Now a day getting an inked tattoo is in fashion again. One gets a tattoo to beautify its body and expresses the tattooing love. Therefore, before getting with an ink, one should be very careful regarding the selection of perfect tattoo ink color for his/her skin tone. Our editors have helped us a lot to make an appropriate color choice for the dark skin tone. 

Which Tattoo ink color is best for dark skin? For a darker skin type, the right color choice is a critical thing to consider. The selection of the right color will make your tattoo stand out and increase its beauty. Wrong color combinations can make the tattoo smudgy, faded and even can look ugly. Gold or blue color tattoo ink looks good on dark skin.

In this guide, we have discussed the best colors suitable for the dark skin, procedure for tattoo and important precautions concerning the tattoo. 

Which Tattoo ink color is best for dark skin?

There is a general rule for picking the shades according to the different skin tones. You will select lighter shades for dark skin individuals. Additionally, you can also pick significantly dark shades for dark skin complexion. Let’s discuss the best colors that look gorgeous on dark skin tones.   

Glossy Metallic Ink or Gold Ink

The gold ink has a beautiful sheen in it that catches every one attraction. And it makes it unique among other tattoo inks. The gold ink is best for women as an alternative to jewelry. With metallic ink, the tattoo looks more vibrant. It stands out at the darker skin.

Now in the gallery, there are a lot of gold ink tattoos to peruse. Gold ink designs are a unique blend of tattoo art and jewelry. These designs have an appealing aura in them. Like jewelry, they are best for formal occasions.

The material in the gold ink is made with metallic foil. The foil uses a thin layer for the tattooing purpose. It is a high-quality foil. It is transferred with water to the skin. It is similar to the transfer paper of tattoo that is used by the tattoo artists.

But metallic ink tattoos cannot shine under the skin. The gold ink is used on the skin surface. It is not applied under the dark skin. But a traditional ink for tattoo is applied under the skin. Therefore, these types of tattoos can never be permanent on the skin instead you can enjoy it for a limited time – for special occasions.     

You can remove the gold tattoo when you want. That’s the reason ink material taken for the gold tattoo is always of high quality. So, it lasts for many weeks and always appears as a new and bright tattoo for the period.    

 Silver ink for tattoo

Glitters colors look gorgeous on the dark skin tone. In the hand of practiced and talented tattoo artist silver ink do best at the darker skin. Silver color can be used on tattoo uniquely and creatively. 

Individuals that have dark tone usually opt for glittery and bright colors. Always keep in mind that for bright colors the tattoo outline or border should never be thin. Instead, it should be bold. It helps in making the tattoo on skin more prominent.

Black Ink

Tattoo on dark skin tone usually look attractive with dark colors. Normally dark pigment brings intense color to the skin. Black ink is one of the best and recommended pigments for the dark skin tone. It’s the color that makes the tattoo design stand out.

Black is the only truly opaque pigment among others. It is the basis of your tattoo. You can try Black Onyx in a dark tone. It is a rich shade of black color with a thin consistency. It looks pleasant on darker individuals. Black pigment is the safest option to consider for all types of skin tones and looks awesome on warm skin color. It will also save you money.

Blue tattoo ink

If a person with a dark skin tone wants a blue color tattoo then there are a lot of good shades available in it. Royal blue is a rich shade and it is best for the dark people. It will look decent on dark people. Boreal Blue is another vibrant color in blue shades to use on dark skin. A lot of dark people opt for the blue color to get a tattoo. This looks awesome if you have caramel skin color.

Crimson red ink

Reds look amazing on very dark skin. Red color depends on the darkness of the skin tone. The darker your skin color will look vibrant and visible. Red tattoo ink depends on the image and it looks impressive with particular shades. It reminds us of the rose petals. Crimson red shade is one of the best colors for the dark skin tone and also looks good on beige skin.

Multicolored tattoo

A lot of people with dark tones opt for multicolored tattoos. Colored tattoo also works best on dark skin. For multicolored tattoos always select bold inks for dark tone. Also, make sure to use thick lines to get the required color. This looks awesome if you have a dusky skin tone.

