How Deep Do Tattoo Needles Go?
Just How Far Does The Needle Go? – Now that you know a little more about the machine and the needle, it’s time to discuss the third essential piece of the puzzle—your skin. The tattoo needle goes through 1/16th of an inch of skin. That might not sound like a lot of skin, but it is really going through five sublayers of the epidermis, the dermal layer, and also the top layer of the dermis.
- Among these layers is a collection of sweat glands, hair follicles, connective tissue, fat, and blood vessels;
- During a tattoo session, the needle passes through the epidermis and epidermal-dermal junction, opening a passage in the 2mm-thick dermis;
The dermis is ideal for a couple of reasons. It is far enough not to bleed out and isn’t exposed. Knowing this, the tip of the tattoo needle is minutely adjusted to ensure that it enters the skin to the correct depth. If you were to look at a tattoo needle in the machine, you will see that it sticks out no further than 2mm.
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What happens if a tattoo needle goes too deep?
Ink distortion and blurring – Tattoo artists have to be very careful with the depth they go to with the needle. Too shallow and ink will seep out. Too deep and the ink will disperse into surrounding areas. It’s this dispersing that leads to ink looking smudged or blurry. 
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Can a tattoo needle hit a vein?
– This type of tattoo isn’t entirely risk-free. But then, getting a tattoo always involves some level of risk, with an infection being the main cause for concern. The risk for an infection gets a little higher when it comes to tattoos on veins, according to Dr.
Stacey Chimento, a board certified dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida. “Tattoos involve applying pressure on your skin with a needle, which can rupture the vein, making it bleed into the surrounding tissue and cause an infection,” she says.
If you have varicose veins, Chimento goes on to explain, this could make things worse and result in veins that protrude even further. “Varicose veins struggle to heal due to their pre-existing damage. If pierced during the tattoo session, they could randomly bleed internally or externally, affecting surrounding organs,” she says.
Another thing to keep in mind when considering a tattoo to cover varicose veins? How that tattoo could potentially impact any future treatment of the veins. “To treat the diseased veins, they need to be somewhat visible.
And if left untreated, the blood can leak into the leg tissue and cause hyperpigmentation. Although rare, infections and undiagnosed veins can cause a need for urgent care if left untreated,” Chimento says.
How far does a tattoo needle penetrate?
So, Where Should The Needle Go? – The tattoo needle should go into the dermis layer of the skin. This layer lies in the middle, and is the perfect spot for ensuring the ink will stay in the skin, and not ‘bleed out’ as the tattoo heals. The epidermis is not a good ink location since it is too exposed and too outward, while the hypodermis is too deep into the skin, which means the ink won’t be as visible and the pain during tattooing would be twice as intense.
- Also, if the needle penetrates the hypodermis, the client will most certainly experience an infection;
- So, how deep, to be exact, should a needle go into the skin? The answer is – approximately 1/16th inch deep into the skin;
This means that the ink will be placed exactly between the 2mm of the dermis layer. If you’re wondering how a tattoo artist knows where the dermis layer is in the skin, we’ve got you covered with that as well. Before the tattooing process begins, the tattoo artist adjusts the tattoo machine and the needle in regards to the parameter of the dermis layer location.
So, the dermis layer is approximately 1/16th inch deep into the skin. With that knowledge, the tip of the tattoo needle is adjusted to only enter the skin at such depth, not a millimeter shallower or deeper.
This means that the tattoo needle should not stick out the tattoo machine more than 2mm, or less than 1mm.
How hard do you push when tattooing?
Your skill as a Tattooist is pressing just hard enough to deposit ink accurately into the Middle layer, the Dermis.
Is tattoo ink cancerous?
Cancer – Do tattoos cause skin cancer? This has been a question that researchers have been exploring for years. While there is no direct connection between tattoos and skin cancer, there are some ingredients in tattoo ink that may be linked to cancer.
- When it comes to cancer, black ink can be especially dangerous because it contains a very high level of benzo(a)pyrene;
- Benzo(a)pyrene is currently listed as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC);
Health officials and researchers are especially concerned about the effects of black tattoo ink, as it is the most commonly used color for tattooing. “Blackout” tattoos have also raised significant concern among health officials and researchers. This hot new trend may be especially dangerous since it requires individuals to have large portions of their bodies covered in thick, heavy solid black ink.
- In addition to the fear of carcinogens contained in the ink, individuals are also concerned about the way these tattoos cover the body;
- A change in skin pigmentation is one of the earliest signs of skin cancer, particularly melanoma;
When the body is “blacked out” with tattoo ink, individuals may not be able to notice these changes right away. For this reason, tattoos should never be placed over pre-existing moles, birth marks, or other skin discolorations or abnormalities. Another cause for concern is what happens to a tattoo after you’ve had it for a while.
What happens if tattoo ink gets in your blood?
Where Does the Ink Go? – Most of the ink doesn’t stray too far from where you want it to be. Once deposited, the ink begins to take a little journey, according to the latest research. The particles of ink injected into the skin can travel through your lymphatic system and into the bloodstream.
Not all of the ink particles make their way here, but enough to cause some concern. Some of the ink that finds its way into your bloodstream is broken down by the immune system. The good news is that getting multiple tattoos can potentially strengthen your immune system because they make it work harder.
