Super Slow Motion Footage of Tattoo Needles Applying Ink to Transparent ‘Skin’

Gavin Free and Dan Gruchy of The Slow Mo Guys used a piece of ballistic gel as transparent “skin” to see how a tattoo machine works in super slow motion (up to 20,000 frames per second). The resulting footage of tattoo needles applying ink onto the skin is slightly disconcerting at best, particularly for those who suffer from trypanophobia (a fear of needles).

Gav and Dan demonstrate some pretty shoddy tattoo skills into some ballistic gel allowing us to get a rather disturbing glimpse at what occurs below the surface of the skin in macro ultra-slow motion.

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.