Though tattooing has evolved from acts of adornment and status symbolization in ancient Egypt, Polynesia and a number of other African cultures, the modern industry within the United States was historically dominated by white tattoo artists. As a result, rumors and misconceptions have pervaded the scene about tattooing on dark skin. It's important to address these misconceptions and explore the best practices for achieving stunning tattoos on melanated skin. This article delves into color theory, artist selection, and aftercare, providing a comprehensive guide for those with darker skin tones looking to express themselves through body art.
The Misconceptions and Realities of Tattooing Dark Skin
A quick scroll through the “#tattoo” hashtag on Instagram will deliver almost entirely tattoos done on white skin. Not enough tattoo artists showcase work on Black skin. Atlanta-based tattoo artist Kandace Layne, who has been tattooing for over 10 years, found photos of tattoos on Black skin to be few and far between when discovering the industry. Instagram came about a year into her apprenticeship, and when looking at artists’ pages she “didn’t see anybody that looked like [her].”
Genesis, an artist based in New York, shares similar thoughts. “When I first got into the tattoo industry, I did see people who had tattoos that were of a darker complexion, but they weren’t necessarily well-done,” she says. “Anybody I’ve talked to who has tattooed a person of a darker complexion, they struggle with the stencil paper because it’s blue in color,” Genesis says. “Depending on how dark a person’s skin tone is-if there’s red tones or darker tones-sometimes it’s harder to read the stencil on skin.” The artist adds, “There’s this misconception that darker skin hides people’s mistakes, so people don’t put in as much effort.”
Despite growing up in a Black community, Atlanta-based tattooer Debbi Snax would also hear chatter about what could and couldn’t be done on Black skin. “Whenever my friends would go over to other shops, they would be like, ‘They said the only color I can get is red,’” she says. “Or that the artists had to turn their machines up because they were tattooing on darker people. While certain guidelines exist for properly tattooing dark skin, they shouldn’t pose an issue to experienced artists. A skilled artist understands that making the proper adjustments to accommodate any skin tone is just part of the job.
“If I’m an artist and if I myself am a person of color,” Genesis says, “it’s my obligation to learn how to do so. It’s more about the application and how you set things up. Regardless of skin tone, every individual is going to pose unique challenges when it comes to getting tattooed, and it’s the responsibility of the tattooer to know how to adapt to these challenges.
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“I don’t think it’s a skin tone thing, I think it’s a skin type thing,” Snax explains. “All skin is different. Because many artists use social media to promote their work, taking high-quality pictures of their finished pieces is a vital aspect of the job. Changing the way we talk about tattooing Black skin can bring the industry one step closer to being a more inclusive community.
“I don’t think [the misconceptions] are necessarily inaccurate information, I just think there’s a bit of generalization in the way we use the dialect,” Genesis says. “An example of this would be like, ‘Black people can’t get color tattoos.’ No, they can. If an artist doesn’t have much experience tattooing darker skin and is looking to develop that skill, there are a few ways to go.
“I think maybe the first step is just connecting with Black tattooers and looking at their work,” Layne says. Though things are changing in the industry, Snax says people of a darker complexion still “don’t have the luxury of just going anywhere and getting tattooed,” as many artists still operate with the misconceptions they’ve blindly accepted. For clients seeking their first tattoo with an artist they can trust, Layne recommends finding someone who has a style they like, and consulting their portfolio for tattoos done on their skin type.
People who tattoo on darker skin tones and post them don’t get as much attention as they should. “I hate that that’s the reality, but it is,” Snax says. “On Pinterest, it definitely is more lighter tone, lighter skin things. The algorithm is set up for ‘what’s white is right.’ That’s just the way this whole country is.” But the reality is, Snax reassures us, there is an abundance of fantastic tattoos done on Black and brown skin that just don’t get enough notoriety.
There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about color tattoos on dark skin. Some people might not even know it’s possible to do a full-color tattoo on someone with a very deep complexion. If you have dark skin and your heart is set on a color tattoo, you can absolutely get what you want.
