How To Do A Tattoo At Home?

How To Do A Tattoo At Home
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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Add New Question

  • 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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Can you do your own tattoos at home?

Stick and poke tattoos are becoming extremely popular because they create a unique affect. Learn how to tattoo yourself safely and hygienically at home in this article! – DIY tattoos have become increasingly popular recently, especially with the new stay-at-home regulations put in place in many countries. Yes, tattooing yourself from home is a great way to keep yourself busy while getting some awesome new ink, but it shouldn’t be done as a spur of the moment activity with equipment you find in your sewing kit. The wrong equipment will not only leave you with designs that do not age well but also put you at risk of infection.

What can I use for a homemade tattoo?

Can I do a tattoo with pen ink?

Final Thoughts – As you may have noticed, we seriously advise people not to do any DIY, homemade tattoo, especially the stick-and-poke kind with pen ink. This can be seriously dangerous and can put your health at risk. It is always better to go get professionally tattooed than to risk skin and tattoo infection. What we’re trying to say is that DIY tattoos aren’t simply worth it! Also Read:

  • 5 Best Stick-and-Poke Tattoo Kits (2022 Updated)
  • 6 Stick and Poke Ink Alternatives (And Why You Shouldn’t use Them)

How deep do you go with a tattoo needle?

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.

Among these layers is a collection of sweat glands, hair follicles, connective tissue, fat, and blood vessels. 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.

How hard is it to tattoo yourself?

You’ll End Up With a Surface Tattoo – If you’re looking for a temporary tattoo stick to henna and lick ’em stick ’em options. If you do your own tattoo you’ll most likely only scratch the surface. The proper tattooing process penetrates 1/16th of an inch into your skin.

That may not sound like much, but it’s actually five whole layers of the epidermis. When doing the tattoo on your own, a lack of experience not to mention your own pain receptors will keep you from going as deep as you need to.

A DIY tattoo will fade much earlier that one done by a professional.

What can I use instead of tattoo ink?

Can u 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 tattoos last for?

So you’re considering your first tattoo. That’s cool—but don’t rush it. You need time to think about what you want needled into your skin, how badly you want it, and how to get it done safely (namely, by someone who knows what they’re doing). Since there are so many things to consider before you get a tattoo, we presented a few common ink-quiries to Tiffany Tattooz, owner and tattoo artist of Ink Gallery Tattoo Shop in Woodland Park, NJ, and mainstay of Black Ink Crew on VH1.

If you’re in the market for your first ink, read through her starter’s guide. It’ll inform every decision you make about the emblem you’ll soon wear for (hopefully) the rest of your days. What are the least (and most) painful body parts to tattoo? Everyone has a different type of pain tolerance when it comes to tattoos, but most seem to experience the least amount of pain in the arm and thigh areas.

These areas of the body have more fat tissue and less nerve density, which in turn causes less discomfort. The most painful will have to be the ribs, feet, and middle chest. There is less fat, the skin is very thin, and the bone is closer to the surface of the skin, allowing one to feel the sensitivity of the needle more.

  1. What actually happens to the skin while receiving a tattoo? Basically, ink is being deposited and penetrated into the dermis layer of the skin;
  2. The pigments are too big to be fought off by our white blood cells, so they just pretty much stay in the dermis layer of our skin forever;
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How should someone prepare for a tattoo? It’s recommended that you wash the area of the skin or take a shower before coming in to get the tattoo, especially if you work with paint, construction materials, garbage, or sewage. Although it’s my job as an artist to make sure the area is cleaned, cleaning up beforehand does help reduce the risk of other unclean body parts contaminating the clean area.

On site, I always make sure to first clean the area being tattooed. I’ll then shave the customer’s skin and then spray it with alcohol to make sure the skin is fully sterile. How long do tattoos take to heal? Tattoos need about two weeks to heal, on average, although sometimes it can take more time, depending on the client’s skin and how long it took to complete the tattoo.

