When you first start tattooing, you might wonder how tattoos work.
Understanding why tattoos stay in the skin permanently makes it easier for you to create and care for tattoos properly.
In this article, we’ll take a look at:
- The science behind how tattoo ink stays in the skin
- Why the tattoo application process can affect how well a tattoo holds up over the years
- How tattoos heal (and how tattoo removal actually happens)
Table of Contents
How Do Tattoos Stay in Your Skin?
The Science Behind Tattoo Ink: How Do Tattoos Work Biologically?
How Do Tattoos Heal?
How Does Tattoo Removal Work?
Are Tattoos That Painful? How Getting a Tattoo Works
Become a Tattoo Artist With the Artist Accelerator Program
How Do Tattoos Stay in Your Skin?
Tattoo artists inject tattoo ink into the skin. Ink is composed several basic components including the pigment (which gives the ink its color) and the carrier (which is what makes the ink liquid and able to be injected).
Once placed in the dermis, the ink particles stay suspended in that layer of skin.
The Science Behind Tattoo Ink: How Do Tattoos Work Biologically?
Tattoo ink triggers your immune response…but doesn’t succumb to it. The science tells us why this happens.
Why are Tattoos Permanent?
When a tattoo is done properly, the needle penetrates into the second layer of the skin, called the dermis. Putting ink into the dermis means the ink gets trapped in the connective tissue.
If the tattoo needles only go into the first layer of the skin (the epidermis) the ink won’t be deep enough to be permanent. As the skin cells on the outer layer of the skin shed, the ink will go along with it.
If you inject ink into the skin too deep, you’ll hit the fat layer. Because this area in the skin is more “gooey” from fat, the ink will spread out under the skin. This is referred to as a blowout.
Why Do Tattoos Look Different Over Time?
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You’ve probably noticed that over time, tattoo linework tends to “spread” and that tattoos overall look a little faded after several years. (This is why people will go and get their tattoos “touched up.”)
The reason this happens is because your immune system recognizes ink particles as a “foreign substance” that needs to be eliminated from the body.
So, immune system cells (special cells called “macrophages”) attack the ink particles. The goal of the immune cells is to break the ink particles into small enough pieces so they can be carried away by the lymphatic system.
This is one of the reasons a tattoo will fade gradually. However, it’s also due to the skin aging and sun exposure.
The Lymphatic System Can’t Carry Away Large Tattoo Ink Particles
Tattoos are permanent because most of the ink particles are too big for the immune system to break down, which means the lymphatic system can’t carry them away. So, the ink stays in place where your tattoo artist put it.
Note:
Blood vessels tend to sit in the deeper dermis. Tattoo needles shouldn’t go down that far. Usually, they stay about 2mm into the skin (which would be closer to the “upper dermis”). If a few pigment particles get into the bloodstream, your body’s immune system will remove it.
How Do Tattoos Heal?
Even though a tattoo might look healed after a few weeks, they often take months to heal all the way.
A New Tattoo’s Healing Process From Start to Finish
Modern tattoo machines and permanent makeup applicators pierce the skin between 50 - 3,000 times per second. That is a lot of punctures in the skin, which is why a tattoo is considered an open wound. This is why it’s so important to follow all the health and safety precautions necessary to prevent infection.
DAY 1: Tattoo Appointment Day
Your tattoo artist will clean the skin after the tattooing process and either apply plastic wrap or a “second skin” called Saniderm. They’ll let you know how long to keep that wrap on when they give you their tattoo aftercare instructions.
DAY 1 - 2: Removing the First Wrap
If your tattoo artist used plastic wrap, they might recommend removing it after a few hours when you’re back at home and able to wash the tattoo.
If your tattoo artist used Saniderm, they might give you a longer time frame, like 24 hours.
In both cases, you’ll probably see excess ink coming out of the tattoo.
DAY 1 - 2: First Cleaning
It’s recommended that you remove the wrap in the shower, using warm water and a fragrance-free soap. (Beware washing with a material that might have bacteria trapped in it like a loofah.) Pat dry with a clean paper towel.
Your tattoo artist will let you know if you should cover up your body art with another round of Saniderm or let it continue to air dry.
