# Tattooes you can't see **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 28, 2011, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattooes-you-cant-see/587185 "2011-06-28T21:15:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattooes-you-cant-see/587185/1 "2011-06-28T21:15:25Z")
Why would someone get a tattoo you can’t look at? IMO, it defeats the purpose/isn’t as much fun. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattooes-you-cant-see/587185/2 "2011-06-28T21:21:11Z")
Some people worry about what other people will think so they get an invisible tattoo. Only certain people know its there and there is no risk of attracting the attention of the police or making a bad impression in a job interview. Doctors only charge half price to remove them so that is another bonus. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattooes-you-cant-see/587185/3 "2011-06-28T21:22:56Z")
_Don’t my baby look good in them blue jeans? Tight on the top with a belly button ring A little tattoo somewhere in between She only shows to me_ “Whiskey Girl” - Toby Keith Rule #46 - Never get a tattoo where a judge can see it. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattooes-you-cant-see/587185/4 "2011-06-28T21:49:15Z")
Who is “you”? The tattooee, or the public? ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattooes-you-cant-see/587185/5 "2011-06-28T21:51:59Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > Who is “you”? The tattooee, or the public? I thought it was both, tattoos done with invisible ink rather than standard ink so that only you, the artist, and the people you choose to tell know it is there. It is a good idea for many and solves several of the problems associated getting tattoos at all. You can still admire it all you want but people won’t judge you for it unless you describe what it looks like to them by tracing it with your finger. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattooes-you-cant-see/587185/6 "2011-06-28T22:00:10Z")
When you say invisible ink, do you mean ink that only shows in UV light? ---
**Author:** ![Ura-Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/51bf81/32.png) [@Ura-Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ura-Maru)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattooes-you-cant-see/587185/7 "2011-06-28T22:03:15Z")
By ‘a tattoo you can’t see’ I assume you mean that the tattoo-ee can’t see, because of the location, correct? Because you want other people to see it, and you think it will look best someplace where you can’t. Or because what you want done is too big to fit anywhere but your back, or is not thematically appropriate elsewhere. – Or because you want one, but want the option to cover it up. If an interviewer can see your butt-tattoo, you’re probably interviewing for a position where having such is not a disadvantage. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattooes-you-cant-see/587185/8 "2011-06-28T23:02:44Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > When you say invisible ink, do you mean ink that only shows in UV light? This is what I’m thinking - when I googled invisible tattoo ink, most of the results were for [this](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UV_tattoo). This seems really cool to me - get a tattoo that (mostly) isn’t visible when I’m at work or with family, but go somewhere with black light and I have a dragon on my shoulder. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattooes-you-cant-see/587185/9 "2011-06-28T23:07:55Z")
> [@Ura-Maru](#): > > By ‘a tattoo you can’t see’ I assume you mean that the tattoo-ee can’t see, because of the location, correct? > > Because you want other people to see it, and you think it will look best someplace where you can’t. Or because what you want done is too big to fit anywhere but your back, or is not thematically appropriate elsewhere. > > – > Or because you want one, but want the option to cover it up. If an interviewer can see your butt-tattoo, you’re probably interviewing for a position where having such is not a disadvantage. This is what I meant by “tattoo you can’t see”. ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattooes-you-cant-see/587185/10 "2011-06-28T23:20:38Z")
All but one of my tattoos can be easily covered with clothing. I like having the option of looking professional when I need to - and being able to play biker-bitch-from-hell with my full-leg tatoo when I want to. ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattooes-you-cant-see/587185/11 "2011-06-28T23:27:51Z")
Depending on how I’m dressed, I have tattoos that “you can’t see”. I have to be in a tank top or really short shorts/skirt for any of it to be obviously showing, and the average t-shirt and shorts will keep me fully covered; however, I am reasonably heavily tattooed for the average person. Why make it all easily covered, you ask? 1) Though I work in a field that has a wide range of acceptance with tattooing, it’s still not considered professional to have it on display all the time. 2) I like the option of displaying or not displaying the work, as I frequently get questions when it is on display. 3) Sometimes larger pieces require being done in a way that makes them more easily covered. One of my tattoos is a large flurry of snowflakes, which would be difficult to do on the scale that I have it in an area that isn’t mainly my torso or thighs. Like **SnakesCatLady** said, it’s fun to have that option-- in the office, I’m professional, but at the beach, I’m a whirlwind of color. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattooes-you-cant-see/587185/12 "2011-06-28T23:40:34Z")
