NOTE: Work not done by a professional can be dangerous, unsanitary, and could lead to infections and/or diseases.
I cannot speak for the entire world, but at least in the Philadelphia area, I am seeing more and more do-it-yourself tattoos. These are primarily done for fun and are cheaper, simpler, and "less permanent" than regular, professionally done tattoos. While some DIY tattoos leave permanent marks, they often are lighter than normal tattoos, do not penetrate the skin as deep, and tend to fade. Also, as I mentioned above, the process can be hazardous to your health. The needles can contain germs if not sterilized properly, and the ink can get into your bloodstream and cause infections or illness.
With that being said, what exactly goes into a DIY tattoo?
The basics are simple. You will need:
- A needle
- Ink
- Sterilizing materials
They call them "Stick-and-Poke" tattoos for a reason. After sterilizing the needle, it is dipped in the ink, then poked into the skin. Make sure to clean the area thoroughly before and after, and also keep the space sterile. Because of the nature of the method, DIY(or stick-and-pokes) tend to be more painful, because they are individual pokes, unlike professional guns that pierce your skin dozens of times per second. Stick and poke tattoos are generally simpler, without any shading or huge designs(unless you have an extremely high pain tolerance). Different color inks can be used as well. The most popular seems to be India ink. I personally do not have a stick-and-poke, and would probably advise against it, as the ink might be bad if put into the body.
If you decide to get a DIY tattoo, make sure you trust the person, they are confident in their abilities, and they have a steady hand. No one wants a needle stuck too far into their arm.
If any reader HAS, a stick-and-poke tattoo, we'd love to have your submission! Leave a comment in the box!
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| TJ's stick and poke! |
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