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Please note, the safest way to get a tattoo is to go to a professional. If can't get a professional to do it for whatever reason, this is for you. Read this article thoroughly before starting.
Steps
- Think about if you really want a tattoo. If you have any doubts whatsoever, wait.
- Pick a spot with minimal veins that you can easily reach.
- Pick a design. Keep in mind that it is permanent and that once you start, there's no going back. Don't pick your boyfriend's or girlfriend's name. The chances are you'll regret it. Pick a simple design, like a peace sign. Do not choose a complex design.
- Prepare the tools and the tattoo site. Get latex gloves, a very narrow sewing needle, a bottle of 98% rubbing alcohol, anti-bacterial soap, a pencil, tape, thread, India ink (or acrylic paint but this is not recommended), a bandage, lotion (optional, but it makes things easier), shaving cream, a razor, and patience.
# Put the ink on a peice of carboard so its easy to reach and it dont make as (big of a mess.)
- Sanitize the needle and whatever will be holding it by boiling it in water for 10 minutes. You can stab the back end of the needle into a hard pencil eraser. You have to boil them together. You may have to clip the needle until the pointed end of the needle is sticking about one centimeter off the eraser edge of the pencil. Dip the tip of the needle in the sanitizer.
- Prepare the design. Draw your permanent design with the ballpoint pen. Alternatively, you can print out the design you have chosen, prick the outlines with a needle or a pin, and use a sharpie/marker on the printed design so the ink can create a nice, faint outline for you to follow.
- Prepare the area. Wash your hands well and use sanitizer. Use some shaving cream that you know will not irritate your skin and shave the area carefully. Body hair, even just "fuzz," complicates the process of tattooing and may leave you more open to infection after the process is actually done. If you have lotion, rub some on the spot and make sure that it is well moisturized. Get your soap and sanitize the area by washing the area for at least 30 seconds.
- Tattoo yourself. One last time, make sure that you're ready to do this. There's no going back once you start. Poke the ink under the skin with the needle. You'll have to repeatedly poke yourself. You don't have to do it extremely hard; you're not stabbing yourself, you're poking. It's going to take a long time. You have to poke yourself thousands of times.
- Get a square of gauze, and dab off some blood. Use the sanitizer once last time so you don't get an infection. Wipe the excess off with gauze and put the bandage on.
- Keep the anti-bacterial moisturizing cream on it for several days.
Tips
- If you have any doubts, wait.
- Simple small designs are best. Don't try to do an elaborate design because it will end up looking terrible.
- Words are okay. Don't do names.
- Always sterilize the needle. Infections are easily spread this way. Never ever use a needle in question.
- If you can, definitely get it done professionally. It's safer and it looks better. The people there have experience.
Warnings
- Use a new needle and sanitize it so you don't get an infection.
Things You'll Need
- Needle
- Pencil
- Thread
- Duct tape
- India ink
- 98% rubbing alcohol
- Bandage
- Ability to boil water
- Unscented lotion (optional, just makes things easier)
- Shaving cream
- A razor
- Carboard (to put the ink on)
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