Tattoo's : Stick & Poke

Stick & Poke : A way of tattooing without a machine. The artist uses a single or tight cluster of needles to individually 'poke' ink into the skin. This is how tribes and old civilisations have done tattoo's since ancient times. Also known as 'hand poked' or 'hand tattoo'.

The main flower was done years ago by a tattooist. Leaves were done by me by stick and poke last year and rest a week or so ago. (so exuse the dry skin)

I debated whether to actually write this post or not but in the end decided that I should. I'm torn, the thing is I would never want to recommend people tattoo themselves but it can be a cheap, rewarding and unique thing that if your smart about can turn out really nice.

I am the owner of a stick & poke tattoo that I did by myself. Now I know what your probably thinking. I'm mad. Or that I did it at a party with a manky sewing needle. But in reality like with most things I was over cautious.

I brought a pair of sterilised rubber medical gloves, a ink pot that would be clean, proper tattoo ink, and a sterilised 3RL needle. 
Yes it will cost more than using an old sewing needle but it's really not madly expensive and it's so so worth it. Remember its still much cheaper than having it done in a shop.

• It will last so don't be impulsive. There is an odd conception that stick & poke tattoo's are only temporary so it doesn't matter if your mate Gary tattoo's a knob on your arse because it will be gone in a year. But it really is not the case for the vast majority. My dad god bless him stick & poked his arms when he was 14. Him and his mates did it with fountain pen ink and one of there mums sewing needles. He's 58 this year and they're still there, and not faintly either. It will last, please remember that.

• Sterilisation is a must ! I know a lot of people think that well its just a needle prick, I get deeper paper cuts it will be fine. But tattoo's are serious business and if your not careful it can turn really nasty. So make sure your in a clean environment and if your going to be leaning on anything make it something you can wipe clean. Use anti bacterial spray, wipe down and wrap with cling film.

• This also means clean equipment. Like I said I actually brought specialist equipment. Either from amazon or a lot of tattoo shops online will sell single needles for less than a pound. If you use sterilised specialist stuff not only does it massively reduce the risk of infection it will also improve the quality. Specialist tattoo needles are also unbelievably sharp so reduce the pain, it's easier to actually get the ink where it needs to be and it reduces catching in the layers of skin which can create keloid scars and just make a right mess of your skin.

• It's still a tattoo so be careful with aftercare. Same as any tattoo it really important that you look after it properly afterwards. Not just to make sure you have the best quality tattoo but also to stop infection. I think people either go one of two ways after a stick and poke. Either they think 'well its not too invasive, it was only a few needle jabs' and don't really do a lot to take care of it afterwards and just leave it be. Or they think 'this is a tattoo and it was done in maybe not the cleanest way' so they over do it and fuss with it way too much. 

1. Wrap the tattoo after it is done in clean cling film. Not the one you keep in your kitchen draw, a new roll. Leave it on for 1-2 hours.
2. After that, unwrap and clean with unscented soap or like me use sea salted warm water and a cotton wool pad. Don't rub or soak it. Be gentle.
3. Apply a very thin layer of 'Bepanthen' cream. I know its nappy rash cream but its actually brilliant for a healing tattoo. 
4. Wash once a day in the morning and apply cream every couple of hours. MAKE SURE YOUR HANDS ARE PROPERLY CLEAN.

•  Set up your stuff. Pour the ink into a container and get some clean kitchen roll ready.
• I drew my design on with a biro first of all. It was on my ankle so I walked around and moved my foot in front of a mirror to make sure it didn't warp weirdly. 
• Remeber to shave the area before drawing on the design. Hair holds bactria and just nasty stuff you don't want to be entering an open wound. 
• Wipe with a anti bactierial wipe.
• Rub with a thin layer of vasilene onto the design. This helps the needle enter the skin and makes sure the ink doesn't swear and stain the skin around it.
• You're ready to go. 
• Go slow and make sure the pokes are overlaping or the finished tattoo will look disjointed and messy. 
• Wipe awayexcess ink as you go to make sure it has gone under the skin and you haven't missed anything.
• Dip the needle into the ink every half a dozen pokes or so.
• Apply more vasiline if it has completly rubbed away.
• Clean with tattoo soap or just a slightly damp cotton wool pad (dip in warm salt water and wring out) then leave to dry for a few seconds and then apply a thin layer of 'Bepanthen' before wrapping in cling film and securing with micropore tape.
• And your done with the tattoo.