Skin

The skin isn't some board to be etched on but an actual working, organism to be dealt with carefully, so extra sensitivity is needed.

Everyone's skin is different. Some people's skin is quite flaky while others are naturally readily. Certain people have extremely sensitive skin and others just the opposite, totally impervious to abrasion, as it seems. Always be aware of the type of skin you are dealing with. For example, you shouldn't grab everyone the same way, some bruise more easily. Be open to individual needs. No matter what skin type a person has, it can all be somewhat equalized in texture by keeping it moist. Always keep the skin lubricated with vaseline or bacitracin ointment while working on it.

A good tattoo does not have to go extremely deep to stay permanent, but can survive quite satisfactorily in just the epidermis layers of the skin.

Stretching Skin

One of the major bonuses that you have working with skin is in its elasticity. It stretches a lot. In order to perform any kind of precise work and to get the ink in correctly, the skin must be taut. It's important that the skin be stretched tightly like a drum so the needles don't bounce, or get hung up in the skin. If the skin in'st very tight, your lines will go from too strong to too weak. If it is too strong, you have gone way too deep and a big fat line with "knots" in it may occur and scar tissue will usually result.

If the skin isn't stretched tight, it will be difficult to get the color to go in the skin. The needles will bounce off the skin instead of penetrating it. It may look like the ink is getting in all right, but it could be an illusion and be gettin in on only the very top layer of epidermis. Keep the area you have just finished clean so yo can see how solid the color is. 

If you are working on an arm or leg, Grasp the back of it and squeeze firmly.

If you are working on a back, chest, breast, or bottom or somewhere where you can't grab the back of it to stretch , you will have to stretch it with your free hand. You can do this by cradling the tattoo area between the "V" formed between the tumb and the forefinger.