Now here’s a novel idea. Get a tattoo that no one can see. Yes there are actual glow in the dark tattoos as well as UV reflective tattoos. These are permanent and if applied properly completely undetectable.
Now, before you get immersed in the idea of a stealth tattoo take your time to think about what makes something either glow in the dark or react under UV light. This will require breaking down both what makes something glow in the dark and what makes something react to blacklight.
Glow In The Dark Tattoo Ink
All things that glow in the dark by themselves contain phosphors. A phosphor is a substance that radiates visible light after being energized. These types of inks have been used in tattooing but not a single “glow in the dark” tattoo ink has every been approved by the FDA. The main reason for this is that phosphors are known cancer causing substances. To make phosphors more visible and retain more energy, or light, you must add a radioactive substance of some sort. This is used in the manufacturing of high quality watches.
You have probably noticed already that none of these elements are good for the human body. If someone wants to give you a tattoo that glows in a dark room with no light source, just say no. This stuff is poisonous and though available from overseas is not approved by any medical authority.
UV (Blacklight) Reactive Tattoo Ink
There are approved inks for blacklight reactive tattoos. Blacklight tattoos will not glow in the dark but will seem to glow under a blacklight. The inks are made of material that is florescent. What does that mean? Hopefully it means there is no phosphorus in my florescent tattoo ink, because until just recently UV reactive inks were made with phosphors.
There are a lot of everyday materials that fluoresce, or glow, when placed under a (Ultraviolet) blacklight. A blacklight gives off highly energetic ultraviolet light. You can’t see this part of the light spectrum, which is how “blacklights” got their name. Fluorescent substances absorb the ultraviolet light and then re-emit it almost instantly. Some energy gets lost in the process, so the emitted light has a longer wavelength than the absorbed radiation, which makes this light visible and causes the material to appear to glow.
This Is Really Cool – I Want A Glow In The Dark Tattoo
Not so fast cowboy. It’s important that you realize and understand that this is a very new technique of body modification. The oldest studies date back only 10 years. In that time they have still not approved the original idea of a glow in the dark tattoo, but developed an alternative. That doesn’t sound to safe to me.
Blacklight ink may be approved for use throughout the states but it does have a very high rate of being rejected by the patient. I have read
many accounts of the feeling that their blacklight tattoo is aggravating and something is just plain wrong here. I’ve even seen accounts of heavily tattooed indivduals getting laser removal of UV tattoos due to complications with the ink.
If you do want an ultraviolet tattoo, I wish you good luck. Most reputable tattoo shops do not offer ultraviolet tattoos due to the high rate of complication associated with this process.
My tattooist won’t touch a glow in the dark or ultraviolet tattoo and I don’t think it’s a good idea either.
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Tags: Tattoo · Tattoo Styles
29 responses so far ↓
1 RateMyLeftArm // Mar 13, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Nice pics
2 Andy Kerr // Sep 10, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Thanks for the info, I was looking into getting a uv tattoo…… I have now reconsidered until more is known about this.
3 Ellexus // Sep 17, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Do these tattoos only glow under a blacklight or just in the dark?
4 Curt // Sep 17, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Ellexus,
There are both glow in the dark tattoos and blacklight reflective tattoos.
5 jessica // Oct 14, 2008 at 6:12 pm
is there visble glow in the dark tatts that are visble all the time not just in the dark or under blacklights
6 Curt // Oct 17, 2008 at 6:47 pm
jessica, The only way for a UV tattoo to be visible all the time is to add in visible tattoo ink.
I have seen several tattoos that are solid color tattoos and accented with UV highlights. The highlights are not visible under normal light and the color will not glow.
If you are looking for a black and grey portrait that glows in the dark, you are pretty much out of luck.
7 karl // Oct 19, 2008 at 6:55 pm
A lady here in england recently had her left breast tattood by a collegue of mine. Using blacklight and traditional inks. The concept was genius. Her nipple being the centre of a japanese lily (stargazer). And she wanted to show it off in swingers clubs under blacklight where it would transform into a shooting star. Unfortunately after several days passing she had an extremely allergic reaction and the eventual removal of the left breast. Several weeks later an infection imbedded itself around the walls of her heart which had been floating about in her bloodstream. She was suffering from bouts of uncontrollable vomiting and fits. One early Thursday in September 2008, the screams of agonising pain had stopped, the burning sensation all over her body had ceased. Ten minutes later she was pronounced dead. She a good looking brunette, green/brown eyes 5′ 11″ stunning figure, 23yrs old dead because a supplier of tattoo ink had cut corners and bought uncertified blacklight ink from china.
8 adam lidbury // Jan 27, 2009 at 8:32 pm
I would like to buy the uv ink how do I aquire the ink how much is it safe to do ur self.plz write bak asap
adamlidbury@hiptop.com.au
9 Curt // Jan 28, 2009 at 10:14 am
adam,
I do not condone the use of UV or glow in the dark tattoo ink.
It is not safe, weather you have a professional apply it or try it yourself you are just asking for complications.
Did you even read the article?
10 Chalimar // Feb 19, 2009 at 11:12 am
I’m interested in getting a uv reflective tattoo, but with all the warnings against it… what are some questions I can ask .. and the correct answers I should get from my tattooist to insure that it’s as safe as possible?
11 Curt // Feb 19, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Chalimar,
Although I do not recommend getting a UV reflective tattoo, If you insist on getting one a few things you need to consider are.
How long has your tattooist been doing UV reflective tattoos?
Does your tattooist have clients that are willing to talk to you about their UV tattoos?
