Blackout tattoo explained

Blackout tattoos are a type of tattoo that involves tattooing an area of the body completely black. Although many people get blackout tattoos as a standalone piece, they are also a method of covering up unwanted tattoos.

History

Modern blackout tattoos are influenced by traditional Polynesian tattoos and graphic art.[1] Their designs also often incorporate aspects of neo-tribal tattoos.[2] [3] The technique originated as an alternative method of covering up unwanted tattoos, instead of the more expensive tattoo removal.[4] However, blackout tattoos became increasingly popular as an aesthetic choice in South Asia during the 2010s,[5] a practice which largely derived from local tattooing techniques such as Bornean traditional tattooing.[6] [7] They soon spread internationally as a fashion trend,[8] [9] [10] having been popularized by Singaporean tattoo artist Chester Lee whose designs got attention on Instagram after a picture of a woman with black chest and sleeve went viral in early 2016.[11] [12] [1]

Characteristics

The main and defining characteristics of blackout tattooing is tattooing a portion of skin completely solid black.[13] These tattoos often have abstract geometric designs.[14] [15]

Blacking out a portion of skin can take several hours, as the artist needs to ensure that the tattoo ink is evenly deposited,[16] while also minimising scarring. Blackout tattoos are sometimes completed in multiple sessions because the process may be painful and time-consuming, and to ensure that ink has fully saturated the skin.[14] [15] As the ink fades, blackout tattoos may need to be retouched, although some people choose to let them fade with age.[17] If the technique is not applied properly, the ink may heal unevenly, with some areas lighter or darker than others.[18]

The edges of the blackout tattoo may end in shading, or with designs that make use of the negative space between the tattoo and the bare skin tone.[19] Blackout tattoos may also be used as a background for color or black-on-black patterns and designs.[20] In some cases, designs in white ink are placed on top of blackout tattoos after they have healed to create visual contrast.[21] Scarification is sometimes used on top of blackout tattoos. This provides a similar effect to white ink tattoos without the risk of fading.[22]

Health effects

Blackout tattoos have associated health risks, including health risks associated with tattooing in general. Because they cover a large area of skin, blackout tattoos tend to cause increased swelling, as well as risk of keloid scarring and infection.[23] [24]

The dark pigments typically used to create blackout tattoos often contain carcinogens such as benzo(a)pyrene,[15] [25] and toxic ingredients such as titanium dioxide, chromium, nickel and lead, which can cause allergic reactions when used over a large area. Large blackout tattoos may also make it difficult for dermatologists to perform cancer screenings, as it obscures possible signs of cancer such as abnormal moles and melanoma.[26] The iron oxide used in black ink can also interfere with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams.[27]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bryant . Taylor . March 28, 2016 . The Internet Is Obsessed With This Blackout Tattoo Technique . 2022-06-14 . Refinery29 . en.
  2. Web site: Lubitz . Rachel . March 28, 2016 . The Solution to Getting Rid of Unwanted Tattoos? Get More Tattoos. . 2022-06-14 . Mic . en.
  3. Web site: Valentin . Anne-Sophie . 2016-03-21 . Qu'est ce que le "blackout tattoo", la nouvelle tendance tatouage ? . 2022-06-14 . Les Inrocks . fr-FR.
  4. Web site: Whittler . Alex . March 30, 2016 . The 'blackout' tattoo trend has people covering their body in solid ink . 2022-06-14 . Today . en.
  5. Web site: Sen . Debarati S . May 11, 2016 . Are you bold enough to try blackout tattoos? . 2022-06-14 . The Times of India . en.
  6. Web site: Antao . Lisa . May 15, 2016 . Going back to black . 2022-06-14 . DNA India . en.
  7. Web site: Heng . Eve Sonary . October 7, 2018 . Tattooing – now a popular body art . 2022-06-14 . The Borneo Post . en-US.
  8. Web site: Gustashaw . Megan . March 28, 2016 . The Latest Tattoo Trend Requires One Big Commitment to Ink . 2022-06-14 . GQ . Condé Nast . en-US.
  9. Web site: Cherrington . Rosy . March 29, 2016 . Blackout Tattoos Are The Most Extreme New Body Art Trend . 2022-06-14 . HuffPost . en.
  10. Web site: June 12, 2021 . ¿Qué significa (o qué es) el tatuaje con el que Lupillo Rivera tapó a Belinda? . 2022-06-14 . 24 Horas . es.
  11. Web site: Edwards . Lynda . May 6, 2016 . What to do when you no longer want that tattoo . 2022-06-14 . Chattanooga Times Free Press.
  12. Web site: 2016-03-29 . 'Blackout tattoo' trend sweeping the internet . 2025-10-14 . CTVNews . en.
  13. Web site: Preston . Devon . November 7, 2019 . Meet the Beautiful Model Blacking Out Her Whole Body . 2022-06-14 . Inked Mag . en.
  14. Web site: Frank . Priscilla . April 28, 2016 . Solid Black Tattoos Are Having A Moment, And People Are Really Intense About Them . 2022-06-14 . HuffPost . en.
  15. Web site: Think Before You Ink: Tattoo Health Risks . University of Pennsylvania Medicine . 7 September 2023 . 17 July 2018.
  16. Web site: Street . Mikelle . March 28, 2016 . The Newest Tattoo Trend Is Pretty Intense . 2022-06-14 . Complex . en.
  17. Web site: Cochrane . Lauren . March 29, 2016 . Dark art: the rise of the blackout tattoo . 2022-09-24 . The Guardian.
  18. Web site: Ramage . Jack . September 12, 2021 . What is a blackout tattoo? Here's why you should think twice before getting one . 2022-09-24 . Screenshot Media.
  19. Web site: Laneri . Raquel . March 28, 2016 . Replace a tattoo you'll regret with one you'll regret even more . 2022-06-14 . New York Post . en-US.
  20. Web site: Barnes . Sara . September 5, 2019 . These Flower Tattoos with Deep Black Backgrounds Turn Arms and Legs into Elegant Works of Art . 2022-06-14 . My Modern Met . en.
  21. Web site: February 3, 2021 . 50 Beautiful White on Black Tattoos . 2022-06-14 . Inked Mag . en.
  22. Web site: January 8, 2019 . 11 Black Ink Tattoos With Scarification . 2022-09-24 . Inked Mag.
  23. Web site: Baharudin . Hariz . April 10, 2016 . Blackout tattoos: The inked and the Singaporean named as pioneer inker . 2022-06-14 . The New Paper . en.
  24. Web site: Thompson . Desire . April 5, 2016 . Take Your Love Of Tats And Amplify It With A Blackout Tattoo . 2022-06-14 . Vibe (magazine) . en-US.
  25. Web site: Miller . Korin . March 29, 2016 . Blackout Tattoos Are Trendy—But Are They Safe? . 2022-06-14 . Self . Condé Nast . en-US.
  26. Web site: Pai . Deanna . April 5, 2016 . Why Blackout Tattoos Are Actually a Really Bad Idea . 2022-06-14 . Teen Vogue . Condé Nast . en-US.
  27. Web site: Bruning . Sarah . April 4, 2016 . This New Tattoo Trend Looks Cool—but It Could Really Mess with Your Health . 2022-06-14 . Women's Health . en-US.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Blackout tattoo".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2026, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.