(Part 2) Best piercing & tattoo supplies according to redditors

Poke with your needle at a 45 degree angle, use a sort of hooking motion to deposit more ink into the skin as well. You'll hear a slight popping, if you go to deep the ink will spread under the skin and won't look great. You're better off poking too soft than too hard, you can always go back over your lines if need be. Search on YouTube and you'll see some people using this "hooking" motion.

Put a very thin layer of vaseline or aquaphor wherever you are going to tattoo before you start poking, this will keep the ink from spreading everywhere so you can see what you're doing. Also, dab your needle on a paper towel after dipping it in your ink to get extra ink off; this will also ensure that you can see what you're doing, as you won't have tons of extra ink sitting on the skin. Wipe with a dry paper towel after you go over a section, and repeat with the vaseline/aquaphor and poking.

Poke one section at a time, don't try to do the whole tattoo over and over. Get a solid line in one section, and then move to another.

If you're using a stencil allow 5-10 minutes between the time that you put it on and you start poking. This will keep the stencil from coming off super easily, you don't want to have to try and eyeball it or re-draw it if you don't have to. Only use a wet (with green soap, if you don't have some buy some) paper towel if you really need to, or when you're finished with the tattoo to clean up all the excess ink. If you use a wet paper towel before you're finished it will wipe off/fade your stencil.

Shave where you are going to be tattooing before you start (I hope everyone knows this already). If you don't have green soap, get some as I stated earlier. You can use it for shaving with, cleaning the tattoo, etc. If you don't have access to green soap, you can use witch hazel for cleaning the tattoo during/after poking. You'll need shaving cream for shaving (assuming you don't have green soap), don't use witch hazel.

Keep everything sanitary, the last thing you want to do is give someone an infection! Use gloves, wipe things down, make a sanitary workstation, use sterile tattoo needles only (NOT SEWING NEEDLES OR PINS), use tattoo ink only (NOT INDIA OR OTHER INK). For other tips on a sanitation check YouTube for a standard tattoo work station!

Last but not least, have some fun! Start off with small things, and work your way up to your own designs! If you like an artist's work, go get a tattoo done by them instead of copying it :)

Here is a link to green soap

Here is a link to very basic tattoo needles - You'll want to use the RL's for lining, and the RS' for shading

Here is a link to some good black ink. I recommend starting with the 1oz bottle, this will last you a long time.

Feel free to pm me or drop a comment if you (or anyone else) needs help! I've only been doing this for a few months, but I feel like I've done a lot of research and have a pretty good idea of how things work!

I have some recognizable tattoos, and I don't bother hiding them. I'm not really worried about being recognized - that's what I want! To be successful. Besides, I'm hoping my "yup, I am a sw" attitude if I do get called out by someone I know helps to normalize this type of work.

Obviously I don't think or expect everyone else to be this "out and proud" so to speak, but if you are uncomfortable with that, having tattoos can be a detriment to working smoothly and naturally. I might recommend these spandex sleeve covers that I used to have to wear when I started out cooking at one of those awful chain restaurants:

https://www.amazon.com/Compression-Concealer-Aftercare-Protection-Oversleeve/dp/B07QSBK7B6/ref=asc_df_B07QSBK7B6/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=366299657964&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13744521403329105130&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030238&hvtargid=pla-813210106446&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=76465174695&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=366299657964&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13744521403329105130&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030238&hvtargid=pla-813210106446

(sorry for the long link, I'm amateur at formatting)

If you went this route, an idea would be that special, verified (as in definitely someone you don't know) customers could pay just to see them. I love sex work, so creative. Good luck.

Maybe 50% of the economy and 50% of jobs are concerned with producing and selling things that people don't actually need - stupid novelty items, gifts for the home etc. Stupid shit like fondue mugs or cat-shaped cutlery or a calendar of nature's dick pics or temporary tattoo kits or Billy Big Mouth Bass singing fish. The list goes on and on and on and on. We are killing the planet to extract raw materials to produce this endless torrent of unnecessary pointless shit. Not only that, but hundreds of thousands of people miserably waste their lives producing and marketing this crap that benefits nobody. It is not essential to meeting the needs of anyone.

