old look really faded and their edges are no longer crisp and tight. Fading is the result of the tattoo ink either spreading into more or new cells over time, or can be a result of ink loss through chemical reaction.

• The sun has the ability to break down pigments with long exposure;
• So a tattoo that has been in the sun a lot will fade faster than a tattoo that is kept covered when outdoors;
• If the tattoo inks break down in your body, they cease to be the same substance that they once were;

Your body absorbs and eliminates the unwanted or non-useful material through your lymph system. This is what happens when people use laser tattoo removal. What happens in an allergic reaction to tattoo ink? In most cases, an allergic reaction to a tattoo pigment will result in an irritated and itchy tattoo that takes a month to heal instead of two weeks to heal.

Scabbing will be more common in a tattoo that is experiencing an allergic reaction. If one color in your tattoo seems to be scabbing up while the rest of the tattoo is healing very well, this can be evidence of an allergic reaction to the tattoo.

Once the tattoo is healed, if that color is very faded, you may wish to consult with your artist to come up with an alternative ink for future sessions. NOTE:   I am not a doctor, nor a dermatologist. When in doubt, please seek medical attention and advice.

If you are in pain or experiencing symptoms that give you concern, it is always best to seek immediate medical attention. Is there a special tattoo ink that can cover my scars? There is no special ink specifically made for tattooing over scars that I am aware of.

Most tattoo artists will use the same inks they always use when working over scarred skin. Scars have special needs when it comes to tattooing. How much ink gets into my skin during a tattoo? You may have noticed that tattooing can be pretty messy, with lots of smearing of ink.

The truth is, very little ink actually gets placed in your skin. The vast majority of the ink pools up on top of your skin and needs to be wiped away. Tattooing is not an injection. The needles are poking holes into your skin, and the ink that is stored in the ink-well section of the tattoo tube run down the needles into the hole.

As the needle raises back up, a very small amount of pigment is left behind, to be encased and healed into the skin cell. The top layers of your skin will seem to hold a lot of very bright color. As your tattoo heals, these top two layers of skin will peel off, and the ink that was stuck in those cells will come off with it.

1. Do certain colors of tattoo ink hurt more than others? Because the process of applying the ink to your skin is the same no matter what color you are putting into it, my answer is no;
2. But if you asked my manager, Lari, he’d tell you that white always hurts the most;

That’s because it’s always the last color we put into tattoos for final highlights. So I suppose, the last color you use is always the most painful, because you know you are almost done! ” SnP Team 2019-12-18T13:06:42-08:00.

Can I put Vaseline on my stick and poke?

Prevent dirt and irritation – The best option here is to use a sheet of protective tattoo film, and change it every 24 hours. If you don’t have a protective tattoo film sheet you can also protect your hand poked tattoo with a bandage. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, or a vegan alternative, to a non-stick bandage.

Apply the bandage with the petroleum jelly on it to the tattoo site. The petroleum jelly will prevent the irritated skin from sticking to the bandage. Putting the petroleum jelly on the bandage first will be less painful.

Apply a clean bandage once a day. If the bandage sticks, soak the tattoo area in warm water for a few minutes or take the bandage off under running water in the shower. Leave the bandage off with the skin open to air whenever you can. Fine line flower bouquet by Juan Serrano. source.

How do I give myself a stick and poke at home?

Cause sometimes you want to adorn yourself, prison style. – I’ve been planning to get a tattoo done professionally for a while. It will be a tattoo honoring my grandmother, a bouquet of her favorite flowers, the daisies, inked on the back of my left arm. Stick and poke ‘this is a test’ tattoo by  Tullen. A few weeks ago, I’d been thinking about how badly I wanted a tattoo, though, and I got to thinking about stick-and-pokes. You know – counter culture, rebellious, punk rock, DIY tattoos that involve a needle, some tattoo ink, a few more supplies, and thoroughly washed hands.

