Things to Consider About UV Reactive (Blacklight) Tattoo Ink

 

Skincandy, the only well-known brand I could find.

While the novelty of "blacklight" tattoos seems to have had its day, it remains and option some tattoo collectors consider. For many, it is a conservative alternative to the traditional tattoo; under normal light the tattoo is supposed to be invisible, but under UV light the tattoo glows. This means that one might safely have their arms exposed or neck tattooed while at work or around family where having a tattoo might be inconvenient, but have an obvious tattoo that stands out when at a nightclub.

 This, however, may not be the case. During the tattoo healing process, which can last for months (two-weeks being the common amount of time that needs to pass before a tattoo is healed enough to be touched-up), a UV reactive ink tattoo will have the same potential redness from irritation as a regular tattoo (without the benefit of there being an obvious tattoo to explain the irritation). There is an equal chance of minor scaring or raised skin for a UV reactive tattoo, more so if the artist is inexperienced with working with UV reactive ink. After the tattoo is fully healed, the UV reactive ink in the skin may take on a brownish hue. While typically not dark enough to be noticed from a distance, the tattoo may be visible under regular light to those in close proximity. Colored UV reactive tattoo ink often appears washed-out in regular light, and can also take on a rusty hue in time.

Note the visibility in regular light.

 When selecting the location of your UV ink tattoo, it may be wise to pick a spot that can be easily covered if one has concerns about the tattoo being seen.

 You should expect to pay more for a UV reactive tattoo. UV reactive tattoos are not frequently requested, requiring a tattooer to purchase the more expensive ink specifically for your tattoo (and with a high likelihood that the ink will expire before another client asks for a UV reactive tattoo). The set-up for the tattoo requires the introduction of specific equipment; a UV lamp, in order to see the progress of the tattoo. The tattoo process will also take longer, as the added step of checking line work and the effectiveness of fill and shading require turning on the UV lamp to inspect the work. The tattooer will work in regular light in order to see the tattoo stencil and the needle during the tattoo application. There is also a greater likelihood of the tattoo requiring a touch-up. All of these factors can lead to a UV reactive tattoo costing twice as much as a tattoo using conventional inks.  

 The ink itself may also be a point of concern. A collector needs to be aware that tattoo-ink standards are maintained by the industry itself, not any government regulating body. The only cases in which the FDA has ruled on the use of inks is in the tattooing of food-animals, and in those cases the inks used must be safe for human consumption. This lack of regulation has the benefit of keeping the price of inks (and therefore tattoos) lower than they would be with regulation, but it also means that you, as the collector, need to be confident about what is going into your skin. The chemicals used to make the ink glow, such as phosphor (typically a copper or silver activated zinc-sulfide) can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Insist that your artist use a brand that has a solid reputation for safety and consistency in the industry, and if you are unsure about the ink your tattooer wants to use, ask around. 

This white-ink tattoo shows how UV ink may look  healed.

 Shopping three currently popular tattoo ink brands; Eternal, Fusion, and Intenze, I found that none offer UV reactive inks. Of the companies I did find, Skincandy was the only brand name I recognized. Please be aware that this is not a recommendation or endorsement of their product. 

 The final point of consideration with UV reactive tattoo inks is that they have not been in use long enough to know all the potential long-term hazards. While there is nothing at this time to suggest any long-term risk, we simply do not have the amount of data regarding the UV reactive inks as we do other inks with which we in the industry can be confident about. With UV reactive ink, it is even more imperative that the tattoo collector be aware that they are signing a waiver absolving their tattooer and tattoo shop of responsibility when getting a tattoo. The UV reactivity of the ink may only last for a few years or less, but may still have an unforeseen impact in the future.  

 While the point is often re-iterated in my articles about tattooing, it is worth repeating: think before you ink.

 Jason Sorrell is a writer, tattoo artist, satirist, artist, and generally nice guy living in Austin, TX.  He loves answering questions about tattoos.  Shoot him a message at https://www.facebook.com/tattoonerdz/

Top Ten Tattoo Healing Concerns (In No Particular Order)

 Since starting my blog on tattooing, I have gotten asked a lot of questions from people who have recently been tattooed or are planning to get a tattoo about the healing process. It is awesome that so many people are seeking my opinion about their tattoos, and I am always happy to offer my advice. Often, the questions asked are about common concerns. Here are the ten most common questions I have been asked, in no particular order.

-Can I exercise/participate in sports while my tattoo is healing?

 I'm getting a tattoo this weekend, and the next weekend I will be participating in a tennis tournament.  Should I wait to get my tattoo until after the tournament, and are there any risks involved with getting a tattoo and working out?

 Generally, there are no real concerns with exercise effecting your tattoo.  The biggest concern I would have is the tenderness of the tattoo effecting your performance.  You would want to lightly moisturize the tattoo before and after the event, to prevent any possible damage from the skin stretching a "dry" tattoo.  You also want to make certain you can clean the tattoo after the event (assuming that you will be sweating more than normal), and if the tattoo is normally under your clothes you will want to put on a clean outfit.  

Not for at least two weeks.

-Can I use a tanning-bed?

 I am really excited about showing-off my summer-bod.  I have lost a LOT of weight, have been going to a tanning salon, and now I want to get a cute little tattoo.  I know I have to keep the tattoo out of sunlight as much as possible.  Do tanning beds effect tattoos?

