Archive for tattoo designs
What are Glow in the Dark Tattoos?
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You may have seen the tattoo that Lil Wayne sports when he is clubbing with his boys. Khloe Kardashian, that setter of all things trendy, has one. Even Lindsey Lohan has one – they all have glow in the dark tattoos. So just what exactly are these new trendy tattoos?
Well, glow in the dark tattoos are actually two very different kinds of tattoos, depending on what the main material is that they are made from, besides the ink. They can be a phosphorus-based ink that is basically invisible during the day, making them the perfect type of tattoo for professionals who don’t want their tattoos to show up during the day. But at night, they glow with their own fiery light. The other kind of glow in the dark tattoo is a UV tattoo, called this because of the Ultraviolt light that is needed to see the tattoo. Although these are both true glow in the dark tattoos, there are differences between the two that are important to know if you are considering getting one.
Glow in the Dark Phosphorus Tattoos
An ordinary tattoo is usually a metal-based pigment suspended in either a vegetable or plastic medium. This is what gives them their distinctive look, and the colors in tattoos are achieved the same way. However, for a glow in the dark tattoo that is completely invisible during the day and only shows up at night, a different medium is used. For a tattoo that will simply glow without the help of black lights, phosphorus is added. The addition of the phosphorus ink can be either for the entire tattoo, or it can be added as a special effect in a current regular tattoo.
But the thing that anyone getting a glow in the dark phosphorus tattoo needs to stay aware of is that phosphorus is a known carcinogen and has some safety concerns attached to it. There is no known phosphorus solution that the FDA has yet approved as safe. Because the side effects of phosphorus when it comes in contact with skin are severe blistering, severe pain and rashes, some tattoo parlors will not even consider working with them.
UV Glow in the Dark Tattoos
The other alternative if you want a glow in the dark tattoo is to use UV inks, some of which are even approved for use by the FDA as safe to use. These tattoos will only show up when exposed to UV light or what is commonly called “black light”, making them perfect for clubbing. Because a wide range of items glow under UV light, including club soda, vitamins A and B and even white cloth, it is easier to find a safe material to make these inks. In fact, there are glow in the dark UV tattoos with colors such as blue and red as well as the usual glowing white.
So you see, when you ask just what are glow in the dark tattoos, the answer is a little more complicated then you would think. The basic idea is pretty cool, that you have a tattoo that is completely invisible until night. Most of the glow in the dark tattoos I have seen take advantage of the “spooky” nature of them and have a goth skeleton theme to them. You have to admit – having a glowing skeleton on your arm that only shows up at night or when you are under a black light can be pretty awesome looking!
UglyTattoo Designs: ProWrestlers
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Okay I know some gals and quite a few guys that really love wrestling. Personally I have some great memories of watching it with my Dad when I was a kid; it is kind of like watching really bad theatre. Or really good theatre, if you really think about it. But when it comes to a tattoo design, I don’t think too many of the pro wrestlers that have come down over the ages make a great tattoo design.
Still, I know that there are quite a few of them out there so I thought I would cruise the web and see what I could find to share with all of you. Just a kind of food for thought, especially if you happen to be a big fan of Pro Wrestling and were considering a tattoo of your favorite. I mean, think about it. Who was your favorite wrestler 15 years ago? Would you still want that tattoo on your bode? Of course, if they are on a body like Tyler Reks, above, we wouldn’t care would we?
Tattoo Brides
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I recently saw a short article that talked about tattoo brides. Now, I have to admit that at first I thought this was just some way-out idea. It sounded like a kind of “biker-chicks in white” sort of idea. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that they were right. Tattoos are much more acceptable these days and while it used to be that any right-minded bride would hide that tattoo, I don’t think that is the case anymore.
So I started checking it out and guess what – they were so right! All kinds of brides are wearing white and showing off their tattoos these days. And because a much wider spectrum of woman is even getting a tattoo these days, I think it isn’t surprising that we are seeing a wide array of bridal styles that sport a tattoo on that happy day.
So I decided to put together a portfolio if you will of the various kinds of brides who love their man (or woman for those of us here in Canada where that kind of bride is totally legal) and also love their tattoo. Check these out, I happen to think this is a pretty awesome collection of bridal tattoos. And if you have one to add to the collection, we would love to see it.
Cool Skull Tattoos
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We all know that the symbol of the skull has long been used to show that a place is dangerous or deadly. It is a symbol that can send shivers down your spine and have you looking over your shoulder. But we also have a long standing fascination with the symbol because the skull is us, truly us, stripped down to our essence.
Anyone who looks at a skull, a real skull, is both repelled and drawn to it at the same time. Who was the person that had this skull? Why is this skull here in the first place? There are always so many questions, even if it is a really old skull in a museum we want to know more because in this skull, at one time, resided everything that made that person who they are.
