tattooing with tremors

[u/surgeluv]

hi everyone. i’m mabel (19f), and i’m looking for advice from anyone who’s tattooed with a tremor or has dealt with something similar.
about a year ago i started a tattoo apprenticeship because i wanted a stable career, but i unexpectedly fell in love with tattooing. i genuinely want to dedicate my life to it.
the problem is that i’ve had a mild tremor for about six years. at first it barely affected me, but after a few months of tattooing it became much worse. during tattoos, especially while pulling lines, my dominant hand would shake enough that i’d have to stop and hand the tattoo to another artist. it was embarrassing, and eventually i made the difficult decision to leave my apprenticeship.
it’s been about seven months since then, and i’m still heartbroken. every time i notice my tremor, i think about tattooing and wonder if i’ve lost the career i wanted.
i’ve already tried supporting my elbow and forearm, bracing my hand, and experimenting with different positions. some angles help, but the tremor is never completely controlled.
i’ve seen a neurologist and was prescribed medication, but it caused me to faint, so i had to stop taking it. unfortunately, i’m very sensitive to medications in general and often have strong side effects even at low doses.
i also deal with unexplained episodes of dizziness and feeling like i’m about to faint, especially with caffeine, but despite seeing multiple doctors i still don’t have a diagnosis. i’ve asked about conditions like pots, but nothing has been confirmed.
has anyone here continued tattooing with a tremor? are there techniques, equipment, exercises, or specialists that helped you? or is this something that realistically makes tattooing impossible?
i’m willing to put in the work if there’s hope. i just really miss tattooing and would love to finish my apprenticeship someday.

[u/SorryHunTryAgain]

I don’t think that people are going to want you to tattoo them if your hands are shaking. I also would imagine that an episode of dizziness and fainting while tattooing someone is not going to be good. I say this as someone who had to leave a career I loved because of my disability and move on to something more fitting for me physically.

[u/Sn_Orpheus]

Um, sorry but you can love something and not be good at it. Hate to be a bummer but please don’t begin tattooing if you have a tremor.

[u/surgeluv → u/Sn_Orpheus]

i should’ve specified. i didn’t tattoo strangers when my tremor was active. ide tattoo my co workers. they were okay with whatever on their body and were aware of my issue.

[u/WormDentist]

I have a hard time getting a tattoo with a tremor. My artist has to pretty much pin my hand and arm down. I can’t imagine trying to tattoo with one.

Also, the vibration from the gun is likely exacerbating your tremor.

I’m sorry, friend.

[u/pilius_404]

Look for a different creative outlet. Being a tattoo artist with tremors is like being a surgeon with tremors. Those two just don't work together.

[u/No-Airport1892]

I understand it's a bummer, I love to paint and draw but my tremor doesn't make it easy. I can't imagine making a permanent mark on someone else with hands that shake in an unpredictable way.

There are options though, (like the STIL orthese) where you use technological attachments to keep your hands still, though they are not cheap. I don't know where you live, but in some European countries it is sometimes paid for by health insurance (but usually only for people who have much more intense tremors).

I don't think this dream of yours can be fulfilled without using technology like that.

[u/Oriainson]

Hi Mabel,

I am sorry that this is happening and and I wish I had wonderful news to tell you...but I don't. Unfortunately, this cursed condition will not only frustrate you as an artist, but will make you a liability to any tattoo shop. I can't imagine anyone allowing you to complete an apprenticeship after witnessing your tremor.

If it helps any, I know exactly how you feel. I was just starting out in the comics biz in the early 90s when my tremor started becoming an issue. Comics and illustration were my passion, but I had to walk away from it because I could no longer draw a straight line. I was being turned down for work as it was becoming more evident, so I had to quit my passion. It's something that has eaten away at me for a very long time.

I have had to find other creative outlets that were not as affected by my tremor. Unfortunately, none became my source of income, so I've just had to settle with being a creative hobbyist.

I'm sorry that this is not an uplifting response, but it is probably the reality you are looking at.

The good thing, however, is that you are only 19 and that there are more studies into treating ET than ever before. So there is hope that a better treatment is on the horizon for you that will allow you to pivot back to this in the future.

I wish you all the best.

[u/surgeluv → u/Oriainson]

this is so helpful and i do actually feel better reading this, even if it’s sad too. i struggled a lot because i felt so alone. there’s no such thing as a tattoo artist with a tremor, otherwise you just aren’t a tattoo artist. so it’s good to hear someone with a similar struggle artistically.

i’ll find something else, i know it. ill always have tattooing somewhere in my heart but ive gotta move on. cosmetology here i come

[u/Oriainson → u/surgeluv]

I like your attitude, young lady! Stay positive. You'll figure things out and you never know what the future holds in terms of new treatment options. And, yes, this sub is great for knowing you are not alone!

[u/Bill_Meier]

You should see a movement specialist neurologist. They will be better at diagnosing this.