Is Black Light Ink Safe?

Black light tattoos are all the rage. After all who doesn't want to glow in the dark? There's something seductive about these aberrant tattoos. But are they safe?

It depends on the type of ink used. DANGEROUS UV INKS contain phosphorus and are NOT FDA approved. (Regular Tattoo Ink isn't FDA approved. Why? Because it wasn't used for tracking animals the way UV ink is.) The companies that make and distribute UV ink may claim to be FDA approved, but when you read the fine print on the bottle, FDA Approved is NOT there. They tend to write things like, "tested for FDA approval," which is by no means FDA approved. All UV inks that are FDA approved will have an FDA special marking and statement. Don't BE SHY. ASK YOUR ARTIST TO SEE THE BOTTLE. He or she may be resistant, he or she may squawk something about "cross contamination." But it's YOUR BODY and he or she will have bring out the ink at some point--as long as you DON'T TOUCH THE BOTTLE there's no risk of "cross contamination." If you don't see the FDA approval, then think twice.

Personally, I don't like using color at all. I'm a Black and Grey Guy. Kuro Sumi black ink, for example, is safe: it's "vegan"; it's ingredients are printed on the bottle; and it can be used for other artistic purposes, such as SUMI painting.



If you're dead-set on glowing in the dark-light, Chameleon Black Light Ink is probably you're best bet. They claim to be FDA approved as a Spectral Marking Pigment. The ink they use was developed for use in tracking animals and fish (and people at clubs). No adverse reactions have been REPORTED (not the same as none) in humans for over 10 years.

Black light ink tattoos SUCK; the tattoos look like burns when they're fresh. Sometimes the artist has to go over the skin several times to get the pigment in, causing the skin to raise and moderate scarring. You can sort of see the tattoos in regular light, which I think looks kind of half-ass. Get a REAL TATTOO Black and Grey All the Way!