Humanity is a multitude of life, individuality, and expression. As much as we stand together in the crowd of each other, we also want to stand apart, make impact, and tease at expectations. To put it another way, some of us do not simply want to absorb the light of life, we want to illuminate the world ourselves, often figuratively but sometimes literally.

Enter the black light tattoo, at least in support of the latter. This new and somewhat controversial method of body modification involves substituting standard tattoo ink with an ultra violet reactive variety that’s meant to glow beneath black UV lighting. These UV reactive inks do tend to show up more pale and dully-colored than their counterparts, but that can be part of their appeal. Depending on the color of ink used, a black light tattoo can even appear practically invisible to the naked eye, which provides an added layer of mystery to what lays beneath one’s surface and also some appropriateness for those who cannot – or do not desire to – bear their tattoos brightly throughout their every day. People who want the best of both worlds – that is, the vibrant colors of a traditional tattoo plus the added effect of UV glow – also have the option of using black light inks to highlight existing body art.

Getting a black light tattoo will be a different experience to getting a typical tattoo. UV reactive inks are thinner and do not blend, making them more difficult for the tattooist to work with, which in turn demands more time beneath the needle. Additionally, much of the work will have to be done beneath a black light so that the artist can ensure both the quality of their work and the uniformity of the ink. After the tattoo is complete, the freshly tattooed must take extra care to protect the tattoo against UV lighting for approximately three months, but once that period has passed, they can freely display their luminescent tattoo anywhere.

The black light tattoo isn’t all radiance and glow, however; in addition to the relatively high cost of these tattoos, health concerns have been raised over the long term safety of UV reactive inks, and complaints have been made against their potential for fading and discoloration. In its current state, the black light tattoo has a short prime and overexposure to UV rays and improper care through things as simple as using scented lotions can shorten the longevity of the tattoo’s phosphorescence.

The complexities of the black light tattoo demand the service of a highly skilled tattooist who both knows what they’re doing and is familiar enough with the ink to provide solid counsel on how to care for these tattoos and what to expect from them in the long run. These tattoos are a visually dynamic form of self-expression and the right design applied by the right artist can result in a truly breathtaking tattoo.

Get your own Worlds Largest Tattoo Collection right now