You want to see a ton of samples.
12 Kyle // Mar 12, 2009 at 11:42 am
You should do more studies on something before completely shutting it down. There is a UV ink that is now FDA approved and used commonly in wildlife and fishing to tag animals with zero reactions from the ink itself. Chameleon ink for example contains no toxic materials and contains a polyurethane coating around each molecule so that when tattooed into your skin unlike normal tattoo ink some will end up in ur bloodstream, the uv ink sits inbetween ur skin never touching your bloodstream making it even safer then regular ink. Dont scare people away from something just because you dont agree with it
13 Curt // Mar 12, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Kyle,
Do you have a UV reflective tattoo? If so I’d love to interview you.
If not, then I will stick with the advise, first hand accounts and research I have already done.
14 Kyle // Mar 13, 2009 at 11:56 pm
Yes i do I have a wolf face that takes my whole rib cage and the eyes are done in titanium white. Your article is supposed to be based off of tattoos that glow in the dark and all your pictures are based off black light tattoos. Glow in the dark tattoos are dangerous and are done nowhere in the US because they are radioactive, but blacklight tattoos are just as safe as anyother tattoo. Yes if u go to a country with no regulations there is a great chance you will end up with a bad experience, but any reputable company that sells black light ink these days contain no phosphers or everglow. But any smart person would realize to take extra care of a uv tattoo not becuase of a “high rate of infection” but ecuase although the ink might be invisible on light skin the process o gettin a tattoo can leave a very light scar outline if not healed properly and keeping it clean
15 Swag k // May 15, 2009 at 9:20 pm
ARE FULL SIZE ANGEL WINGS ON A GUY GAY?
16 China b // May 18, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Geesh I
Really wanted to get a Glow in the Dark Tattoo but I was questioning how safe it would be I guess ill settle for the UV ink instead how does it look on dark skin?
17 Michelle // May 21, 2009 at 8:12 pm
I have 3 UV tattoos and I love them… If anyone wants to ask any questions about them or the ink my artist used feel free to email me @ phinney.michelle@gmail.com I have many tattoos both UV and non so I do know how they should heal and feel after.
Peace, Love, and Tattoos for all :D
18 Lee // Jun 22, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Curt, I am a tattoo artist. Although I have quite a few clients at my early stage. I am pleased to see the research you have done on the UV ink. I have a client that wants one, but I told him that we should research it first. I appreciate all the hard work you put into this and I will refrain from touching anything that is UV ink for fear of causing infection or death.
In THIS business you only have your reputation… you kill someone or maim their skin, you’re done!
19 aeh // Sep 29, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Is there anyone on this comment area that can complete a sentence in English? No, no, I get that the words that you are typing are in English, but can you follow the rules of English. All I see are incomplete sentences all over the place.
Also: Back up your evidence! If you are going to post a story, like our dear friend Karl up there – cite it! Give a reference! I want a website where I can read the story for myself, not get it second hand from someone.
20 Drew // Oct 15, 2009 at 5:39 pm
I am totally fascinated by UV tattoos. researching this subject you will find that, NO TATTOO INK OF ANY KIND IS FDA APPROVED. so just forget about that argument when your deciding getting a UV tattoo. I just bought 8 different UV inks from Skin Candy, a very reputable company that sells UV ink. And i cant wait to do a tat on my leg tonight. I also here chameleon Ink is good also.
21 Johnathan // Oct 28, 2009 at 3:49 pm
aeh,
This isn’t a board about using proper grammar. If you can understand what is being said without reading through a second time then there is no need to cry about it. On the same note, if you’re looking for proper MLA format go read a book of essays. Better yet write me one.
22 Pete Bonn // Nov 4, 2009 at 3:52 pm
i had a full sleave tattoo in uv ink in 1991, featured in The Face magazine
i am still here to tell the story
do what you want to do, everyone has their opinion, most have never had a tattoo
23 trina bones // Nov 21, 2009 at 5:12 pm
I like 2 get the uv ink and I like to no the one that works best
24 trina bones // Nov 21, 2009 at 5:15 pm
I think that uv tattoo are cool & I like to get some I seen my cousin with hers & its hot I love it
25 trina bones // Nov 21, 2009 at 5:19 pm
I think that uv tattoo are cool & I like to get some I seen my cousin with hers & its hot I love it & I been a artist for a long time so now its time to do something new
26 Darren // Jan 22, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Sorry but phosphors were used in the very early glow in dark products and modern glow in the dark products including paint dont use phosphorous. They usually use strontium aluminate which is biologically inert like bold and silver
27 johnny // Jan 28, 2010 at 10:55 pm
I just did my very first tattoo in Wizard Blacklight ink; I had a big black tiger on my thigh with green eyes done professionally. Just the other day i stick-poked the green florescent ink over the green eyes and that shit looks hard as fuck!
The ink was dried up so i had to mix it with isoprophyl alcohol, ive never tattood before, and i was doing it prison style with florescent ink. Healed up nicer than ever!
28 Victor // Feb 2, 2010 at 12:18 am
You only live once, just do it already. Living in fear is what’s wrong with everyone. ” one tat might kill me ” whatever dude!! There are other things in life that will kill you faster than a tat. For instance, you tripped and fell broke your neck because you forgot to tie your shoes laces. I’d say just do it, I’m gettin one this weekend.
29 Mandi // Feb 5, 2010 at 10:34 am
Hey, I have a UV tattoo I’ve never had any problems with. It is a full color tattoo with UV in and around all of it. It has never itched, pealed, discolored, etc. If you want pictures, email me. :)
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