There are some unique challenges and considerations involved in getting a color tattoo on darker skin tones. There are also several misconceptions about these challenges and how to handle them.
You probably already know that melanin is what gives dark skin its tone. The more of these pigmented cells in the flesh, the darker the skin will appear.
When looking at a tattoo you are actually looking through very thin layers of skin at the ink. The darker the skin, the harder it might be to see the ink under those layers. Darker skin also creates a lower contrast between flesh tone and ink color, making it harder for some colors to stand out.
In this article, we'll discuss everything you need to know before getting inked.
If youre worried about the pain of getting tattooed click the picture below and check out our numbing products!
Then Read on for all the information you need to make an informed decision about getting a color tattoo on dark skin!
Many people wonder if white ink works for tattooing dark skin. It might be tempting to believe that because white would create such a high contrast against dark skin tones, it would be the ideal pigment to use for tattooing that skin type.
The truth is that white tattoo pigment is more prone to discoloration than any other color. This is because it has no color of its own so it will be more noticeably affected by the translucent layers of skin that hold the tattoo in place. The darker these layers of skin, the more pronounce the discoloration will be.
This will also make the aging process of the ink more pronounced. As the pigment ages and settles into the skin, it loses some of its vibrancy. This will be more noticeable with white.
For these reasons many tattoo artist try and urge clients away from using white in large areas. Although I have to admit I have seen some nice effects created with white but it requires multiple sessions and highly skilled artist to build up the ink.
Does Dark Skin Scar More Easily From Tattooing?
Another one of the common myths about melanated skin is that brown skin will scar more easily from tattooing. This is not true at all.
Many tattoo artists may mistakenly overcompensate when tattooing more melanated clients, overworking the skin. This fact in combination with scars being more noticeable on brown skin tones may have led to the myth that tattoos will more easily cause scaring on those skin types.
Nowadays most artists are aware of this fact, though some inexperienced artists may still be ignorant about tattooing different shades of skin.
That being said, this means choosing the right tattoo artist will be of the utmost importance if you have dark skin and want the best tattoos you can get.
This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to find a skilled artist who themselves have dark skin tones but this author fully encourages that we support underrepresented peoples in the tattoo industry and support POC business owners whenever possible.
Finding the Best Artist for Tattooing Dark Skin
The speed of fading depends on several factors, including the type of ink used, the depth of the tattoo, and the quality of the tattooist’s work.
Technically speaking tattoos on dark skin do not fade faster than on light skin but the effects of the fading may be more noticeable because of the lower contrast between skin tone and ink color.
In other words, melanin content does not affect the rate at which a tattoo fades. It only affects the clarity with which the tattoo ink can show through the skin. Thus, the effects of fading may seem amplified on darker skin tones. Aging tattoos will never look as sharp as a freshly healed tattoo.
Another factor that can affect how quickly a tattoo fades on any skin is sun exposure. UV rays can cause ink to fade over time, so its best to keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight whenever possible and apply strong sunscreen liberally over your tattoo if you must be in the sun.
You can do a color renewal procedure when you see the fading of the ink and your general skin care can help increase the vibrancy of your tattoo over longer periods of time. Several products offer the promise of keeping you tattoo sharp and bold for longer periods of time, after it is healed.
In general, you can expect a tattoos on dark skin to last about as long as a tattoo on lighter skin. With proper care and sun protection, your tattoo should be able to stay vibrant for years to come.
Conclusion
Tattoos are a great way to express yourself, regardless of skin color. So if you're considering getting a tattoo, go for it! Just be sure to use our tips about the unique features of the tattooing process on dark skin when doing your research. Besides, don’t forget to take care of your new tattoo properly. With a bit of planning and effort, every individual person can end up with a beautiful tattoo that you'll be proud to show off for years on your dark skin.
