A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

White Ink on Dark Skin

It’s still fresh, so hopefully I’ll publish a healed photo of these wings in the future, but I sure like the way that this white ink tattoo looks on the dark skin, done by Jan at Black Peppa in Johannesburg, South Africa. I’d love to go back to South Africa… I missed out on Capetown last time I was there…

black-and-white.jpg

Comments

128 responses to “White Ink on Dark Skin”

  1. Meredith Avatar

    I have always wondered why more African-American people didn’t get tattooed with white ink! It looks awesome!

  2. Meredith Avatar

    I have always wondered why more African-American people didn’t get tattooed with white ink! It looks awesome!

  3. Heron Avatar

    This is really beautiful.It is both simplistic and elegant.Truly refreshing.

  4. Heron Avatar

    This is really beautiful.It is both simplistic and elegant.Truly refreshing.

  5. Tiroskan Avatar
    Tiroskan

    Love dat. =]

  6. Tiroskan Avatar
    Tiroskan

    Love dat. =]

  7. trixie Avatar
    trixie

    sooo lovely to see a different interpretation of wings, and this one is perfect

  8. trixie Avatar
    trixie

    sooo lovely to see a different interpretation of wings, and this one is perfect

  9. Tattooguy Avatar
    Tattooguy

    This tattoo looks great now.. because you are seeing the ink that is on top of the skin/in the open skin.. once this heals the dark skin loaded with melanin will be over the top of it, making it all but invisible.. this wont be a very noticeable tattoo, if it is even visible at all.

  10. Tattooguy Avatar
    Tattooguy

    This tattoo looks great now.. because you are seeing the ink that is on top of the skin/in the open skin.. once this heals the dark skin loaded with melanin will be over the top of it, making it all but invisible.. this wont be a very noticeable tattoo, if it is even visible at all.

  11. Max Brand Avatar

    most of that was probably gone after her first shower….

  12. Max Brand Avatar

    most of that was probably gone after her first shower….

  13. Mon Avatar
    Mon

    Thanks for that! It’s great to see white ink on dark skin and the tattoo does look great. Now what would be really great would be more pics like these and the healed pics of this tattoo and some pics of the tattoo say after a while (e.g. a year?).

  14. Mon Avatar
    Mon

    Thanks for that! It’s great to see white ink on dark skin and the tattoo does look great. Now what would be really great would be more pics like these and the healed pics of this tattoo and some pics of the tattoo say after a while (e.g. a year?).

  15. AestheticWaif Avatar
    AestheticWaif

    Awesome Tattoo, I love white ink. Unfortunately I’m too ‘white’ for white ink to make an impression. And !WooHoo! – I live 2 blocks away from Black Peppa!!! Pity I haven’t cash to spend there though, they have some wicked clothes too…

  16. AestheticWaif Avatar
    AestheticWaif

    Awesome Tattoo, I love white ink. Unfortunately I’m too ‘white’ for white ink to make an impression. And !WooHoo! – I live 2 blocks away from Black Peppa!!! Pity I haven’t cash to spend there though, they have some wicked clothes too…

  17. hdbkrbny Avatar
    hdbkrbny

    Great image!! Been looking for an example of this! Interested in knowing how difficult it is to get a “uniform” level of color using white ink.

  18. hdbkrbny Avatar
    hdbkrbny

    Great image!! Been looking for an example of this! Interested in knowing how difficult it is to get a “uniform” level of color using white ink.

  19. LillyTree Avatar
    LillyTree

    I realize this is old…but I have a lovely Nigerian friend with *extensive* white line-work….and she’s had it for three years. It is about as bright today as when she had it done. It depends on your skin, everyone is different. I feel all the comments about how it will certainly fail are over-generalizing.

  20. LillyTree Avatar
    LillyTree

    I realize this is old…but I have a lovely Nigerian friend with *extensive* white line-work….and she’s had it for three years. It is about as bright today as when she had it done. It depends on your skin, everyone is different. I feel all the comments about how it will certainly fail are over-generalizing.

  21. Mon Avatar
    Mon

    LillyTree, would your friend mind posting pics of her tattoo? I’d love to get white ink as I’m dark skinned, but obviously want to know what it’ll look like after a few years. Thanks.

  22. Mon Avatar
    Mon

    LillyTree, would your friend mind posting pics of her tattoo? I’d love to get white ink as I’m dark skinned, but obviously want to know what it’ll look like after a few years. Thanks.

  23. Keith Avatar
    Keith

    Would love to see the the three year photo #60. One of the reasons why I do not have a tattoo is b/c I feel it will not be visible on my skin. Many thanks.

  24. Keith Avatar
    Keith

    Would love to see the the three year photo #60. One of the reasons why I do not have a tattoo is b/c I feel it will not be visible on my skin. Many thanks.

  25. Key Avatar
    Key

    So! Did it take? I want to get stuff like this, but I don’t want dark green tattoos. 🙁

  26. Key Avatar
    Key

    So! Did it take? I want to get stuff like this, but I don’t want dark green tattoos. 🙁

  27. Jo' Avatar

    Can we have a recent photo of the tattoo?

  28. Jo' Avatar

    Can we have a recent photo of the tattoo?

Latest Tattoo, Piercing, and Body Modification News

  • Twelve Points to the Sky
    There’s a particular kind of magic that happens at your first big suspension gathering when you arrive with nerves, an open heart, and the quiet hope of flight. Guided by the encouragement of mentor Lynn Loheide and driven by the quiet confidence of belonging, Alex… Read more: Twelve Points to the Sky
  • Ontario SusCon 2025
    In March 2025, BME attended the Ontario Suspension Convention in Hamilton, hosted by the Kevin Donaghy and the Ontario Suspension Collective. We had the pleasure to take part and help document the event, but also run a booth to sell a bunch of old (but… Read more: Ontario SusCon 2025
  • Welcome Back to Body Modification Ezine
    Dear BME Community, We’ve been gone far too long, but BME is back to give people a voice, a space, a community. With time everything evolves, and BME may be different than you remember. Our goal is to stay true to Shannon and Rachel’s values… Read more: Welcome Back to Body Modification Ezine
  • BME Social Media
    Word of mouth has been our method of reuniting the community, and it has brought a substantial amount of us together. I am inspired by your loyalty and I want to remind more people of BME’s existence. In 2020 we gained control over @bmezine on… Read more: BME Social Media
  • BMEShop
    Despite the hurricanes in 2015 which destroyed almost all of what Rachel owned, she managed to save the original inventory from BME. We have relisted some of the stock on BMEShop.com with the hopes you may be interested.  Our first drop includes a selection of… Read more: BMEShop
  • Rachel Larratt 1980-2022
    Unfortunately, when we lost some of the ModBlog content, it included the post about Rachel’s passing. (Original Post) Rachel passed away on June 22, 2022. She died in her sleep. Even now, it’s extremely difficult to write this post. Rachel meant so much to so… Read more: Rachel Larratt 1980-2022