Nice, right? But I keep putting it off due to not having the money, the time, or the desire to walk into a tattoo studio, and so the plan just sits in the back of my mind, bugging me. Yes, the ones that friends do on each other at home or parties, cause much concern for health and safety, and get a bad reputation, some times deservedly, from the tattoo industry.

I knew that, obviously, I couldn’t give myself my dream tattoo mentioned above because I knew I’d screw it up, but why not something simpler? I’ve always been creative, hands-on, and highly tolerant of pain, so it seemed like the perfect project. I looked up a few  different blogs  and  tutorials online  and got to work.

By the way, if you’re feeling brave enough and are not completely disgusted by the idea and decide to get one yourself and you get a weird blood disease or it turns out ugly, I will not be held responsible.

Seriously. First things first, you want to figure out what you want a tattoo of, and where you want it to be. Make sure the area is not near a mucous membrane. Get a pen and scrawl different designs in different places to determine the placement. You can always wash it off at this stage if you’re not happy with it. Once you’re satisfied with your choice and happy with the placement, it’s time to gather the supplies.

You’ll need an sterile needle, tattoo ink, an alcohol swab, nitrile gloves, a medical covering cloth, a disposable razor, an stencil and transfer lubricant, ink cups, wipes, and an aftercare balm packet.

Having a regenerative tattoo film, and a grip and a wooden depressor. And you will also need to prepare a flat and clean area where you will place all the supplies. Start by  transferring your design into a stencil paper. Once you have transferred the design into the selected body area, continue by washing your hands extra-thoroughly with hot water and soap for a good minute or so, and then dry them on a clean towel.

1. Put your gloves and place the disposable protection cloth on the flat and clean area, and place on top of it all the tattoo supplies;
2. Now you can start putting together your needle;
3. Take the needle out of the blister, grab the grip and wrap it around the needle;

Grab a bit of the aftercare balm and place it spread it on the protection cloth. Now place the ink cup on top, this way you will prevent the cup from falling. Fill the cup with tattoo ink. By the way, tattoo ink is the only stuff you should be using. Anything else is toxic. It’s time to ink up the needle. Dip the tip of the needle right in and you are ready for pokin’ time. Start light. Stretch the skin with one hand, and with your ink-covered needle, poke a hole into your design wherever you want to start, and continue along your line until you’ve completed.

Do not break open a ballpoint pen and use that. You’ll get a horrific infection, or worse. If you don’t stretch the skin is bouncy and you could hit the wrong spot and it doesn’t go in as clean. In order for the ink to stay and your tattoo not to fade, you need to break through the top and second layer of skin.

If you’re in a perfectly silent room, you’ll be able to hear and feel an eerily satisfying pop as it goes through each layer. Another way to tell is when you pull the needle out, your skin is tugged along with it. It’s kind of gross, and you might bleed in some spots, so keep a wipe in the hand. Hand poked ‘Bite me’ sweethearts by the  Tatt Bratt. Oh, and another thing: Once your tattoo is healed and the swelling has gone down, you’re bound to notice some spots you missed. This is because your skin puffs up when it gets poked, so you can’t see the finer little details that will eventually shrink when your skin reverts to normal.

Also be aware that some holes will not hurt at all, while others will make you want to shout. It all depends where you are on the bone, etc. My crescent moon took two touch-ups before I was satisfied with the outline, so be prepared to go through this process more than once (and wait a few days in between each session).

And of course, I couldn’t finish this article without an amazing product recommendation, now could I? Once your tat’s on the road to recovery, keep it in tip-top shape with an amazing tattoo moisturizer. It’s all-natural and full of antioxidants that help with healing and make tattoos appear brighter and more beautiful. Feel free to tell me how stupid I am, or how unsafe this is, blah blah blah, I don’t care, I’ve already heard it from my mom, who reads all my articles by the way — hi mom! .

Can you tattoo yourself with pen ink and a needle?

