Tattoo on Transparent "Skin" at 20,000fps - The Slow Mo Guys 

The reason why tattoos are permanent is because the size of the ink particles are too big for the immune system to remove. This is why a fresh tattoo is so detailed, but they do fade as the immune system removes the finer particles. Laser removal works by superheating the ink particles and breaking them into small pieces the immune system can then remove.

I've never wanted to get a tattoo. But after watching this video, my feelings have completely stayed exactly the same.

"The whole jiggly thing is just jiggling." -The Slow Mo Guys. Such a profound statement.

Tattoo artist here! If anyone is scared of getting a tattoo from this video, please know it’s not at all realistic and our needles shouldn’t go that deep ever ever EVER :) would love to see round two with a tattooer who doesn’t shove the needle into the skin and leave it there LOL

Dan: "neither of us are brave enough to get the tattoo ourselves" Also Dan: *Jumps onto a trampoline covered in mouse traps*

As others have also said, would love to see a collab with a tattoo artist. They'd have insight on proper usage/depth of the equipment.

10 minutes ago if you asked me why I don't have any tattoos I would have shrugged my shoulders and said "I don't know - I just don't". Now I actually know why I don't have any tattoos.

Everybody in the comments saying “after watching this, I don’t want a tattoo ever”. ….but for me this just makes me want to add another to my tattoo collection lmao

I love how Dan has never expressed any embarrassment over anything he's done here on youtube but he's too embarrassed to tell us about his tattoo ideas. 😆

As a professional tattoo artist, this is both hilarious and insightful

That's what your skin sees when it looks up. The greatest ever

I've seen that tattoo artists will have a paper to wipe off the excess ink of the surface of the skin after drawing for a bit, but seeing up close how it pools on the skin in slow motion as it moves is actually quite cool.

I wanted to avoid tattooing my skin. After watching this I'm gonna stick to my decision forever. Thanks for saving me.

Everyone who has a tattoo; "Yes. More tattoos." Everyone who has no tattoos; "No."

As someone covered in tattoos, this gives me chills. I also feel kind of proud of myself 😂

I got a small tattoo on my wrist in 2022 and the needle felt little more than humming along. Was honestly quite shocked by how mild and painless it was. The anticipation/anxiety was 10000x worse - would love to see that in slow motion ;D

I love how these guys have been doing this stuff for the better part of a decade, and they've got all this sophisticated equipment.. and then Gavin is just... holding a flashlight 😂

I forgot about these guys for years and then this was recommended to me. So glad these guys are still making quality bangers with good amounts of views.

I have 8 of them. This is fascinating. Can’t wait for #9

And now I need more tattoos thanks guys for the motivation

I've made it 28 years of my life without getting a tattoo. Thank you Gav and Dan for securing at least another minimum 28 years for me.

I have three tattoos. The first two hurt like absolute hell, and now I know why. The needles were way too deep, and it caused extreme burning for 4 days + they scarred and are raised. My third tattoo was clearly the most professionally done.... It barely hurt, and didn't burn at all afterwards. No scar. Really cool to see what my skin had to go through for the sake of some kewl symbols, haha.

I find it so funny how little Gav and Dan know about tattooing, so innocent xD

This does not diminish my desire to continue to cover my arms but does help visualize why they can hurt like hell. You guys should do this again with a professional artist and have them do a full small tattoo with color.

As someone who doesn't have a tattoo, i feel some sort of relief

Love the detailed sound design

Ink therapy love it. This video makes me want a tattoo more. It's so cool seeing how it looks in microscopic vid

Ive never wanted a tattoo because always visualised this . Now i know ive always made the right choice ! . . Cool vid 👍

I now feel so much more metal about my tattoos. That was brutal

I got into a mild car accident last year and had a piece of my tattoo skinned clean off my knee! As the wound was healing I could see the tiny needle marks where the ink used to be under my skin, it was kinda cool. This video reminds me of that!

As someone with my first tattoo set for a week from today, this is really good to know, even if innacurate. I have a visceral reaction to needles so seeing it now as it isnt literally inside me is helping me get used to seeing them enter skin. Thanks guys!! ❤

Just got a sleeve that took 12 hours. Thanks for showing me up close what I put myself through :)

*I would love to see a professional tattoo artist demonstrate technique on the ballistic gel,* I think that would be fascinating. I'd also love to see that same artist tattooing a person. I don't know how good of a shot you can get because the ink tends to get everywhere pretty quick, but definitely sounds interesting

6:58 "The whole jiggly thing is just jiggling." Astute observation, doctor. I concur. New tattoo artists will probably really appreciate this video.

