How Tattoos Work in the Skin

Summary

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Leaving a unique mark on the skin through a tattoo is something that attracts many people, but the fact of adding ink with unknown substances for many raises some doubts about the health consequences of pigmentation on the skin with ink.

At Tatto Gun Machine, we want to take care of your skin at all times so that you can always be the best version of yourself. For this reason, today we have decided to delve into this topic in depth. What do tattoos do to the skin?

Discover how the tattoos work, the effects on health and what contraindications it has so that you can make an informed decision.

Have you ever wondered in which layer of the skin tattoos are made? Where the ink is stored or what happens to the skin when it’s tattooed? The truth is that a tattoo is the result of inflicting certain aggressions on our skin and its attempt to protect itself.

That’s why it’s essential to seek out a professional tattoo studio to minimize damage. It’s crucial to follow the hygiene protocols that come with this profession to the letter.

The process of tattoos

Let’s start with the most basic and obvious thing: a tattoo is made by injecting ink into the skin through a tattoo machine, with a mechanism similar to a dental drill. Through a system of gears, this machine moves a solid needle up and down at different powers. In this way, the needle, loaded with ink, pierces the skin (about a millimeter deep) and leaves there tiny droplets that the skin cannot dilute.

The needle enters the skin between 50 and 3000 times per minute, depending on the power, and each time it penetrates, it releases one of those droplets of ink. This machine was invented by the American artist and inventor Samuel O’Reilly at the end of the 1800s, and although a huge number of new technologies have been developed, the mechanism has changed very little.

Today, every tattoo machine has: a needle; especially sterilized, a tube system (that transports the ink through the machine), an electric motor (that makes it work) and a pedal, which, like sewing machines, regulates the vertical movement of the needle.

How is the skin tattooed?

The needle loaded with ink penetrates the first layer to reach the dermis, where it will release the color pigments. At the same time, nerves and blood vessels are torn, causing pain and bleeding.

With each puncture, the tattoo machine’s needle creates a kind of tube in the skin layer, through which it injects ink to fill it. In this way, the design is gradually defined. What happens next is what makes the tattoo last a lifetime.

In which layer of the skin are tattoos made?

To answer this question, we need to know the structure of the skin. The first layer we see is the epidermis. This is the thinnest and most superficial layer. It has a thickness of 0.1 mm and the cells that make it up are constantly regenerating. This is, therefore, the layer that is pierced by the tattoo needle, up to 50,000 times per minute.

When the needle pierces the epidermis, we reach the dermis, the thickest layer. It is here that the tattoo is made and the ink is stored. Unlike the first layer, the dermis contains nerve endings and blood vessels, which is why it hurts and we bleed when we get a tattoo.

Why can’t a tattoo be erased?

A tattoo can’t be erased because the skin activates its defense mechanism. Let’s see how it works. When a large amount of ink is injected, the skin reacts by encapsulating it, just like it does with any external substance. It isolates it to protect itself. The skin cells create a film around the tube created by the tattoo needle. This film or covering manages to store the ink so that it doesn’t escape, and at the same time, it makes the tattoo remain permanently embedded in the skin.

Additionally, the healing process also plays an important role. This process seals the wounds caused by the needle, in each perforation of the epidermis. So that each tube filled with ink is sealed on all sides, both internally and externally. But for the tattoo to heal correctly, it’s necessary to follow a series of guidelines.

We must avoid infecting the tattoo, since it’s still a wound. To do this, it’s essential to cover it and wash it with soap to keep it clean. Professional tattoo artists also recommend applying moisturizing cream on the tattoo, to keep it hydrated and promote healing.

Do tattoos have health consequences?

Getting a tattoo has some risks, that’s true. To minimize them, you should always go to centers that use the right equipment and a correct sterilization process. If not, there may be a risk of infection and/or bloodborne contamination, for example, if the needle has already been used, the inks contain non-homologated substances or the needle penetrates the deeper layers of the skin.

In addition, even if the tattoos are done correctly, there may be certain complications:

Keloids: In some cases, around the tattooed area, protuberances may appear. This happens because the skin tissues responsible for healing grow too much.
Granulomas: Sometimes, the skin may reject the introduction of foreign bodies in the dermis, causing hypersensitivity to the pigment and creating this skin reaction.
Allergic reactions: Certain inks, such as red, yellow or blue, may cause an adverse reaction on the skin, manifesting itself through itching and redness in the area.

Despite this, there are also some benefits to having tattoos on the skin. For example, in people with diseases such as diabetes, allergies or similar, having a tattoo on the skin warning that they have a certain condition can save their lives.

In the case of people with diabetes, in the event of an alteration in blood sugar levels in a foreign environment, this can help emergency services to identify the cause of seizures or fainting much faster.

Now that you know what reactions tattoos can have on the skin, you’ll probably also understand why it’s so important to trust only a professional and expert tattoo artist who meets all the health and hygiene standards. Your health is at stake!

How Tattoos Work: Materials and sterilization

Sterilization is a fundamental part of any type of tattoo, since any type of puncture wound in the body has a potential risk of infection and transmission of diseases. Therefore, to perform a tattoo, a prior sterilization of the materials is necessary. These must always be disposable and, in addition, both the artist and everything around him must be meticulously and correctly hygienized.

About Author

Jade Blunt | Tattoo Gun Machinehttps://t.me/s/tattoogunmachine

Hello everyone! My name is Jade Blunt, and I'm a passionate tattoo enthusiast. Let me share a bit about my life and my journey in the world of ink and skin.

Ever since I was a child, I've been drawn to art and creativity in all its forms. However, it was when I turned 18 that I discovered my true passion: tattoos. I remember my first tattoo, a small design on my wrist that marked the beginning of an adventure that would change my life forever.

As my love for tattoos grew, so did my desire to learn more about this fascinating art. I started researching, talking to talented tattoo artists, and immersing myself in the history and culture of tattoos. Every tattoo tells a story, and I wanted to be a part of that narrative.

Over time, I decided to share my passion with the world through my blog, "Tattoo Gun Machine." In this space, I strive to provide valuable information about tattoos, from tips for tattooed skin care to stories of innovative tattoo artists and inspiring designs. My goal is to educate and inspire those who share my love for tattoos, as well as to demystify some of the stigmas surrounding this art form.

My blog has become a corner of the web where the tattoo-loving community can connect, share ideas, and explore new trends. I've also had the privilege of interviewing some of the most talented tattoo artists in the world, who share their unique experiences and knowledge within my pages.

But my journey in the world of tattoos doesn't stop here. I'm always on the lookout for new inspiration and challenges. I dream of one day opening my own tattoo studio, where I can bring my own designs to life and continue contributing to this form of artistic expression.

So, if you share my passion for tattoos or are simply interested in learning more about this exciting world, I invite you to join me on my journey at "Tattoo Gun Machine." Together, we can explore the art, culture, and beauty of tattoos as we continue to ink our stories onto the canvas of life. I'll see you on my blog!