Always test ink colors for dark skin tone

Tattooing the dark skin tone is very much different from the lighter tones. This is because of the skin’s inherited traits and the way how skins absorb the color. Therefore we recommend running a ‘patch test’ before getting a tattoo. It will make your tattoo color best.

The test gives a clear idea about the best color for the skin to incorporate the tattoo. Furthermore, it will also let you know about the look of ink color on your skin and the adverse reactions of the ink on the sensitive skin.

Procedure to get a tattoo on your skin

The best part of the tattooing process is to educate you regarding the application of tattoo ink color. In this way, you can know and prepared about what should be your expectations when you will sit in front of a tattoo artist to get a tattoo. So, what is the procedure to apply tattoo on dark skin? This guide is going to tell you exactly how you can transform your skin into an amazing artwork. 

Check that if the shop is safe and clean?

Always make sure that you are in a clean and safe shop before allowing anyone a touch to your body with a needle. It is a must for a shop to have sterilization equipment that includes an autoclave. It is a must for the tattoo artist to use fresh inks and new needles for each person. He/she should always wear a new pair of gloves for every new customer. 

Additionally, you should check for the American Red Cross certification to make sure that the tattoo shop is following the OSHA requirements. If you find that the tattooing shop is not clean or its staff does not tell you about the safety measures then you can go somewhere else.  

Always visit the famous tattooing shop that has well-trained employees. Licensing standards and regulatory requirements can vary from country to country. It is necessary to check information of the health department in your state concerning local regulation and licensing. 

The Chair

After reaching the shop and ensuring safety precautions will sit on a tattoo chair. Normally it is a private portion or area like a separate room or a booth. A lot of tattoo makers use a chair similar to that of the dentist. Some use Easy Boy rocker to the tattooing purpose while others use a simple chair. It can be asked from you as well that if another client can see the tattooing process. 

Canvas preparation

Once you get seated properly at the chair your skin will be prepared for the tattooing process. The area of skin will be rubbed down to prepare it for the process. Usually, the tattooist use rubbing alcohol with a specific cleaning solution. If that area of your skin is hairy then the tattoo artist will shave the part bigger than the design size. Ensure that the tattoo artist is using a new and disposable razor for the shave. 

After that, the artist will confirm the transfer of placement on the skin. Sometimes the area of skin is moistened using a swab or a scream with roll-on deodorant. It will stand out the transfer and makes it more clearly from your skin. The transfer of reverse-image will then be pressed. It will be applied on your skin for four to five minutes. 

Paper will be pulled back from the skin. You will be able to see a blue outline of the required design. Most of the tattoos artists will ask about checking the design in a mirror to ensure that if the tattoo placement is correct or not. It is a last chance for you to get out or change your design if the tattoo look is not appealing to you anymore.  

Now the tattoo artist will take out and put on the gloves that are made of plastic latex. He will take a couple of minutes to insert inks into tinny disposable cups from huge jugs. These tinny cups are called ink caps. Then she or he will remove the sterilized needles that are placed in a sealed bag. It is an autoclave bag. After that, the artist will make ready the other required materials needed to use in the process like ointments and Vaseline.

Draw the Outline for tattoo

The artist then takes the ointment’s light layer. The particular skin area will then be covered with that layer. The function of ointment is to clean the skin surface and seal the transfer at its place. It allows the tattooing needle to safely and smoothly move over the customer’s skin.   

The tattooing machine makes an irritating sound like that of the dentist drills. Its worse sound creates discomfort for the customer. To avoid the bad sound and situation you can bring your stereo headphone to listen to some pleasing music to calm yourself.  

The tattooing artist will then put the required needles in a machine. This machine is usually known as a tattooing machine. Normally the tattoo artist uses a thick needle to outline the design in black.

During the process, the artist will periodically clean the skin after stopping the tattooing machine. Your skin will be cleaned with the cotton swab or with a facial sponge and it will remove all the seeping blood. It all depends upon the size of the design and details involved in it.  