Download Article Download Article If you can’t afford a professional tattoo or you don’t have access to a tattoo parlor, you can give yourself a tattoo at home without a tattoo gun, using what is sometimes called the “stick-and-poke” method. This process can be dangerous, however, and if it turns out badly, you’re left with a permanent reminder. Be sure you know what you’re doing and make sure to follow all of the safety warnings and sanitation requirements before you try this yourself.

1. 1 Buy or assemble a home tattoo kit. The main components of any home tattoo kit are needles and ink. Only use tattoo needles that haven’t been used. Tattoo ink is the only type of ink you should use, but not always easy to find. India Ink is commonly used as calligraphy ink but is the only ink that is not tattoo ink that can be used as tattoo ink. Don’t use pen or marker ink! [1]
   • Home tattoo kits are the safest option, are inexpensive, and include both supplies and instructions.
   • Find a reputable brand of tattoo ink to ensure it doesn’t contain any toxic ingredients.
   • Don’t use sewing needles, straight pins, or safety pins. They are not sterile, even if they are new. It is extremely dangerous to use any of these objects to tattoo yourself. You may end up in the hospital. They don’t hold the ink well and generally aren’t the right type of needle. You need to be as professional as possible if you are going to do this yourself. [2]
   • Don’t use old needles. Don’t share needles. Doing either of these will put you at serious risk for infection. Also, be sure to safely dispose of the needles when you’re done.
2. 2 Set up your station. You’ll need a few other things before you start putting needle to flesh. Grab some cotton thread, a cup for water, and rubbing alcohol. [3]
   • Keep a non-permanent, non-toxic marker around for drawing potential tattoo ideas. [4]
   • It’s a good idea to keep ink caps, a shallow bowl, or saucer handy to pour India ink into. Ink caps are inexpensive and can help prevent you from wasting ink. Sterilize with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide that is 91-99% alcohol.
   • It’s important to make sure everything you use is clean. Wash any bowls or saucers you’ll be using in hot, soapy water and peroxide/rubbing alcohol, and then cover them with plastic wrap. For extra protection, wear gloves that are very well sterilized when handling any of the supplies you’ll be using. Wash gloves (if using) and hands multiple times throughout the whole process.
3. 3 Clean and shave your chosen area. Wherever you decide to tattoo yourself, clean it with soap and warm water. Shave the hair off in the area about an inch larger than you want your tattoo to be.
   • After you shave, sterilize your skin with rubbing alcohol. Dab it on with a cotton ball and make sure it’s evaporated before continuing.
4. 4 Draw the design on your skin. Trace or draw your desired tattoo in the place you want it to go. You can have someone else do it for you if you want, but take the time to get it how you want it. This image is all you’ll have to go on once you start. You can also use stencil paper and stencil gel to make it more accurate.
   • Since you’ll be tattooing yourself, make sure the place you choose is easily. You WILL be poking for a few hours. Awkward or hard to reach places on the body, such as your chest or shoulder, are never good ideas for stick ‘n’ pokes on yourself.
   • Stick ‘n’ pokes work much better with simple and tiny tattoos. If you want a complex tattoo, you’re better off going to a parlor.

1. 1 Sterilize the needle. The best way to sterilize the needle before using it is with flame. Hold the needle over the flame of a candle or a lighter until it glows. Make sure you hold the other end with tongs, or you’ll burn your fingertips. [5]
   • Once the needle is sterile, wrap it in cotton thread. Start about 1 ⁄ 8 inch (0. 3 cm) away from the tip and wrap the thread back and forth about 1 ⁄ 4 inch (0. 6 cm) up the needle until the thread has formed an oval shape. This will absorb some of the ink as you dip your needle into the saucer. [6]
2. 2 Start poking. Dip the needle into the India ink and then poke it through your skin, leaving a small dot. There may be some blood after several layers of poking, but there shouldn’t be much. If blood is dripping/excessive, stop immediately and sterilize. Hold a clean paper towel, not cloth, onto the tattoo until it stops bleeding.
3. 3 Start working your way along the lines. Stay inside the line of the tattoo design you’ve drawn, filling it in with tiny punctures. Use a cotton swab or a rag to wipe away any blood or excess ink. [7]
   • The skin may swell up a bit as you poke it which may cause the resulting tattoo to appear spotty. You may have to do touch-ups when the swelling goes down if you want smooth lines throughout the tattoo. Wait to do touch ups until after the tattoo is completely healed, which can take up to two months.
4. 4 Clean the tattooed area. When you finish the tattoo, wipe down the area with soapy water. Throw away any remaining India ink in the ink cap and needles. They are no longer sterile. Use a new needle and a new saucer of ink if you plan on doing any touch-ups in the future.
   • Avoid cleaning a fresh tattoo with alcohol — use soap and water, instead.

