Blackout tattoo

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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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b 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.
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