[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.
[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.
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.