Here's What Actually Happens To Your Skin When You Get A Tattoo

Advertisement

Tattoos are beautiful works of art. While some may not see it that way, when you consider the time and energy that goes into a tattoo, it really is a permanent piece of artwork. Tattoos have been around for many centuries in cultures all over the world, and can be created in a variety of art forms and art styles. 

I've always wondered about how tattoos actually work, and whether or not they really do hurt. When I see a particularly intricate tattoo piece, I always wonder how long it took, and how much it hurt. 

Tattooing is a really interesting process. They use between five and seven needles, depending on what part of the tattoo the artist is doing. For lines, usually five needles are used, and for shading, seven needles are used. 

The tattoo is actually injected in between layers of skin—that is what makes it permanent. When you write on your skin with a marker, it only goes on the epidermis, which is the very top layer of skin. This top layer of skin rejuvenates itself often, and you shed layers of dead skin—70-80 percent of dust is dead skin. 

That's what makes the tattoo permanent—the ink is injected into your dermis, where it will stay. 

Different areas of your body are going to be more painful when you get a tattoo. Areas with less fat tend to be more painful: for example, the top of your foot, your inner forearm, your rib cage. These areas have little fat protecting the veins and muscles. 

Since tattoos are put into your skin, they require aftercare that is very important to their healing. You should treat your fresh tattoo like an open wound, cleaning it gently with clean hands and keeping it dry. 

Advertisement