Tattoo • ology

UV tattoos are also known as black light tattoos or ultra-violet tattoos as these tattoos are normally invisible but glow only under black light or ultra-violet light. These are good for people who would like to hide their tattoos but would like to show off their designs only under special conditions like black light, etc.

The inks used for UV tattoos are not the same as used for doing normal tattoos. They are also not as bright as the normal tattoo inks and do not blend. In fact, the effect of UV inks can be made duller if normal tattoo ink is used over them. Thus the best option for getting really vibrant and dazzling tattoos is to get it done with normal ink and then use the UV ink for specific highlighting. This way those highlighted areas can glow under black light.

UV tattooing requires special expertise and not all tattoo artists can make good use of them. One of the important tips to remember while using white or clear UV ink is that a black light should be kept handy during the process and kept turned on during the entire process. UV tattoos can also take longer than normal tattoos because the special UV ink is thinner.

UV tattoos also have a tendency to turn yellow or light brown if exposed to sun. many tattoo artists are reluctant to work on UV tattoos because of possible medical complications with the use of the special ink and lack of adequate knowledge in its application.

As there are frequent reporting of rashes and infection with UV tattoos, many parlors refuse to take on UV tattoo assignments. Though there are several types of UV inks now available which have undergone severe FDA testing and are reporting lesser side effects, the inks are still considered to be highly carcinogenic and also allergenic.

One of the UV inks which contains no phosphor, called the Chameleon Black Light Tattoo Ink is approved as a special marking pigment for use by the Fish and Game Commission to tract wild life and has gone many years of testing on human skin and has reported no serious adverse effects. Though FDA approved for use in animals, it still has not got approval for use in humans.

So, ultimately, getting a UV tattoo using the special UV ink is entirely your decision. The UV inks are far safer to use than what they were years ago. In summary, the UV tattoos stand as a class of their own – their unique glow can lure anyone into getting one done under their skin.

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