Introduction

Welcome to Yayo Familia's Ultimate Tattoo Needle Guide. Whether you're an aspiring tattoo artist or simply curious about the tools of the trade, this guide will provide you with all the essential information about tattoo needles.

Understanding the different types and their uses is crucial for achieving the best tattoo results.

Why Choose Yayo Familia?

Yayo Familia is a British brand dedicated to ethical skincare and tattoo products. We support tattoo artists globally with our artisan, vegan, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly products.

Our commitment to quality ensures you have the best tools and aftercare for your tattoos.

Tattoo needles are the main tools used to insert ink into the skin. They come in various configurations and sizes, each designed for specific purposes in the tattooing process.

Tattoo needles are grouped based on their configurations:

  • Liners: Used for outlining and detailed work.
  • Shaders: Used for shading and colouring large areas.
  • Magnums: Ideal for shading and filling in larger areas.

Use: Creating fine lines and detailed work.

Configuration: Needles grouped in a circular formation.

Sizes: Available in various sizes, typically ranging from 1RL to 14RL.

Use: Shading and colouring small areas.

Configuration: Similar to round liners but with more needles for a thicker line.

Sizes: Commonly range from 3RS to 14RS.

Use: Shading and filling large areas.

Configuration: Needles arranged in two rows, stacked.

Sizes: Typically range from 5M1 to 49M1.

Use: Smooth shading and blending.

Configuration: Similar to magnums but with a curved edge.

Sizes: Available from 7CM to 23CM.

Use: Geometric shapes and shading.

Configuration: Needles arranged in a straight line.

Sizes: Range from 5FS to 15FS.

Fine Lines: If you want to create more intricate, fine lines use smaller round liners (1RL to 3RL).

Bold Lines: For big bold lines, use larger round liners (7RL to 14RL).

Shading: For shading or colour work choose magnums or curved magnums for smooth gradients.

Different skin types can also affect needle performance:

Thin Skin: Thin skin can be more delicate to tattoo. Use finer needles to avoid excessive trauma.

Thick Skin: For those with thicker skin, you might want to use larger needles to penetrate effectively.

High-quality needles are important for safe and effective tattooing. Look for needles made from medical-grade stainless steel to prevent infection and ensure durability.

Yayo has a collection of high-quality needles made from hypoallergenic materials to minimise the risk of skin irritation.

Always use sterilised needles to prevent infections. Pre-sterilised, single-use needles are recommended for safety and convenience.

Handle needles with care to avoid bending or damaging them. Always wear gloves when changing needles and follow proper disposal procedures for used needles.

Alternatively, use a cartridge needle such as Yayo's Alpha Cartridge Needles to make switching between needles both sterile and easy.

Use: Ultra-fine lines and detailed work.

Best For: Portraits and intricate designs.

Use: Standard outlining.

Best For: General line work.

Use: Bold lines.

Best For: Traditional and neo-traditional styles.

Use: Large shading areas and smooth gradients.

Best For: Black and grey work, colour realism.

Myth

More Needles Mean More Pain

Pain level is more related to the tattoo location and individual pain tolerance, rather than the number of needles.

Myth

All Needles Are the Same

Different needle configurations and sizes have distinct purposes and impact the final tattoo outcome. A good tattoo artist will know the difference.

Myth

Thick Lines Require More Pressure

Using the correct needle size and configuration is key; excessive pressure can damage the skin. Additionally, choosing the right needle for the right skin type is important, in order to minimise any risk of damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Tattoo needles come in various types including round liners, round shaders, magnum shaders, curved magnums, and flat shaders, each serving different purposes in the tattooing process.
  • Consider the design, skin type, and area to be tattooed. Fine lines require smaller round liners, bold lines need larger round liners, and shading is best done with magnums or curved magnums.
  • Yes, for hygiene and safety reasons, tattoo needles should be single-use to prevent infections and cross-contamination.
  • Magnums have a straight edge and are used for large shading areas, while curved magnums have a curved edge for smoother shading and blending.
  • Tattoo needles should be replaced after each use to ensure sterility and prevent infections.
  • No, always use single-use needles to maintain hygiene and safety standards.
  • Round liner needles are used for creating fine lines and detailed work in a tattoo.
  • Tattoo needles should be disposed of in a proper sharps container to prevent injury and contamination.
  • If a needle bends, it should be replaced immediately to avoid inconsistent lines and potential skin damage.
  • The number of needles does not directly correlate to pain; pain levels depend more on the tattoo location and individual pain tolerance.