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When you get a tattoo, it looks like the ink is being permanently drawn into the surface of your skin. That’s not exactly what’s happening. Let’s eliminate an important myth about skin depth while we’re here. That’s bullshit. Skin is skin. The tattoo needle deposits the ink beneath the surface layer of the skin and into the dermis, where it’s trapped and held in place by skin cells and repair cells. Your epidermis will produce cells called melanocytes, which will then produce melanin. If you have naturally light skin, your body produces very little melanin. You’ll see the tattoo right through your epidermis. If you have dark skin, your body produces a lot of melanin. People with dark skin can absolutely get color tattoos.
Understanding Color Theory for Darker Skin Tones
Early in my career, mentors often echoed a consistent approach when it came to tattoos on darker skin tones: simplify, emphasize silhouettes, and be cautious with lighter tones. As the skin tone darkens, the lighter end of the value scale becomes less accessible. Hence, black ink - the darkest and most enduring pigment - takes precedence, especially in such contexts. The rule that all tattoos must have black ink is another way of saying that all tattoos must have CONTRAST.
Right now, you are viewing black letters on a white background. Black and White couldn’t be any farther away from one another on the “Value Scale” therefore the contrast between black and white is as high as it gets. Now when we introduce a skin tone in place of the white background, the contrast between that skin tone and the black ink is reduced. How far contrast is reduced is a factor of how dark the skin tone is and how “black” the black ink appears to be after it is healed and settled in to the skin.
Navigating the realm of color tattoos on darker skin tones is akin to a tightrope walk. However, a solid grasp of color theory can provide a safety net. Historically, black, red, and green inks have been recommended for melanated skin due to their capacity to stand out and maintain vibrancy. For instance, during my early training, I was taught that red roses paired with green leaves were an ideal choice for clients with darker skin seeking a color tattoo.
It wasn’t until I delved deeper into color theory that I understood WHY intense shades of red and green resonated so beautifully with darker skin tones. The key, I believe, lies in complementary colors. Here's a bit of clarification: colors, or "HUES," positioned directly opposite each other on the color wheel are deemed complementary. They enhance each other's beauty when placed side by side. However, when blended, they neutralize or "gray" each other out. This is the outcome when you combine red and green.
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Consulting the color wheel below, you'll observe that brown resides within the yellow-orange segment. This is because brown essentially is a "grayed-out" yellow-orange, achieved by introducing its complementary color, blue-violet. Depending on the mixing ratios, combining yellow-orange and blue-violet can yield shades ranging from burnt orange to brown to a muted blue-gray.
Given this, it's logical to infer that blue-violet ink, when applied to and viewed through brown skin, might lack intensity. So, what makes red and green inks stand out so distinctly in darker skin tones compared to others?
Color theory provides the explanation. Visualizing the color wheel as 12 pie slices, red and green sit three slices apart from yellow-orange and blue-violet. What happens when we simulate the effect of skin color over the tattoo ink colors? Which colors stand out to your eye? Notice the reds and greens, now look at the colors surrounding blue-violet.
One significant factor many overlook is the distinction between fresh ink and its appearance when healed. Freshly applied ink, sitting both in and atop the skin, is viewed differently compared to settled ink, which is beneath the skin's upper layers. When seen through darker skin, it's akin to observing hues through tinted glass, where the skin's melanin acts as a filter, influencing the ink's final shade.
As seen in the color wheel visualization above, the skin tone sitting above the colors has a noticeable effect on our perception of the color. But even though the color may appear different, that does not mean that we can’t enjoy it’s appearance. Working with color on any skin tone is both an artistic and a technical challenge. It is the artist’s job to develop an understanding of how tattoo inks look when they are freshly applied AND healed in the skin.
If color tattoo artists focus solely on the fresh appearance without considering the healed look, they're missing part of the picture. While tools like graphics can help, there's no substitute for firsthand experience.
