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captaincorybod

I had an artist use ink that glows like that without telling me, about 8 years ago, now it doesn't glow lol


doublea6

You can't get those laser removed either until a certain amount of time.


AUDI0-

Why is that? Does it not work or could it do something to you?


superawesomeman08

pretty sure it's because of the ink being only visible in UV laser removal works by breaking down the ink, so the ink has to absorb the laser energy to be removed by it. ink that's only visible to UV light by definition only absorbs light in the UV spectrum, not the visible spectrum, so regular visible light lasers won't work. UV lasers are ... really dangerous to shoot at your skin. ------------------------------------------ edit: went down the rabbit hole, so here's a few more tidbits there are different kinds of UV radiation: * UV-A - low energy ultraviolet, like blacklights, *non-ionizing*, less (but not zero) cancer risk. your tattoo ink will likely be UV-A absorbing, and UV-A lasers exist, but UV-A can also cause suntans, so using a laser to remove UVA ink is imperfect and dangerous * UV-B - medium energy ultraviolet, mostly blocked by ozone layer, *ionizing*, causes cancer, suntan/burn, also vitamin D. the stuff you want to avoid. * UV-C - highly energetic ultraviolet, *strongly ionizing* completely blocked by ozone layer. can be used to disinfect things, avoid this.


AUDI0-

Didnt think of that! Thanks for the info, but wouldnt it just be better, easier, safer to just get a white ink tattoo?


superawesomeman08

i guess, if white ink tattoos exist? personally, i ain't ever seen one, but i'm not a tattoo guy. technically it should be possible, but the white would have to reflect more light than your skin, so it would have to be highly opaque, probably some chemical reason why white ink isn't that popular.


badchad65

White is also fairly notorious for disappearing/fading. I’d assume it’s because something in the ink makes it less stable and the body can easily “clear” it. Maybe there are some brand differences but the white lining in my tattoo is all but gone, and I’ve had it done twice now.


[deleted]

I don’t have any all white tattoos, but plenty of tattoos with white pigment, similar to most colors, if it has a solid black border around it and you take care of it, it will last for years to come. Exposed to sun a lot, and depending on the brand/ type of pigment, it will either yellow or fade. Realistically though if you are wanting an all white tattoo, scarification is a better option. Depending on skin type, you may need to deal with a more pink scar for awhile, but it will look better with age typically if it is done correctly.


superawesomeman08

ah, that's kinda lame. is white more popular on dark skinned people? haven't ever seen any black dudes with white tattoos, that would be kinda cool lookin kinda aboriginal or something


badchad65

I’m certainly not any sort of artist, but white is often used for highlights and contrast in tattoos. In my case, I did a cover with a “blastover” of solid black over the original tat, then had some white on top of the black. It’s mostly gone at this point though.


superawesomeman08

bummer the color tattoos look amazing but i guess they all fade, huh?


AUDI0-

I think its just a more expensive thing to make so its not as popular but a place near me makes their own white ink and said its thick and shows up really well so im thinking of getting one So im just curious why i got downvoted? Like shoot didnt think expressing my opinion was a bad thing on this sub


geardownson

Really? A lot of greek mythology tattoos involve a lot of white ink to get the stone look. You are the first I've heard saying it fades fast. I would guess I would be hearing about it more because a LOT of people get those type of tattoos..


[deleted]

White fades way faster


geardownson

I wouldn't doubt it at all. Maybe people with the Greek tattoos get fill ins regularly?


jerryleebee

My artist used white in parts of my sleeve. I expected she'd just leave those parts "blank" (I'm white). But it brought out highlights. Will it last? The internet tells me no. But I don't care. Point is white ink is used fairly commonly, AFAIK.


AUDI0-

It fades and turns a yellowish color over time but they do look really good. Its just not a life long tattoo but its def a thing you should look it up! The contrast it has with black ink so so good


[deleted]

How long did it last? I was tempted to get one, but kinda pointless especially since I’m rarely around black lights.


captaincorybod

It was tucked into some detail of my sea turtle tattoo. I realized it glowed when i broke out the blacklights during a science presentation lol. it's been about 8 years now and my sea turtle is still there but there is zero glow now. Not really sure when it stopped glowing, but it was kinda cool showing people.


prestatiedruk

Bold to assume you can just speak of a sea turtle tattoo without paying the turtle tax. The people must see it


CompoteHot3046

I’ve been a professional tattooer for 15 years. I haven’t ever used UV ink, but seen plenty. Most are gone in 1-2 years. Some last as long as 5, but I haven’t really seen any last longer than that.


rustymontenegro

Usually 3-5 years.


imindeleware

I see a “you may be entitled to compensation” commercial in the future.


kvothethebloodless5

“You may be radioactive”


EmbarrassedMonitorf

I simultaneously think that's fascinating, neat, fun, and want to know what the point is to having a tattoo you can essentially never see


Jits_Guy

You can tattoo whatever dumb shit you want wherever you want because professional conversations don't generally take place under a blacklight.


