In the quest for skin that radiates, trends come and go—from makeup highlighters to the latest skin serums. But for a truly unique and almost magical effect, Uv Light Tattoos offer something extraordinary. Imagine ink that’s nearly invisible in daylight, only to burst into vibrant color under a blacklight. This captivating concept is drawing more and more people into the world of ultraviolet tattoos.
While we’re still waiting for the arrival of “smart tattoos” that can monitor our health, UV tattoos offer the closest thing to a secret, special ability. They provide a subtle, everyday look with a hidden, glowing surprise for those in the know. Let’s delve into the glowing realm of UV light tattoos and uncover everything you need to know.
Close-up of a UV light tattoo on a person's arm, showcasing the subtle visibility in daylight.
What are UV Light Tattoos?
UV light tattoos, sometimes referred to as black light tattoos, are created using specialized ultraviolet-reactive ink. The magic of these tattoos lies in their dual nature: they remain subtly visible, or even nearly invisible, in normal daylight conditions, but they dramatically come to life under ultraviolet or blacklight illumination. It’s crucial to understand that unlike glow-in-the-dark stickers from childhood, UV tattoos do not emit light in darkness. Their glow is triggered specifically by UV light sources.
These tattoos are rapidly gaining traction in the tattoo community, celebrated for their innovative twist on traditional body art. When executed skillfully, UV ink can elevate a tattoo design, adding an unexpected dimension that’s revealed under the right lighting. This makes them perfect for enhancing tattoo concepts or adding a playful hidden element.
A teacup tattoo with UV ink highlights, glowing brightly under blacklight to accentuate the design.
The Tattooing Process: How is it Different?
Working with UV ink presents unique challenges compared to traditional tattoo inks. Artists note that UV ink is generally thinner and more challenging to handle. This characteristic underscores the importance of choosing a reputable tattoo artist and studio with proven experience in UV tattoos.
Quinton McCloud, a tattoo artist at Karmic Tattoo in South Atlanta, shared his initial approach to UV tattoos, focusing on controlled application to avoid “over glow.” His first UV tattoo, a gecko wearing a party hat, perfectly illustrates this technique. McCloud strategically used UV ink to highlight details like fingernails, the party hat, and confetti, creating pops of glow without overwhelming the design.
Tattoo artist Quinton McCloud posing with a gecko tattoo featuring UV ink accents, demonstrating his expertise in black light tattoos.
McCloud’s journey into UV tattoos was initially met with skepticism during his apprenticeship, where he was discouraged due to concerns about unreliable UV ink sources, often found on platforms like eBay and Amazon. However, the emergence of reputable UV pigment lines, such as Kuro Sumi Glow, changed the landscape. McCloud embraced these safer options, experimenting with green UV ink from Kuro Sumi.
A Xenomorph teeth tattoo by Quinton McCloud, showcasing the vibrant glow of UV ink under black light.
Kayla Newell, from Secret Club Tattoo in Portland, Oregon, experienced the pitfalls of using low-quality UV ink firsthand. Her first attempt, a self-administered tattoo with cheap Amazon-sourced pink UV ink, served as a valuable lesson. While the pink ink faded significantly, it surprisingly retained its glow under blacklight. Newell strongly advises against using unreliable ink sources, highlighting the importance of quality in UV tattooing.
Tattoo artist Kayla Newell at Secret Club Tattoo, known for her experience with neon and UV light tattoos.
Australian tattoo artist Tukoi Oya, who embraces a “rave til the grave” spirit in her work, emphasizes the technique required for UV ink application. She notes that the thinner consistency of her preferred brand necessitates careful layering to achieve solid color patches without overworking the skin. Oya also points out that healed UV tattoos often have a softer, pastel appearance in daylight, with the phosphorus subtly reflecting through the ink.
A colorful UV tattoo by Tukoi Oya, demonstrating the pastel look in daylight and vibrant glow under blacklight.
Oya favors lighter UV ink colors like yellow, pink, orange, and green, observing that darker pigments like purples and blues do not exhibit the same level of brightness under UV light. For aftercare, she recommends Dr. Pickles, particularly for fine-line UV tattoos.
Samantha Ceora of Ceora Ink in LA highlights the meticulous approach needed to maintain the “invisible effect” of UV tattoos. To prevent stencil ink from contaminating the UV ink and causing discoloration, Ceora almost completely removes the stencil before tattooing. She uses disposable plastic tips and operates her machine at a lower setting, frequently checking the progress under a UV light throughout the tattooing process. Ceora also limits ink passes to a maximum of three to minimize skin trauma and scarring, crucial for preserving the tattoo’s subtle appearance in daylight.
Tattoo artist Samantha Ceora at Ceora Ink, specializing in UV tattoos and meticulous application techniques.
Newell adds that while the tattooing process is largely similar to traditional tattooing, the key difference lies in the pigment itself. She describes neon UV inks as thicker, akin to white ink, requiring careful application to prevent separation or mixing with other colors. Even slight smearing of darker pigments into UV ink can diminish its glowing effect.