So it is no wonder that the skull has become the one symbol that you see everywhere in tattoo art. There are grinning skulls and flaming skulls and ones with flowers in the places where they should have eyes.
Skulls show up on tattoos from across the ages, on old sailors and on young girls. Who hasn’t at some time considered that classic skull and crossbones for their own tattoo? But no matter what kind of tattoo you are thinking about getting, a skull is bound to be one of the considerations.
Here are some really great skull tattoos that we think show off just what the potential could be for this classic tattoo symbol.
So if you have a skull tattoo – share. If you are thinking of getting a skull tattoo, do you know what you want? I would love to see a ton of really great skull tattoos here, shared amongst the tattoo community on this website.
Cat Tattoo Designs
Posted by: | CommentsCats! They are mysterious; they are the source of all things secretive. For years they have been seen in a wide variety of lights from the great Egyptian god Bast to the lowly familiar of a witch during Europe’s Dark Ages. What does a cat, and more importantly what do cat tattoo designs, mean to you?
For many women the cat has come to symbolize independence and fertility. Because the cat is seen as a creature of the night due to its nocturnal nature, it has long represented for many the dark side to nature and our own dark inclinations. With all of these kinds of symbols for cats in our culture, is it any surprise that we love to include cat tattoo designs in our tattoos?
There are so many ways that cat tattoo designs can be approached. Some of the designs you see of cats are done as a symbol of the kinds of ideas we have written about here. Dark symbols of an inner belief in magic or other elemental powers that the cat has come to represent.
Sometimes the images are more of an artistic expression, because cats just look so darn slinky walking just about anywhere! They are a simple picture of elegance to many, and that can also be represented in a graphic piece of art for a tattoo. These kinds of cats aren’t sinister at all, quite the opposite; these cat tattoo designs are graceful feline emblems of sophistication.
Black cats have a special place in tattoo art; that is almost a mixture of the old mystical companion idea and the modern concept of the cat as the ultimate symbol of luxury and sophistication. It is no wonder that a black cat is seen on posters and as part of famous logos for decades now. But for the cat tattoo designs, the black cat remains an almost sacred symbol that has been around for probably longer than we know.
Of course, not all cat tattoo designs are meant to be dark and mysterious. There are funny cat tattoos as well. Some are from well knows cartoon characters, and many just appeal to the off-the-wall nature of so many people who love tattoos. After all, cats are not exactly always playing by the rules, so why should we!
And finally, there are those cat tattoo designs that are of cats the wearer has known and loved. It isn’t that surprising that cat owners should be tattoo owners as well, we all know that it takes a special kind of love to be close to the high minded and often single minded cat. But the value of that love is displayed for all to see when a cat lover is a tattoo lover as well.
So you see, just as it takes all kinds of people to make up the world, it certainly takes all kinds of tattoos to make up the kind of cat tattoo designs that cat lovers will sport on their bodies.
White Ink Tattoos
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Traditionally, the process of tattooing begins after a stencil is applied to the part on you body where you want the design. The first part of this long process frequently begins with black ink. Many artists use black ink to give the outline of the tattoo which can be colored or shaded later. This black outline not only offers artists a guideline but also gives the tattoo itself more definition; a sharper look to the image.
For the longest time, tattoo artists were not willing to do a design without the black outline as a guide but as with everything in today’s world, that too is changing. White ink tattoos don’t follow the traditional process of stencil and black ink. The whole piece is done in white ink leaving a pale design that is very different from a traditional tattoo.
These tattoos are subtle yet distinct in their style. These tattoos are perfect for those that want tattoos but cant have the traditional apparent ones for whatever reason. Lindsay Lohan is known for her white ink tattoo on the inside of her wrist that says ‘breathe’.
These tattoos are more of a personal statement that you don’t want anyone else to be able to read. It is like a private mantra, an affirmation, a symbol that reminds you of something dear to you – and is not really meant for the outside world. These tattoos are not totally invisible though. The ink used here is not the same white ink used in mixing colors for a colored tattoo. It is a thicker, higher quality ink that is made to stand out on its own.
There are a few things though that you need to keep in mind if you’re planning to get one of these tattoos. These tattoos are best when done freehand. If you decide to use a stencil for better guidance you need to be careful that the color from the stencil does not mix with the white ink. This may make the tattoo a little dull.
Another glitch is that white is not as easily absorbed by the skin as black or colored ink. This means several additional passes in the area to make sure the ink fully sinks in. Darker skin tones usually don’t absorb enough of the white to make it bright. These tattoos often become dull when frequently exposed to the sun.
What is worse is the skin’s reaction to the ink. A reaction to the white ink is much more common than the skin’s reaction to the black ink. There have been cases where the area began to swell, itch and even ooze. Most tattoo artists recommend simple designs for white ink tattoos as they are less likely to have complications.