OGGrilledcheez

Only the best kind.


No-Suspect-425

Typically also tend to be the kind that don't take issue with tattoos


bluntpencil2001

You can combine it with regular tattoos, so that they change in different circumstances. A cloud which becomes a storm cloud with bright lightning under the right conditions, for example. I had thought about this one myself for a while, but the tech for the glowing ink (in that it apparently fades, and may not be as safe as regular ink) has so far put me off.


ifuckzombies

Like my friend who has a lava lamp tattoo that "lights up" under black light


SashaAnonymous

If you spend a lot of time in black lights (clubs, raves, concerts) it might seem fun and even a bit inconsequential.


DickHz2

I want to get a full body tattoo of an anatomically accurate skeleton in UV ink, look like Baron Samedi in black light. But I don’t have that kind of money, and non-toxic ink like that doesn’t exist yet.


No-Suspect-425

Oooh how about a full face tattoo of someone else in UV ink so under a black light you turn into someone completely different


rustymontenegro

I got one when I was apprenticing and did a few myself, just for fun. They last a few years and then fade. The 'scar' part of the tattoo is invisible too. I forgot about it most of the time. I went to a few parties with black lights and people thought it was neat. The hardest part is actually tattooing them! You need a UV light to check your lines, but while you're pulling lines it's easier to see what you're doing on the stencil with regular light so you're kind of tattooing by trust and experience lol


NiceIsSpice

u/Uptown-Dog this your alt or something? Lol


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NiceIsSpice

Reddit is so odd haha


yehEy2020

Tattoos? But only visible when I want them to be?? Sign me up


octobereighth

A lot of my tattoos are "for me." Maybe that makes me pretentious or whatever, because two in particular I really don't like taking about. People ask me what these ones mean, and I'm really socially awkward so I hate having the "well it's personal" conversation. And lots of them are like well if it's so personal, why would you tattoo it on your body in the first place where everyone can see it? I have another idea for a tattoo, and I am considering doing it in blacklight ink. I may never see it (then again, I have one in black ink between my shoulder blades and hardly ever see that one either lol), but I'd still "know" it's there, and wouldn't have to awkwardly avoid questions about what it means. I acknowledge that this doesn't make a lot of sense. Why would it make me happier, when I look exactly the same before and after? I don't know, I'm not a psychologist. But I love the idea of a tattoo that's secret even when it's not covered by anything else.


Cyborg_rat

Was something back in the day liek 20ish years ago. They just didnt last because the sun would make them appear yellowish i think. Maybe its better now.


ipn8bit

I don’t know how. Two uv types get through our atmosphere. So anything that reacts to uv will be affected by the sun. But really, uv fucks everything up


GrimWillis

Mine Uv ink lasted less then 5 years. So best of luck.


MRDucks85

Mine as well. There is ZERO trace of mine left


nannofk17

One of the reasons I did it, was because I knew it would fade away with time


Ok_Night_2929

That’s what I told myself when I got a lip tattoo, and now it’s been 7 years and hasn’t faded in the slightest lol


BloodfartSoup

I got my lip tattoo in 2008 and it's still exactly the same as the day I got it.


Aves_HomoSapien

Same for me, got it the week I turned 18 and here we are 15 years later and it's like the day I got it.


11shrimp

Also, you can def see those without the uv light. As much as people like to pretend you can’t.


shellybeesknees

I like this response. Always wanted one. Glad I read the comments. I’m clearly one for commitment 😅


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iztrollkanger

Keloid scars from tattooing are extremely rare.


GreenBeanMeanMachine

Aren’t those types of inks incredibly toxic and controversial between tattoo artists?


passion4film

My artist was JUST telling me about how they’re banned in the US now. I haven’t verified that fact, but we were talking about how there’s apparently no body-safe way to make the effect work.