The creation of the black outline is the most critical and painful process to get a tattoo design. The pain can be a little intense but it will rapidly diminish afterward. After the completion of the outline, the artist of the process will wipe all the remaining blue marks that are created while the transfer application.

Applying the ink color

The outline of the design is completed by the artist. It’s time to add color and shading in the tattoo. The artist will change the needles on the tattooing machine so you can have a breath now for a few minutes.

The color inking has a different feel and sensation unlike black outlining. It is usually uncomfortable for the customer as well while the majority don’t find it painful compared to the sitting process of drawing the white and black outline.   

The timing of tattoo creation depends upon the size of the design and number of colors to be applied to get the final image. A large size design takes more than one visit for the completion. 

Applying the dressing & bandaging

Till now the tattoo is cleaned and safely created by the artist. So you will treat it like a fresh wound. To prevent your tattoo from the bacterial infection apply a protective and thick layer of ointment on it.  

Then apply a bandage on the tattoo and tape it up to ensure the safety. Keep the bandage for the recommended period as it is instructed by your tattoo artist. Now your tattoo is ready and it will require a lot of aftercare from you.

Safety precautions on the date of tattoo creation

Don’t take alcohol on the date and also a day before getting the tattoo. Alcohol makes the blood thin and it is dangerous because it will bleed during the process. 

Wear comfortable dress on the date. Arrive early on the shop to get through the process. Also, you will get a chance to observe another client who is getting an inked tattoo.

Check the sanitary procedures. Ensure that the tubes, containers, and needles taken by the artist are new. Check that if the equipment is properly disinfected and sterilized or not. Everything must be clean and safe and the artist should wear disposable gloves before starting the process.  

Check that if the ink is approved for the tattooing process. Also, see the ink’s expiry date. Expired Inks will lead to infections and other complications. 

Conduct the allergy test before applying ink color on the skin. Although expired inks are dangerous but fine inks still can cause severe allergic reactions and rashes on the hypersensitive skin. Always ask the artist for the allergy test before letting her or him touch your skin with a needle.

Aftercare tips for tattoo on your skin

Follow the instructions of your tattoo artist for the aftercare of the tattoo. These ideas and instructions vary from shop to shops about can heal the best. Listen to your artist’s ideas carefully. Usually, the artists advise the printed form so you can take it away with you.

Keep your bandage for twenty-four hours. The wound can still create possible infection and airborne bacteria. 

Clean your tattoo wound with liquid anti-bacterial soap and lukewarm water. Don’t rub the wound area. To make your tattoo dry gently pat it with a clean towel or paper towel. You should not use Epsom salt after getting a tattoo.

Apply antibiotic ointment generously with vitamin D and A. It will heal the wound very fast and keep you away from infections. You can apply Tamanu oil for better results.

Keep away from tub baths and soaking for almost two weeks. Take quick showers to help the wound keep clean and safe from infections and other damage. Furthermore, ensure that casual shampoo, bath soap, and conditioners don’t get on your wound while taking a bath. 

Keep away from beaches after getting the tattoo. Avoid steam rooms, Saunas, sea, rivers, and swimming pools until your tattoo gets completely healed.

After getting the tattoo to wear comfortable and loose dresses. Let the area of tattoo uncovered for the most time. Do not put on fitting garments because they will rub against your tattooed skin.  

Your tattoo wound will itch that is the sign of fine healing. Don’t scratch when you feel itching. Most Brisbane artists recommend the use of a mild moisturizer on tattooed skin to keep it healthy. For scabbing make the scab soft with warm moist compress. Don’t peel off and scratch the tattoo. 

Use the unscented moisturizer with a thin layer on the skin. Normally the tattoo artist recommends repeating the moisturizing process every three to five times in a day. 

Keep away from exposure to the sun. Colored tattoos fads in the sun. Do not forget to wear sun-protective dress while going outside. When the tattoo gets properly healed, you can cover the tattoo with SPF while in the sun. Keep away your tattoo from direct exposure of sunlight for almost three weeks.