I can’t help but be torn: I’ve had every emotion associate with tattoos — the excitement, the love, the pain of getting it, the thrill of loving it… or disappointment and regret that can result — so it’s hard to form a solid opinion on the idea of black-light tattoos. They’re applied the same way as regular tattoos (so, you know, ouch), but once they heal they’re invisible unless they’re exposed to a black-light. And when they are, they glow in the dark! So, cool? Or sort of what’s the point…?
I don’t know about you guys, but I haven’t found myself in the presence of a black-light since the last time I went cosmic-bowling, a good three or four years ago. But I suppose clubs and even some people’s houses are equipped with the fluorescent-exposing light for the fun trippy-ness off it all. And maybe if you’re a DJ for a living and want to be that guy, when the lights go down, whose tattoos of bones look like you’re being exposed to an X-ray, that’s cool. But tattoos are expensive and can be really painful. Are these worth it?
Check out some awesome examples of these tattoos in the gallery, and tell us:
Would a black-light tattoo be worth it to you? Which one is your favorite? (Mine is the Dark Mark!)








guest
Uhhhh no. They look like scars when they’re not in the dark.
rose / 980 posts
Cool, but I think temporary tattoos of this kind would make a heck of a lot more sense.
guest
Dark mark. I approve. =]
guest
I think they look like scars in normal light (b/c technically they are scars with UV reactive pigmentation). If you don’t want to commit to a tattoo, get a temporary one.
magnolia / 1054 posts
I know that they look like scars, but I would get one
guest
wow i think they’re all kinds of awesome! if they really are completely invisible(no scars) then I might consider getting one. btw the jellyfish tat is so clever!
guest
If blacklights were part of your regular lifestyle/job/living decor, then I think they are a cool. But as you said, if you pretty much never near a black light, what is the point? You are clearly better off getting a temporary tattoo or henna, having it be seen for a little, then letting it fade away.
guest
they darken up later.
guest
This is cool until you think about the fact that you are putting something that glows in black like into your skin. It doesn’t seem very safe. Tattoo inks are already not FDA approved, so you have to be very careful about knowing that you have an artist who uses inks that do not have any dangerous substances in them, and I’m pretty sure this would not be safe.
guest
I want to get a tattoo that’s half and half but it looks complete even if there isn’t a black light.