When talking about tattoos, it is important to bear in mind that they will become an integral part of the skin and body. It is therefore equally important to understand the possible problems that may arise, their meaning, and what to do in specific cases.
Before getting into the details, we need to clarify a few fundamental points to better explain what a tattoo is.
Epidermis, tattoos, and various issues: how to deal with the situation
As mentioned, it is essential to understand a little about how what we commonly call skin works and how it is composed. There are three different layers: the epidermis, which is the most superficial and constantly regenerates itself; the dermis, which is the central layer and is full of blood vessels; and the hypodermis.
Since the first layer regenerates continuously, the tattoo ink must necessarily reach the dermis in order to be indelible. It is mainly divided into three layers: epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis.
The epidermis is the most superficial layer and tends to regenerate very quickly: this is why if the ink remained in this layer, the tattoo would fade. However, it is important not to go beyond the dermis, because this is where the macrophages are located, which allow the ink-filled cells to continue to exist.
In light of the above, it is clear that there can be problems associated with tattoos. What are they? Here is a list of the most common ones.
What happens if the ink ends up in the hypodermis, i.e., in the fatty area? In this case, you get what is known as blowout. To be clear, in this case, you get a sort of halo around the tattoo, which, in most cases, is quite noticeable and can only be resolved by covering the area. What can be done to prevent the ink from penetrating the hypodermis? First of all, the tattoo machine should not be held at too much of an angle and, secondly, care should be taken not to penetrate the skin too deeply, or in any case, never more than 2 mm. This is a precaution that every tattoo artist should take to avoid this annoying and unsightly effect.
Another problem is that of tattoo migration. Many people think that this cannot happen. After all, it is difficult to imagine a tattoo moving, since that is what it is. Yet it is possible: it is a consequence of the patient’s blood being too fluid. In this case too, it is difficult to remedy externally.
Then there is the need to consider the presence of a keloid. What is it and why does this complication occur? We are faced with a situation of hyper-scarring. This can happen mainly due to the so-called heavy hand of the tattoo artist. It is therefore a problem that can be solved by paying attention.
These are some of the problems that can be associated with tattoos and it is always good to keep them in mind.
