7 Dainty Ankle Tattoo Ideas to Try This Spring

1. Keep the second-skin (medical-grade adhesive) on for several days, or however long your artist recommends.

Your artist will likely place a second-skin material over your tattoo after it’s finished. It works as a barrier to keep bacteria out while the tattoo is in its freshest stage, only meant to stay on a few days.

When it’s time to take it off, be patient and go slow to avoid damage to the skin. Before doing this, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly and dry them with a paper towel to avoid additional germs and bacteria that could harvest in a normal hand towel.

Blood and plasma fluid coming out from the second-skin is normal, but if you notice any out-of-the-ordinary excretions or sensations, contact your tattoo artist ASAP.

2. Wash your tattoo with warm water and fragrance-free, unscented, antimicrobial soap.

After removing the second skin, the next step in aftercare is to wash off the tatted area. Using a gentle soap ensures that your tattoo doesn’t get any further irritation that could cause unfavorable healing.

When it’s time to wash, move gently, as the area can be tender. You’ll want to start with clean hands and wash with lukewarm water as well, to avoid burning the exposed skin. These are the soaps most commonly used for tattoo aftercare:

3. Moisturize after pat-drying your skin with a paper towel.

Though petroleum jellies (like Vaseline) can be moisturizing on the lips, it’s no longer widely recommended for tattoo aftercare. Too much of it can create a thick, non-breathable layer on top of your tattoo – less air-flow means slower healing and the potential for ink bleeding. Look to opt for light ointments and balms. Here are a few widely-loved ones:

• Aquaphor Healing Ointment ($16)
• People Of Substance All-Natural Tattoo Balm Stick ($15)
• Hustle Butter Deluxe Luxury Tattoo Care & Maintenance Cream ($22)
• Lubriderm Daily Moisture Hydrating Unscented Body Lotion ($11, was $13)
• Mad Rabbit Tattoo Balm Stick ($12)

Bandages or other tight skin coverings are not necessary once you’ve washed off your tattoo. A seal created by these barriers could restrict air-flow, too.

After a week or so, it’s safe to move away from ointments and balms, and onto gentle lotions like the Eucerin Unscented Advanced Repair Body LotionAdvanced Repair Body Lotion ($11, was $13).

4. Avoid *too* hot of showers + no physical activity for at least 48 hours after your appointment.

Heat caused by external factors (weather, hot water, etc) and sweating can increase the risk for the ink on your tattoo to bleed. Plus, moving around too suddenly (like how you would during a workout) causes your skin to stretch, potentially altering your tat’s shape. Not to mention, there’s a very real risk of infection from that grimy gym equipment!

5. Stay out of direct sun for at least 2 weeks.

Sun can further damage your ink, so it’s not a good thing for tattoo aftercare. If you have to be out, your first line of defense should be a physical barrier like some loose clothing, then a light layer of mineral zinc oxide-based sunscreen to protect your tat.

6. No underwater activity for at least 2 weeks.

The risk for bacterial infection from the water in pools, hot tubs, lakes, and the ocean is high. That’s why people prefer to get tatted in the winter, where they won’t have to actively avoid swimming and the subsequent FOMO of not diving in.

7. Stay hydrated!

Hydrating your body hydrates your skin – and having hydrated skin means your tattoo is ready to heal as best as it can. Drinking water throughout the day (don’t go too crazy) certifies that your body can handle the ink. You also might want to avoid alcohol for a bit. It can cause bouts of dehydration and thin your blood, causing excess bleeding from the tattoo’s wound.

How long do stick and poke tattoos last?

On average, stick and poke tattoos can last as short as 5 to 10 years, or as long as forever, and your tat’s longevity really depends on how it's done, where it is on your body, and the care it gets. Tattoos in areas that are more prone to friction or sun exposure are likely to fade faster. It also depends on your artist’s skill level, as there’s a sweet spot on the skin for sticking and poking where the ink will stay the most embedded.

"Handpoked (or stick and poke) tattoos last forever as long as they’re done correctly," handpoke artist Mackenzie Bosse said. She's been tattooing since she was 16, and now at 19, is leading her own professional studio. "If they’re done incorrectly, there can be inconsistencies, which lead to the ink fading or the tattoos healing poorly. Another issue could be not applying the ink properly or deep enough in the skin, which results in fading. Some other issues I’ve seen is blowouts (expansion of ink in the skin) from someone pushing too hard, or tattooing too much ink in a certain area."

Do stick and poke tattoos fade?

Yes, stick and poke tattoos fade, but designs made with a machine fade, too. Some stick and pokes will fade quicker than others if they were done incorrectly or unprofessionally. It also depends on the care you give your handpoked tattoo. According to tattooer, mixed media artist, and energy worker Lauren Collins, sun protection is *crucial* in preserving your tat.