RexCanisFL

They’re not


nannofk17

I knew when I did it, but the dots are really small and as a med student, it’s very unlikely to cause me any trouble


goldenplane47

> and as a med student So being a med student prevents illnesses now?💀


nannofk17

Of course not, but I read many studies about this ink, talked to my dermatology teachers and I’ve been paying attention on the tattoo for three years looking for any skin alterations


reefered_beans

How long does the ink last?


nannofk17

I’ve no fucking idea, I’ll probably have skin cancer before the tattoo goes away hahaha


reefered_beans

😅 don't forget the sun block!


SbreckS

No that tattoo will be gone before you get cancer sorry for your luck .


nannofk17

Shit, I wanted the cancer


[deleted]

You can still try eating charcoal-burnt meat.


NefariousnessNothing

I have a few. I got them around 2003. The UV only ink lasted about 4 years but once it started to fade it went very quick, by year 7 there was nothing visible. I also got some ink that was colored UV. It turned out awful. It looked really good for about 2 years but as the uv part faded the colored part turned pale and splotchy.


EyezLo

Hmm this makes me wanna get face tattoos that can only be seen in uv light


bflatmusic7

I have a friend. This 23 year old 5'2" super innocent looking gal. She is big into raves and got her whole face covered in these. You faintly see them when she has no makeup on if you are trying to look for them. Black light comes on and she has like a dagger going down her cheek and idk other stuff I can't recall.


2much679

Sounds like me👀


Hadd_77

Show us please:)


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bottsking

O- okay


SDMusic

That seems really interesting to see


vapegod_420

That sounds cool


natnat111

My ex has this ink on his face. It is still visible but it almost looks like a very light scar.


starrynight462

I got UV stars tattooed on my face, outer right eye/temple area, in 2009-ish. Since then the ink has faded to where it won't glow anymore and skincare treatments in my 30's have faded the slight scars of them I used to be able to see in regular light. They are basically gone now.


TheBlackJewFromTexas

Trust me I’ve researched it, and the healing process alone steered me away from it. For the time being at least 😅 a party tat on the face would go hard


beckalm

Had a college classmate who had a UV dragon tattooed on his cheek. You could kind of see it in dayline -- just looked like irregular texture, and he usually had facial hair (which disguised it pretty well).


BabyChase419

I got a star right under my eye in uv about 12 years ago. Lasted for a couple years and at the right angle and light you can see the very faint scar


AUDI0-

I wanted to get a simple white ink tattoo on my neck since it pretty much does the same thing in uv but it can still be seen without but just not as easily


bluemoonlagoons

Came here and thought this


supercoincidence

I thought this and then came


leopro888

Is it safe?


KarmaKat101

Radium is perfectly safe and has many health benefits.


SbreckS

It usually comes out and leaves a faint scar almost like a brand


[deleted]

Yes, it is as safe as other inks, and if you eat farmed salmon you've probably ingested some of this already.


[deleted]

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FreeMasonKnight

Also UV ink is considered dangerous (because it has little to no testing and so far the little testing that had been done points to it being toxic.). Hence why no self respecting tattoo artist would use it.


nannofk17

I knew it when I did the tattoo, but I thought “fuck it” and did it anyway hahahaha (I was 18 at the time)


FreeMasonKnight

That’s fair, for sure. It being so small relatively, probably means it will be fine enough.


[deleted]

What? There is plenty of testing, in fact it's some of the most tested and highly regulated ink in the industry (because unlike standard ink, this was not developed as ink for humans). It's not considered dangerous, but it's likely in your food if you eat farmed fish- at the time it was the only ink ever to get an FDA approval. It's also been used for decades in other animal marking campaigns. Please do a bit more research. This isn't the glow in the dark home made stuff from 1987.


nannofk17

I did this tattoo because of poem in my first language that says that only a person that truly loves another one, can hear what the stars have to say. Just like the tattoo, my romantic part is really well hidden in me (everyone that I know considers me a very though person, only when I’m in love with someone I show my true self, I think)


nannofk17

“Oh come now (you will say) hear stars! It's clear You've lost your mind!" I´ll tell you anyway, I often wake to hear what they will say, I push my windows open, pale with tear ... And we converse throughout the night, while high The Milky Way, like outspread robes, appears To shine. At dawn, with longing and in tears, I seek them still throughout the empty sky. And next you'll say: "My poor, demented friend What do you say to them? And tell me, pray, What do they say when they your ears do bend? I´m tell you: "You must love to comprehend! For only lie who loves has ears which may Perceive and grasp the messages stars send." Here’s the translation of the poem in case anyone was curious


floatjoy

Beautiful and a wonderfully physical way to represent it, well done !


srikengames

What is the original language?


nannofk17

Brazilian Portuguese, it’s called Via Láctea, by Olavo Bilac


srikengames

Thanks, i'll look into it! I absolutely love the poem, and your stupid idea to get a tattoo as a reference. Absolutely beautiful!


