Tattoo Removal
While laser tattoo removal remains the most effective way to remove unwanted ink, many people have opted for a bolder way to remove older tattoos: blackout tattoos.
By covering an unwanted tattoo with solid black ink, blackout tattoos can completely conceal current designs with less sessions and sometimes, at a lesser cost compared to laser tattoo removal.
In this guide, we’ll explore the world of blackout tattoos for tattoo removal, how the method compares to laser tattoo removal and tattoo cover-ups, and which option may be the better choice based on your personal goals.
A blackout tattoo is a tattoo style that involves completely covering large areas of the skin with solid black ink to cover unwanted tattoos or create a visually striking look.
Blackout Tattoo by Hoode Philly / Source: Instagram
Compared to other tattoo styles, blackout tattoos have an extremely limited history tied to them; but that doesn’t necessarily mean the tattoo style hasn’t existed in some capacity over the years.
Blackout tattoos are descendants of blackwork, tribal, and Polynesian tattoo styles. All 3 tattoo styles utilize heavy amounts of solid black ink, alongside a client’s natural skin to create contrast-heavy designs. Blackout tattoos build upon this power of contrast, but on a much larger scale.
In the 1980s, blackout tattoos were exclusively used as a way to cover unwanted tattoos. They served little-to-no creative purpose besides “removing” a tattoo without undergoing more common tattoo removal methods.
In 2016, blackout tattoos experienced their “viral moment” with an Instagram post from Singapore-based tattoo artist, Chester Lee. The imagery depicted a woman wearing a freshly applied blackout arm sleeve, stretching to her chest area. The social media post and the ink’s bold contrast seemingly uplifted the tattoo style into its more recent popularity.
Now, blackout tattoos are incredibly common worldwide; and the growing trend doesn’t appear to be stopping anytime soon. Celebrities like Machine Gun Kelly and Kat Von D have opted for blackout tattoos to cover up previous work and/or refresh their appearance in an eye-catching way.
Source: Instagram
On the surface, blackout tattoos and cover-up tattoos serve the same purpose: covering unwanted ink. The two tattoo styles are incredibly different in terms of their application techniques and their intention.
Blackout tattoos cover a larger area of the body, sometimes entire body parts like the arms or legs, often times without any concrete design present. They are strictly meant to cover the skin with solid black ink, even if they aren’t covering an actual tattoo.
Blackout tattooing requires a different type of technique compared to standard cover-up tattoos, making them reside in their own subculture of tattoo artists. Inexperienced tattoo artists can easily overwork the skin during blackout tattooing, which can result in permanent scarring. The perfect tattoo artist will know exactly how to saturate the skin without causing unnecessary harm.
Arguably, cover-up tattoos are the complete opposite of blackout tattoos. Cover-up pieces are designed to completely camouflage an older tattoo with a brand-new design. They can be completed in any tattoo style and design, as long as they cover the desired area successfully.
Source: Unknown
For tattoo cover-ups, you’ll want to find a tattoo artist who specializes in the craft to ensure your cover-up piece is effective. These tattoo artists often come at a more premium price, but their expertise is worth it.
Blackout tattoos are becoming a popular choice for tattoo removal, despite not actually removing tattoos at all. The tattoo style promises faster, sometimes cheaper results compared to other tattoo removal methods—specifically laser tattoo removal.
On average, a blackout tattoo can be completed in 3-5 tattoo sessions over a few months with optimal healing practices in mind. Similar to other tattoo types, the cost of a blackout tattoo heavily depends on a variety of factors: your tattoo artist’s pricing, the ideal placement, and any additional sessions you might need.
It is possible to “remove” your tattoos through the blackout tattooing method for cheaper than standard tattoo removal, though the entire process will likely still cost a few thousand dollars.
For anyone looking remove unwanted ink, blackout tattoos and laser tattoo removal might sound like two very reasonable options.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your long-term goals. If you want clear skin, laser tattoo removal is the only option that permanently removes the ink. If you prefer replacing an unwanted tattoo with a bold new statement piece, a blackout tattoo may be the better fit for you.
Blackout tattoos can be an effective way to conceal unwanted ink, but they are fundamentally different from all tattoo removal options. Understanding the advantages and limitations of each approach can help you choose the option that best matches your vision, whether that’s completely clear skin or an entirely new piece of body art.
We’re on a mission to give you the most straightforward, easy and efficient laser tattoo removal experience. Your estimate will be entirely bespoke to your tattoo; the size, the colors, the ink. It won’t take long and afterwards you’ll have a plan to finally get rid of your unwanted tattoo and get back to being you.
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