Witchhazel for grey wash?

Gus. · #1 10-26-2007, 12:59 AM

I've heard that since witchhazel is an astringent it can actually shrink the pores created by a tattoo needle in turn allowing the skin to retain more subtle tones making it easier to create more smooth blends. One of my peers in Spokane uses the stuff in place of Green Soap when he's doing grey wash just for this reason. Does anyone here use this technique?

BRANDON BOND · #2 10-26-2007, 06:47 AM

I dont??? but Ive heard of it - Im a distilled water person all the way

TattooPadawan · #3 10-26-2007, 07:26 AM

I use Witch Hazel. One of my co-workers told me about it and that was what he used, so I tried it and had good results. Witch Hazel helps keep the redness from skin irritation away, but only use it to break down the gray shade, not to wash with.
The only thing I use Green Soap for is shaving. I wash all of the tattoo's I do with H2Ocean piercing spray. The piercing spray helps stop any bleeding.

Gus. · #4 10-26-2007, 10:59 AM

So you're saying you only use it to calm the redness before you're about to mix in another shade? I'm assuming you're using pre-mixed washes? Makes sense.

TattooPadawan · #5 10-26-2007, 11:15 AM

Kinda,......
I use Kuro Sumi outline and gray wash. I pre-mix my blacks in the ink cap as I go. ie,... 1 full cap of black, 1 half cap of gray wash fill rest of cap with witch hazel, and so on.

Erock · #6 10-27-2007, 09:45 AM

I use the witch hazel to actually cut my black for the wash........Either witch hazel or distilled water.....Both seem to work great.....Also use triple black......that ink is amazing....

TattooPadawan · #7 10-27-2007, 09:57 AM

Yah! What Erock said!
That's what I was try'n to say in to many damn words.
Just like me,... make something harder then what it needs to be. lol!

Gus. · #8 10-27-2007, 12:33 PM

Yea, I use it to mix my washes also. I was just wondering if anyone uses it in place of green soap for the reasons I described. It makes sense but it seems to me it wouldn't make a huge difference. Just tryin to shed some light on it.

inkdealer69 · #9 10-28-2007, 03:23 PM

im with brandon bond on this one i use distilled water

FallenKing · #10 10-29-2007, 12:40 AM

I am always skeptical about green soap as a blending agent. as the soap goes in with the ink.
Distilled water works great for me.
I am currently using Holy Smoke Ink pre mixed from my Pal Gentleman Jim.
Those mixes rock and heal smooth like a shaved vagina.

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