Visiting a tattoo shop for inking can be overwhelming. There are many tattoo designs to choose from. A body art enthusiast wishing to get a colour tattoo must also select the best colours from the vast palette. We have gathered some insights to consider when deciding on the perfect hues for a colour tattoo.
Picking the Best of Colours for Tattoo
Black has a strong history as an enduring and classic colour for tattooing. Even with the influx of other colours, it still holds its position firmly. A choice of colour can dull a tattoo or make a design pop.
The following are pointers on selecting the perfect tattoo colour:
- Style of Tattoo
Tattoo styles vary from intricate designs to simple ones. They are fashioned to be statement creations, and tattoo colours speak. There are watercolour tattoos, Japanese-style ones, and traditional tattoos. Japanese and traditional tattoos usually use heavy-coloured inks.
Watercolour tattoos use pastels and tend to fade fast and require more touch-ups. Heavy black or a mixture of grey and black are the perfect choice for a lasting tattoo. Black also eventually fades as the skin ages or regenerates. Small tattoo dyes can fade or bleed over time.
- Location of the Tattoo
A tattoo on an area of the body deemed to change over time will eventually become distorted. It will lose its colour and pattern to the unyielding inevitability of time. Parts like the belly, thighs, and arms will not sustain the structure of the tattoo in due time. Avoid the pastel colour characteristic of watercolour tattoos if opting for such locations.
Body parts exposed to high sun and physical contact also fade tattoos faster. Palms and soles are not best suited for tattoos meant to last years without losing their oomph. It is better to have tattoos on the ankles, shoulders, and back. Remember, colour tattoos fade faster than traditional black tattoos, regardless of location.
Still, colour tattoos are vibrant even if they do not hold that quality for long. Red lasts longer, and coloured ink also brings out realism patterns. Coloured ink adds definition and character to a tattoo. Some artists use black to outline the tattoo to make it stand out.
- Tattoo Colour Allergies
As much as colour tattoos make gorgeous and trendy body art, they are also the leading culprits for ink allergies. People develop a reaction to specific colours, with red being the most common allergen. The reaction usually starts immediately and can resolve within several days.
A reaction can also arise from the tattooing method used to inject the ink into the dermis. The outcome of the allergy is skin tags, nodules, and fluid accumulation, which causes swelling around the inked area. In severe cases, infections arising from the allergy can damage the tattoo.
- Skin Tone
The vibrancy of some tattoo colours depends on the skin tones. Paler skin tones display and hold bright colours longer and better than darker skin tones. Dark skin belies the vibrancy of dark hues like blue, green and purple. The darker skin tones also require densely packed ink for effect.
Black ink is versatile and works well for tattoos on all skin tones. In terms of permanence, removing red ink from dark skin tones with tattoo removal laser technology is impossible. Colour tattoos are also more painful and require more touch-ups. Still, colours add dimension and depth to tattoos.
Conclusion
Like all art niches, the body art scene continues to evolve in its palette’s unique colours and dye blends. The result is an eye-catching assortment of masterpieces inked in arresting colours and intricate designs. Consider the longevity of colour against the ravages of time and skin care. It will keep a bespoke tattoo in its splendour of colours, pristine and timeless. Visit licensed tattoo shops that use high-quality dyes.