Blackout tattoo

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][5] However, blackout tattoos became increasingly popular as an aesthetic choice in South Asia during the 2010s,^[6] a practice which largely derived from local tattooing techniques such as Bornean traditional tattooing.^[7][8] They soon spread internationally as a fashion trend,^[9][10][11] 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.^{[12][13][14][15]}

The practice has received criticism for cultural appropriation,^[16][17] and has been compared to blackface in some circumstances.^[18]

Characteristics

The main and defining characteristics of blackout tattooing is tattooing a portion of skin completely solid black.^[19] These tattoos often have abstract geometric designs.^[20][21]

Blacking out a portion of skin can take several hours, as the artist needs to ensure that the tattoo ink is evenly deposited,^[22] 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.^[20][21] As the ink fades, blackout tattoos may need to be retouched, although some people choose to let them fade with age.^[4] If the technique is not applied properly, the ink may heal unevenly, with some areas lighter or darker than others.^[23]

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.^[24] Blackout tattoos may also be used as a background for color or black-on-black patterns and designs.^[25] In some cases, designs in white ink are placed on top of blackout tattoos after they have healed to create visual contrast.^[26] Scarification is sometimes used on top of blackout tattoos. This provides a similar effect to white ink tattoos without the risk of fading.^[27]

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.^[28][29]

The dark pigments typically used to create blackout tattoos often contain carcinogens such as benzo(a)pyrene,^[30][31] 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.^[32] The iron oxide used in black ink can also interfere with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams.^[31][33]

References

1. Bryant, Taylor (March 28, 2016). "The Internet Is Obsessed With This Blackout Tattoo Technique". Refinery29. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
2. Lubitz, Rachel (March 28, 2016). "The Solution to Getting Rid of Unwanted Tattoos? Get More Tattoos". Mic. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
3. Valentin, Anne-Sophie (March 21, 2016). "Qu'est ce que le "blackout tattoo", la nouvelle tendance tatouage ?". Les Inrocks (in French). Retrieved June 14, 2022.
4. Cochrane, Lauren (March 29, 2016). "Dark art: the rise of the blackout tattoo". The Guardian. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
5. Whittler, Alex (March 30, 2016). "The 'blackout' tattoo trend has people covering their body in solid ink". Today. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
6. Sen, Debarati S (May 11, 2016). "Are you bold enough to try blackout tattoos?". The Times of India. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
7. Antao, Lisa (May 15, 2016). "Going back to black". DNA India. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
8. Heng, Eve Sonary (October 7, 2018). "Tattooing – now a popular body art". The Borneo Post. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
9. Gustashaw, Megan (March 28, 2016). "The Latest Tattoo Trend Requires One Big Commitment to Ink". GQ. Condé Nast. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
10. Cherrington, Rosy (March 29, 2016). "Blackout Tattoos Are The Most Extreme New Body Art Trend". HuffPost. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
11. "¿Qué significa (o qué es) el tatuaje con el que Lupillo Rivera tapó a Belinda?". 24 Horas (in Spanish). June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
12. Edwards, Lynda (May 6, 2016). "What to do when you no longer want that tattoo". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
13. 'Blackout tattoo' trend sweeping the internet
14. The Internet Is Obsessed With This Blackout Tattoo Technique
15. Blackout tattoos are the boldest tattoo trend to ever happen
16. Capon, Laura (November 5, 2019). "Kat Von D just covered her entire arm with a black tattoo". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
17. Gallagher, Brenden (November 7, 2019). "Kat Von D pens passionate Instagram defense of her new tattoo". The Daily Dot. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
18. Fuller, Gillian (November 9, 2017). "This Tattoo Artist Is Getting Heat for Her Full-Body Blackwork Tattoos". Allure. Condé Nast. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
19. Preston, Devon (November 7, 2019). "Meet the Beautiful Model Blacking Out Her Whole Body". Inked Mag. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
20. Frank, Priscilla (April 28, 2016). "Solid Black Tattoos Are Having A Moment, And People Are Really Intense About Them". HuffPost. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
21. "Think Before You Ink: Tattoo Health Risks". University of Pennsylvania Medicine. July 17, 2018. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
22. Street, Mikelle (March 28, 2016). "The Newest Tattoo Trend Is Pretty Intense". Complex. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
23. Ramage, Jack (September 12, 2021). "What is a blackout tattoo? Here's why you should think twice before getting one". Screenshot Media. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
24. Laneri, Raquel (March 28, 2016). "Replace a tattoo you'll regret with one you'll regret even more". New York Post. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
25. Barnes, Sara (September 5, 2019). "These Flower Tattoos with Deep Black Backgrounds Turn Arms and Legs into Elegant Works of Art". My Modern Met. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
26. "50 Beautiful White on Black Tattoos". Inked Mag. February 3, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
27. "11 Black Ink Tattoos With Scarification". Inked Mag. January 8, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
28. Baharudin, Hariz (April 10, 2016). "Blackout tattoos: The inked and the Singaporean named as pioneer inker". The New Paper. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
29. Thompson, Desire (April 5, 2016). "Take Your Love Of Tats And Amplify It With A Blackout Tattoo". Vibe (magazine). Retrieved June 14, 2022.
30. "Think Before You Ink: Tattoo Health Risks". Penn Medicine. July 17, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
31. Miller, Korin (March 29, 2016). "Blackout Tattoos Are Trendy—But Are They Safe?". Self. Condé Nast. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
32. Pai, Deanna (April 5, 2016). "Why Blackout Tattoos Are Actually a Really Bad Idea". Teen Vogue. Condé Nast. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
33. Bruning, Sarah (April 4, 2016). "This New Tattoo Trend Looks Cool—but It Could Really Mess with Your Health". Women's Health. Retrieved June 14, 2022.