9781422273845

Whenever the body is injured, white blood cells rush in, ready to start the healing process and fight off any infections. The needle of a tattoo machine can puncture the skin anywhere from 50 to 3,000 times per minute, which is perceived by the immune system as an injury. The needle travels below the top layer of skin (called the epidermis) and leaves the pigment cells in the next layer (called the dermis). But the cells in the ink are too large for white blood cells to destroy. Instead, the ink stays trapped in fibroblast cells, and the skin heals around it. While the skin is healing, it’s important that you take good care of the site. See chapter 4 for information on aftercare.

The tattoo ink stays trapped in fibroblast cells, and the skin heals around it.

Tattooing and Scarification

15