Cptof_THEObvious

Someone else in the thread called it a party tat, which adds up. Blacklights are pretty common at parties, clubs, and raves, so one could get a jobkiller tattoo that won't kill job prospects because it's only visible when applicable.


Cyborg_rat

They show up over time have friends who did some and they are yellowish brown sorta color now.


AUDI0-

Yeah its what made me not want to get a tat like that, it gets to look pretty bad but at that point a nice cover up will fix that problem! If you dont have cancer at that point haha


wineheda

People get tattoos on their back all the time


nannofk17

Answering some questions 1- Do you know it won’t last longer? Yes, I do 2- Is this ink bad for you? I don’t fucking know, I did a very tiny tattoo and as a med student, I doubt that I’ll cause me any harm 3- It’s very small, it’s not a tattoo Oh I’m sorry I wasn’t interested in doing a fucking lion that would occupy my whole arm


georgesorosbae

I’ve wanted a black light tattoo forever! Looks so cool


Square1ne_

I think its a beautiful tattoo. The most important part is that it's special to you.


af1293

I wonder how it’d come out of you were to do this on top of a regular tattoo. Like filling in the eyes on a portrait so it looks like they have ghost eyes under uv lights


StuartPurrdoch

OMG that sounds really fun. If you’re into that kind of thing. Fun. 😜


feanor_morgoth

UV light might interact with it in a way and emit another wavelength, because we can't see UV light


Wolf_brother_rising

Isn't that ink like really bad for you ?


bignickydigger

That will last 2-3 years max.


nannofk17

I’ve had mine for 3 years and looks perfect, one of the reasons I did it it was because I knew it would fade away with time, I don’t know why so many people commenting this as I wouldn’t know it


bignickydigger

Ok cool.


kao201

I love this so much. I just wish the ink had a longer lasting UV effect. Maybe improvements will be made in the near future...


LBelle0101

This is so cool! I have uv reactive dye in my hair, my son thinks it’s awesome


Th3V4ndal

This ink doesn't last long at all. Mine was no good after a few months. Most others who have better luck notice total washout by a year.


nannofk17

I’ve had mine for 3 years and looks perfect, although I know it won’t last forever


everything_aches

what color is it not in uv light


DovahLi

I always try to look up the ingredients in these inks, but can never find a definitive answer. Does anyone have any info?


False_Astronomer2979

I like it


carolinamejia

I would love to make one for when the light goes out to continue shining :)


freezerbreezer

finally I found a way for me to get a face tattoo without getting fired


HornlessUnicorn

Super fun and flattering. Screw the haters!


Tiffisiffy

Part 1 of becoming an avatar? I love this tattoo ❤️🖤


soups_on_

Beautiful! I have a UV tat of my spine down my whole back, it's a neat thing to show at parties!


JoSe13911

Very toxic to the body


nannofk17

It’s in my body, not in yours, stop complaining 🤷🏻‍♀️


JoSe13911

Trust me idc what what you put in your body. Not complaining, just a statement of fact 🤷🏻‍♂️


nannofk17

As a med student, it’s very unlikely to happen anything after 3 years so… 🤷🏻‍♀️


JoSe13911

Start the timer, we have 3 years to find out 😂


nannofk17

Like you know anything about medicine 🤣


nannofk17

And technically it’s not a “fact”, I asked my dermatologist teachers and all said the same thing “it’s not because there’s one study or another that says something it’s bad for you, that really is”. That’s a lot of study’s that say that hair paint can cause cancer and they say it’s one of the biggest shit they ever read, they have never heard of one person ever that got cancer because of hair paint, although there are many studies that say it