If you get rid of these industries, the health of the planet immediately improves and you free all these people from this pointless labour. It's not gonna happen though, governments won't allow it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010GJG9NQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_zCJwbb6l7Igcd

These are fine if you're just starting out. $10 is a tiny amount to guarantee a way better tattoo.

1 and 3 round liners will be incredibly fine and hard to maintain a clean line, but great for details and precise correction. 5-9rl will give you a clean, solid line most easily. A 7rl will likely give you the best overall result. Be safe! Wear gloves!

Edit: just be aware that sewing needles are very likely to yield blotchy lines with blowouts and will damage the skin easily. It's also just kind of a pain in the ass tbh.

I'd seriously be careful in China (anywhere actually) that the needle is cleaned properly.

I got my hair cut the other day, the hairdresser wanted to shave my neck hairs and decided to switch the blade. She got some guy (her husband?) to try and switch the blade, he cut his finger nice and bloodily. She still intended to use that blade... I walked away.

Appearance of clean often seems to be considered more than bacterially/virally clean.

If you can, maybe see if you can buy a cheap piercing needle or whatever and bring it with you for them to use.

https://www.amazon.com/Gauge-Sterilized-Piercing-Needles-Pack/dp/B002ZUDYH4/
https://www.amazon.com/Gauge-Sterilized-Piercing-Needles-Pack/dp/B00XA78GPQ/

I may be paranoid, but I'd rather be paranoid and clean than careless and AIDed.

Congrats on the job! I usually wear these sleeve thingies and it's way more comfortable than wearing a shirt under your scrubs since it won't be double layers. I've also found that long sleeve shirts meant for working out are more comfortable material and don't get as hot as like a regular cotton long sleeve shirt.

It's called Saniderm. link

Tattoo ink. It's about the same price as India ink, looks nicer, has a variety of colors to use, and there no chance of accidentally using ink with say cadmium, or cobalt in it. black, variety pack

I’ve been using transfer paper lately and try to get one go around before wiping, even if it is a dot outline. That way you have something to work off of. Also I’m left handed so I try to work right to left so I don’t drag ink while resting my hand.
If the excess ink is beading up to much and bleeding or dripping use more Vaseline to keep it for the most part in place.

https://www.amazon.com/Y-Not-Sheets-Thermal-Stencil-Transfer/dp/B01G8MFEFO/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527752078&sr=8-1-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=tattoo+transfer+paper&psc=1

For sure, sorry I didn’t do so earlier!

Here ya go: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0019D2ZLO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_8WT5n1aVHExZX

I just messaged the seller and said what amount of what needles I wanted. They were super prompt and I got my exact order. Also, everything is individually packaged, sterile, and dated for sterilization.

Here : https://www.amazon.ca/Atomus-Professional-Transfer-Stencil-Machine/dp/B071YYSMKW/ref=asc_df_B071YYSMKW/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292984802045&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2720972162417613413&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9000397&hvtargid=pla-493861735918&psc=1

I'd try tattoo grip wrap, like this: https://www.amazon.com/Tattoo-Grip-Cover-Disposable-Accessories/dp/B07DPC3P6K/

Comes in other fun colors too

Surgical/Skin markers.

https://www.amazon.ca/Tattoo-Marking-Double-Piercing-Tattooing/dp/B07GVKZ4H7/ref=sr_1_18?hvadid=208333675182&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9000918&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=608702065553934329&hvtargid=kwd-306926435029&keywords=skin+markers&qid=1556288900&s=gateway&sr=8-18

I have a pair of CBR pliers like these.

https://www.amazon.com/Squeeze-Bottle-Tattoo-Cleaning-OTW-XP-4/dp/B074DNLZVT/

What they said. Looks to be this one.

You can buy what is essentially fake skin to practice on. It’s not pretty different from real skin but it’s similar enough that you can get a better feel for how to tattoo properly.

This stuff is good for starting out and it’s fairly inexpensive.

