This is where art meets science to create lasting works of body art! Color tattoos are a style not everyone understands, therefore many shy away from. This apprehension is normal, as tattooing techniques and aftercare methods vary from artist to artist, as do the end results. However, color is nothing to be afraid of and can make pieces really pop! Sometime within the first four weeks after getting a new tattoo – during peeling - your new ink may appear duller than expected. Don’t worry, this is completely natural. It happens because the old skin, damaged during the tattooing process, forms a thin layer over your tattoo and it's normal for the colors to look a little less bright than they did the day you got it. As the dead skin begins to shed, the tattoo will soften and lighten and you'll get some of the lost vibrancy back. 

This process happens in tattoos with and without color; so aftercare is important all around. However, you might hear me stress the importance of aftercare on color tattoos, not because the aftercare is more important here, but because color tattoos make clients the most apprehensive so the importance of aftercare is emphasized as an integral part of the color process. I'll do my job to give you a beautiful piece, but you must meet me halfway to have a lasting satisfaction with your ink. 

 

It is a very, very common myth in the tattooing world that darker people cannot get colors tattooed on them. The ugly truth is, from the time modern tattooing emerged (it’s a long-standing myth that tatting started out west in the late 1800s but is a cultural practice going back THOUSANDS of years) to the booming industry it’s become today, artists haven’t really cared enough to do the research or test these theories unless they, themselves happened to be an artist of color. And even many of them fell for that myth and still do, if they’re not willing to do their own research. Still, it must also be noted that aftercare methods have changed for the better over time, so older healing methods likely didn’t yield the best results for darker clients as well because they are more prone to hyperpigmentation from improper healing. So, if you’re a darker client who’s nervous about your first colored piece, or artists keep telling you that you can’t get it, or you’re simply curious to how color works on the skin, I have put together some info for your consideration! Let’s get Kandid!

 

Color theory revolves around the three primary colors: red, blue, and yellow. These primary colors are the foundation from which all other colors are derived. By combining different ratios of primary colors, secondary colors such as green, orange, and purple can be created. These colors mixed together or with varied amounts of black and white compose every other hue and value we see in the world. One crucial aspect of tattoo ink is its long-term stability, and great tattoo artists meticulously select pigments based on their ability to maintain their color intensity over time. (I personally use the Bloodline, Starbright, Solid, or Radiant brands as their ink dispersion allows for some intense color packing.) It is important to note that aftercare, exposure to sunlight, aging, and individual skin characteristics can also affect the longevity and vibrancy of tattoo colors.

 

The most common color combinations are called complementary colors. These are the hues that are directly opposite of each other on a color wheel. Complementary colors intensify their complement, so using red right next to green will make both colors pop and seem more intense. Getting into secondary and tertiary colors yield equally intense, yet less expected results.

 

Analogous colors are those that are right next to each other on a color wheel. Red/orange, or green/ blue are sets that work well together visually. A secondary color will look closer to one of the primary colors it is composed of when it is next to the other primary color it is made from. For example, a green will look more yellow on a blue background, bluer on a yellow background, but still be the same shade of green. Analogous colors can be used to add dimension to a tattoo.

 

Colors don’t work alone, however; the eyes perceive colors differently based on all of the hues that we see together. This is most easily demonstrated by choosing a hue and changing its background color. Choose any color for example. It looks like it’s regular color when seen alone. Put it on a white background it appears darker. On a black background it appears lighter. This concept is why healed colors vary so much from one skin tone to another. A tattoo stands out on a person's skin by contrasting with their skin tone. Tattoo artists carefully evaluate the undertones of a person's skin to select pigments that will complement and enhance their natural complexion.

 

It has been long believed that darker skin tones should only get certain colors tattooed because there is less contrast to work with. This is simply not true; in fact, in my experience, the colors recommended to darker clients by more old-school artists actually look worse when healed, such as low valued blues or purples. Hue refers to the color itself, while value refers to how light or dark the hue is. Based on research and anecdotal experience, I have found that with careful planning of a design, no one skin tone is limited in hues so long as the values can be manipulated. In layman’s terms, artists can use different shades of a color to achieve a noticeable result on a darker client. All that being said, warmer tones do compliment darker skin very well while royal (true) purple or blue are not recommended, as they do not blend well with most darker skin tones. However, I have found that subbing in lavender or baby blue for certain clients has helped achieve the desired result. Color mixing is also an option for those with limited color sets. 

 

When it comes to highlights, white and yellow are a go-to for many artists. But, generally, tattoo professionals recommend avoiding white and yellow on dark skin, as too pale an appearance could compromise visibility in the long term. Yet I have done yellow on darker skin tones and gotten great results, even after healing. A color test may always be conducted before deciding on colors. While doing research on cover-up tattoos, I have found that putting yellow or white over a healed black or graywash bring them out even better. This is why, for some clients, I’ll add a light graywash and then book an extra session to add the yellow and/or white. However, these are not at all the only way to achieve a highlight. When it comes to highlights on a dark-skinned client, the inclusion of negative space (areas with no ink) will contrast and make the highlight clearer on the skin. (negative spacing creates good natural highlights on ALL skin tones)

 

Black & Grey tattooing is a little different when it comes to darker clients, as an artist would use fewer graywash values. On light skin, lighter gray washes are easy to see. However, the darker the skin tone, the artist would incorporate more black and darker graywashes and more negative space.

 

Over time, the skin's healing process helps to stabilize the pigment and create the final tattoo design. The risk poor healing after a tattoo is possible. It is a risk that also exists for light skin, but it is higher for dark skin. The process of skin-regeneration in dark skin is naturally longer, therefore it is recommended that the client’s moisture regimen stay intact for at least 2 months after getting a new tattoo. Though, personally, I give this advice to everybody because the longer your new tattoo is properly maintained, the longer it still looks vibrant and new. A well-maintained aftercare regimen will always yield the best healed results, no matter your skin tone.