DIY tattooing is by no means a newcomer to tattoo culture. They’ve been popping up at parties, raves, and the occasional girls’ night for years. However, when Covid hit, at home tattooing became a much preferred alternative to closed parlors or undergoing rigorous testing and safety precautions.
We totally get the draw. Even in a post-Covid society, DIY tattoos are loads cheaper, allow for spontaneous fun and creativity, and they probably won’t land you on a three month waitlist with a professional artist.
But if all of that sounds too good to be true, you might just be onto something. Tattooing in general is a delicate art that requires careful precautions in order to be done safely. When tattoos are given by a friend who keeps her second-hand tattoo gun in her purse before popping it out at parties to tattoo thirty people in rapid succession, it becomes much more difficult to ensure sanitation and safety.
What are the risks of DIY tattooing?
1. Location
Tattoo parlors have strict safety standards they must follow to remain in business. So, most parlors take safety and sanitation very seriously. All surfaces are disinfected regularly, tools are switched out and sanitized between every use, and each surface is nonporous to avoid the transmission of infections. These kinds of precautions simply cannot be made in a home or at a party.
Homes carry countless amounts of germs from pets, children, and the realities of everyday life. And with other locations there’s no way of knowing what kind of contaminants are floating around.
In addition, the lighting in tattoo parlors is designed to aid artists in creating quality pieces. You won’t find this kind of lighting at a rave (neon doesn’t count) or at your best friend’s house.
2. Professionals are Called That for a Reason
Your friend might think they’ve learned all there is to know about tattooing from watching a few hours worth of YouTube videos. But that really doesn’t hold a candle to the months of training tattoo artists undergo in order to receive their licensing. A well-trained tattoo artist knows what kind of environment is ideal for safety and cleanliness. They know the best ways to sanitize their tools and have professional equipment and products for doing so. They also know how to ensure the longevity of your tattoo, and can recommend the best aftercare advice for your healing process.
A professional tattoo artist will know the ins and outs of proper tattooing techniques. They know how to deliver clean, even lines to keep your design looking crisp and clear. They’re also knowledgeable about the anatomy of the body in regards to tattooing, which helps to prevent lasting scarring.
3. Equipment
Most reputable manufacturers of tattooing equipment will not sell to an unlicensed individual. This means that your buddy will likely be using some questionable tools to get the job done.
Equipment that is not properly maintained can carry some pretty serious infectious diseases. The most common diseases derived from backyard tattooing are Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV. We don’t know about you, but we sure wouldn’t want to mess with any of those. But, that’s not all. With home tattooing methods comes greater risk for ink poisoning, skin infections, bacterial infections, and other allergic reactions.
4. Legality
Whether or not you think you can trust the environment and artist, it may still be a legal issue. Many states have laws requiring any person giving a tattoo to another person to be fully licensed or permitted, and to adhere to the same regulations as tattoo parlors. Whether your friend fits this requirement is something that can be extremely difficult to verify when getting a tattoo outside of a parlor.
5. The Visual Difference
As we mentioned earlier, a well-trained tattoo artist knows the best techniques to make sure that your tattoo will look crisp and clean for years to come. One of the most unfortunate mistakes made by non-professionals attempting to give tattoos is known as “tattoo blowout.” This happens when the needle is inserted too deep into the skin, causing the ink to “blow out,” leaving you with a very permanent and very blurry design. There’s a reason most cover-up jobs are for DIY tatts.
In addition, improper technique can result in keloids, or raised, noticeable scar tissue. Not cute.
Bonus: Tattoo parlors know the world of tattoos and offer you the best and baddest in the world of tattoo art, including tattoo clothing brands. While your friend, gone DIY tattoo artist, may let you borrow her Tattooed AF hoodie, a tattoo parlor will offer a selection of womens tattoo shirts and tattoo shirts for guys. Perhaps rocking traditional tattoo art will be the inspiration for your next tatt.
The Winner By a Landslide
DIY tattoos, backyard tattoos, stick-and-poke tattoos–whatever you want to call them–are a huge risk. The cons here outweigh the pros by a longshot. Because there is no way to ensure the safety and cleanliness of the environment, equipment, and artist, this is one risk we recommend avoiding at all costs. If you want to avoid irreversible damage and repercussions, give your skin the love it deserves by booking an appointment with a trusted, licensed tattoo artist.
