tattoo geeks, got a question

[Rÿcher]

I have this as a tat on my right arm:

I'm thinking about getting the flesh areas within the emblem colored in white. How does white translate to on fair caucasian flesh tones? It's just to make it more accurate. I know the "actual" Imperial emblem doesn't have hair growing throughout it.

Which brings me to another question:

When men get inked in areas with hair like arms, chest, legs, etc., should they shave the tattooed area especially if it's of a lady? Is there some rule or etiquette involved in that kind of thing?

 

[Sean Aaron]

You look pretty fair, so I see no point in getting white tattooed in that area; looks fine as-is.

With regard to shaving your body hair, well, that's down to you, isn't it? I guess if you were so hairy there you couldn't really see the tattoo, you'd probably get it done elsewhere or you'd add that to the list of areas to shave regularly...

 

[An Officer]

It doesn't look too hairy to me as is. People pretty much expect hair on men, you know?

White ink is used a lot on Caucasians, and there is a slight, although very slight extra whitening, it's up to you if you think that minimal variation is suitable for you. Have you googled white ink?

Grey and white ink tattoo, but this is on a pretty tanned person:
http://techyum.com/blog%20art/200703280753-pix1.jpg
It may not necessarily turn out the same way on your skin tone. I would say, do your own extensive online research, then have a preliminary consultation with a well-respected tattoo artist.

 

[Rÿcher]

ooh, I like the gray!

 

[John Picard]

White is a color that tends to fade; however, when in the Navy, a shipmate of mine had a rose with thorns tattooed on his bicep. The thorns were filled with white and surprisingly didn't fade after 3 years. Even the tattoo artists in California were amazed at that.

 

[BorisX]

I suggest shaving the area. Every tattoo session I've seen, the artist shaves the area to be tattooed, even if its only peach fuzz or whatever you want to call it. I shaved my stomach and my leg both times because I'm a bit hairy.