Fine Line, Soft Realism, and Stipple Tattoos
Evergreen Studios, Chicago
NIC AND POKE
About Nic
Hi, I'm Nic (they/them). I am a self-taught artist offering fine line, soft realism, and dotwork/stipple style tattoos. That's right, no more Stick and Poke! I no longer hand-poke any of my tattoos in favor of pursuing a different aesthetic. I've kept my name "Nic and Poke" as an homage to my stick and poke roots, and well, I'm still technically poking needles into you, just faster and better and with a machine.
I have been tattooing for several years, I'm currently based in Chicago, IL, at the beautiful serene Evergreen Studios.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tattoo Healing
I send my clients home with a layer of second-skin derma-bandage. These bandages are waterproof but breathable to beneficial gasses like oxygen. This bandage can stay on for up to 3-5 days. If your skin is very uncomfortable, or if you sweat excessively under the bandage, you might want to take it off sooner than that. Please leave the bandage on for a minimum of 24 hours, the longer it stays on, the better the tattoo will heal overall.
As soon as the second-skin bandage is removed, begin using an unscented antibacterial/antimicrobial soap twice per day to wash the entire area, and unscented moisturizer/ointment 3-5 times per day to keep the tattoo moist and protected. Be sure to wash your hands before touching the tattoo at any time during the healing process.
After the second-skin is removed, your tattooed skin will feel a little bumpy and raised, even itchy. This is the 'scab' phase, and is completely normal. Do not scratch the skin, or expose it to any products containing fragrances, dyes, thickeners, or chemicals. Different reactions may occur, causing poorer healing outcomes (this includes sunscreens! Use clothing to protect from sun!).
The tattoo may appear healed within a few days, but the full healing process to the deeper layers of the skin will take 2-4 weeks. During this time it is crucial to keep the skin moisturized, avoid sun exposure, refrain from swimming/soaking and avoid scratching or irritating the skin. The better and longer you care for the skin, the crispier the tattoo will heal :)
While very rare and unlikely, keep an eye out for signs of infection (like prolonged swelling, redness, tender to the touch, fever, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, rashes, etc). If you feel you may have an infection, please see your healthcare provider, and follow up with me to let me know if any specific or serious infections are diagnosed. I follow standard OSHA bloodborne pathogen guidelines, as long as the tattoo is properly cared for during healing, there should be no such issues :) If you are a client of mine, feel free to email me with any further questions.