If you've never had a tattoo before, you should go to a professional. But if you are trying to learn this art and want to practice on yourself, you can learn how to do it safely and effectively. All of this requires preparation, concentration and confidence. In this article you will find valid tips for tattooing the right way.
Warning: The risk of getting blood-borne diseases is higher when getting a tattoo at home. The place must be sterile, the needles new and you must put in place all the procedures to ensure maximum hygiene. It is strongly recommended to get tattooed only in studios of licensed professionals.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Getting Ready for the Tattoo
Step 1. Purchase a tattoo machine
If you have never tattooed before, it is probably appropriate to start with what is commonly called "tattoo gun". This works thanks to electromagnetic coils that control a bar which in turn manages the rapid linear movement of a group of needles. The latter are dipped in tattoo ink which is inserted under the skin. The guns are sold in kits that include sterile accessories and cost around € 100.
- To be sure, a gun and all related accessories cost the same as a small tattoo done by a professional; for this reason, going to a studio is a smarter choice, if you have never tattooed before. However, if you have tried tattooing before and are interested in practicing on yourself, then it is very important to invest in high quality equipment.
- If you want to build your own machine, you can save some money. If you want to try getting a tattoo with a traditional technique (by hand pricking the skin), read this article to learn how to do it safely.
Step 2. Use a specific tattoo ink
You should only use this type of material or Indian carbon-based ink. These are natural products to which our body reacts to a minimal extent, making the procedure safer and more sterile. Never use other types of ink to tattoo yourself.
- Some people are allergic to ink ingredients and pigments, but this is usually only true for colors. However, mixing colors together is not recommended unless you are an experienced tattoo artist.
- Never use ballpoint ink or other types of dyes to make a tattoo if you don't want to cause an infection and get a horrible design on your body.
Step 3. Get the other essential tools to ensure hygiene
Given that with the home practice of tattooing there is a greater risk of transmitting blood-related diseases than that existing in a professional studio, it is essential to do things right and use only new tools, still packaged. The best thing to guarantee you all this is to buy a kit that you can find at the indicative price of 100 €. To get started you will need:
- New tattoo needles.
- A disposable ink container.
- Denatured alcohol.
- Cotton balls or soft wadding.
- Latex gloves.
- Tattoo cream or with bacitracin for subsequent treatments.
Step 4. Choose a simple design
The first tattoo done by you is not the right occasion to draw on the whole arm a wonderful panther with a military-colored bandana that stands out against the background of Uranus. Look for something simple, with a well-defined shape and that you can modify in the future if necessary. Consider writing a few words or drawing a little elaborate drawing. Here are some good suggestions:
- Italic letters.
- Stylized animals.
- Stars.
- Crosses.
- Anchors.
- Hearts.
Step 5. Prepare the body
To make the process as easy as possible, you need to clean and prepare the tattoo site as well as possible. Before starting to tattoo you must be sure that you have not drunk any alcohol for several hours and that you have not taken any painkillers with blood thinning effects (such as aspirin) or any other type of drug or drug.
Take a shower, dry off and put on clean clothes to get rid of all traces of dirt
Step 6. Shave the area you need to tattoo
Use a new razor and remove the fluff with clean and decisive strokes; sparse an area a little larger than the drawing to have a certain margin. You shave even if you have the impression that there is no hair, the razor is much more precise than your eyes.
Step 7. Prepare the workspace
Choose a clean, well-lit surface where you can work. Wash it thoroughly with soap and water and wait a few minutes for it to dry. Then cover the area with a thick layer of kitchen paper to avoid staining the furniture or the floor with ink.
Ensure good air circulation by opening the windows or turning on a fan. The pain may make you sweat, so it pays to keep the room cool
Step 8. Apply the design to the skin
Depending on the motif you have chosen to tattoo, you can decide to work freehand (although it is an uncommon choice) or to use a stencil which basically consists of a temporary tattoo. This is the method that most tattoo artists decide to follow to have a guideline:
- Trace the design on a sheet of paper or print it from your computer. Then transfer the image to the stencil paper. Now wet the skin with stencil liquid.
- Place the design on the damp skin with the purple side down, and smooth the stencil well on the skin. Wait a few moments before carefully removing the sheet and allow the leather to dry completely.
Part 2 of 3: Tattooing yourself
Step 1. Sterilize all instruments
The main risk in a tattoo done at home is contracting an infection. Follow these instructions so that the environment is as clean as possible and absolutely use only new and sterile materials.
- Sterilize the needle. Just before starting the tattoo, put the needle in a pot of boiling water and leave it there for 5 minutes. Remove it, place it on top of some paper towels and wait for it to cool down for a few moments. Finally wet it with denatured alcohol and rub it carefully with a new paper towel.
- Pour the ink cleanly. Rub the container with an alcohol-soaked paper towel and then pour a small amount of ink into it. Cover it with another paper towel to prevent dust from falling inside.
- Use less ink than you think is necessary. Small amounts of color are sufficient for many lines of the design and you can pour more if you need it. Also prepare a clean glass full of water to clean the needle during the procedure.
- Wear latex gloves. Keep the packaging handy, as you will need to change them regularly as your hands sweat.
Step 2. "Load" the needle with the color to start
When you are ready to get a tattoo, dip the tip of the needle and grab the pistol shaft in a comfortable and safe way. Start the machine, align the tip of the needle with the stencil guidelines and start tattooing.
- You have to turn on the gun so that the needle moves before trying to start the tattoo. Never rest the tip on the skin without first turning on the machine.