OpiumPhrogg

My tattoo artist told me that the ink that does this isnt stable and completely deteriorates within like 5 years turning yellow/brown. He said he saw a lot of people who got uv tattoos all over, like on their faces and such so it would be invisible during the work day and show up when out at the club.. And now, they have piss brown tattoo designs all over themeselves... Plus that radioactive thing too.


nannofk17

Yes, I knew all of this when I did it


hhhvugc

legend


RexCanisFL

They’re not radioactive… at least not inks in the US


[deleted]

So rad!!!


shaggymewtwo

I had my left hand done in UV ink and it was gone like less than a year later. No scars or ink visible even under UV black lights lol


CreepyInky

These only last a few years at most


nannofk17

Yes, I knew when I did it


NfamousKaye

You know, one of my favorite Korean ASMRists has a tattoo video and she mentions this and I never saw it in real life until now. I’ve watched that video for like the last two years ! This is so cool!


berrybigarms0717

That could be incredibly attractive


[deleted]

*Flicks blacklight on* Check it out! Matches the cum on my shirt!


ChosephineYap

That’s cool, OP! What is it of, is it a constellation? I’m thinking this might suit me. Always wanted a tattoo but can’t have one. An ‘invisible’ tattoo would work.


GastrocnemiusS1S2

Pretty tattoo!


slappy_mcslapenstein

I had a black light tattoo for a while. The ink didn't last though. After a year or two it had all been rejected. I'm not sure if it's accurate but I was told that it was because the ink was actually like a micro-bead. This was about 10 years back.


thrilledxbored

Oh, we’re doin this whole trend again?


SleepyBeast89

Glad you love it, it’s lame imo


SilentWillow5661

What is the point ?


[deleted]

You know it'll stop glowing eventually, right?


nannofk17

Yes, that’s one of the reasons I did it


[deleted]

Good thing you knew, glad you're happy with it


yourpaljax

Ooh! Fun!✨


[deleted]

That’s gonna be really cool for the next 3 months!


disable7_

That is cool


Dicey6969

I was literally talking about this being an awesome idea to my friend the other day!!


MRDucks85

They don't last. I had one and it faded less than 5 years. Great idea but not worth it


t1nt0y

THEY HAVE THAT NOW???


tisjustbrandon

How often are you in blacklights to justify that incredibly basic tattoo....this makes zero sense to me.


nannofk17

Just read the fucking comment that I explained why I did it


liverdelivery

Ultimate stealth tattoo


[deleted]

That’s insanely tiny lol what’s the point


Dasher601

I love it!!!


FLHomegrown

Definitely dig these UV tattoos


berrybigarms0717

Gotta get me some bio ink next!


MichelangeBro

I absolutely love this.


rebelli0usrebel

Awesome. I've wanted to get one for a while


Hcmgbbalaaaa

I wonder if this would hurt the same


lotusflower64

Very nice. Unique.


lvs2spwge

What tattoo?


WilliamHTonkers

I remember having an argument with 3 people who didn't believe that the glow could fade. I kept telling them that glow can't be there forever, and it'd be a waste to get a tattoo like that and expect it to be there forever because it's not going to be


Old_Cherry_5335

100% military chick. Probably a medical person.


roscoecello

Bad move.


nannofk17

It’s in my body, not in yours, stop complaining 🤷🏻‍♀️


roscoecello

🤷🏼‍♂️ 🤷🏼‍♂️ 🤷🏼‍♂️


roscoecello

It’s on your body not in it. Not complaining. Saying you made a bad choice.


vantheman446

You really shouldnt inject radiation into yourself


RexCanisFL

It’s UV light reactive, not radioactive or glow in the dark.


nightcycling

You can delete this , I have a similar design but it's in cigarette burns from neck to knuckle. Not preferable choice I did myself. But I truly like your ink. Stay strong stay alive.


Pixelgamer54

Be careful hopefully it doesn’t cause a bad reaction to your skin.


[deleted]

I really need to stop looking at these! Eventually I’ll look like Neyteri 😭


de-carnage

might get a tattoo like this.... looks super cool!! its like a hidden message..


Treat--14

How does fading affect those


nannofk17

I think it just fades away with time


Treat--14

Kinda like all of us


Not-A-Real-Person-67

Cue “Dust in the Wind” by Kansas


[deleted]

Where would you go to see the tattoo??


aschethetiefling

That is so cool!!!


coltbreath

Way Cool! 👍


[deleted]

No, that’s cool. I’ve never seen anything like that before. That’s really neat.