WEEKS 1 - 2: Initial Healing
Avoid situations where you could introduce infection (gyms, pools, beaches, etc.) and keep your tattoo out of the sun. (Do not fully submerge your tattoo - hot tub, pool, bath, etc. for the first month of having a new tattoo.)
If you do not have a Saniderm patch on your tattoo, regularly apply a very thin layer fragrance-free moisturizer on a regular basis.
- Do not use petroleum based products. They can trap bacteria against your healing skin.
- Do not pick at scabs. This can “pull out” the ink while your skin is healing.
6 MONTHS: Complete Healing
Tattoos might look completely healed from the outer layer of the skin. But it can take up to 6 months to heal all the way. Continue applying your fragrance-free moisturizer.
Allergic Reactions or Infections
New tattoos tend to itch. However, if it seems like your skin is hurting or inflamed, you might be experiencing an allergic reaction to the released pigments in your skin or there’s a possibility of infection. If your skin is hot or red around the tattoo, there’s a chance the skin is infected.
In any of these events, let the tattoo artist know and go to a doctor. Tattoo artists cannot treat reactions or infections.
Tattoo Healing Begins With a Safe Tattooing Process
All tattoo equipment should be properly cleaned using Madacide and/or an autoclave to prevent cross contamination. Ink cups, ink caps, and other “disposables” should be used on only one client and then properly disposed of.
Every tattoo should use a new, sterilized needle. Needles are single use and are not to be reused (even if you have an autoclave).
How Does Tattoo Removal Work?
Laser tattoo removal does what your immune response can’t do on its own: breaks up the ink particles so they can be carried away by the lymphatic system.
Once the particles are broken down into small enough particles, they can be carried to the lymph nodes.
Are Tattoos That Painful? How Getting a Tattoo Works
If you’re looking to get your first tattoo, you’ll go through this process with your artist:
- Consultation: Tell the artist your idea, put down a deposit, and choose and appointment day
- Day Before Appointment: This is when your artist will usually send a final version of your design to approve. (They might send you a draft of the design beforehand for requested changes.)
- Appointment Day: This is the day you get tattooed!
- Healing: Keep your tattoo clean and moisturized.
Tattoo Pain - What to Expect
Tattoo needles have multiple “sharps” on them (you can think of it like lots of small needles soldered together) and they pierce the skin 50 - 3,000 times a minute. So…all tattoos hurt.
However, you shouldn’t be in unbearable pain. For most clients, tattoos feel like getting scratched by a cat.
Where you get tattooed plays a huge role in the pain (ex: getting tattooed on your ribs where your skin is thin stretched out over bone is going to hurt more than getting tattooed on your shoulder).
How Much Do You Tip for a Tattoo?
Tipping etiquette depends on where you live. In some countries, tipping is considered rude.
In the United States, tipping is pretty customary. Most artists will say it’s not expected, but it’s appreciated. Most clients tip 20-25% if they’re happy with the tattoo. So for a $500 tattoo, you might tip 20% or $100.
If your tattoo is divided into multiple sessions, you would tip after each session.
Become a Tattoo Artist With the Artist Accelerator Program
Having a career in tattooing is not only fulfilling, but it’s also the most stable way to make a living as an artist. However, for decades, the process to become a tattoo artist has been notoriously difficult.
The apprenticeship process requires aspiring tattoo artists to work 50-60 hours a week without pay for 2-4 years. That, combined with the toxic culture of abusing apprentices, makes getting into the industry almost impossible for newcomers.
That’s why we created the Artist Accelerator Program. Our online course provides a simple, structured way of learning to tattoo that has been proven to work by over 7500 successful students, with many of them having gone on to open their own shops all around the world.
Inside the program, we’ll take you through every step of the tattooing process in 9 clear, easy-to-follow modules and support you along the way within the Tattooing 101 Mastermind online community.
In the Mastermind group, you’ll collaborate with other students, get answers to your questions, and receive personalized video feedback on your artwork and tattoos from professional tattoo artists. With this friendly community of both new and experienced tattoo artists, you’ll never be stuck again.
When you join the Artist Accelerator Program, you’ll have instant access to the full course and the Mastermind community, as well as our 30-Day Flash Challenge and recorded interviews with tattoo artists from all over the world.
Click here to learn more about the Artist Accelerator Program.
