Black Light Tattoos

No, this not an X-ray, this is the hottest trend in the tattoo world. Black light tattoos or UV tattoos have zillions of admirers all around the globe, these tattoos are made with UV reactive ink. If the entire tattoo is carved with this special ink, then it is impossible to see these tattoos in a non-UV environment.

I find these tattoos a great way of having something creative done with art. You can have two awesome tattoos if you apply the UV ink in or around your regular tattoo. You can have your regular day time tattoo and at the night your shining club tattoo. Black light tattoos are invisible in normal light, although some scars from the tattoo gun can be seen. They become visible under black or UV light. So be sure before you get a black light tattoo on your body.

Pros and Cons of Black Light Tattoos

Getting a tattoo done is a serious decision. You need to be ready to accept that a permanent design is going to be there on your body until you get it removed.

Pros

• Black light tattoo inks have been available for many years in the world of tattoos. But over the years the quality of these UV tattoo inks have improved.
• Reports also show that there are many cases where black light tattoo inks have cause low or no reaction at all.
• Usually UV tattoos are invisible, which makes them popular with people from all walks of life.
• The most common UV tattoo ink producer has been Chameleon tattoo ink. Chameleon UV tattoo ink does not contain phosphorus or other radioactive substances which cause harmful reactions to human skin.
• According to the company that makes this ink, they claim Crazy Chameleon UV ink contains 97.5% polymethylmethacrylate, which contain 2.5% of fluorescent dye. Polymethylmethacrylate, which is popularly known as PMMA is used in a number of medical drugs and is neutral.

Cons

• UV tattoos ink is rarely used, only a few varieties of these inks are available in the US. UV tattoo inks are generally not checked by the FDA and are not always safe.
• Applying a black light tattoo can burn a hole in your pocket, it is more expensive than the cost of a regular tattoo.
• Some people also had reactions of skin due to the ingredients present in the UV tattoo ink.
• Studies also show that UV tattoo inks also suspects in cases of skin cancer and allergies.
• Some UV inks can also cause the tattoo area of the skin to change its color to light brown or yellow.
• Majority of tattoo artists avoid doing Black light tattoos due to the medical complications involved. Many skin experts are against the use of such tattoos.
• The composition of Chameleon UV ink is not approved by the FDA and is hence not a tattoo ink. Tattoo inks don't fall under check category of the FDA. However, FDA has approved tattoo inks for marking fish and animals from wildlife that are newly discovered or that enter the animal food chain.
• The main concern associated with UV tattoo inks is its application. Many tattoo artists don't know how to use it correctly. Companies manufacturing black light tattoo inks instruct that UV tattoo inks must not be mixed with regular tattoo inks and must be applied under a black light.

Price Range and Colors of Black Light Tattoos

Black light tattoos are more expensive than regular tattoos and they cost around $75 to $150 depending on the size of the tattoo. The price range also depends upon the complexity of the tattoo and from where it's being done. Black light tattoo colors range from purple to white, again it all depends on your choice.

I hope the above given information has helped you answer the question, are black light tattoos safe? My advice is to consult a skin specialist before getting black light tattoos done.