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Glow in the dark pigment does react under black light; it’s true. But UV reactive pigment (to simplify: “black light” pigment) doesn’t glow in the dark.
Glowing pigment aborbs and retains light—which is why it “glows” after the light source is removed. Black light pigment absorbs and reflects light as long as the UV light source is present, but returns to normal after it’s removed.
Read more about UV and Glowing Pigments
UV Tattoo Ink
Many people ask whether UV reactive tattoo ink is safe for use in tattooing. Or they ask if it is FDA approved. Some tattoo artists think that black light tattoo ink is not legal in some states or countries because it may lack an FDA approval.
The truth is NO TATTOO INK HAS AN FDA APPROVAL FOR USE ON HUMANS. There are some misleading claims about tattoo inks being FDA approved, in fact, even some UV reactive tattoo inks claim to be ‘the first FDA approved ink’ – when in fact it sometimes refers to their manufacturing methods, not the ink itself. Or, it really means ‘approved for use on wildlife, livestock and fish’ for tracking migratory patterns of various species of animal.
Does FDA approve equal ‘legal to use’?
So knowing that NO tattoo inks are FDA approved (in fact, on some tattoo ink bottles they even specify ‘not intended for use in tattooing. User assumes all risk’) we need to ask ‘is it legal’? Yes, it’s legal. Otherwise you simply wouldn’t see tattoo shops all over the place – the ink would be contraband and confiscated pretty quickly. UV inks are not FDA approved, just like regular tattoo ink. That does not make it illegal. It just means “if something goes wrong with your intended usage of the product, don’t come running to us…we didn’t approve of it…”
How do I determine if the ink is safe?
The important thing is to use your head when deciding on a tattoo. The inks most likely will NEVER be approved for tattooing. Think about it – what government body would approve of any foreign substance being willfully left behind in skin by people that are not in the medical profession? Who is going to spend the $money$ to perform rigorous testing on each ink pigment (color) to ensure that a black light tattoo ink or regular tattoo ink poses no risk? So ask your tattoo artist what brand (or brands) of tattoo inks they use. What colors and brands would they use on your tattoo (because sometimes an artist uses yellow from one company, and red from another…). Then start doing your own research – are people discussing the brand in forums on the internet about how a particular color reacted negatively in their skin? If so, it’s best to avoid that color (not necessarily the whole product line). Even better, call a company that sells tattoo supplies and ask them about the inks they sell – they’d usually be your most informed opinion.
Read the entire article about UV Reactive Tattoo Ink
For those who are private about tattoos, but still want to be able to easily show them off to the right crowd, there is now the option of glow-in-the-dark designs.
Kimberly Mulder, of Salt Lake City, wanted to have “slave bracelets” tattooed on each of her wrists, but feared such a bold move wouldn’t fly in her office.
Then, about a year ago, the customer-service rep discovered the ultraviolet tattoo ink that is nearly invisible to the naked eye, but glows a brilliant, bluish hew when placed under a black light.
“With the UV tattoo, I’m not offending anyone at work. I’m not shoving it in anyone’s faces. I can say ‘This is who I am’ and don’t have to worry what people will think.”
Some, like Kate Leroux, a 32-year-old stay-at-home parent, are taking the art to new levels, opting for “inkless tattoos,” where the needle stabs at the skin without any ink. The result is a raised, off-color scar, not always permanent.
“I was interested in the idea of the experience of a tattoo, but not necessarily the idea of permanence,” said Leroux, who initially had difficulty finding a tattoo artist to etch her without ink. “I also think it’s more beautiful than ink.”
Read more about Summer Tattoos
Blacklight Florescent Tattoos
I find these tattoos hot! It’s like two tattoos in one if you get the UV ink around and through a regular tattoo. You have your daytime tattoo and your clubbin’ night tattoo. But, may people just don’t dig the UV light.
If you want a UV tattoo, you’ll need to check with your regular tatoo artists, as not all tattooist will tatto with UV ink. Some believe that it is unhealthy wheres others either 1) don’t care or 2) think it’s safe. (I will go over possible health risk a little further down.)
Many first time tattoos are UV tattoos because they are nearly invisible during the day, if you decide that tattoos just aren’t for you, you really don’t have much to look at unless you’re under black light.
Read more about Tattoo Designs
04AugAbout UV Tattoo Ink
UV tattoos, popularized by the “raver” culture (a term most used in the United Kingdom for people who attend raves or rave parties), react to blacklight, or UV light, which has a wavelength shorter than visible light. The specialized UV tattoo ink glows or fluoresces in the presence of a blacklight source, but may be completely invisible under normal light (unless scarring is present from the tattooing process.)
*Disadvantages and Controversies*
Not surprisingly, UV tattoos are more expensive and few UV inks have been approved for use in the United States. Controversy exists over whether or not the inks contain carcinogens and allergens, as itching and dermatitis are common adverse reactions. Additionally, UV inks can brown or yellow when exposed to sunlight. No long-term data exists to link the UV ink to cancers, but many tattoo artists will not work with the ink due to the potential for complications and the difficulties of actually applying the medium.
A bit of white UV ink sets this Playboy Bunny off!