Choosing the Right Design for UV Tattoos
When considering UV tattoos, design choices play a significant role in maximizing their impact. Tattoo artists generally recommend using UV ink strategically, rather than for entire tattoos. Tukoi Oya suggests that UV ink is most effective when used to add accents, small dots, or sections of color, advising against overusing it. She emphasizes that subtlety often yields the best results, creating intriguing hidden details within a larger tattoo or as standalone minimalist pieces.
A UFO tattoo with UV ink accents, glowing under blacklight to highlight specific elements of the design.
Newell believes that bold designs work exceptionally well with neon UV inks, especially when juxtaposed with dark colors. This contrast enhances the neon pop, making UV ink ideal for creating 3D effects using black and vibrant neon hues like pink or blue and red.
Aftercare and Healing of UV Tattoos
The aftercare process for UV tattoos is generally identical to that of traditional tattoos. Samantha Ceora typically applies an extra layer of ink after tattooing and uses a SecondSkin bandage to protect the fresh tattoo for 4 to 24 hours, promoting ink retention. Kayla Newell confirms that standard tattoo aftercare practices are sufficient for UV tattoos. Both artists use and recommend reputable ink brands, including Waverly Colors, Northwest Pigments, and Firefly ink, alongside Kuro Sumi.
Tattoo artist applying SecondSkin bandage to a fresh tattoo, illustrating a common aftercare practice for UV tattoos.
Longevity and Fading of UV Tattoos
While the lifespan of UV tattoos can vary, artists generally agree they are long-lasting but not permanent. Ceora has observed UV tattoos lasting for years, though she acknowledges that longevity can be a “gamble” due to individual skin differences and aftercare diligence. She stresses the importance of following aftercare instructions meticulously and seeking out experienced artists to maximize tattoo lifespan.
Tukoi Oya estimates that UV tattoos last approximately 5 years before gradually starting to fade, similar to traditional tattoos. However, she has seen UV tattoos she applied over a year prior still looking vibrant, indicating that with proper care and quality ink, they can maintain their glow for an extended period.
A healed tattoo, potentially showcasing the long-lasting nature of UV ink over time.
Safety and Side Effects of UV Tattoos
It’s important to approach UV tattoos with informed awareness regarding safety. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any tattoo inks, including UV inks, for injection into the skin. The FDA notes that many pigments used in tattoo inks are “industrial-grade colors suitable for printers’ ink or automobile paint.” This general lack of regulation applies to all tattoo inks, not just UV inks.
Screenshot of an FDA warning or information regarding the lack of regulation for tattoo inks, highlighting safety considerations for UV tattoos.
Concerns exist about the long-term effects of UV tattoos, particularly regarding phosphorus, a common ingredient used to achieve the glow effect. Dermatologist Arash Akhavan points out that while phosphorus in high doses can be carcinogenic, reactions to UV ink are relatively rare.
Ceora has observed adverse reactions in only a small fraction of her clients (about 1 in 25), typically involving scarring, irritation, and loss of glow. She attributes these instances primarily to her earlier experiences as an amateur and the use of less reputable ink brands, along with potential allergic sensitivities in clients.
Tattoo artist Ceora Ink, emphasizing the importance of safety and using reputable inks for UV tattoos.
Tukoi Oya, who uses Firefly ink sourced from Protat, a major Australian tattoo supplier, acknowledges the lack of FDA approval but emphasizes the positive healing outcomes she has consistently observed with UV tattoos. She offers a more pragmatic perspective on phosphorus, noting its presence in numerous everyday products, including washing powder, paper, and even some foods.
Examples of everyday items containing phosphorus, used to contextualize the presence of phosphorus in UV tattoo ink.
Why Choose a UV Light Tattoo?
For artists like Kayla Newell, UV ink initially served as a means to translate her abstract, geometric, and vividly colored paintings into tattoos. She was drawn to the intensely bright neon pink UV ink, recognizing its inherent fluorescent quality and blacklight reactivity. Newell’s mission extends beyond aesthetics; she aims to educate people about the safety distinctions between modern, non-harmful blacklight-reactive tattoos and older, potentially harmful “glow-in-the-dark” tattoos.
Ultimately, beyond the artistic appeal and subtle everyday presence, the allure of UV tattoos lies in their unique, almost magical reveal under blacklight. As Newell aptly puts it, “the act of seeing yourself glow under a blacklight is pretty magical, and that is hard to deny once you’ve seen it in real life.” This sense of wonder and hidden artistry is a primary driver behind the growing popularity of UV light tattoos.
A person's arm with a UV light tattoo glowing brightly under blacklight, showcasing the magical effect and appeal of UV tattoos.
In conclusion, UV light tattoos offer a captivating blend of subtlety and surprise. They are a unique form of body art that allows for discreet self-expression with a hidden, glowing dimension. While requiring skilled artists and careful consideration of safety, UV tattoos provide an undeniably magical and innovative way to adorn the skin. If you’re intrigued by the idea of ink that comes alive under blacklight, exploring the world of UV tattoos might reveal the perfect hidden masterpiece for you.