6:38 "Like some of those fish that live underwater" Love it!

As someone with tattoos, it's fascinating to see that this is the evolution of it and it makes sense how it works. lol It also explains why when you shed the ink "comes out" since it's not in the part of the skin that'll hold it because it was pushed through and some bits aren't the stay forever bits. Neat ^_^

Dan and Gav’s friendship is the best part of these videos

As a tattoo artist the first pass you took with the liner needle made me cringeeeeee lol we definitely don’t go that deep that would scar someone up reallll quick. Silicone and similar mixtures are actually way harder to get ink to stay into. This was a great demonstration of how the needles actually get ink into the skin though. That is how it works in skin, those rubber mixtures just are harder for the needles to penetrate to make that ink transfer happen. With proper technique of pulling a line with tattoo needles, looking it it from the side, I’m pretty sure you’d see something somewhat closer to a solid rectangle going as deep as the needle did, instead of the jaggedness they had if that makes sense. No offense but homie would not be pulling clean lines like that 😂

I need more still!! You have to get at least one tattoo in your life! I have never met a person with one tattoo that said never again. They always say I can't wait for the next one!!

As a tattoo artist tattoo needles should NEVER go this deep!!!!

Seeing how the needles didn't actually deposit ink into the wounds directly but instead the ink being drawn into the wound after the needle had already been drawn out was absolutely fascinating! definitely not how i would have assumed it worked.

I'd be interested in a part 2 where you slow-mo record an actual tattoo artist putting a little tattoo on some gel. That way you get his insight and he gets to see the "underworks" of what he's been doing his career.

Watched this and I can't wait for my next session next week.

What a Professional Level of Creativity RU-vidrs HAVE

Would love to see a sequel to this episode with a professional tattoo artist (or several) involved!

What if you hired a professional tattoo artist to do this again but actually make stuff in the ballistics gel?

"the whole jiggly thing is just jiggling" I love the highly scientific breakdowns you guys give :)

boy am glad i got the tattoo BEFORE i watched the video-but it helps to explain why i never got more of them!

To any aspiring tattoo artists out there, remember this, "Different skin takes ink better than others." I only have 3 tats, two of which were are cover ups, but there was a significant difference in pain levels between different artists. While I was getting my coverups, I mentioned to the artist ( a 40ish year old woman who had owned and operated her shop for 15 years ) how much less painful it was compared to when I first got them, and she told me my skin held ink very well. She went on to say that some artists really dig into the skin to guarantee the ink fully penetrates the top layer. It's not wrong per se, but it's not always necessary.

This is absolutely crazy because two weeks ago while we were in studio we were talking about how amazing it would be if you guys created a video that showed tattooing in slow motion, and what it look like from inside the skin. Lo and behold you delivered! Love you guys!! ❤

This somehow made me less afraid of getting a tattoo.. Thanks for the video!

“Aliens”!! That’s CLASSIC 😂. And OUCH, I’ve given up any idea of getting a tattoo, period.

After having so many tattoos and more ideas on the way of getting, this was fascinating. But Dan I'd never get one done by you, waaaay too deep 😂

That's great footage as always, and the ending was hilarious lol. BUT: how about bringing up a tattoo artist to show exactly how deep it goes and maybe using other types of materials to give more insight into the process? That would be really cool

This was super cool to see. About a year ago I got my first tattoo. I'm very scared of needles. Getting blood drawn is always anxiety filled for me so I totally get why people are scared about this. My step-dad actually deterred me for a few years because one night he was acting like he was going to take me to get a tattoo and then said something like "let's go turn your arm into hamburger meat" lol and I panicked and didn't go. Now I know everybody is different and even though I don't like needles I'm also not one of those people that faints when getting stuck so I know not everyone will be able to do it. I held a friends hand the entire time because I was nervous but it truly wasnt that bad. I got mine on the inside of my wrist. The first line that my tattoo artist did almost tickled. Now that is a very sensitive area so the closer he got to the center, where the skin is thinnest and there's a lot less meat, the more it began to hurt. Tattoos (for most normal people) don't feel good. It's not a massage. But even though it started to hurt it was pretty bearable. In my opinion the worst part about getting a tattoo is while it is healing it itches and you can't scratch it lol for a couple weeks it would itch and all I could do was lightly tap it. So if you want to get a tattoo but you're scared, just know it's really not that bad

I need more bro these literally feel so good

Never change Dan, you're an absolute gem.

