Do tattoos work on darker skin?

An important question: how do tattoos look on melanin-rich, darker skin? The answer is: fantastic, if you know how!

The difference:

Tattoo ink is placed in the dermis, the second layer of skin. The melanin pigments responsible for skin color sit above it in the epidermis. This means you’re essentially looking at the tattoo through a ‘tinted window.’ The result is always a blend of the tattoo ink and your individual skin tone.

What works best?

Bold, high-contrast designs often have the strongest impact. Black and gray tattoos are always an excellent choice. For color tattoos, warm, vibrant tones like red, orange, and yellow often work better than cool tones like light blue or purple. Very light pastel colors usually have little effect.

Our expertise:

Our artists have experience with all skin types and will give you honest, expert advice on which colors and designs will look best on your skin tone.

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