> [@nashiitashii](#): > > …One of my tattoos is a large flurry of snowflakes… That sounds awesome. My wife’s tattoo she can barely see (lower back) but she knows it’s there. I get to see it all the time 😃 I put mine on the back of my shoulderblade. It’s inconspicuous, and I can see it if I want. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattooes-you-cant-see/587185/13 "2011-06-28T23:50:05Z")
> [@Zyada](#): > > This is what I’m thinking - when I googled invisible tattoo ink, most of the results were for [this](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UV_tattoo). > > This seems really cool to me - get a tattoo that (mostly) isn’t visible when I’m at work or with family, but go somewhere with black light and I have a dragon on my shoulder. Whenever I think of UV tatoos, I think of[image #4, here](http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/science-tattoo-emporium/?nggpage=13). I think that’s a clever use of UV ink. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattooes-you-cant-see/587185/14 "2011-06-28T23:50:39Z")
I’m fully tattooed in a short suit. The tattoo ends at my elbows, knees, and collar with a traditional break down the front center of the body. In normal business attire, even short sleeves, it is completely invisible. I like it that way. the art is for me, and if i choose to show it off it is at my discretion to do so. I like being able to listen to the hipsters bragging on about their tiny tattoos on their forearms and lifting the side of my shirt up to shut them right up.:eek: ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattooes-you-cant-see/587185/15 "2011-06-28T23:53:24Z")
> [@SnakesCatLady](#): > > All but one of my tattoos can be easily covered with clothing. I like having the option of looking professional when I need to - and being able to play biker-bitch-from-hell with my full-leg tatoo when I want to. I’ve heard the term “sleeve” for this type of tattoo on the arm, is the term “pantleg” used to describe this kind of tattoo? ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattooes-you-cant-see/587185/16 "2011-06-28T23:59:12Z")
I asked about ultra violet ink in this [thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=566570&highlight=ultraviolet)and the general consensus then was it is a bad idea. The woman in the thread ignored the advice, but could not find a local artist who would use it. ---
**Author:** ![palacheck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a88e57/32.png) [@palacheck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/palacheck)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattooes-you-cant-see/587185/17 "2011-06-29T00:04:58Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > _Don’t my baby look good in them blue jeans? > Tight on the top with a belly button ring > A little tattoo somewhere in between > She only shows to me_ > > “Whiskey Girl” - Toby Keith > > Rule #46 - Never get a tattoo where a judge can see it. There’s a judge down here in Houston, Texas with nearly a full sleeve. I think that’s how you say it. He’s known to be somewhat lenient on bikers and tattoo artists, both of which Houston(and surrounding areas) seems to have more than its fair share of. ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattooes-you-cant-see/587185/18 "2011-06-29T00:26:34Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > I’ve heard the term “sleeve” for this type of tattoo on the arm, is the term “pantleg” used to describe this kind of tattoo? I believe I have only ever heard the term “leg sleeve”, as strange as it sounds. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattooes-you-cant-see/587185/19 "2011-06-29T01:28:26Z")
Among others, I have one that’s probably 7-8 inches in diameter in between my shoulder blades. It can only be seen by others with a couple of summer shirts I wear, and can only be seen by me in a mirror. Doesn’t matter. That’s where it looks the best, whether I see it all the time or not. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattooes-you-cant-see/587185/20 "2011-06-29T04:19:28Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > Why would someone get a tattoo you can’t look at? IMO, it defeats the purpose/isn’t as much fun. Sometimes they get tattoos in places that they only show to special people. Apparently, it’s supposed to be “special”. I have very negative feelings about tattoos. Many moons ago, I was getting amorous with a young lady and when I got her peeled down to bare skin, I found a tattoo. I got up, got dressed and got out. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattooes-you-cant-see/587185.md?page=2)