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!

What Color Tattoos Look Best On Dark Skin?

red and yellow tattoo ink color on dark skin

Having a lot of melanin in your skin is not an impediment to getting color tattoos. All you need is correct information in planning the design.

The truth is that whether you have dark skin or light skin, tattooing is a medium with certain limitations.

The rules of technique you employ are the same for every skin type but when tattooing darker skin tones it is even more important that a skilled tattoo artist know how to properly design a tattoo.

Choose bold and contrasting colors. Dark colors such as black ink, blue, red, and green will help to create a high contrast. Lighter, softer colors should be used wisely in strategic areas. Keep in mind, the lighter the color, the easier it will be for the skin to overpower the tattoo pigment, making it harder to see clearly. This might mean smaller amounts of lighter colors and/or multiple visits for touch ups.
Consider the undertones. All skin colors have an undertone. this is the subtle color range that the skin tone occupies on the spectrum. Some peoples skin tends more yellow, some more red and some more blue. This is true for all skin types. When tattooing darker skin tones it is important to take the undertone of the skin into consideration. This can influence which colors will show up best. For instance if your skin has a strong red undertone, than red hues might not show up as well. Similarly true for yellow and blue undertones (see chart below). Skilled tattoo artists will be able to judge these subtleties
Go bigger for best results. Smaller tattoos with lots of detail are a challenge even on lighter skin tones. If a client is trying to cram too much detail into too small an area I always try and talk them into something bigger. The smaller the tattoo, the less detail you will be able to include in the design. For darker skin tones this means less opportunity for the bold colors, negative space, or areas of dark shading needed to create the contrast necessary for a tattoo that will be clearly visible.
Bold lines mean clear visibility. The outline of a tattoo is the first consideration for designs that need to stand out. Using bolder lines will create more contrast with the skin, making the design more visible. The larger area needed for details made with bolder lines will also mean more room for the darker colors and shading you will want. Designs with lots of detail or intricate patterns can work but just be prepared to make them larger so all those details can really show through.

Color Testing Tattoo Ink for dark Skin Tones

In the past I have seen information discussing a color test on dark skin. This involves applying a small series of different colored dots or lines to a persons skin. Supposedly this is in an effort to see how different colors will settle in different skin tones.

I wont say this a completely useless practice but I question the value of the information you can gather from the process.

Every persons skin is different regardless of tone or melanin content and how well the skin will accept ink cant be predicted with any real reliability with such tiny amounts of ink.

Example of a colour test tattoo. As you can see, **the client has yellow undertones**, therefore the yellow pigments show up much lighter.
photo by @humblebeetattoo (much respect to this artist. even if i disagree with the practice of color tests, the artists’ skills are on point!)

This process just puts unnecessary ink in the client's body that will need to be covered up. If you are getting a tattoo that is big enough to hide a test patch then the tiny amount of ink used for the test is not a reliable indicator of any reliable information. A much better bet is to rely on information that is already available regarding what is most commonly experienced with colored tattoos on dark skin: darker shading a colors create the best effects. lighter colors can be used in small amounts for areas that wont make or break the composition of the tattoo.

White Ink Tattoos 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

Equipping yourself with information is always a good idea before going into any new and risky experience but one piece of advice about all others will guarantee the best results:

The best way to ensure your tattoo will look good on dark skin is to find experienced tattoo artists who are familiar with working on varying shades of skin tones.

Talk to other people you know with dark skin who have had nice tattoos done, Do your research and ask around for tattoo artist recommendations.
Once you've found a few potential tattoo artists, look at the artists portfolios to get an idea of their style and skill level working with dark skin tone. Make sure to look for healed photos. Healed photos show the real outcome of a tattoo more so than pictures of fresh tattoos.
If you're unsure which artist to choose; schedule consultations with each. Consultations will allow you to discuss your ideas, get a feel for their personality, and see more examples of their work.
If you are just doing research, be sure to be upfront that you are currently just doing homework and may not be ready to commit to a tattoo appointment. that way you wont make anyone feel like you are wasting their time
Don't be afraid to ask questions! an experienced artist should be happy to answer any questions about the process or the design including questions regarding their client's skin tone. They should give you realistic expectations about the process
Don’t forget to look at the equipment quality and the procedure’s hygiene, as it is essential for your safety.

Once you've found the right tattoo artist, listen to their advice about aftercare. Proper aftercare is essential for ensuring the ink will look its best.

I wrote an article all about looking for a good tattoo shop that you can read by clicking here.

You can also read about tattoo etiquette when visiting tattoo shops and hiring artists by clicking here to read an article I wrote

Do Tattoos Fade More/Faster on Dark Skin Tones?

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.