Trendy markings are visible only under black light but some fear ink could cause cancer

In a sea of tattoos, this one glows in all the right places.

At a club, yes. But, under the boss’s glare – not so much.

Black light tattoos (also known as UV tattoos) that glow are one of the latest trends to hit the world of skin decoration.

If applied the right way, with a special kind of white ink, the controversial markings will reveal, say, a teardrop on the cheek – but only when, and where, the bearer wishes it to show.

But tattoo studios in Canada are divided over the use of UV pigments, which have cropped up in North America and Japan in the past two years. Use of the inks is illegal in this country, Health Canada says.

Those who refuse to use them fear the fluorescent pigments could be carcinogenic. The reactions from tattoo artists who offer the services also vary. While some parlours won’t even reveal where the ink comes from, others have openly posted safety certificates that often accompany the products, which are independently tested by labs.

“No hazardous ingredients known at this time,” reads a report by a Cleveland lab on Johnny Tischler’s Sonic Tattoos website.

Read the full article at: TheStar.com