PFT 10pcs High Quality Tattoo 8 x 6" Blank Practice Skin for Beginners and Experienced Artists https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GQS3XPI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Y29FDb3HQV6QR

I know people on here have been kinda harsh but don’t let them get to you. Tattoos can be dangerous when done wrong. Just take it slow, keep it clean, and don’t practice on people (even yourself) until you know exactly what you’re doing.

https://www.amazon.com/Pieces-Assorted-Disposable-Tattoo-Needles/dp/B0043CU6JQ?th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Kuro-Sumi-Tattoo-Black-Outlining/dp/B00424NC4G/ref=sr_1_1_m?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1482312733&sr=1-1&keywords=kuro+sumi+black

In all honesty it isn't very good. I don't mean any disrespect but it needs some love. good news is it's not too late for you friend. get this stuff and go over the whole thing.

Ink: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00OJGLIHA?psc=1

Needles:
https://www.amazon.com/Pieces-Assorted-Disposable-Tattoo-Needles/dp/B0043CU6JQ

And then you have more than enough supplies left over to do some more in a much safer and better way. Good luck.

I think these pens would help because you can color-code things! Plus, they are just really nice pens. No lie.

I can't stop procrastinating (Sung to the tune of Can't Stop Partying by Weezer)

Link

>I'm confused, are you suggesting the primary purpose of a needle is arguably to poke holes in your own skin?

Yes.

That is one use, there are many others but lets roll with it. These needles
https://www.monstersteel.com/collections/tattoo-needles

or

https://www.amazon.com/Pre-sterilized-Tattoo-Disposable-Pirate-Face/dp/B0019D2ZLO

Both are exactly what you describe. If I am wrong, please correct me.

Here are a bunch of information on needles and poking holes in your own skin
https://medical-diagonosis.wonderhowto.com/how-to/draw-blood-with-three-different-phlebotomy-techniques-364167/

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Heck, here is a guide on how to literally sew your self shut: Needles used to sew human flesh together.
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1824895-technique

>The needle should always penetrate the skin at a 90° angle, which minimizes the size of the entry wound and promotes eversion of the skin edges. The needle should be inserted 1-3 mm from the wound edge, depending on skin thickness. The depth and angle of the suture depends on the particular suturing technique.Jul 11, 2017

Try this stuff, it's an antiseptic. Saline is not enough to keep new piercings clean.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018JRU6SQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_VeRYDbGM279BY

>This isn't something you'd want some amateur attempting as it is definitely something that needs professional guidance to do well and most importantly CLEANLY AND SAFELY.

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MILLIONS of people stick needles in their arms EVERY SINGLE DAY.. whether it be for insulin or heroin.

nobody receives special training to use an epipen. stick in leg it about all there is to it.

you could probably learn from a hospital because they need to teach caregivers so nurses don't have to come over every day to inject meds.

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it doesn't sound like they're really concerned about getting it wrong.. take some notes.. maybe.. if you forget.

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https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000660.htm

>Giving an insulin injection
>
>To give an insulin injection, you need to fill the right syringe with the right amount of medicine, decide where to give the injection, and know how to give the injection.
>
>Your health care provider or a certified diabetes educator (CDE) will teach you all of these steps, watch you practice, and answer your questions. You may take notes to remember the details. Use the information below as a reminder.

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there are plenty if DIY recipes for drip hydration.

https://driphydration.com/blog/how-to-make-a-diy-hangover-prevention-kit/

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and you get IV bags on amazon a hundred at a time.

https://smile.amazon.com/Medline-DYND74261-Start-Kits-Chloraprep/dp/B004GC2LTQ/

needles are separate

https://smile.amazon.com/Piercing-Needles-Tattoo-Gauge-Catheter/dp/B01H3PKH34

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Drip bar: Should you get an IV on demand?

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/drip-bar-should-you-get-an-iv-on-demand-2018092814899

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NFL guys just drink pedialyte.

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Abbott Taps Odell Beckham Jr. To Promote Pedialyte For Adults

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2019/09/06/abbott-labs-signs-odell-beckham-jr-to-promote-pedialyte-for-adults/#2f040f0a7845