Oregon Written Tattoo Practice Test

What layer of the skin typically contains ink from tattoos?

1. Epidermis

2. Dermis

3. Subcutaneous

4. Muscle

The correct answer is: Dermis

The dermis is the layer of skin that normally contains the ink from tattoos. This layer is located beneath the epidermis and is much thicker. The dermis consists of connective tissue, blood vessels, nerves, and hair follicles, making it more stable than the outer layer of skin. When a tattoo needle injects ink, it penetrates through the epidermis and deposits the pigment in the dermis. In contrast, the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of skin, is continually shedding and regenerating itself. Therefore, if ink were retained in this layer, tattoos would fade quickly and not last over time. The subcutaneous layer, located beneath the dermis, contains fat and connective tissue but does not play a role in holding tattoo ink. Lastly, muscle is much deeper than the skin layers and does not interact with the tattooing process itself.