Misconceptions about Hand Poked Tattoos

Here are some misconceptions around hand poked tattoos that have come up in conversation a number of times that I felt it was time to debunk them!

#1

Hand poked tattoos don't last as long as machine style tattoos.

100% False.

We're both tattooing in the same layer. We're getting the job done a little differently but it's entering into the exact same layer of the skin which means that it is permanent.

#2:

Hand poke tattoos hurt more than machine style tattoos.

I have had one person in my almost 10 years of tattooing say that hand poked may have hurt more than a machine and I think that was probably due to location. The vast majority of people say that it hurts far less. That is due to the technique itself. You are poking the ink with a really fine needle into the skin rather than dragging the needle through the skin, which has a completely different sensation.

#3:

Hand poked tattoos are less legit or less safe than a machine style tattoo or in a typical studio.

In Alberta you have to be vetted and approved by Alberta Health Services (AHS) to become a tattoo artist and have a studio. They make sure everything is safe and protects clients and artists, so I go through the exact same protocols as every other tattoo artist or studio.

The misconception comes from jail-style tattoos or basement-style tattoos done with limited sterilization and tools, like a sewing needle and India ink at home. That is not legit. That is not safe. Period.

Many misconceptions from from comparing hand poked tattoos to machine style tattoos. There are many similarities... we follow the same health and sanitation protocols, use specific ink and needles for tattoos but there are also many differences... like the technique itself, the sensation and in many cases, the approach to the appointment.

At Gratitude Tattoos, you are in a Yurt, on 20 acres of beautiful land with horses grazing outside and wildlife spotted from the windows. The music isn't loud which encourages conversation and relaxation. You have the whole space for your private appointment so you can talk openly, appreciate the slower pace of environment and feel comfortable if your body is more exposed for the tattoo location. I will never be frustrated if you want to move the stencil, be it 2 times or 200 times... this is your body, your choice, and I am fully invested in ensuring you love your tattoo and the full experience of your appointment.

If you have any questions, fears or apprehensions around tattoos, do your homework on specific tattoo artists that you appreciate their work and ethos. Don't hesitate to ask artists questions so you can be more confident in where you go, and who you get tattooed by.

I believe tattoos don't just hold the story behind why you got the tattoo in the image itself but they hold the experience of getting the tattoo too... Make sure that when you see that tattoo every day, it holds a positive memory from start to finish.