If you've never had a tattoo before, you should go to a professional. However, if you want to experience the art and train yourself, you can learn to do it safely and effectively. Learning to tattoo requires preparation, concentration, and security. Learn how to get the tattoo right below.
Warning: The risk of blood infection becomes higher when you tattoo at home. Sterile conditions, new needles, and care are essential. It is recommended that you get your tattoo at a certified tattoo parlor.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparation For Tattooing
Step 1. Buy a tattoo machine
If you've never had a tattoo before, start with a tattoo machine, or what's known as a tattoo gun. It operates with an electromagnetic coil, which controls a dynamo that moves the needle up and down rapidly. The needle is inserted in the tattoo ink that will be placed on the skin. Initial tattoo kits with sterile equipment are available for around one million rupiah.
- It's true that tattoo machines and equipment cost about as much as getting a tattoo from a tattoo professional, so a tattoo shop is a better option if it's your first time getting a tattoo. However, if you already have a tattoo and want to learn it yourself, a quality tattoo machine is very important to buy.
- If you want to make your own tattoo gun, you can save some money too. If you want to get a tattoo without having to use a tattoo gun, find out about how to get a tattoo without a tattoo gun to learn it yourself.
Step 2. Use tattoo ink or Indian ink
Tattoos should only be made using special tattoo inks or Indian inks with a carbon base. These inks react naturally and smoothly on the body, so the tattooing process will be safe and sterile. Never use other types of ink for tattoos.
- Some people have allergies to certain types of inks and pigments, but usually this happens only to colored inks. Also, colored ink isn't a good idea to get started with, unless you're an experienced tattoo artist.
- Never use ballpoint ink or any other kind of ink to make a tattoo, unless you really want to get an infection and bad art on your body. Do the tattooing process properly.
Step 3. Purchase the essential sterilizer
Since the risk of blood infection is higher if the tattoo is made outside of a tattoo parlor shop, you should take your tattoo seriously and only use freshly packaged items and sterile equipment to make your own tattoo. This is very important. The best way to get what you need is to buy the initial kit, which you can buy for around a million rupiah. For starters, you will need:
- New tattoo needles
- Place for ink
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Cotton
- Rubber gloves
- Tattoo ointment, A&D or bacitracin for post-tattooing
Step 4. Choose a simple tattoo design
When you are tattooing yourself for the first time, it may not be the time to draw a panther in a bandana and out of Uranus in your hand. Make a simple tattoo, something that can be added later if necessary. Maybe a few words or a simple lined image? Right. Ideas for a good first tattoo are:
- Letters with handwriting style
- Animals drawn with small lines
- Star
- Cross
- Anchor
- Heart
Step 5. Prepare your body
To make the tattooing process easier, you'll need to clean the area you want to tattoo. Make sure you haven't had alcohol in the previous few hours and that you're not taking painkillers that can thin the blood (such as aspirin) or other drugs when you start tattooing.
Take a shower, dry off, and put on some clean clothes so you're clean before you start
Step 6. Shave the area you want to tattoo
Using a new razor, shave the area you are going to tattoo as well as the edges of the area. Shave even if you don't see any hair, as the razor will be more accurate than your eyes.
Step 7. Prepare your base
Choose a clean, well-lit base where you can work. Clean the mat completely with soap and water, then let it dry for a few minutes. Then, place thick towels all over your work area to avoid soiling the furniture or floors.
Cool the room by opening a window or turning on a fan. The pain will make you sweat, so it's better to keep your room cool
Step 8. Draw the design on your skin
You can do this directly on the skin – depending on the design you want – although this is rarely done. You can also work from a stencil, which basically resembles a temporary tattoo. The following are the most common ways that tattoo artists recommend when you want to start tattooing:
- Draw your design on a piece of paper or print it from your computer, then place the design on the stencil paper. Use a stencil fluid, such as StencilStuff or StencilPro, and place the paper over the area you want to tattoo.
- Place the stencil paper on the skin with the purple side down, then flatten the stencil. Leave it on before removing the stencil from the skin. Let your skin dry completely.
Part 2 of 3: Tattoo Yourself
Step 1. Sterilize your equipment
The greatest risk of tattooing at home is infection. Clean everything as gently as possible and only use new, sterile equipment to complete your tattoo.
- Sterilize your needles. Before you plan to tattoo yourself, soak your needles in water and boil them for five minutes. Remove and let cool on a clean towel for a while, then soak in spiritus and wipe with a new towel.
- Pour your ink cleanly. Clean the ink tank with a towel soaked in spiritus, then slowly pour in a small amount of ink. Place another towel to cover the ink tank to prevent dust from entering it.
- Use less ink than you think you will need. Small amounts of tattoo ink are used for a long time, and you can always add more if you need it. Also, always provide a glass with clean water to clean the needles when you are tattooing.
- Use clean rubber gloves. Have a box full of rubber gloves and be prepared to change your gloves frequently. This is because your hands will sweat easily when tattooing.
Step 2. Fill the needle with ink to get started
When you are ready to start tattooing, dip the needle into the ink and adjust the needle so that it is in a stable position in your hand. Turn on the tattoo gun, align the needle with the guide line, and start tattooing.
- You have to turn on the machine to move the needle before you start tattooing. Never put the needle into your skin before it is turned on.
- With the other hand, make sure the skin you are tattooing remains as tight and even as possible. Make sure you produce the best canvas, as this is important. The more flat, the better.
- Some tattoo guns can be filled with ink automatically by connecting the tattoo ink holder directly to the gun. If you can have this tattoo gun, you certainly don't need to dip the needle in the ink.
