No, tattoo ink does not go inside your skin. Instead, it is deposited into the dermis, the middle layer of skin.
Here's why:
- The Epidermis: The outermost layer of skin is the epidermis. It's constantly shedding and regenerating. If ink were injected here, it would simply be shed along with dead skin cells.
- The Dermis: The dermis is where tattoo ink is injected. This layer contains collagen and elastin fibers, which give skin its strength and elasticity. The ink particles become trapped within these fibers, making the tattoo permanent.
- The Hypodermis: The deepest layer of skin is the hypodermis, which contains fat and blood vessels. Tattoo ink is not injected into this layer.
How it Works:
- Tattoo needles penetrate the epidermis and deposit ink into the dermis.
- The ink particles are too large to be absorbed by the body, so they remain trapped in the dermis.
- The body's immune system tries to break down the ink particles, but they are too large and complex.
- Over time, the ink particles may fade slightly, but the tattoo will generally remain visible.
In Summary:
Tattoo ink is deposited into the dermis, not inside the skin. This ensures that the tattoo remains visible and permanent.
