You might be working for a boss who isn't fond of tattoos. Perhaps you don't want your body art to be visible in all situations. You have two approaches, and the first one involves choosing a body part you don't often expose for your tattoo. Another exciting option is to get a glow-in-the-dark tattoo, which would only be visible with no to low illumination.
It's cool to have a tattoo that would light up in the evening. If that sounds intriguing, this guide offers everything you should know about UV tattoos. Here are all details to learn before choosing this body art!
What Are Glow-in-the-Dark Tattoos?
A glow-in-the-dark tattoo might not be visible at all during the day. It could also seem like a regular tattoo, but with one important difference. If you activate blacklight, they start glowing. It's a fantastic visual effect that surprises and impresses people around you.
The name might be confusing since this tattoo doesn't just shine when you deactivate the lights. It's necessary to have a blacklight to see the power of this glowing tattoo. That means the body art won't shine if you go for a walk after midnight. But if you hit a club with blacklights, they'll allow your tattoo that lights up to shine!
The history of tattooing goes back to ancient times. But when it comes to the glow-in-the-dark tattoo, it's a relatively new trend. It first appeared in the 1990s but became most popular in the last several decades.
How Safe UV Tattoos Are?
Once the neon tattoo style first appeared, the artists didn't have any other option but to use pigments with phosphorus. While they delivered the expected results, there's been a lot of controversy regarding this compound. It can be toxic to humans, and some research even shows it's cancerogenic.
Fortunately, blacklight tattoo ink has gone a long way from its beginnings. Reputable Los Angeles tattoo artists now use safer alternatives for this ink. Depending on the chosen formula, the ingredients could be organic and 100% natural.
The US Food & Drug Administration doesn't regulate the ingredients added to tattoo inks. Therefore, it's best to consult with the desired artist on the ink they will use. Once you feel certain about the choice, you can go ahead with the process.
What Is in UV Ink, and Is It Safe?
You found the best tattoo shop in West Covina and seem ready for a body art addition. The only thing worrying you is the ink your artist would use for a UV tattoo. The truth is these formulas are similar to regular tattoo inks.
The only difference lies in using the chemicals reactive to UV light. That's a necessary addition since it enables the glowing effect. Apart from that ingredient, the UV tattoo ink contains the two major components found in other ink types. Those are pigments and carriers.
- Pigments serve to make your tattoo colorful.
- Carriers, such as alcohol or distilled water, help even out the mixture. They also reduce the risk of infection and protect your skin from poisoning.
You have two types of UV ink available:
- Invisible. This ink ensures the tattoo remains unnoticeable during the day. But under the blacklight, these tattoos glow and show their full potential.
- Colored inks. During the day, this looks like a "standard" tattoo. However, thanks to the fluorescent ink, it will glow in the dark.
You can schedule a professional consultation with a tattoo artist to learn more about the ink.
They can also answer any other questions you might have to ensure you are comfortable entering the process.
How Long Do Glow in the Dark Tattoos Last?
The glow-in-the-dark tattoo ink is of identical quality to the regular tattoo mixtures. That means you can expect them to have the same durability. These are permanent skin additions that fade slowly as time passes. It indicates the tattoo will require an occasional touch-up to ensure optimal appearance. Otherwise, you'll notice the glowing effect going dull after a while.
Sun exposure is the main factor that contributes to fading. But neon tattoos are permanent, so they'll never completely disappear. If you want to cover them, the artist can use colored ink to remove the glowing features.
What Types of Glow-in-the-Dark Tattoo Styles Work Best?
The UV light tattoo style wasn't around until a few decades ago. Therefore, modern tattoos fit this technique best. However, that doesn't mean a traditional motive can't look well with the glowing effect.
It ultimately comes down to your preference. If the tattoo artist considers the body art doable and you approve the process, that's all it matters. You are doing the tattoo for yourself, so the style and other details should meet only your expectations.
How to Care for a Neon Tattoo?
The stylist will provide all pointers necessary to care about your tattoo during the healing process. It's not different from standard tattoos, so you'll need to clean it with water and special soaps and apply recommended formulas.
The crucial thing is monitoring how the area looks. If it seems like you have developed an infection, contact a medical expert immediately. After the hearing, there's no special care for UV reactive tattoos. If you plan to spend a day in the sun, use sunscreen to protect the area.
Are Black Light Tattoos Expensive?
Tattoo costs vary based on the chosen studio and stylist. Inks used for neon tattoos need to contain a fluorescent color. The additional ingredient could make the formula more expensive to produce, so this could increase the overall cost.
Apart from the budget, it's important to find a reputable and trustworthy tattoo artist. You can get in touch to discuss the process, the neon tattoo ink they use, etc. The artist should be friendly and ready to answer any question you have.
Some tattoos that glow under the black lights only take a session to finish, but others might require multiple visits to your stylist. Once you are ready, schedule an appointment and get the process started!