Ultraviolet (UV) tattoos are an alternative to traditional tattoos. They’re sometimes called “black-light” tattoos, and they’re created using UV inks.
Ultraviolet Tattoos – Explained
UV tattoos are done with ink that’s invisible under regular light. The tattoos only become visible under black light. And they appear to glow in the dark, making them stand out even more. You’re probably wondering, who wants a tattoo that’s only visible under certain circumstances? Fair question. But some people only want their tattoos visible in certain situations.
UV tattoos are popular with party-goers. Black light is often used at big parties or special events – such as maybe music festivals or concerts. These events are the perfect locations for showing off a colorful, glowing tattoo.
Applying a UV Tattoo
UV tattoos look great when correctly done. But UV tattoos are more difficult to do than traditional tattoos. That means they require more skill. Just because a tattoo artist is good with creating traditional tattoos, doesn’t mean that skill will transfer to UV tattoos. Keep that in mind if you’re interested in getting an ultraviolet tattoo.
UV ink is invisible under normal light. And it doesn’t easily blend with other colors. A great amount of attention is required to successfully apply a UV tattoo. The tattoo artist will have to use a black light in order to see how the tattoo is developing.
Keep in mind that UV tattoos also require more time to complete than traditional tattoos. UV ink is quite thin when compared to traditional tattoo ink. This means it takes longer and is more of a challenge to correctly use.
Popular Locations for UV Tattoos
UV ink becomes colorful and glowing under black light. And if you’re getting this type of tattoo, you want to make sure it’s in a visible spot. The face, arms, and legs are the most common body parts where you’ll see UV tattoos. But you might also see them on a person’s back or hands.
Ultraviolet tattoos are certainly unique. And they’re fun to look at. But in some cases, UV tattoos fade or cause yellowing if the skin receives too much sun exposure. With yellowing, the ink begins to turn slightly yellow, and becomes visible in regular light.
These tattoos are done in various colors – red, blue, pink, etc… But if the tattoo begins to yellow, it will appear as a yellow outline or mark on the skin.
Tattoo Artists and UV Inks
Some tattoo artists avoid using UV ink. This is over concern about the safety and long-term effects of using such an ink. And since the FDA does little to regulate tattoo inks, some artists make their own inks – UV and traditional. Some tattoo artists think the potential risk of using UV inks outweigh the reward.
The Safety of UV Tattoos
The FDA hasn’t approved UV ink for human use. It is only approved for use in the fishing and agriculture industries. And there haven’t been any research studies to determine the effects of UV ink use on human skin.
You should thoroughly research the subject before getting a UV tattoo. Statistically speaking, the reports of negative reactions to UV ink outweigh the reports of negative reactions to traditional ink.
Some reported possible side effects of UV ink include skin rashes, blisters, and skin infections. There is also concern that UV inks could possibly contribute to cancer.
Phosphorous is one possible reason for negative reactions to UV ink. This chemical is found in some UV inks, and is known to cause burning, rashes, general pain, and blistering. But UV inks that don’t contain phosphorus can also possibly cause negative effects.
Removing UV Tattoos
UV tattoos are removable, the same as traditional tattoos. Laser tattoo removal breaks up the ink, and removes the UV tattoo from the skin. Removal might become necessary if the tattoo begins to cause you any harm or look unsightly.