NationStates Jolt Archive

http://blog.wired.com/blacklighttats/

Just, wow. Some of these look truly amazing.

From the website:

Tattoo artist Richie, who lives and works in Colorado, has been offering UV blacklight reactive ink to his clients for most of his 4-year career.

I'd get one of these.

ive got to get a few of those

I've got a few tattoos and have to say when I read the title I thought OMG! What the ____! But when I saw the pics they're actually quite good - I'm loving the x-ray one and the head!!!!!!!

Hey, that's a clever idea. I wouldn't get one, but mostly because I don'thang out in a lot of places that have black light, and what's the point in having a tattoo if nobody - you included - can see it?

It would suck if you were trying to sneak around, and someone lit a UV light...

Hey, that's a clever idea. I wouldn't get one, but mostly because I don'thang out in a lot of places that have black light, and what's the point in having a tattoo if nobody - you included - can see it?
well, for one thing... it's already hidden...

and with a portable uvlight... and aren't most clubs equipped with some form of UV lighting?

well, for one thing... it's already hidden...

and with a portable uvlight... and aren't most clubs equipped with some form of UV lighting?

I've got mine in a place that I can show off or hide, whatever I feel like :D

Yep, but I hate clubs....

I seeing a girl in an amsterdam club with a UV tattoo of a teardrop. (this was over a decade ago).

The person I was with told me it meant she had been to prison. Of course he could have just been yanking my chain. I never bothered to find out.

Interesting. If I weren't squeamish about needles and the possibility of infection, I might actually do a UV one.

Interesting. If I weren't squeamish about needles and the possibility of infection, I might actually do a UV one.

Same. I'd probably go for a Glider design on one of my wrists, or that skeleton thing.

BTW Kat, do you reckon you could get the title spelling right for me? Tattoo needs an extra 'o'.

Error? what error?

;)

Me, probably a wolf's head somewhere.

tattoos are for morons.

:eek: I want! I don't encounter UV lights often enough to make it worthwhile though. Would be fun to scare kids with them :D

I'm not up to a tatoo, but if I knew somewhere to get one at a decent price, I'd actually consider a UV tatoo.

Hell I don't even like needles in general, much less the thought of getting a tattoo.

Way cool!
Especially the skeleton one. Imagine, no need to cover up or forego getting one just to keep the employer from seeing it. You could be covered, and unless you were under a blacklight, no one would know.
I think it's great.

tatoos are for morons.
any reason?

tatoos are for morons.

Says someone who can't spell tattoo.

Stumble showed me this a while ago and I've been in love ever since. It is most definately on the list. I've had a desire for flames on my forearms but kind of felt that in general couldn't really pull that off. If they where black light flames, I think I might be able to. Don't ask what makes that distinction...

I can't see them as being all they are cracked up to be:
You can't see them under most conditions
There are still many questions about the lack of toxicity of the ink
Prevents you from donating plasma (long story)

tatoos are for morons.

The irony of this statement is too sweet for words.

I can't see them as being all they are cracked up to be:
You can't see them under most conditions
There are still many questions about the lack of toxicity of the ink
Prevents you from donating plasma (long story)



I would imagine that the keeping you from donating plasma is due to one of the concerns that prevents me getting one -- the possibility of contracting AIDS or hepatitis. Not only do you need a new needle for each person -- you need fresh ink. Some artists don't want to "waste" the money, so you get infected ink.

What kinds of questions are there vis a vis the toxicity of the ink?

As for not being able to see them under most conditions, I believe that is what makes them more attractive to some people. You can go to work with short sleeves and not attract attention, or to the beach when you're fifty and not show a saggy tattoo. ;)

I would imagine that the keeping you from donating plasma is due to one of the concerns that prevents me getting one -- the possibility of contracting AIDS or hepatitis. Not only do you need a new needle for each person -- you need fresh ink. Some artists don't want to "waste" the money, so you get infected ink.
While infection is a risk (as with any time you break skin), it can be minimized. The tattooer should wear gloves. Ink should be poured into a seperate well. The needle should be opened infront of you, or, short of that, removed from an autoclave in your sight. The skin should be shaved with a fresh disposable razor. The artist should not touch anything but the gun, you, and other tools while wearing his gloves. In other words, he shouldn't be touching door handles or the like.

Basically, using your common sense and observing what is going on around you will keep you safe. The infection rate is incredibly low. Remember, if at any time you feel uncomforable with the practices of your artist, you have every right to walk out and refuse payment.

The majority of artists keep things very clean. Tattooing is still seen as "unclean" and such, and therefore, they must be extra clean. Just do your homework beforehand, and know what to look for, and you will be safe.

any reason?
those hanzi tattoos, they say stuff like "evil spirit bird mothballs"

I would imagine that the keeping you from donating plasma is due to one of the concerns that prevents me getting one -- the possibility of contracting AIDS or hepatitis. Not only do you need a new needle for each person -- you need fresh ink. Some artists don't want to "waste" the money, so you get infected ink.

What kinds of questions are there vis a vis the toxicity of the ink?

As for not being able to see them under most conditions, I believe that is what makes them more attractive to some people. You can go to work with short sleeves and not attract attention, or to the beach when you're fifty and not show a saggy tattoo. ;)

Well, normally the way it works is that if you get a tattoo, you would be deferred for a year, just to see if you would develop hepatitis or AIDS within that time period. It's usually pretty obvious when someone gets a new tattoo or adds to an old one. The thing is with black light tattoos, it would not be obvious if someone had additional work done on one, so rather than having someone lie about not having anything done to add to it, it's just safer to reject them outright. Undisclosed tattoos are probably the largest cause for product recalls in the industry. Granted, everything is tested thoroughly and AFAIK, there hasn't been a product infection incident in well over 10 years, but you still have to play by the rules.

Ok, so I took another look at the toxicity thing. As far as I could tell, there haven't been any adverse reactions from the ink, so I'll take that one back.

I'm still stuck on the idea that you can't see it normally, so what's the point? The experience? I think it would be safer and cheaper to be beaten with a rubber hose if one wanted to remember a particular occasion with pain, but everybody has their thing.

those hanzi tattoos, they say stuff like "evil spirit bird mothballs"that is the best reason you can come up with? What about tattoos that are accurate? Or those that use other languages besides chinese/japanese? Or those that have no wording?