Step 3. Push the needle into your skin
Pushing the needle too deep is very difficult because the design doesn't allow this, but you have to make sure it goes deep enough, at least a few millimeters. When you've done that, start moving according to your guide's design.
- Your skin will be pulled a little by the needle during the tattooing process and you will bleed a little. If your skin is not pulling during the tattoo process, then the needle may not be deep enough. If there is a lot of bleeding, the needle is too deep.
- Because the needle is difficult to see, it is best to use the needle in an angled position, with the tube part against your skin.
Step 4. Outline your design
Move the needle slowly across your stencil line. Don't go a few inches further from your line before you raise the needle. Then, wipe off the splattered ink and move on. Be patient and pay attention to the quality of the lines to make sure that your tattoo is even.
The needle will move, so seeing the direction of the needle on the skin will be difficult. Keep the needle moving along the line, then raise and erase any splattered ink so you can still see the line. This process takes quite a long time
Step 5. Thicken your tattoo
Continue to follow the line as you tattoo, wipe off any splattered ink, then add ink to the needle. Watch what you do and pay attention to the thickness of the line. High quality tattoos have even lines, so you should use consistent pressure and evenness.
Thickening the tattoo is usually done with a slightly larger needle, and doing this is not done in a straight line, but in small, gentle circular motions to fill in the area you are tattooing. For your first tattoo, this may not be necessary, but you can try it if you want
Step 6. Keep the needle clean
Wet your needle occasionally before adding the ink. Cleaning up the ink spilled on the needle is very important for cleanliness and good tattoo results. If you put the needle anywhere other than the inkwell and your skin, stop and sterilize it again with a clean towel and alcohol. Make sure the needles are dry before you proceed with the tattoo.
Continue to clean up any splattered ink. Each repetition, use a light towel to wipe the splattered ink and blood off your tattoo. Use a clean towel every time
Part 3 of 3: Cleaning and Healing Tattoo Wounds
Step 1. Gently clean your tattoo
When you're done, apply a small amount of tattoo ointment, commonly called A&D or Tattoo Goo, then cover your tattoo with a clean gauze. A freshly finished tattoo should be protected immediately after you are done tattooing. This is important to minimize the risk of infection.
- Never put lotion or tar oil on a fresh tattoo. Lotions and tar oil will clog pores, draw out ink, and prevent the tattoo from healing effectively. Vaseline or tar oil is often misunderstood and is thought to be used in new tattoos. Ointment does have a similar consistency to Vaseline, but they are not the same thing.
- Do not use a lot of ointment on the tattoo. You only need a small amount of ointment like the size of a pea for most tattoos. It is important to allow the tattoo to heal as quickly as possible in a natural way, but this will not be possible if the tattoo is covered with too much ointment.
- Don't wash your tattoo right away. If you're using a sterile product, just leave the tattoo alone and allow the inflammation to subside a bit before you wash it off. Cover the tattoo and leave it alone.
Step 2. Cover your tattoo
Use clean gauze to completely cover your tattoo. Be careful, your tattoo area will be a little more fragile due to the tattooing process. Tie in place with medical ties or non-tight stretch wraps.
Leave the bond on your tattoo for at least two hours. If possible, leave your tattoo tied for the rest of your day. This is a very important part of the process. Don't open it just because you want to see the results of your work. Wait
Step 3. Clean your workplace
Dispose of ink in the inkwell, needles from your tattoo gun, gloves, and all kinds of equipment you use. This kit can no longer be used if you want to have a sterile, clean and effective tattoo. Use a fresh, clean product when you get your tattoo.
Step 4. Untie and clean your tattoo using water gently
The first time you clean the tattoo, use a small amount of cold water to clean the surface of the tattoo with your hands. Don't soak the tattoo. This is very important.
- Avoid soaking your tattoo for 48 hours after your tattoo is done. After the first rinse, use soap and warm water to gently clean your tattoo the night before you go to bed. After two days, you can clean it as usual when you shower.
- Apply a small amount of the ointment to your tattoo 2-3 times per day for two weeks. Pay attention to a few things to make sure there are no signs of infection on your tattoo, then see a doctor immediately if you think your tattoo is infected.
Tips
- If you want to practice, you can buy silicone limbs and hands. This can be a great way to add to the experience without having to draw something permanent on yourself.
- Tattoos are basically permanent. Even an ugly tattoo that disappears or fades will remain a little visible for decades from now. Lasers to remove tattoos will also still leave scars. Convince yourself that you want to tattoo your design before you commit to it.
- Use aquaphor (filtered water). This water does not remove ink and avoids dryness of the skin. Pat your tattoo after bathing with this water. This will make your tattoo look better.
Warning
- There are several tattoo kits that can be purchased online, which include the basic equipment and the ink. If you choose this path, be aware that not all devices will ship with complete and easy-to-understand instructions. Follow this guide carefully, and make sure you sterilize everything before use.
- Tattoos always hurt. Some parts of your body will feel more sore than others. But, in the end, there is no way to avoid pain. Be aware of this before you try a tattoo.
- If you slip or hurt yourself while you are tattooing, stop and see a doctor immediately. It's better to embarrass yourself in the hospital than get sick or suffer more serious injuries.
- Don't do this if you can afford to pay a professional tattooist to get your tattoo done. A professional tattooist is unmatched in terms of comfort, quality and speed of work.
- If you are not yet 18 years old, do not tattoo yourself. Your body may still be growing even if you don't know it, which can cause the tattoo to become inconsistent and skewed as you mature. This is not about questioning the legality of tattooing on a young child or how your parents will react when (eventually) find out what you have done.
- Never reuse or share tattoo needles. Every drop of blood that has ever come into contact with him should be considered poison.