 The guidelines for keeping your tattoo out of the sun as much as possible are the same for tanning beds.  You would probably notice that the light from the bed would irritate the exposed tattoo. Tanning can also fade your tattoo, and the darker your skin gets the less bright your tattoo will be.  The tattoo is a few layers under the outer-most layer of skin, so it will be like seeing your tattoo through a tinted window. You will want to hold off your visits to the tanning bed for at least two weeks.

-Are raised areas of skin normal in the tattoo?

 It has been about three weeks, and my tattoo seems to be healed (no skin peeling or scabs).  I noticed that some of the lines feel raised.  Will this go away in time and is that normal?

 Your skin is one huge organ with lots of different areas and types that react differently to being tattooed.  The thickness of your skin is not consistent throughout.  The raised areas are your skin's response to being perforated by a needle repeatedly.  Initially, you may have noticed that the entire tattoo was slightly raised, but most of it went down to normal. Some areas, however, take longer or will remain raised. Your skin is, in essence, scarred. While more experienced tattooers are better able to avoid damaging the skin in this manner, it can sometimes happen even when every precaution is taken. Once the tattoo is healed, you may want to try a scar reducing agent, like aloe vera sap. 

After a few days, this may be a problem.

-Is it normal for my tattoo to be red and hot?

 I noticed a few days after getting my tattoo that there is some redness around the area and the tattoo feels warmer than the rest of my skin. Is this normal?

 Redness and a fevered feeling is normal with a new tattoo for the first few days. Your tattoo is basically an abrasion, and the redness and heat is typical of your body trying to heal the wound. If the redness radiates from the tattoo, it has the appearance of a rash, has bumps or weeps anything more than a thin, clear fluid, talk to your tattooer and/or a doctor.

-How long does it take to heal?

 I am getting my first tattoo in a couple of weeks, and I was wondering how long it will take to heal.

 Healing times for a tattoo vary, and it can of depends on what you mean by "healed".  A tattoo can take three-to-six months to heal "completely", and even then the area is still technically contaminated with a foreign material (tattoo ink).  You body will be working to remove the ink from your skin for the rest of your life, which is one of the factors that contributes to fading.  That said, the time generally given for the skin to return to being relatively normal is two weeks.  This is an average, as the real indicators are that the tattoo no longer has any scabs and is no longer peeling.  This is when the integrity of the tattoo skin can handle sunlight and being submerged in water without any real risks.

Really not normal.

-How long before I go swimming?

 I want to get a tattoo, but I also really want to go tubing on the river in a week with my friends. How long do I need to wait after getting a tattoo before I get in water?

 The best time to get a tattoo is in the winter, and this is just one of the reasons. In the winter, there is no real urge to "hit the beach", and by the summer your tattoo will be healed and looking great. That said, you should wait until all the scabs have fallen off your tattoo and the skin is done peeling.  This generally takes about two weeks.

-When should I apply skin cream?

 My tattoo artist told me to apply a skin cream with no perfumes or dyes during the first two weeks while the tattoo is healing, after I wash it three times a day.  Sometimes it gets really dry.  Should I apply more moisturizer?

 In my opinion, yes.  The reason you moisturize after washing your tattoo is because the soap and water can dry it out.  If your tattoo becomes too dry, the scabs can crack, leading to bleeding and ink-loss.  However, you do not want to over-moisturize, either. When your skin starts to feel dry and taunt, apply a very small amount of moisturizer.

Normal scabbing.

-Is heavy scabbing on some parts of the tattoo normal?

 I noticed that some parts of my tattoo, in particular the large, black areas, are more heavily scabbed that others.  Is that normal?

 Yes, that is normal.  The more worked the skin is, the heavier the scabbing will tend to be. Black is the least forgiving when it comes to open or light spots, so tattooers tend to hit black heavier than other colors. However, heavy scabbing will probably also lead to fading in that area.  Keep it moisturized, definitely do not pick at it, and if it needs a touch-up speak to your tattooer.

-My tattoo really itches.  What should I do?

 It has been about 8 days since I got my tattoo and it has really started to itch. What causes the itching and what should I do about it?

 Your skin goes through a phased-healing process, which involves a layer of skin growing over the tattoo that will initially die and peel off.  Another layer typically grows, dies, and peels off as well.  Your body's reaction to peeling skin is to become itchy so you will scratch the old skin off and reveal the layer of new skin beneath.  DO NOT ITCH YOUR TATTOO! You can try slapping your skin AROUND that tattoo, or itching near the tattoo (tricking the brain into believing the area has been relieved).  Other than that, it is best to just tough it out.

-When should I speak to my tattooer or a doctor about problems with my tattoo?

 I don't know if I am being a baby or not, but this is my first tattoo and I have some concerns about the way it is healing.  Reading your blog has let me know that most of what I am worried about is probably normal.  I was wondering when I should be worried enough to see a doctor?

 I wouldn't want to just assume that anything medical I read about on the Internet was applicable to me.  Treat what you read as a suggestion.  If your worried about anything to do with your tattoo, start by talking to your tattooer.  They can verify if what you are seeing is worthy of concern and suggest what you can do if there is a problem, probably saving you hundreds of dollars in doctor's fees in the process.  However, if you are not confident in your tattooer's advice, see a doctor.  Better safe than sorry.

 Jason Sorrell is a writer, tattoo artist, satirist, artist, and generally nice guy living in Austin, TX.  He loves answering questions about tattoos.  Shoot him a message at https://www.facebook.com/tattoonerdz/