Ronnie Radke, the lead singer of the rock band Falling in Reverse, decided to blackout his tattoos to disconnect himself from his past and start afresh. He covered up most of the tattoos on his arms and neck but left some on his chest and legs. He also added some new ones that reflect his current state of mind. In this article, we will explore the meaning behind Ronnie Radke’s tattoos, the reason for the blackout tattoos, and the difference between tattoo removal and cover-up.
The Meaning Behind Ronnie Radke’s Tattoos
Ronnie Radke blacked out nearly 40 tattoos. Some were for fun or creative expression, while others were personal and emotional for decidedhim. Notable ones include:
- A screaming woman on his right bicep, which was a strange and eerie design.
- A robot surrounded by UFOs on his right bicep, which showed his interest in sci-fi and aliens.
- A nautical star on his left shoulder, which symbolized guidance, direction, and protection.
- Crossbones with XXX on his right forearm, which indicated danger, toxicity, and death.
- A heart grenade on his left forearm, which had a banner that said “LOVE” and represented destructive beauty.
- A gun and a rose on his inner left bicep, which was inspired by the band Guns N Roses and also signified destructive beauty.
- A portrait of a weird-looking woman on his left hand, which he claimed to have done for his ex-girlfriend Emily.
- A knife on the right side of his face, which was a small and simple design.
- A portrait of his grandmother on his left arm, which was a tribute to her memory.
- A microphone with wings on his neck, which symbolized his passion for music and singing.
- A crown with the words “king” and “of hearts” on his forehead, which was a reminder to never give up or take life to seriously.
The Reason for the Blackout Tattoos
Ronnie Radke decided to blackout his tattoos because he wanted to disconnect himself from his past and move on. He felt that some of his tattoos were reminders of things that he wanted to forget or change. He also wanted to express his individualism and creative rebelliousness by doing something different and bold.
He said in an interview:
“I just wanted to start over. I felt like I had a lot of baggage that I was carrying around with me. I wanted to erase some of the things that I regretted or that haunted me. I also wanted to do something that nobody else was doing. I wanted to stand out and be unique. I think blackout tattoos are cool and artistic.”
Ronnie Radke’s blackout tattoos also had an impact on trends and fashion. Many fans and followers admired his new look and praised him for being brave and original. Some even copied his style and got their own blackout tattoos. Ronnie Radke became an influencer and a trendsetter in the tattoo community.
Tattoo Removal vs. Cover Up
Ronnie Radke chose to cover up his tattoos rather than remove them because it was easier, cheaper, and less painful. Tattoo removal is a process that involves using lasers or other methods to break down the ink particles in the skin and make them fade away. Tattoo removal can take several sessions, cost a lot of money, and cause side effects such as scarring, infection, or skin damage.
Tattoo cover-up is a process that involves using darker ink to hide or mask the existing tattoo. Tattoo cover-up can be done in one session, cost less money, and cause fewer side effects. However, tattoo cover-up can also have some drawbacks such as limiting the design options, making the tattoo look bulky or uneven, or showing through over time.
Ronnie Radke opted for blackout tattoos as a form of cover-up because he liked the aesthetic of solid black ink covering large areas of skin. He said:
“I think blackout tattoos look badass. They make me feel powerful and confident. They also give me a blank slate to work with. I can still get new tattoos on top of them if I want to.”
The process of blackout tattooing involves using a thick needle and black ink to fill in the skin with a solid color. The process can be painful and time-consuming, but the result is a striking and dramatic appearance. Blackout tattoos require special care and attention to heal properly and avoid complications. Some of the tips for caring for blackout tattoos are:
- Avoid sun exposure and use sunscreen to protect the tattoo from fading or burning.
- Keep the tattoo clean and moisturized to prevent infection or dryness.
- Follow the aftercare instructions given by the tattoo artist and consult a doctor if any problems arise.
