Black light tattoos: It only comes out in the dark »
9:30 AM PT, November 15, 2010
A tattoo can represent anything from a long-held religious belief, remembering a loved one, random moments of inspiration or a night of one too many tequila shots. It's near impossible to walk down a street in Los Angeles without spotting an inked body. In today's economy and the stiff competition for jobs, especially among 20-somethings, however, visible tattoos can result in the dreaded “don't call us, we'll call you” response.
What is the solution? A permanent watch on someone's wrist, a closet full of long sleeves or … a black light tattoo?
Black light tattoos, those that are visible only under ultraviolet light and are invisible to the naked eye, are slowly growing in popularity among the tatted-up population. The ink, which reacts to black light, shines brightly under the right light and is available in a number of mostly neon colors.
The last known survey of the number of tattooed individuals in America was about 16% of the population in 2006, a number that is sure to have grown in the past five years. And this new invisible ink might cater to a niche market of those who were concerned about the perceived negativity associated with tattoos.
But the ink, which gained popularity in the early '90s with the rise of rave culture, has had a love-hate relationship both with people's skin and public opinion.
Mark August, the owner of Skin Candy, a tattoo-ink supplier out of Burbank, released his version of black light ink after extensive testing on himself.
August was first exposed to the ink in San Francisco and decided to start experimenting with it in 1997.
“I only started selling it when it had been in my own skin for about three years,” said August, who now ships his ultraviolet-sensitive ink across the country.
The controversy arises with the thought of additional chemicals placed into the skin, especially those that are black light reactive. Common skin reactions to black light ink, as with any ink, included rashes, welts and reactions to specific metals.
But August believes that the risks are relatively benign, and that it's less harmful than regular tattoo ink.
“Regular colored inks have thousands of chemicals that are just as harmful as black light or ultraviolet reactive ink,” he said.
Victor de Los Angeles Jr., who has been tattooing in Los Angeles for the past 18 years, is a name often recommended for those seeking to express themselves with tattoos without dealing with the disdain of more conservative folks.
De Los Angeles developed a special attachment to aid tattoo artists in observing their art in black light ink while they are working.
There are about 30 Tattoo Illuminators in existence at the moment, and eventually, de Los Angeles hopes to market them for wider use.
For now he is one of the few resources for this unique body art; he's even had a customer fly out from Connecticut for the day to get inked.
August, despite his many black light tattoos from years of testing, thinks the whole thing is a little silly unless someone is at a club under a black light every night.
“It's great for someone who might have a job that's a little more conservative or they are trying not to offend their mother,” he said. “Otherwise it's just another form of body modification.”
-- Gretchen Meier
Photos, from top: Monique Ramirez of Los Angeles has a black light tattoo drawn onto her wrist by Victor De Los Angeles in his studio in Los Angeles on Sunday, November 7, 2010. The tattoo, once healed, will not be visible unless it it held under a black light which will make the ink glow in the skin; Ramirez' completed tattoo. Credit: Tim Berger for Brand X
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Tattoos can be a great form of expression for a lot of people. However, if you don't like your ink there is something you can do about it. Laser tattoo removal is safe, easy and effective. Tattoo removal lasers have come a long way over the years and they can now remove ink without damaging surrounding tissue. For more information on laser tattoo removal visit http://www.oregontattooremoval.com
Posted by: Ortattooremoval November 15, 2010 at 12:13 PM
we were doing blacklight tattoo's in the 70's, in Conn, with Crazy Ace & Lady in New Haven<>
