inadvertent secret messages in skin

August 1, 2007 at 4:27 pm | | cool results, everyday science, nerd

Several days ago, I wrote a note on my hand to remind me to do something (fix the house N2 system, although you wouldn’t be able to tell from my scribbles). I wrote the note in red pen (a Sanford Uni-Ball micro1) and it disappeared in a few days.

fist.jpg

Figure 1. My hand in room lighting.

Or so I thought! Today—days after the mark faded completely—I was looking at some dye solutions under a UV lamp and (voila!) there were the marks again.

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Figure 2. My hand under UV illumination. (click to zoom)

Pretty cool. Unless you’re worried about degraded ink remaining under your skin for weeks.

———————

1 By the way, don’t use these pens, even on paper. I’ve been using them for about a year, and just yesterday I discovered that the ink is very much not waterproof. I spilled water across my desk. Now none of my to-do lists make any sense.

5 Comments »

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  1. Let us know how long it shows up under the UV lamp.

    Comment by Chemistry Show — August 3, 2007 #

  2. RE: erased to do list.
    I’m happy you remembered to phone your Mom on her birthday in spite of the inferior ink.
    -Love, Dad

    Comment by rob lord — August 4, 2007 #

  3. thanks, dad.

    Comment by sam — August 4, 2007 #

  4. Chemistry Show, the notes no longer show up.

    Comment by sam — August 4, 2007 #

  5. […] Because a bunch of my family was in town, I missed the first two days of ACS Boston. I thought it would be better to see some friends and family whom I rarely see than hear about science that I listen to everyday. After a few days, that decision starts to feel like a dumb move. (Just kidding, Dad.) […]

    Pingback by Everyday Scientist » acs boston update 0: sunday and monday — August 21, 2007 #

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