Skin knowledge · 4 min read
Which layer of skin is tattooed?
Tattoo pigment is placed in the dermis, the stable middle layer of the skin. Understanding the layers explains why correct working depth matters.
The three main layers
The epidermis is the renewing outer protective layer. Pigment placed only there would disappear as cells are shed.
Below it lies the dermis, which contains connective tissue, vessels, nerves, follicles and immune cells. Underneath is the looser, fatty subcutaneous tissue.
Why tattoos remain visible
Needles repeatedly pass through the epidermis and deposit tiny amounts of pigment in the dermis. Immune and connective-tissue processes hold much of that pigment in place, although tattoos can still change gradually with time, sunlight and skin ageing.
Too shallow, correct, or too deep
Work that is too shallow tends to heal patchy or fade. Correct depth places pigment consistently in the dermis. Working too deeply can unnecessarily injure tissue and allow pigment to spread beyond the intended line. This visible spreading is commonly called a blowout.
Skin thickness varies by body site
Skin is not equally thick everywhere and the thickness of individual layers also varies. Eyelids and some facial areas are comparatively thin, while palms and soles have a particularly thick epidermis. The back and shoulders generally have a thicker dermis than many delicate areas.
A tattoo artist therefore adjusts technique to the body site, the individual skin and how the tissue responds rather than relying on one fixed depth.