Is Tattoo Practice Skin Reusable?

When we’re at tattoo shops, we ask our artists to execute any design we have in mind, no matter how complex they may be, without doubting their skills to perform successfully.

We forget to think about the hard work they have gone through to get to where they are today. Before starting tattooing on people, artists spend countless hours perfecting their skills and techniques using tattoo practice skins to work on their shading, outlining, and drawing skills.

Depending on which type of material and skin they work on, it can vary on the amount of skin needed, how long they will last them, and whether they can reuse the skins for frequent practice sessions.

If you’re new to tattooing and are looking to learn just how practical the practice skins are and whether or not they’re worth investing in, then stick around!

While tattoo practice skins are not reusable, you can use them wisely by flipping them over to the other side once you completed one side. Most practice skins are usable on both sides, so it’s best to opt out and purchase one where you can get more for the value. If you intend to practice a lot, I suggest stocking up on these skins so you’ll have plenty to practice.

The practice skins are tattooable sheets made of silicone or synthetic material and usually come in either a square or rectangle form. They are solid and flexible enough to wrap them around your arm, leg, or bottle to give a more realistic feel if you do not like the flat surface.

Some of them offer a band to help you secure the skin wherever you please. The nice thing about these skins is that they also come in a variety of skin tones so that you can perfect your skills on every type of tone.

Tattoo practice skins are great options for those artists looking to expand their knowledge and skills before testing their ideas on real individuals. For new artists, they are a good way of getting accustomed to the weight of the machine and the depth of each needle.

They help with stencil placement, and they’re an affordable way of getting all the hours of practice you seek before trying it on others.

For those who are not familiar with working with practice skins, it can get a little tricky when it comes to placing the stencil on the skins. You need to make sure that you’re applying the right amount of stencil applicator fluid and allowing it to become a bit tacky before placing the stencils.

Some skins will instruct you to leave the stencil on anywhere from four hours to overnight to allow it to soak into the practice skin thoroughly.

While these are very similar to natural skin, it’s best to follow directions to get the best outcome. Once you have waited the amount needed, then you’re ready to start using them. If you’re feeling hesitant, you can always ask your mentor to give you some tips to allow you to feel more comfortable. 

You can also prep the area as if you were doing a live person, and that way, you can start getting into the habit of setting up, wearing gloves, setting up armrests and chairs, and seeing all the steps needed when it comes to tattooing individuals.

How Do You Clean Fake Tattoo Skin?

If you’re working with fake skin and the inks running all over the place, you can do several things to clean the area up for a better view of the design you’re doing.

You can remove some of the excess ink by grabbing a cotton ball and dipping it in alcohol to rub the extra ink off. Instead of wiping it right off, the best way to go about it is to press down as you brush away to get the ink off successfully.

You can also try applying vaseline over the design and skin, making it that much easier to remove any excess ink. Some artists like using cold-pressed coconut oil, which does not clog up the needle or tubes.

The amount of time it’ll take you to clean up the mess depends on which fake material you purchase to practice tattooing. Some individuals find that the cheaper material is easy to work with, while others prefer getting the more expensive kind to get a better outcome. Many artists will differ in opinion regarding the different types of skins where some are thinner than others.

Buying the cheaper ones is a better option for those looking to start their tattoo experience since you’ll be using many of them before practicing on people.

How Deep Do You Tattoo Fake Skin?

When it comes to the needle depth, you should go as deep in the skin as you would with actual individuals, about 1/16th inch deep in the skin. The needle needs to enter the dermis layer of the skin, which is the middle layer, and it’s the ideal spot for the ink to stay and not bleed out as tattoos heal.

That said, before starting to work on the fake tattoo skin, you should adjust your machine and needle with the proper measurements, meaning that the needle should not be sticking out of the tattoo machine any more than 2mm.

If the needle only enters the epidermis, the outer layer, you’ll see the ink transfer, but it won’t stay on the skin, so it is crucial to ensure you have the correct measurements.

What Are Some Other Items You Can Practice Tattooing On?

Synthetic material isn’t the only skin that artists can use to practice their skills when it comes to tattooing. You’d be surprised just how many items resemble actual skin. Many artists enjoy practicing on pigskin, which resembles a human’s and is easy to work with and clean the excess ink.

Fruits such as oranges and apples help you get a better sense of how deep the needle is going in the skin and will help you learn how to steady the hands when tattooing. Orange peels can simulate some difficulties you might encounter when tattooing certain body parts for individuals.

Look for items that resemble certain body parts to help facilitate the maneuvers to give you that confidence to tattoo people if they request a part of the body that is more curvaceous.

Can You Use Practice Ink on Real Skin?

Usually, the tattoo kits you find online are around $30- $100 are not a good idea to use on human skin. Although they seem like a great bargain, they are full of needles that will break, tattoo inks that can potentially be toxic, and you risk having sterilization problems with the packaging. Be aware that these kits are deceiving but under no circumstances should you use them on any patient other than practicing on fake skin and fruits.

When it comes to tattooing and purchasing your materials, you should never go for bargain prices and bulk kits for your clients. Mainly because they aren’t going to be safe for anyone to use, and also because you won’t know what’s inside these ink bottles and where the needles are coming from, so be careful! 

Always make an effort to get quality materials when working with people instead of saving a few bucks. You’ll be saving yourself from future headaches in the end by starting your career with the right products, as well as protecting your reputation with clients.