Oregon Written Tattoo Practice Test

In which layer of the skin is tattoo ink primarily deposited?

1. Epidermis

2. Dermis

3. Subcutaneous layer

4. Hypodermis

The correct answer is: Dermis

Tattoo ink is primarily deposited in the dermis, which is the second layer of the skin, located beneath the epidermis. The dermis contains connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerve endings, which provide support and nourishment to the skin. This layer is crucial for tattoos because it is stable and does not shed like the epidermis, allowing the ink to remain in place for a long time. When a tattoo needle punctures the skin, it injects ink into the dermis, where the body's immune response is triggered. Macrophages, a type of immune cell, attempt to remove the ink particles, but many remain trapped within the dermal cells, resulting in the permanent coloration associated with tattoos. Thus, the dermis’s unique structure and properties are essential for maintaining the vibrancy and integrity of tattoo art over time. Other options, such as the epidermis or subcutaneous layer, are not suitable for tattoo ink deposition. The epidermis is designed to renew itself constantly, shedding skin cells and ultimately removing any ink deposited there. The subcutaneous layer primarily consists of fat and connective tissue and does not provide the necessary stability for tattoo ink to last.