by Marilla Mulwane

Created on: October 30, 2010

Black light UV tattoos have become popular over the years despite controversy. The idea behind UV tattoos is that the tattoo is hidden and unseen in regular light. The moment the tattoo is placed near a black light, the tattoo comes to life and glows. Some people get entire black light tattoos, while others outline their colored tattoos so they can have the best of both worlds. UV tattoos look really neat when beneath a black light, and are perfect for a night at the club.

*What are UV tattoos?

Black light tattoos are done with ink that reacts to UV light. The ink is clear, making the tattoo invisible in regular light. It shines bright when beneath a black light. The black light makes the bright color literally glow. It's like having a black light poster on your skin. Some of the most common UV tattoos are of the human skeleton. The black light makes the ink glow and look like the person's bones are showing through the skin. Like a glowing X-ray.

*Do UV tattoos last and are they really invisible in regular light?

The ink is clear, but when the tattoo is done it leaves behind a scar. With colored tattoos that scar is hidden beneath the color, but with UV tattoos the scar is visible. Some people like the scarification look. It can take over a year for the scar to fully heal and disappear. The decision on whether the black light tattoos continue to glow after a long time is varied. Every tattoo fades over time, and so will a UV tattoo. There have been some reports that the UV tattoo stopped glowing after only a few years, and others claim that the tattoo continues to glow for six years and up.

*Is black light tattoo ink safe?

Here is where the controversy comes in. When UV tattoos first hit tattoo shops, the ink was in the early phase. There were many reports of skin irritations, such as rashes, blisters, and infections. There are even some concerns that the ink could cause cancer. Many of the inks used a product called Everglow, which has caused numerous adverse reactions. They also contain phosphors, which are toxic.

Over the years, new inks have been developed. None have been FDA approved for use on humans. They are used for marking and tracking fish, the very fish we eat. Whether you think that ink used in fish is good enough for your skin is completely up to you. The new inks do not contain phosphors or Everglow. They are safer for use, but like all tattoos still have some risks involved.

*How to get a UV tattoo?

Getting a black light tattoo will require a lot more research than getting a regular tattoo. There are many tattoo shops that will do UV tattoos but do not use the safer ink available on the market. Some put additives in their ink to make it glow, but can cause many adverse reactions. Ask many questions, and make sure you know what ink is being used.

Sources:

Blacklight Tattoo Ink, Crazy Chameleon Tattoo and Body Piercing Supply Company

Ultraviolet Tattoos, HealthNews.org

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