I feel like Geoff is the perfect person to drag onto a video like this if you wanted to record someone actually getting a tattoo in macro

I love my tattoo and can't wait to afford more. And becoming a tattoo artist just became even more enticing. 😁

Our skin not like jelly and I have tattoos and I'm still going to get even more thank u very much😊

As a professional tattoo artist, this is both hilarious and insightful. Love it. I want a few more tattoos..

Someone commented recently about how well these vids are edited, i.e. no fluff in the intro and just gets us straight into the point of the video. This vid is a shining example of that - there was a golden exchange, but (presumably) Gav cuts it to appear at the end, so we've both got straight into the action at the start yet were able to enjoy the exchange. Such a good channel, keep it going lads

I need some more tattoos these are fun to watch

Ayeee! Roll Tide fellas! 🫡 from Alabama. Thanks for the vids as always. ✌🏼

This is really cool, but I think it could have been better if there was a real tattoo artist there to talk about the differences between the gel and actual skin and also demonstrate a proper technique and depth (I'm sure the guys were close, but an expert would have been better, maybe) with professional equipment. Also, don't feel bad, Dan, most of the people I was in the Army with, including myself, went from working out a lot to having dad bodies 😞

I was never planning on getting any tattoos in my life, and this video has let me know that I officially made the right choice.

having 2 tattooes myself, watching this isn't stopping me from wanting a few more :D

I'm 55% covered in my own designs and can't wait to get more the feeling is great

Considering the skin is made up of 3 layers I wonder what this would look like if you could have a thin layer of ballistic gel stuck to another bit of ballistic gel.

This channel is not about the cameras and technology, it's about the ideas, skill and execution these guys have mastered over the years 🙏 the way they control a tiny focus area is just amazing

I got a tattoo yesterday and this popped up on my recommended.

I have a few tattoos, want more. It was pretty cool to see this.

As a tattoo artists wife and nurse I can tell you the needles NEVER go this deep.

Love the detailed sound design on this one!

As someone who has both feet tattooed, when its done by an artist with a really soft touch its not only bearable, but enjoyable.

Getting a tattoo is actually quite enjoyable strangely enough. I have enjoyed getting both of mine.

Your sound designers are extremely gifted at what they do! It's top notch!

I got a new tattoo two days ago. It took 3.5 hours. This is so insane to watch because in those 3.5 hours I never registered the needles going that deeply into my skin.

Coming from someone who has several tattoos, I'm still craving the next one!

I feel like such a badass for getting a massive tattoo and going through this

I appreciate the ad segment with the robot arm showcasing the lenses. Clever using the repeatable accuracy of the robot, while changing the lenses seamlessly. Cool.

I just want to say the sponsored segment was sooo well put together and edited, I couldn't look away. You all are some talented folks!

This is what slowmo is so good for!

Never thought I’d get tats but I’ve gotten 6 within in the last 3 months . It doesn’t hurt and I’m so glad I did it . I wish I knew my pain tolerance or I would’ve done it sooner in life 😊

Dan's 'roll tide' opening was freakin hilarious 😂

Ballistic gel has the properties of human bodies at the scale of a bullet etc. While this footage is incredible, it's quite fairly likely to be different from how ink behaves in actual skin.

I think the ballistic gel stretches a bit more than skin. I think the needles make cleaner punctures in the skin than the gel suggests

You had me at "ROLL TIDE"!

Thank you guys for multiplying my needle phobia level to 1000000000

Watching this slow motion video of tattoo needles going up and down was truly fascinating! As someone who's never been interested in getting a tattoo, this gave me a whole new perspective. I've officially come to realize it's not my thing, but I appreciate the artistry behind it.

The day I get a tattoo I get this recommended XD not put me off getting more but niiiiice love needles as it is

wow good to see these guys again after like 7 years

Honestly, this was a great sponsorship. A product that not only do you consistently use, but you also commonly use it on the channel.

The calming sting and burn of getting a tattoo is extremely therapeutic to me, like a form of meditation

Oh man I need to get my next tattoo, this made me think of it.

Tattoos are really addictive get one you soon need MORE!!!!

Slow Mo guys - continuing to create reference videos for special effects that visual artists haven't even thought of yet.

Half way through every Slo Mo Guys video, I realise I'm watching with my mouth open. Like a state of perpetual awe.

I can't wait to get future tattoos hahaha I'm a sucker for pain and weird stuff.

Neat! Still don't regret getting my tattoos and in-fact will be getting more :)