Whether getting a new tattoo or covering an old one, choosing a skilled artist with dark skin should be your priority.
Think of the skin as a filter. It has translucent layers, each producing melanin at different rates, determining its color. As a result, tattoos with bold colors such as black or blue might become less visible after healing.
Darker Tones
Darker skin tones often look best with vibrant red, dark blue, and black colors. They show color more clearly than lighter tones.
Remember, tattoos fade and reduce over time as your skin heals. Therefore, pick a color that will remain noticeable once healing is complete. For example, white ink stays visible but heals as light colors on dark skin tones.
To make sure your artist has experience with dark skin tones, read reviews, ask friends for advice, or seek recommendations. They should understand your skin tone and be able to accommodate it effectively.
Less Contrast
tattoos on darker skin typically have less contrast than tattoos on lighter skin. This can refer to colors, line weight, or texture. An artist with experience of darker skin can make a significant difference here.
Use a lot of negative space and dark, bold colors for high contrast. Light colors can muddle the design and reduce readability.
Less Visibility
Tattoo artists working on dark skin must understand that reduced visibility is a fact of life. This is particularly true in the summer when sun rays can affect the pigmented layers of tattoos. Even healthy bodies may be affected by overexposure.
Stay in the shade, use sunscreen day and night, and apply lotion with moisturizer. These steps can help combat this issue. Keeping hydrated with a good face moisturizer can keep your skin looking healthy. The key to good skincare is consistency. The results will show over time.
Longer Healing Time
Healing tattoos on darker skin takes longer due to the increased risk of scarring. This makes the healing process more challenging.
tattoos on dark skin are more likely to cause keloids. Keloids are a rare scar that forms after intense force or injury. This is often due to overworking by tattoo artists trying to speed up healing.
Tattooing can damage the skin. If these symptoms last beyond a week post-inking, something might be wrong.
These include the duration of exposure and the location of the tattoo. Sensitive areas like the ribs, fingers, and spine may take longer due to thin skin, lack of fat deposits, and high nerve-ending concentrations.
