Stick and poke tattoos are growing in popularity, but this doesn’t make stick and poke tattoos free of risks. Stick and poke tattoos dangers do exist, just like with other forms of tattoos. Skin plays a protective role for the body, and a needle repeatedly passing through this protective barrier poses potential risk. These repeated punctures can potentially bring foreign bodies, bacteria or viruses into your own body. This can cause dangerous complications. While some stick and poke tattoos complications are minor, others can also lead to major issues. Depending on your tattoo equipment, techniques and environment, the likelihood of these problems varies. Here is a non-exhaustive list of three dangers of home made tattoos :

• Allergic reactions to tattoo ink components
• Skin infections such as staph infection
• Bloodborne diseases such as Hepatitis and HIV

Allergic Reactions to Tattoo Ink

Tattoo ink pigments can provoke allergic reactions. Ink components vary with color and brand, but red reportedly causes more frequent allergic reactions because it can contain mercury or cadmium. Black ink is considered the safest, as it is typically made from iron oxide or carbon.

An allergic reaction is characterized by a rash (red, bumpy, or itchy skin), but these symptoms can also indicate other problems. These symptoms can appear days or months after the stick and poke tattoo has been made. In rare cases, an allergic reaction could manifest manifest years after the tattoo is performed.

Skin Infections

As with any kind of tattoo, skin infections also pose a significant risk. However, stick and poke tattoo dangers are often higher, since many people perform stick and poke tattoos in non hygienic contexts. For example, tattooing your friend on a couch while he pets your cat poses high risks. We definitely recommend against it!

One type of bacterial infection you can get from a tattoo is a staph infection. Staph is a common bacteria that lives around us. Staph infections are usually treatable, but the bacteria can sometimes develop a resistance to antibiotics. You definitely don’t want this infection to go untreated. If bacteria gets into your bloodstream and internal organs, the problem could quickly get a lot worse.

Bloodborne Diseases

Bloodborne pathogens, also called BBP, are infectious micro-organisms carried by blood. They can cause diseases such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV. Infected human blood and other bodily fluids can transmit bloodborne pathogens. The risk of getting into contact with bloodborne pathogens is greatly increased if you reuse your tattoo supplies or if you contamine your ink with bodily fluids.

Getting a stick and poke in a tattoo studio will greatly lower the stick and poke dangers. For bloodborne diseases, this is your safest option, especially since in the United States, tattoo artists need to regularly pass a bloodborne pathogens training. By the way, those trainings are unexpensive and easily available online.

⚠️If you experience any unusual symptoms or have any doubt concerning your health and your tattoo, we recommend to seek help to a doctor. All information on this Website shouldn’t be taken as medical or professional advice.