1. 1 Bandage your new tattoo with saran wrap. Don’t use a cloth or band-aid as they can absorb some of the ink and fade it faster. Don’t use any ointments or lotions for the first week of healing because they can clog the tattoo and puts it at risk of infection. [8]
   • Leave the wrap on for 1-3 hours, but no longer than 6. [9]
2. 2 Keep your tattoo clean. Remove the initial wrap and gently wash the area with warm water and non-scented soap. Don’t scrub, and only wash the tattoo with clean hands. [10]
   • Don’t soak your tattoo and don’t run it under hot water. It won’t feel nice, and it take the ink out of your skin. [11]
   • Avoid picking at the tattoo as this could cause some of the ink to bleed out, causing messy lines and even scarring.
   • Make sure to remove the bandage and wash the tattoo after a couple of hours.
3. 3 Apply lotion to your tattoo. After the swelling goes down and the skin starts to scab, switch to a plain, unscented lotion. Most professionals recommend Lubriderm or Aquaphor. Keep the layers thin. Your skin needs to breathe so it can heal properly.
   • Moisturize your tattoo 3-5 times a day depending on the size of the tattoo. If your skin starts to look dried out, use a small amount of lotion. [12]
   • Don’t apply anything that’s too greasy, like vitamin E, aloe, or Vaseline.
4. 4 Let your tattoo heal. For the first week or so be mindful of your tattoo. It’s going to scab over and you’ll need to take extra care to keep it clean. In addition to washing it and keeping it moisturized, you’ll need to avoid certain activities. [13]
   • Keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight, as this can cause the ink to fade. It will also burn like a bad sunburn.
   • Avoid pools of water such as baths, hot tubs, pools, lakes, oceans, etc. They are full of bacteria, which can lead to infection. [14]
   • Avoid any activity that is high-contact or induces excessive sweating, like working out. [15]
   • Wear loose clothing so your tattoo can breathe. Tight clothing prevents this.
5. 5 Watch out for infection. Be on the lookout for redness or excessive scabbing around your tattoo, as well as any oozing, or swelling. These are all signs of possible infection. [16]
   • You can minimize the risk of infection by keeping your supplies clean and taking care of your tattoo. Still, it is possible your tattoo could become infected. If you suspect that your tattoo has become infected, consult your physician. [17]
   • Make sure that you aren’t picking or scratching at your tattoo, either.

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• Question Is it 100% permanent or will it go away completely after a few years? Kiara Hamed is a Tattoo Artist based in Dallas, Texas. She has over nine years of tattoo designing experience. She received her Tattoo Artist Certification in 2010 and a BS in Computer Information Systems from Clark University Atlanta in 2013. Tattoo Artist Expert Answer It may fade over time but it’s not guaranteed to go away completely. Tattoos are permanent.
• Question How far apart should the pokes be? Kiara Hamed is a Tattoo Artist based in Dallas, Texas. She has over nine years of tattoo designing experience. She received her Tattoo Artist Certification in 2010 and a BS in Computer Information Systems from Clark University Atlanta in 2013. Tattoo Artist Expert Answer Try to make them as close together as possible so you cover the entire intended area. Otherwise, the tattoo will be splotchy.

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