What Are Black Sleeve Tattoos?
As the name suggests, black sleeve tattoos cover a large part of your arm and shoulder, with black tattoos. Instead of delicate and detailed patterns, these tattoos mostly fill extensive skin areas with solid black ink.
That’s not to say that you can’t get a design at all and have to fill your entire arm with black color. You can certainly choose to make a large design and fill a considerable chunk of it with black ink. However, most of your arm would be black if you intend to get a genuine black sleeve tattoo.
Other blackwork tattoo ideas
If the tone-on-tone look of having black work done is inspiring, but you’re not quite sure about going with full blackout sleeve arm tattoos yet, here are a couple more subtle ways to ease into the trend.
Get a smaller piece of black work done that could expand if you find you love it.
Intersperse a more full sleeve with a fresh dose of floral inspiration with these black eyed susan tattoo ideas.
Go mostly black with a little grey work tattoo style thrown in to get a more two toned look than the full blackout.
Or stick to just a smaller part of the style like a thigh tattoo or a forearm sleeve tattoo to start with. You can always add on as you have the money and desire.
Why Do People Get Blackout Tattoos?
Blackout tattoos are expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, it is usually people who are hardcore tattoo enthusiasts who opt for such tattoos. There is also a higher chance that these large tattoos would be frowned upon by others. This is why it takes a lot of courage to get such tattoos.
There are some common reasons people choose to get black sleeve tattoos. Some of these are as follows.
· Cover Up Scars and Blemishes
Old wounds, animal bites, pigmentation, blemishes, or even birthmarks can sometimes be embarrassing, especially when they’re on a body part that is usually visible. Some people get blackout tattoos in an attempt to camouflage or hide these tattoos. Since hands are usually more prone to accidental wounds that may remain visible unless you wear full sleeve clothing at all times, people generally get cover-up tattoos on this area.
However, getting a tattoo over already damaged skin can be dangerous. Additionally, they will also usually be more painful than regular tattoos. Therefore, it is necessary to consult your doctor beforehand if you’re planning on getting a black sleeve tattoo for this purpose.
Sometimes, you get a tattoo that doesn’t come out the way you want. Other times, it may have come out great but starts fading over time. You could also get a tattoo design that you liked at the time but started resenting as your taste evolved, or you just don’t want to be associated with what the tattoo represents anymore. Either way, the tattoo is mostly permanent, and unless you get a laser tattoo removal, you cannot do much about it.
Most tattoo removal methods are more painful than actually getting a tattoo, in addition to being extremely expensive. Therefore, some people opt to entirely cover up the area with solid black to hide the appearance of the previous tattoo. A black band can be created around the arm. These wrap-around tattoos somewhat resemble a think cuff or bracelet, making them look like they were intentional.
· Self-Expression and Body-Art
By the end of the day, getting any tattoo is a personal choice. And while there are some valid reasons people opt for black sleeve tattoos, they can also get one just because they want to. Since black sleeve tattoos have a more hardcore appearance, it is a popular choice among people who are passionate about tattoos.
If you like the appearance of a black sleeve tattoo, you don’t need any further reason to get one. Whether you want a specific design or a wrap-around band, the choice is yours.