I tell my clients to keep the bandage on for 8-12 hours, because it allows plasma—our body’s natural way of healing itself—to regenerate skin tissue, thus allowing a quicker healing process and preventing scabbing. Once the wrap is taken off, I tell clients to use a fragrance-free antibacterial soap to wash the tattoo.

They should use lukewarm water—never hot water. However, after completely washing the tattoo, they have to pour cold water on the skin to close up the pores. How should someone care for their tattoo immediately after inking? Wash the tattoo twice a day for the first three or four days, since tattoos are pretty much an open wound at this point.

After washing the tattoo, pat it dry with a paper towel. (Don’t use a cloth towel, because cloth towels hold bacteria. ) Wait 15 minutes and then apply a light coat of moisturizing ointment with clean hands. Apply the ointment twice a day (morning and night) for two days.

  • Less is better: Using too much ointment will cause problems with healing and fade the tattoo, since thick ointment can clog the pores;
  • After the second day, switch to a fragrance-free lotion and apply 3-5 times a day depending on the consistency, for up to two weeks;

Do not pick or scratch your tattoo during the healing process. Hands should always be cleaned when applying any ointment or lotion on skin. You will have to avoid being in the sun or pool for two weeks, and, most important, in order for the tattoo to stay vibrant for many years, you should always use sun block when outside.

  • How often do people typically need to get their tattoos touched up? It really all comes down to how they take care of their tattoos and if there were any scabs that have formed;
  • If there were any issues during the healing process, then you will be able to tell within two weeks whether or not a tattoo needs to be touched up;

If there are no issues, then I would say a tattoo can hold up well for 10 years before seeing that it needs to be brand new again. As you get older, so does your ink. If one is always in the sun it will dull out the ink in your tattoo way sooner than someone who is never in the sun.

  • What’s your advice to someone who isn’t sure if they should get a tattoo? Don’t do it until you wake up one day and say, “I’m ready and I know what I want;
  • ” I never recommend someone to get a tattoo if they’re unsure of their ideas or whether or not tattoos are for them;

It’s a permanent procedure—so you want to make sure that you’re confident having something etched on you for the rest your life. If you finally find yourself ready to get tattooed, then the next big step is to find an artist who “specializes” in the “style” you want.

  • Review their portfolio to see if you like his or her work, and then you can set an appointment;
  • How do you know if your tattoo artist is legit? You can tell by their recognition, their portfolio, how long their wait is, and their prices;

How do prices vary for tattoos? Some artists charge hourly, or some charge by the piece. For larger tattoos, however, some will charge by the day (half-day sessions might be $400-600, or full-day sessions around $1,000 or more). 10. Is it easy to remove a tattoo? Painful? Laser tattoo removal is a painful process and requires many sessions. How has tattoo technology progressed in recent years?

  • Ink: There are now quality ink brands that last longer on the skin throughout the years. Some black inks are so dark, I can’t even use them for shading in a realistic tattoo—I can only use them for solid black work like tribal tattoos.
  • Machinery: New tattoo machines called “rotaries” make no sound while tattooing and feel lightweight on the wrist and hand, which decreases the chances of tendinitis and carpal tunnel for the artist. It almost feels like you’re tattooing with a pencil.
  • Cost: I now even have a “wireless power supply” to run my tattoo machine—it actually keeps track of how long I’ve spent with the client, and how long I’ve been actually “tattooing” them. This never existed nine years ago. The power supply even shows me how much my clients should pay based off the time I spent on them.
  • Needles: Previous needles required different machines to use. Now, there are needle cartridges that you can attach and detach so it can all be done from one machine.
  • Resources: Even social media, YouTube, and online podcasts have made it much easier to learn and grow as an artist quickly. The resources are enormous.

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What is the side effects of tattoo?

Can you get a tattoo without a needle?

A tattoo that is warning you for too many hours of sunlight exposure, or is alerting you for taking your medication? Next to their cosmetic role, tattoos could get new functionality using intelligent ink. That would require more precise and less invasive injection technique.

