Glow in the Dark Tattoo Ink

Some argue that glow in the dark tattoo ink is safe; others vehemently stand against it, speaking of potential toxins and carcinogens included in the mix to make the tattoos glow. There are also different types of tattoos that glow in the dark.

There are a few types of glow in the dark inks that could technically be used in tattoos. The ones that glow in the dark on their own without the presence of a blacklight (often sold as "EverGlow") are not approved for use because they are toxic. Phosphors, present in all glow in the dark substances that glow on their own, cause cancer. They require the addition of a radioactive substance in order to glow — not a good idea for something you will have injected into your skin.

However, some blacklight inks, or UV inks, are safe to use. They do not glow on their own in a dark room; they require the presence of blacklight in order to show up on the skin. UV inks are made from fluorescent ink and, if made correctly and safely, they do not contain phosphors. One well-known supplier for glow in the dark ink is Crazy Chameleon Body Art Supply. There, you can purchase FDA-approved, EverGlow-free ink that contains "PMMA" (97.5% Polymethylmethacrylate and 2.5% microspheres of fluorescent dye suspended in UV sterilized, distilled water with no preservatives or other additives.)

When you use the glow in the dark inks exclusively to create your tattoo, no one who sees you in regular light will ever suspect that you have one (as long as you take proper care to prevent scarring). If you use the ink as highlights along the edges or intricate details of your traditional tattoo, your tattoo will look just like any other tattoo until you step under the blacklight. Once you do, all the work of your tattoo artist will become evident.

It seems that glow in the dark tattoo ink is more frequently rejected by the skin than the inks used in regular tattoos. In some cases, they are so uncomfortable and prone to irritation that they have to be removed. Due to these complications, you may even have a hard time finding a tattoo shop that will do one if you are still certain you want a glow in the dark tattoo. If you do find one, ask questions. Make sure that the ink contains no phosphors or EverGlow. Some types of glow in the dark inks can be bought from overseas, but they are not approved for use in the United States. Once you do find your tattoo shop, expect the tattooing process to be just like that of any other tattoo you may have. The only difference is that the artist may sometimes have to flip on a blacklight in order to see what he or she is doing.

While you will probably be hard-pressed to find any galleries of true glow in the dark tattoos because of their toxicity and the lack of approved glow in the dark tattoo inks, you can get a similar effect from blacklights. There are several galleries on line that you can use for inspiration. Do your whole tattoo in glow in the dark ink or just put in a couple of highlights to really bring your tattoo to life in clubs and other situations where blacklights are available. TattooArtists.org shows off beautiful designs using UV ink on all types of tattoos, both as accents and as complete tattoos.

If you want a tattoo that glows in the dark, you'll probably have to settle for one that lights up under blacklight instead. Ask questions about the ink used to ensure that no phosphors or EverGlow will be injected into your skin since those can be harmful. Also keep in mind that some glow in the dark inks can cause more irritation to the skin than others, so there may be a slightly higher risk of itching, dermatitis and other adverse effects.

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