Even in today’s modern world, we still see many questions and myths surrounding tattooing darker skin tones. Many people have experienced uncertainty around tattoos due to fear of how the ink will look on their skin tones. If you’re curious about whether or not a tattoo is right for your unique undertone, read on as we take you through our guide to beautiful tattoos for dark skin.
things to consider when choosing a tattoo for dark skin
The first thing to consider when getting a tattoo for dark skin is to make sure your artist has experience working with a range of black and brown skin tones. the technique and application process required to properly tattoo darker skin tones differs a bit from lighter skin tones and takes practice to perfect. you’ll want to work with an artist who knows how to best complement your skin’s unique undertones while delivering bold, clean results. To determine which artist is right for you, browse their portfolio to see previous experience working with your particular shade.
If you’re looking for a place to get tattoo inspiration on darker skin, or to find a suitable artist to work with, check out Diaspora Ink. This page features high-quality tattoos in a variety of darker skin tones, while also acting as a platform to help create visibility for minorities within the tattoo community.
Although the process of tattooing darker skin may be different than tattooing pale skin, it is not more difficult or impossible. Many people with dark skin have been led to believe that the process will be more difficult to endure and produce less desirable results. We are here to let you know that this is a myth! tattoos look great on darker skin tones when done with the right colors and techniques.
also read: custom tattoos: how to talk about art with your tattooistchest tattoos: the ultimate inspiration guidehow much does a tattoo cost?
dark skin vs light skin tattoo
The difference in the process of tattooing deeper skin tones lies in the various techniques and colors used for the tattoo. In the process of getting a tattoo, ink is inserted into the middle layer of the skin, known as the “dermis.” the top layer of skin or “epidermis” acts as a filter over the top of the tattoo. the darker the melanin pigments within the skin, the less transparent the top layer of skin becomes and the less visible the tattoo appears when lighter colors and thinner lines are used.
All of that aside, you can be sure that colored tattoos are entirely possible for people with black or brown skin. One key to success lies in choosing bold colors that are darker than your natural skin tone in summer. Black, red, and green inks are often recommended as tattoo colors to use on deep skin tones, but an experienced tattoo artist will tell you which colors suit you best, as well as the type of shading variations and line weights possible. for your tattoo. .
common myths about tattooing dark skin
Many artists and potential clients have been led to believe that getting tattooed on darker skin is somehow more difficult and they won’t be able to show off colorful or detailed designs. Fortunately, this is not true, and with the right technique and color selection, you can have a beautiful and detailed tattoo on your dark skin.
A common myth surrounding tattoos for people with black and brown skin is that colored tattoos won’t look bold enough on the skin. many people with darker skin tones have chosen to stick with black and gray designs to avoid having a color that doesn’t look good. An artist with experience working on canvases of all colors will know how to best work with her unique skin hue, choosing complementary colors that will appear bold regardless of her undertone. When choosing a color, tattoo artists recommend a variety of shades that will stand out best based on your skin. For medium skin tones, colors like orange, bright blue, and variations of green work best. If your skin tone is on the deeper end of the spectrum, colors like deep blue and crimson are great choices.
Another popular misconception in the tattoo world is that darker skin tones are more likely to develop keloids or show signs of scarring after healing. while darker skin tones are more likely to develop collagen growth after skin trauma, this is often due to the artists being too “hard” during the tattoo application. this means that the artist may have applied too much pressure or allowed the needle to go too far into the skin. when tattooing dark skin, you don’t need to overwork the skin to pack in the color. darker skin tones can actually be more delicate than lighter skin tones and should be treated as such. Through a variety of application techniques and adjustments to the colors used, tattoos can be done on any skin tone without the risk of unsightly scarring.
white ink on dark skin
Although colored tattoos are certainly possible for people with medium to deep skin tones, white ink is still considered ineffective when used on darker skin tones. White ink has been known to fade every skin tone imaginable, but with dark skin, the discoloration occurs almost instantly immediately after the healing process. If you are determined to get a white ink tattoo, make sure you choose a simple design with bold lines; this will help keep the color and details visible. To ensure your tattoo looks vivid and bold, always use colors that your artist thinks will work with your tone.
gold ink tattoos on dark skin
If you have a darker complexion, it can be tempting to choose a tattoo with gold or metallic ink in the hope that it will “pop” against the skin. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a true gold or silver metallic ink. In order for an ink to maintain a brilliant gold or silver hue, the ink must contain a metal flake base which is considered highly toxic and unsafe for use. The good news is that a gold or silver “effect” can be achieved with skillful shading, but it won’t come across as a true-to-color metallic pigment. Keep in mind when designing your tattoo that just because a pigment may appear metallic in the bottle, it won’t appear that way when inserted into the skin. During a tattoo, the ink settles into the middle layer of the skin, creating a barrier between the actual color and what you can see, much like trying to shine a flashlight through a transparent but fairly dense piece of fabric. so remember to stay safe when designing your next tattoo and don’t be afraid to experiment with different tried and true techniques to achieve your desired end result!
Tattoo inspiration for dark skin
When searching for tattoo inspiration, it becomes clear that there is a definite lack of representation when it comes to tattoos on black or brown skin. Browsing through the public portfolios of artists will often show a wide variety of tattoos on light skin tones, but not what these tattoos would look like on darker skin tones. This lack of representation leads many people to feel discouraged that perhaps the tattoos they want are unattainable. Fortunately, people like Tann Parker, creator of Ink the Diaspora, and writer Bryan Washington, author of “A Darker Canvas: Tattoos and the Black Body,” have been actively speaking out about this lack of diversity within the community.
Although in the past it may have been difficult to find examples of detailed and colorful tattoos displayed on the bodies of black, brown and diverse people of color, the tattoo community is becoming increasingly aware of past failures in inclusivity, as well as visibility, and has been working to create more platforms that showcase tattoos in a variety of skin colors.
our top dark skinned tattoo artist picks
Finding and researching an artist who is well versed in working with your skin type can sometimes be a slow process. To make your journey to amazing-looking tattoos a little easier, we’ve compiled a list of talented artists who know how to work on a variety of skin tones. check out the list and links below and pair up with your artist and check out her work!
more beautiful tattoo ideas for dark skin
Now that you’re informed about precautions, application practices, and complementary color selections for tattoos on darker skin tones, we hope you find the perfect motif for your next tattoo!