Researchers of the University of Twente now develop a micro-jet injection technology that doesn’t use needles at all. Instead, an ultrafast liquid jet with the thickness of a human hair penetrates the skin.

It isn’t painful and there is less waste. In there new publication in the Journal of Applied Physics, the scientists compare both the needle and the fluid jet approach. Ötzi the Iceman already had, over 5000 years ago, dozens of simple tattoos on his body, apparently for pain relief.

  1. Since the classic ‘anchor’ tattoo that sailors had on their arms, tattoos have become more and more common;
  2. About 44 million Europeans wear one or more of them;
  3. Despite its wider acceptance in society, the underlying technique didn’t change and still has health risks;
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One or more moving needles put ink underneath the skin surface. This is painful and can damage the skin. Apart from that, needles have to be disposed of in a responsible way, and quite some ink is wasted. The alternative that David Fernández Rivas and his colleagues are developing, doesn’t use any needles. .

Is there a painless tattoo?

HUSH Numbing Spray – Anesthetics are introduced to the skin by way of tiny drops or mists. It works immediately upon skin contact, making it a perfect product in keeping a painless tattoo while the artist is concentrating on creating a mind-blowing masterpiece!.

Can tattoo needle hit vein?

– This type of tattoo isn’t entirely risk-free. But then, getting a tattoo always involves some level of risk, with an infection being the main cause for concern. The risk for an infection gets a little higher when it comes to tattoos on veins, according to Dr.

  • Stacey Chimento, a board certified dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida;
  • “Tattoos involve applying pressure on your skin with a needle, which can rupture the vein, making it bleed into the surrounding tissue and cause an infection,” she says;

If you have varicose veins, Chimento goes on to explain, this could make things worse and result in veins that protrude even further. “Varicose veins struggle to heal due to their pre-existing damage. If pierced during the tattoo session, they could randomly bleed internally or externally, affecting surrounding organs,” she says.

  • Another thing to keep in mind when considering a tattoo to cover varicose veins? How that tattoo could potentially impact any future treatment of the veins;
  • “To treat the diseased veins, they need to be somewhat visible;

And if left untreated, the blood can leak into the leg tissue and cause hyperpigmentation. Although rare, infections and undiagnosed veins can cause a need for urgent care if left untreated,” Chimento says.

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.

  1. ” 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;
  2. 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.

  1. Also, when a client wants to add to an existing tattoo, the new tattoo can be easily tailored to the empty space;
  2. There are many great reasons to draw directly on skin;
  3. let’s start with these;
  4. 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.

  1. Together you can make decisions and additions to your piece;
  2. It’s also easier to modify and erase ideas as the design progresses;
  3. Not all tattoos can be drawn on paper;
  4. 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.

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.

Is pen ink toxic for skin?

– Ink poisoning doesn’t occur from drawing on your skin. Ink may temporarily stain your skin, but it will not poison you.

Is it safe to do your own tattoo?

The risks of home tattooing Getting any tattoo carries some health risks. However, performing your own tattoos puts you at greater risk of: contracting serious infectious diseases, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV. contracting severe skin infections, including bacterial infections such as ‘golden staph’.

What can I use as a tattoo needle?

Stick and Poke Tattoo Needles – The most common  stick and poke  tattoo technique, commonly called the ” needle and thread tattoo technique ” consists in inserting a sewing needle right between a pencil’s eraser and the metal socket. The dental floss is then rolled around the needle to create an ink container. With a careful use of dental floss and proper needle sharpening, you can get away with tattooing using sewing needles. However, these tools aren’t optimal for stick and poke tattoos since they don’t retain ink as well as tattoo needles and aren’t as sharp. Moreover, they are imprecise and less hygienic. In my experience, the simplest and most enjoyable way to proceed is to use stick and poke  tattoo needles.

Are stick and poke tattoo 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.