Tattoo Removal
Laser tattoo removal is the only way to successfully remove a stick and poke tattoo and return the skin to its pre-tattoo appearance.
For most individuals, a stick and poke tattoo can be completely removed in 8–12 sessions, depending on the tattoo’s size, color, ink depth, ink type, and age. Simpler stick and poke designs often fade faster than professionally applied tattoos, especially when treated with the PicoWay laser by Candela.
You cannot successfully remove a stick and poke tattoo at home, regardless of the method used. Tattoo removal creams, lemon-based solutions, aloe vera, and salt scrubs are promoted as inexpensive, natural alternatives to professional tattoo removal. However, they are highly ineffective at breaking down ink particles and can cause significant harm to the skin.
Attempting at-home stick and poke tattoo removal can cause severe skin damage, including irritation, burns, permanent discoloration, and scarring. In some cases, individuals can develop keloid scarring from at-home tattoo removal remedies, leaving raised scar tissue that extends beyond the tattooed area.
All DIY and at-home methods should be avoided when removing a stick and poke tattoo – no matter how cheap and convenient they sound. Professional laser tattoo removal is a safer, more effective option for breaking down tattoo ink while minimizing the risks of serious complications and skin damage.
Similar to traditional tattoos, stick and poke tattoos may fade slightly over time, but they will not completely disappear on their own.
While getting tattooed, ink is intentionally placed into the second layer of skin, known as the dermis. The dermis does not constantly shed and regenerate new skin cells like the outer layers of skin, allowing tattoo ink to reside in the skin undisturbed. In addition, tattoo ink is purposely composed of larger particles that the body is unable to break down a substantial amount. These two occurrences allow tattoos to last a lifetime on our skin.
So, natural fading alone is not enough to fully remove a stick and poke tattoo from the skin. Most individuals must undergo laser tattoo removal to safely and effectively remove a stick and poke tattoo.
Because stick and pokes are applied by injecting ink into the dermis, they can be removed using the same professional methods as traditional tattoos. Laser tattoo removal is considered the best method for removing a stick and poke tattoo due to the laser’s ability to target ink particles directly, without harming the surrounding skin.
Inexperienced hands often apply stick and poke tattoos with India ink or pen ink, two formulations that are not regulated or created for tattooing. The type, color, and ink density can greatly impact how a tattoo responds to treatments, which is why an experienced laser specialist should evaluate the area before starting the process.
Despite stick and poke’s association with amateurism, the tattoo style can be applied by professionals in a tattoo studio. These tattoos, while applied differently, function the same way as machine-applied tattoos when done correctly. Both methods inject tattoo ink into the dermis, where it is housed for eternity with little-to-no natural fading over time. Professional stick and poke tattoos can be removed using laser tattoo removal exactly how traditional, machine-applied tattoos can be.
On average, most stick and poke tattoos can be removed in 8–12 laser removal sessions at Removery. The exact number depends on factors such as the tattoo’s age, size, ink type, ink depth, and color palette.
Smaller and simpler stick and poke designs often fade faster than professional tattoos due to lower ink saturation and improper ink depth. However, the exact number of sessions can only be determined by consulting a tattoo removal professional.
No, rubbing alcohol is not suitable, nor effective for removing a stick and poke tattoo at home. On its own, rubbing alcohol is unable to penetrate the dermis to dissolve or remove any tattoo ink. Its harsh chemical composition can cause extreme irritation and skin dryness, especially with prolonged exposure.
Aside from the inherent skin risks, using rubbing alcohol for tattoo removal will also hurt substantially more than professional removal methods.
Removing a stick and poke tattoo can pose some discomfort, even if you’re undergoing professional tattoo removal techniques.
Laser tattoo removal, specifically, creates a sensation that is best compared to a hot rubber band snapping against the skin repeatedly. It can be physically uncomfortable, but treating a stick and poke tattoo typically takes less than a minute due to the inherent simplicity of the tattoo style.
If you’re concerned about tattoo removal pain, consider researching pain management techniques for tattoo removal or undergoing a spot-test at a local studio.
The ease of removing a stick and poke tattoo removal heavily depends on the tattoo’s ink depth and what type of ink is used during application. Some stick and pokes are easier to remove because they have an inconsistent ink depth compared to machine-applied tattoos, specifically ink that is deposited less than 4mm into the skin.
Because of their DIY nature, some stick and pokes might contain unconventional, non-tattoo pigments such as India ink and pen ink. Their presence won’t make the tattoo removal process impossible, but it can be more difficult to remove than standard tattoo ink.
We’re on a mission to give you the most straightforward, easy and efficient laser tattoo removal experience. Your estimate will be entirely bespoke to your tattoo; the size, the colors, the ink. It won’t take long and afterwards you’ll have a plan to finally get rid of your unwanted tattoo and get back to being you.
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