If Skin Sheds, Why Do Tattoos Last Forever?

April 18, 2006April 29, 2018 B. John 296 Views Dermis, Epidermis, Skin, Tattoss

If human skin comes and goes like dust in the wind, why do tattoos stick around? The explanation is simple. The top layer of skin is called the epidermis. This page from A Moment of Science explains that while the epidermis is always regenerating, a tattoo needle actually penetrates through to the dermis, the second level of skin. It’s here that the tattoo makes its home for the rest of your natural life.

Of course, you can get rid of a tattoo in many ways, but none are as cheap or painless as avoidance. So unless you’re sure you want a Chinese character, a giant eagle, or (God help you) a tribal band tattooed around your upper arm for all eternity, it’s probably best to stick to the Cracker Jack variety.

B. John

Records and Content Management consultant who enjoys good stories and good discussion. I have a great deal of interest in politics, religion, technology, gadgets, food and movies, but I enjoy most any topic. I grew up in Kings Mountain, a small N.C. town, graduated from Appalachian State University and have lived in Atlanta, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Dayton and Tampa since then.