Don’t Give Yourself A Stick-And-Poke Tattoo Without Reading This

Stick-and-pokes are exactly as they sound. It’s giving someone a tattoo by repeatedly dipping the needle into ink, then into their skin. You can put them anywhere on your skin, depicting anything you’d like. Whether you’re the person who did it in the back alley of your high school, you found an interesting video on Instagram, or completely in love with anything DIY, this one is for you.

Did you know that stick-and-pokes have actually been around for centuries? It’s true, there have been accounts of stick-and-pokes dating back all the way to ancient Egypt (via ResearchGate). The practice has great popularity in certain cultures, like the Maori, where the tattoos symbolize their identities. During the 1970s skate and punk subcultures, the stick-and-poke tattoo was popular in the UK, Australia, and the USA (via Stick and Poke Tattoo). Within the past decade, the stick-and-poke tattoo has re-surged in popularity once more and everyone wants to try it for themselves. 

Will it hurt and is it dangerous?

Of course, it will hurt. But like normal tattoos, the pain differentiates from person to person. It’s all dependent on the location of the tattoo, the person performing it, and the pain tolerance of the person getting it. However, some claim that after around 200 pokes, the area goes numb (via SFGate). While others say that the pain lasts longer since it’s only a single needle. It’s different for every person. Also, people bleed more with stick-and-pokes than with regular tattoos. So those afraid of blood, beware!

Along with the fear of pain, some are afraid that stick-and-pokes are highly dangerous. Some claim that all stick-and-pokes can be done with safety pins, pens, and anything of the sort. Like any tattoo, you need to get safety equipment on par with a tattoo shop to get the best outcome. As long as you keep everything clean and safe, the chances of infection are very little (via Bustle). If you see someone bring out a safety pin, just run for the hills.

How long do stick-and-pokes last?

Tattooing, no matter the way you go about it, is basically the same at its core. With any tattoo, it’s about the location and how experienced the artist is. If you’re just passing a tattoo gun to your friend who’s never held one before, it may not go great. But if you find a professional at it, they know how to make it last and look fantastic. Keep in mind that some locations do fade faster than the average tattoo! For example, the locations that fade the most are the elbows, hands, and face (via Tattooholic).

The tricky part of the stick-and-poke is getting the needle in just right. Not deep enough, the ink won’t stay properly. If it’s too deep, the lines will blur and the image won’t look the way you set out for (via Byrdie). According to Authority Tattoo, the average DIY stick-and-poke tattoo sticks around for five to ten years. So if you have to take something away, just find someone you trust.

What does the aftercare look like?

Like any tattoo, take care of it. To help you avoid infection and look as stunning as possible, professionals have given a few easy steps to swear by (via Hand Poke Inked).

Once you’re done with the tattooing process, make sure to clean the skin with antibacterial soap and water ASAP. It’s best to cover the skin with gauze for 2-6 hours to protect the tattoo. Now, for the two to six weeks that follow, it’s recommended that you apply an unscented soap around the area up to 3 times a day. It’s very important you get an unscented one because the fragrances in scented soaps can cause further irritation to the damaged skin (via Stotker Tattoo). A “very thin layer” of unscented lotion or Aquaphor can also be used in place of soap.

After that, it’s time to show off your new masterpiece to the world!

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