"Just the same as protecting any other tattoo… [use] sunscreen sunscreen sunscreen," Collins said. "UVA rays are the biggest threat to the longevity of your tattoos, as they are able to penetrate into the skin’s dermis layer, where the tattoo ink is placed during a tattoo session. These sun rays then begin to break down the ink and disperse it, causing your tattoo to look blotchy or faded over time."

Do stick and pokes hurt?

The concept of “hurt” is a little different in the world of ink. The thing is, everyone has varying levels of pain tolerance, and the sensation depends on the area of your body you’re getting the tattoo. One thing to consider is that machine-made tattoos work at a higher rate of “poking” than stick and pokes – sometimes with more than one needle.

"In my experience as a tattooer, I've had many clients compare handpoked tattoos to the sensation of acupuncture," Collins offered. "Generally, it tends to be a pretty gentle process as long as your tattoo artist is placing the ink into the correct layer of skin. Often, artists' processes tend to be described as light or heavy-handed, so the sensation of getting a tattoo really depends on how your artist works, and the level of your pain tolerance."

Stick and pokes are done at a way slower pace with a single needle. Ultimately, it’s up to you if you'd rather take it slow. There’s always *some* discomfort associated with tats, but if pain is a concern (which is often the case for tattoos that cover more area), some artists offer numbing cream before going in.

Tips for Getting A Stick and Poke Tattoo

Before getting your stick and poke:

• Research your artist. Do they execute their art well? Is their pricing realistic for you? Even once you arrive at your appointment, assess the vibes and check in with yourself if you feel safe in their studio – and if they’re using clean, single-use tools. "Just because handpoking can often be seen practiced in many unsafe ways does not mean that all processes are performed unsafely," Collins said. "Most importantly, make sure your artist has knowledge about blood-borne pathogens, cross-contamination, keeps a clean studio, and uses proper safety precautions and sanitation procedures throughout the duration of your tattoo."
• Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water before, during, and after your appointment will prepare you for long sits (if your tattoo is bigger), make you feel physically better, plus being hydrated helps your skin receive the ink well. Eating a healthy meal prior to your appointment can also stabilize and prepare your body for tattooing.
• Wear comfy clothing. You’re going to be sitting still for a bit while you get a stick and poke tattoo, so you might as well be comfortable. This step is also important if you’re getting inked in a complicated spot like your stomach or rib cage, so you don’t aggravate the tattoo with tight-fitting bras or tanks.
• Arrive on time. Respecting your tattoo artist’s time is integral to having a seamless process – it gives you both time to chat through the basics before getting started, plus it’s just generally respectful.
• Know that you are in control. It's your body we're dealing with here, and you should have full autonomy to call out things you're uncomfortable with during your session. "It’s of the utmost importance that you receive care, respect, and understanding from your artist in your tattoo session," Collins said. "I have heard far too many people tell me stories about not receiving this level of care in past sessions, and those experiences are exactly what this new wave of tattooers are trying to improve upon within the tattoo community. You are important, and so is your voice."

After getting your stick and poke:

• Aftercare. Follow the aftercare instructions your artist provides. It will help your art last longer and heal smoothly, resulting in a clearer design! Every artist is different in their aftercare recommendations, but the process usually entails washing the area with unscented soap and moisturizing with fragrance-free lotion. "Be mindful of your tattoo," Bosse said. "While tattoos heal, they still run the risk of infection, so avoid dirty places like pools, lakes, baths, and beaches. Make sure to wash it with unscented soap (my fave is Dove bar soap) and use unscented moisturizer if needed."
• Stay out of the sun. The fresh skin your tattoo’s sitting on is prone to harmful UV rays that can degrade the ink, so it’s better you avoid direct sunlight until your tattoo is healed.

Stick and Poke Tattoo Ideas

No matter how you get tatted, you’re still electing to get art permanently embedded into your skin. Making sure you absolutely *love* your ink before sitting in the chair will make the tattoo investment and experience entirely worth it. There’s something for everyone in the tattoo world – from tiny tats to larger, intricate pieces, here are a few we think you’ll love enough to put on your bod!

Decorative Wrist and Hand

Adorn your wrists and hands with delicate details, similar to this celestial design. If you're not game for going all-out, pick 1 to 2 smaller details to place in the area.

Floral Outline

Just because I love floral art – this handpoked design is the ultimate inspo for a simple, outlined tat. If you're feeling playful, working with (and around) moles or birthmarks for your stick and poke makes the piece more personal.

Self-Love Stick and Poke

For a small reminder to give yourself the love and grace you deserve, heart-shaped tats, or generally symbolic ones are a fitting option.

