Handpoked

What is Handpoked?

Handpoked tattoos are some of the most traditional and ancient ways of tattooing. Found in hundreds of ancient cultures. One of the most common being Japanese Tebori. Handpoked is a process of tattooing that is done completely by hand. There is no machine or electricity to aid in the tattooing process. This style creates a unique look to the tattoos.

Fun fact: Belle is one of the only licensed female handpoked tattooers in MN!

The most common area Belle tattoos handpoked is ears and fingers. This method of tattooing allows more sensitive areas of the skin to take ink better and easier. This method also helps a client deal with the pain of sensitive spots. There are a lot of benefits to handpoked tattoos:

-Less waste. Machine done tattoos require a lot of non-compostable waste, like machine and bottle bags, paper towels, printer paper, tape, plastic, and adhesives.

-Less painful. Machine tattoos are more aggressive. This is because the machine makes the needle run very fast, hundreds of times a second. Creating more micro wounds on the skins surface.

-Easier to heal. Handpoked tattoos create, maybe, a few hundred micro wounds on the skins surface allowing your white blood cells to heal the wounds faster and easier. There is less irritation, itchiness, and overall aftercare needed with handpoked tattoos.

There are still a few downsides to handpoked tattoos:

-Takes longer. This process does take longer than a machine. Every mark is made by hand. Although Belle is very trained in this style and is not a slow tattooer. The process as a whole just generally takes longer. Belle completes most ear curations in 45-60 minutes.

-Not diverse. Certain styles and designs simply can’t be handpoked. Large scale full color or smooth color blends can’t be completely solely by handpoking. Some style truly look better done with a machine. Handpoked is for more smaller simpler designs in sensitive areas of the skin.