Choosing the Right Colors
The right combination of colors should be customized to your skin tone and undertones. For example, green can work if someone already has yellow or golden undertones. Ask your tattoo artist to help you figure out what’s best for you.
In terms of colors to avoid, people who have medium to deep skin tones should stay away from colors that are already significantly darker than their skin. Simply put, it just won’t show up well over time.
“You know, purple is everybody’s favorite color. But your traditional purple is gonna be difficult because purple is dark and your skin is dark,” Gresham said. “A royal blue? Not your best color, even if you add white to it.”
Blues and purples can look especially muddy on dark skin.
Earth-toned shades and jewel-toned shades translate perfectly to darker skin. Some shades of green, yellow, and even white ink can pop with lively contrast. Pastel shades pop on light skin tones because the skin is nearly translucent. Fair skin acts as a high-contrast background, whereas dark skin won’t do the same thing. You may be able to add in a few pastel accents or highlights, but you shouldn’t choose a pastel palette for the basis of your whole tattoo. Rather than lilac, opt for amethyst. Emerald will work better than mint, and cobalt will translate better than sky blue.
There are colors that will be nearly invisible beneath the filter of dark skin, like pastel shades. If you’ve ever seen red or green pop like a dream on dark skin, you've seen the effects of saturation and complementary contrast at work. Red and green are intense, saturated hues that don’t get dulled out as easily by brown skin tones. Black is still a staple because, let’s be honest, it punches hard and stays sharp. When used smartly, color doesn’t have to take a backseat to a black outline. Blue-violet, primary blue, and cool-toned purple are beautiful in the bottle. That’s because brown is technically a deep orange in most cases. That doesn’t mean you can’t ever use purples or blues. It just means you need to pick richer, warmer versions. Ink looks incredible when it’s fresh. It's brighter and bolder before it settles beneath the skin.
Great artists can anticipate the effect of skin tone on ink color. Reds, greens, golds, and high saturation warm tones will work on most people with dark skin. Blues and purples are trickier, but not impossible. You can work with your artist to select modified colors that will work with your specific skin tone and undertone. Black and white tattoo ink work to provide contrast within a tattoo. An experienced tattoo artist may be able to help you modify your tattoo idea to incorporate more opportunities for contrast. This might mean that dainty, lineless, or watercolor tattoos are off the table. It all depends on what you want, your skin tone, and the size of the tattoo you’re trying to get.
Here is a summary of colors to choose and colors to avoid, based on recommendations of tattoo artists:
| Colors to Choose | Colors to Avoid |
|---|---|
|
|
One of the most popular tattoo colors is red ink. Some people think red ink shows up better on darker skin. The truth is that red ink only looks good when the tattoo is colored in. If the tattoo only has red ink, the design will look blotchy on darker skin. You can still get red ink tattoos on your skin, but you must go for darker reds.
White ink is an excellent choice for tattoos. The problem is that white ink does not show up on darker skin. This means that you must be careful about what you decide to get. The tattoo must have a lot of color in it, or else it won’t be apparent on your skin. White ink is an excellent choice if you fill in the tattoo with color.
Pastel Colors Light pink, green, blue, and yellow are excellent choices for your pastel tattoos. These colors look good on darker skin.
Color Tattoos on Dark Skin: Ultimate 2024 Guide
Finding the Right Tattoo Artist
If you’re having a tough time finding a tattoo artist you feel comfortable with; you’re not alone. We’ll be blunt: that really sucks. There’s another way to look at it. If a tattoo artist says that it isn’t possible to do a color tattoo on someone with dark skin, they’re a bad tattoo artist. It means they don’t understand how depositing color works and how melanin can affect the way a tattoo appears. Many tattoo ink companies show their products primarily on people with light skin, which inadvertently gives the impression that the inks are intended for light skin. Some tattoo artists would love to do more color tattoos on people with dark skin, but they aren’t sure how they’ll look when they’re healed.