- With the other hand, keep the skin taut and flat as much as possible. It is very important that the "canvas" on which you draw is well stretched.
- Some tattoo gun models self-reload thanks to a small tank mounted on the gun itself. If you have this type of tool, you will not have to dip the needle.
Step 3. Push the needle into the skin
It is very difficult to push the tattoo needle too deep because its shape has been designed so that this does not happen, but you still need to make sure that it goes in at least a few millimeters. At this point, start moving along the edge of the design.
- The skin should be subjected to a slight tug when the needle comes out, but the bleeding should be minimal. If you do not perceive this resistance, probably the needle has not entered deep enough; if the bleeding is excessive, you have gone too far under the skin.
- Since it is not easy to see the needle, it is best to keep it diagonally inclined with the tube resting on the skin.
Step 4. Trace the outlines of the design
Move the needle slowly along the edges of the stencil. Do not continue for more than a couple of centimeters without removing the needle and wipe off the excess ink. Take your time and carefully check the quality of the line so that you have a uniform tattoo.
The needle will move, so sometimes it will be difficult to see where you are going. Follow the edges of the stencil, move the machine and clean the excess ink that prevents you from seeing. It is slow work
Step 5. Continue filling in the tattoo
Go over the lines of the stencil, eliminate the color that comes out on the skin and dip the needle back into the ink as you go. Be very careful about what you do and the thickness of the lines: high quality tattoos have very even lines, so it is important to maintain constant pressure.
The edge filling phase is usually done with a larger needle that is guided by small circular movements instead of rectilinear ones. It may not be necessary for your first tattoo, but still feel free to experiment
Step 6. Keep the pistol stem clean
Wet the needle regularly before dipping it back into the ink. Eliminating excess color from the needle is absolutely essential for cleaning and for drawing a beautiful tattoo. If you place the needle on other surfaces than your skin or the work tray, stop and sterilize it again with alcohol and a clean paper towel. Make sure it's dry before continuing.
Remove excess color regularly. At each break, use a soft paper towel to wipe off the color spreading on the skin and to soak up the blood. Use a clean cloth each time
Part 3 of 3: Cleaning and Caring for the Tattoo
Step 1. Gently clean the tattoo
Once finished, apply a light layer of specific cream and cover the design with sterile gauze. Freshly made tattoos need to be protected immediately to minimize the risk of infection.
- Never put petroleum jelly or lotion on a fresh tattoo. They are products that clog pores, absorb ink and slow down healing. It is a widespread - but erroneous - belief that petroleum jelly should be applied to tattoos. The recommended creams have a similar texture, but they are not petroleum jelly.
- Don't cover the tattoo with too much cream. In most cases, a small amount, like a pea, is enough. It is essential to allow the skin to heal quickly and in the most natural way possible, and this cannot happen if it is always covered in a sticky substance.
- Do not wash the tattoo right away. If you have used sterile products I just have to leave the skin alone and let the inflammation subside a little before washing it. Cover the tattoo and don't disturb it.
Step 2. Bendalo
Use sterile, soft gauze to completely wrap the new tattoo. Try to move with caution, as the area is a bit swollen due to the procedure. Secure the dressing with medical tape or elastic hooks loosely.
Do not remove the bandage for at least the first two hours or even for the rest of the day. This is a critical step in the healing process. Don't start harassing your skin just because you want to see the job. Be patient and wait
Step 3. Clean the work area
Throw away the unused ink, the needle from the gun, gloves and all the tools you used. These are disposable material if you just want clean, sterile and beautiful tattoos. Only use new material every time you need to get a tattoo.
Step 4. Remove the dressing and gently wash the skin with water
The first time you wash the tattoo, use a little cold water and wash it with your hands. Do not immerse the area and do not expose it to running water. This is very important.
- Avoid letting the tattoo soak in the first 48 hours. After the first rinse, use warm soapy water to wash your skin before going to bed. After two days, you can start washing normally when you shower.
- Apply a thin layer of cream 2-3 times a day for about two weeks. Always check the area carefully to make sure there are no signs of infection, and if so, see your doctor immediately.
Advice
- If you want to practice, there are silicone limbs and hands to practice on. They are great for gaining experience without permanently tattooing yourself.
- A tattoo is permanent. Even an ugly tattoo that has absorbed and faded over time will be partially visible for many decades; even laser removal leaves marks and scars. You need to be absolutely sure you want to get a tattoo yourself before you commit to doing it.
- If you don't have anything better, use a soothing cream. Make sure that it does not "suck" the ink from the skin and that it keeps it hydrated. After the shower, pat the area dry and then spread the cream. This way the tattoo will look more beautiful.
Warnings
- You can find “do-it-yourself” tattoo kits online that include the basic tools. If you decide for this solution, remember that not everyone includes complete or understandable instructions. Follow the advice in this article and sterilize each item before using it.
- Don't try to get a tattoo yourself if you can afford to go to a professional studio. There is absolutely no comparison in terms of speed, comfort and design quality.
- If your hand slips and you injure yourself while getting tattooed, stop and see a doctor right away. It is better to feel a little embarrassed in the emergency room than to find yourself with a bad infection or a scar.
- Never reuse and never share tattoo needles. Treat each drop of blood as if it were poison.
- If you are a minor, don't get a tattoo. Your body is still growing even if you don't notice it and you may find yourself, in adulthood, with a deformed and ugly design. This is not to mention the fact that it is not legal to tattoo minors or the reaction that parents will inevitably have when they realize it.
- Tattoos always hurt. Some areas of the body are more painful than others, but this is not a fact to be denied. Be aware of this before attempting to "self-tattoo".
