Tattoo artists with horrible experiences working with darker skin often produce subpar tattoos,, leaving scarring or keloids as the only permanent reminders.
Avoid Light Blues and Pinks
tattoos on dark skin tones can be challenging if you are unfamiliar with the techniques or colors, but with careful research and planning, you can find the ideal tattoo for your skin tone. Tattooing on darker skin tones requires using ink colors darker than the client’s skin tone for optimal results. Light blues and pinks may look muddy on the skin; instead, use ink colors contrasting against these tones to achieve great results. One effective way of doing this is by conducting a color test with your artist, whereby they will swatch different hues against your skin to help you determine which ones look best. This can also help you choose colors that complement your complexion’s undertones and skin tones; for instance,,, red may appear orange on cool undertones, while green can appear greenish-hued when used with warm tones.
Avoid Too Much White
tattoos on dark skin tones can look striking when executed by an experienced artist. The key is selecting colors that pop against one another to make the design stand out and draw the eye. Tattooers recommend that those with dark skin tones avoid tattooing colors such as white and yellow, which will eventually fade over time, and purple, which creates poor contrast on dark skin tones and does not blend well. Tattoo artists should conduct a color test before inking on shady skin clients to ensure the ink will blend harmoniously with their skin tone and undertone. Furthermore, lightening techniques may be employed so the ink appears more vibrant once healed. Before booking an appointment, they often request clients view recovered photos of their tattoos – these often differ significantly from freshly inked shots and provide a better idea of how it will age on their skin over time.
Find an Artist with Experience
Sometimes be challenging to find artists familiar with working on dark skin tones. Unfair assumptions persist about tattooing dark skin, with misconceptions such as colors not showing correctly, ink fading quickly, and scarring being common complaints. Unfortunately, such rumors often stem from inexperience and ignorance regarding how different skin tones respond to ink.
Ask for Healed Photos
Tattooing on dark skin tones can be more complex than on lighter complexions due to translucent layers that filter ink into visible form. If they can do this effectively, the results will have a different visual impact than something more pigmented. To avoid disappointment, check an artist’s portfolio and request images of their finest work – this step is particularly essential if you’re seeking a large and colorful piece. Healed tattoos look much better than their fresh-out-of-the-oven counterparts, so you should be able to judge whether your artist understands your preferences regarding color and design when making their decision. This should be your main priority when searching for your next tattoo artist.