Plenty of experienced artists have a full grasp of how color tattoos work on dark skin. They know what to do to make colors stand out on dark complexions and even how to adjust the shades of their inks to create the perfect contrast. Choose a tattoo artist that has experience working with clients with black and brown skin. Tattoos that aren’t set at a perfect depth may not look terrible on people with less melanin, but these mistakes can be very noticeable on people with dark skin.
When looking through an artist’s portfolio, please pay close attention to their clients with dark skin. See if they’ve tagged the people who got the tattoo. It’s normal for tattoos to fade a little bit as they settle in, but it should still be clear what they are. The colors shouldn’t look muddy. It never hurts to ask people for recommendations.
Above all else, make sure you work with a tattoo artist who has extensive experience tattooing a range of dark skin tones. James Spooner of Monocle Tattoo in Los Angeles has been tattooing for over 13 years. He suggests looking at portfolios, especially on social media. “If they don’t have any dark skin in their portfolio, they’re either not proud of their work, they haven’t done it, or they don’t want to do it,” Spooner said. “There’s no excuse with the internet, [because] as soon as you do a piece that you’re excited about, you post it online.”
Jacci Gresham of Aart Accent Tattoos in New Orleans has been tattooing for over 40 years. He knows firsthand some common mistakes people make when choosing a tattoo for dark skin.“Especially with really dark skin, you’re looking for someone with experience more than anything,” Gresham said. “You gotta adjust every tattoo to the individual person. When your skin is really dark, the artist needs to have the knowledge. This profession takes time.”
If you have dark skin and you’ve never had a tattoo, you might be a little worried about committing to something. If you don’t like it, it’s a little too late to change your mind. A color test tattoo is a small series of dots. They’re usually easy to cover with a larger tattoo. After a few weeks, you’ll know exactly what those ink colors will look like once your skin has healed over them. If you don’t like how a particular color looks or if it doesn’t show up very well, you can swap it out for a better alternative.
Tattoo Aftercare for Dark Skin
You have your tattoo. It’s beautiful. You love it. You’re stoked. Now it’s all over, right? Think again. It’s important to give your tattoo time to heal properly. Follow your tattoo artist’s aftercare instructions regarding cleansing and moisturizing your new tattoo. There will be times when the desire to itch your new tattoo will be absolutely maddening, but you have to stick it out. Our healing spray works to prevent tattoos from getting infected while they heal. After completely healing your tattoo, it’s important to keep it moisturized and protected from the sun. If your skin gets dry, it may change how your tattoo looks. The changes aren’t permanent, but you probably don’t want to walk around looking like you got a bad tattoo. It’s beautiful under there. Sunscreen is also very important.
People with darker skin tones are less likely to get a sunburn, but unprotected sun exposure isn’t healthy for the skin. In addition to damaging your skin, the sun can also cause your tattoo ink to fade. Once your tattoo is complete, most artists will instruct you on how to take the best care of it. For tattoos on medium to deep skin, experts recommend these three simple steps:
- Keep it clean.
- Keep it moisturized, but don’t overdo it.
- Keep it out of the sun, and use plenty of sunscreen.
Contrary to what some melanin-rich people believe, having a lot of melanin doesn’t mean your skin is immune to the sun’s aging effects.“If you want your tattoo to not get blurry or look old before its time … you gotta wear sunscreen on the tattoo,” Spooner said. “Sun is the number one [tattoo] killer.”
Conclusion
Getting a tattoo on dark skin can seem daunting, but there are ways to support the process. By taking your time to find an experienced artist, get to know your skin, and take proper care of your tattoo, your body art can be uniquely striking. Challenge your idea of a “good” or “beautiful” tattoo. “If you judge the quality of your tattoo by what’s possible on white people, then you’re always gonna fall short,” Spooner said. “I like the subtlety of [tattoos on dark skin]. It’s not just like this high contrast thing; it’s something that’s a little bit more part of the body.”