Tiny Tulip

Tiny tats like this one are super delicate and feminine.

Geometric Stars

Handpoked tattoos lend themselves to a pointillism-inspired effect, seen here on an eye-catching geometric design.

Foliage

The delicate line work on this leafy tat is concise, and forms a gorgeous decorative addition. Shara, the artist that did this lovely piece, is still currently booking for the end of May and early June 2023 in Los Angeles – look into getting inked here!

As a Power of Women honoree, Mariska was recognized in regards to her work as an advocate for sexual assault survivors. She took the stage and used her platform to discuss rape and assault conviction reversals, shining a light on the recent overturned ruling in Harvey Weinstein's landmark NYC case. Here's what she said:

Today I want to talk about reversing convictions, and more specifically I want to talk to you about how impossible it is to reverse mine. It’s impossible to reverse my conviction that survivors matter. It is impossible to reverse my conviction that what happens to us matters, and that our society must respond to survivors with a more a compassionate, holistically, deeper, and more nuanced understanding of what healing means.

It is impossible to reverse my conviction that after a trauma, survivors can reclaim lives of hope, of possibility, of audacious risk, beautiful intimacy, and glorious, glorious abundant joy. And I stand before you as evidence of that statement.

It is impossible to reverse my conviction that we must listen to survivors as experts on what justice means. It is extraordinary how little their voices are consulted, let alone incorporated, in the process of deciding how to repair harm. Justice is not a one-size-fits-all journey.

It is impossible to reverse my conviction that patriarchal impunity has to end. Patriarchal impunity is when a male-dominated system exempts perpetrators from punishment. Studies show that only 20% of all rape cases in the U.S. are reported to the police, and that between 5 and 0% of all rapes result in a guilty plea or a conviction. So why do 80% of victims not report? Because they're met with a system that grants impunity to perpetrators; a system that blames victims; a system that accepts only those victims who are experienced as "real" rape; a system that completely misunderstands the neurobiology of trauma, which causes behavior in women that doesn't fit the picture of how a "real victim" would act.

Is that change needed that victims should just pull themselves together? Just buck up and report anyway? No. No, it's the system that receives them that needs to change

It is impossible to reverse my conviction — and the conviction of my extraordinary team, The Joyful Heart — that the backlog of untested rape kits can be brought to zero; that the testing of all new kits must be mandated; that we need a statewide kit tracking system; and that survivors have the right to access the status of their kits.

It is impossible to reverse my conviction that grammar — yes, grammar — that we use when we speak about rape must change. In the sentence, "A woman is raped," there's a crime and there's a victim, but there's no perpetrator. Where's the perpetrator? Where is he? Statistically, as we know, most likely he's walking free. He's so free that he doesn't even appear in the language about the crime that he committed. Is that not extraordinary? It's extraordinary that in the very grammar, the perpetrator goes free. Reintroducing perpetrators in the language of rape will make some very unwieldy grammar, but that's the nature of change. It's unwieldy, it's messy, it's uncomfortable, but it's necessary.

Hargitay continued on in her prolific speech to describe that rape shouldn't be considered a "crime of passion" because it's "not simply the next step in the trajectory of his passion" when a man takes a consensual hookup too far and assaults a woman against her will. She stated that it's "an exercise of power," doubling down that the language we use is important.

The speech went on to address that rape is both about power and control, as a "construct" that was "built, and assembled, and reinforced over time." She noted that there are people with these positions of power — and she specifically called out those in the entertainment industry — that could make a difference and aligned themselves to victims and survivors.

After this and some other remarks, Hargitay specifically called out the Weinstein conviction reversal. She said:

I do want to say something about the Harvey Weinstein conviction, specifically about the reason that it was overturned: too many women's voices. Too many women's voices were allowed to speak. Hallelujah! Amen! I can't imagine anything more beautiful than that. The Daily podcast episode talked about how it was so risky for the prosecution to have that many women testify. Risky to let women speak? You're damn right it is!

Too many women speaking brings change. Too many women speaking shakes the establishment. Too many women means we get listened to more, and people might actually hear what we have to say. Look what happened when women started saying just two words, right? Me too — just as an example — a tidal wave of change. Me too.

And then of course, there was the response: the Me Too Movement. The backlash. The examination of whether the changes that have come are lasting, or are even positive. Of course there's a backlash! What did they expect? For women to speak repeatedly, loudly, together, with a purpose — for there to be no backlash? The backlash is evidence of how powerful those voices were, how powerful those voices ARE.

Watch Mariska Hargitay's Full Speech Here

Turns out that your TV heroes really can be your IRL heroes after all. Long live Olivia Benson! Long live Mariska Hargitay!