How Tattoo Ink Stays in Your Skin Permanently: What, How, and Why Behind the Science
Understanding Skin Layers
Tattoos are something that we all love, whether we’re collectors or tattoo artists. Have you ever wondered how tattooing actually works? How does the ink stay in the skin to allow us to wear the beautiful tattoos we wear?
Three Layers of Skin
Our skin is made up of three layers.
- The epidermis is a protective layer that helps us to fight off infections.
- The dermis is the outermost layer, which contains hair follicles and sweat glands.
- Subcutaneous fat: This layer is the connective tissue between the dermis and the muscles and bones below the skin.
Now that you know the three layers, imagine what it would feel like to have a tattoo. The needle begins by puncturing the skin’s epidermis and then moves onto the dermis. White blood cells now step in to do their job. When the ink penetrates through our skin, white blood cells are released to combat it.
Ink particles are bigger than white blood cells, so they don’t react to counterattacks from white cells. The ink is left in the skin and not removed. An ink that is not removed by the white blood cells (macrophages) remains in the dermis and is trapped by fibroblasts. The cells show through the ink, and it is the dye that makes it permanent. In some cases, the area where tattoos are applied will turn red. Tattoos eventually flake and scab as they heal.
The Healing Process Is Different for Each Person
You must pay attention to your new tattoo, and be careful and diligent. Remember that your body is working hard to heal the wound. The tattoo will progress through several stages, but patience and care are key.
Understanding the science and art of tattooing, as well as how ink can remain on the skin for so long, will give you a better understanding of the form of self-expression. Understanding the skin layers, immune responses, and cellular interactions allows us to appreciate tattoos’ beauty and permanence.
This post was written by J Michael Taylor. J Michael Taylor is an artist and owner of Black Amethyst Tattoo Gallery. Black Amethyst is the best among the St Pete tattoo shops. They provide an art-first approach to custom tattooing in a gallery setting.