The more your immune system is challenged, the stronger it gets. There is a fine line between living in a bubble and overdoing it, though. Some of the tattoo ink gets trapped within skin cells called fibroblasts and macrophages. It’s this ink that proudly displays your chosen tattoo design. 
The body clears some of the ink away by way of special repair cells called macrophages. The macrophages carry the ink to the closest lymph nodes. Your body can’t break these particles down, so they become stuck. A side effect of this is that the lymph nodes can change color to match the color of your tattoo. Evidence is also showing that the tattoo ink particles can travel through your blood and end up in your liver , where they also become stuck.
- Researchers have been looking at what happens to the ink that travels further around your body, and the results have been surprising;
- A group of German and French scientists collected tissue samples from human lymph nodes — 50% of the individuals tested showed ink particles in the lymph nodes;
Researchers analyzed the forms of the tattoo ink found in the lymph nodes. They also made a note of any damage caused. What they found were nanoparticles. Not enormous, admittedly, at less than 100 micrometers across, but they were there, nonetheless. Also found in the lymph nodes were potentially toxic heavy metals , thought to be from tattoo ink.
What does tattoo do to your blood?
Know the risks – Tattoos breach the skin, which means that skin infections and other complications are possible, including:
- Allergic reactions. Tattoo dyes — especially red, green, yellow and blue dyes — can cause allergic skin reactions, such as an itchy rash at the tattoo site. This can occur even years after you get the tattoo.
- Skin infections. A skin infection is possible after tattooing.
- Other skin problems. Sometimes an area of inflammation called a granuloma can form around tattoo ink. Tattooing also can lead to keloids — raised areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue.
- Bloodborne diseases. If the equipment used to create your tattoo is contaminated with infected blood, you can contract various bloodborne diseases — including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
- MRI complications. Rarely, tattoos or permanent makeup might cause swelling or burning in the affected areas during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams. In some cases, tattoo pigments can interfere with the quality of the image.
Medication or other treatment might be needed if you experience an allergic reaction to the tattoo ink or you develop an infection or other skin problem near a tattoo.
Do you bleed when getting a tattoo?
– You’ll know you’re experiencing a tattoo blowout within several days of getting a new tattoo. Some people experience mild blowouts, while in other cases, blowouts are more extreme. In all cases, tattoo blowouts cause the lines in your tattoo to blur, and the ink used to create the lines usually moves well outside the edges of the tattoo.
What does getting a tattoo feel like?
– It’s no surprise that getting a tattoo often hurts. Getting one involves receiving many microwounds over a concentrated area of your body. But there are different sensations of pain. Just think of the difference in sensation between a bruise and a cut. Tattoo pain will usually be most severe during the first few minutes, after which your body should begin to adjust.
- If your tattoo is particularly large or detailed, the pain can become intense again toward the end, when pain- and stress-dulling hormones called endorphins may begin to fade;
- Some people describe the pain as a pricking sensation;
Others say it feels like bee stings or being scratched. A thin needle is piercing your skin, so you can expect at least a little pricking sensation. As the needle moves closer to the bone, it may feel like a painful vibration.
How many layers of skin does a tattoo penetrate?
So, “How far does the tattoo needle and ink go into the skin?” …. This question comes up quite often in conversations. It is hard to explain, unless you can see the breakdown of all the different layers. The above picture lays it out very clear and helps answer that question. The skin has a total of 3 layers: Epidermis (composed of 5 sub-layers), Dermis, and Subcutaneous tissue.
The tattoo needle and ink should penetrate into the Dermis layer. If the depth is too shallow, the tattoo ink will “bleed out”. This is due to the fact that the Epidermis layer is constantly growing outwards which would take any ink that was deposited into that layer with it.
If the depth is too deep it will cause unnecessary pain and run the risk of infection. The Dermis layer of skin is between 1mm and 2mm into the skin. The tattoo needles and machine are adjusted accordingly. Once the tattoo needles have been set and adjusted the tip of the needle should not be sticking out anymore than 2mm and no less than 1mm.
What speed should you tattoo at?
Step 4 – Set the speed of the tattoo machine for line work. Some machines display a readout of voltage. Six volts is appropriate for lining. Most tattoo artists adjust voltage by listening carefully to the sound of the gun–it should produce a steady buzz or a hum.
What do tattoo artists use to wipe away ink while tattooing?
What Do Tattoo Artists Use to Wipe Ink Off? – Green soap is the go-to for most tattoo artists out there as it’s a medical-level soap that’s fragrance-free and environmentally friendly. This should be applied via a spray bottle and diluted before use.
Using a spray bottle will remove the need to directly touch your skin, keeping things more hygienic. However, it could be that you’re allergic to some of the ingredients in green soap. If so, the below alternatives also do a great job of keeping the skin clean before, during, and after the tattoo procedure: Hydrogen Peroxide: This is a product that’s used to disinfect the skin but will remove excess ink when tattooing.
Be careful when using it as it will also lighten the tattoo and possibly remove it. Sterilized Water: This is great to use if you’re allergic to any other ingredients. Make sure that you’re not using tap or bottled water as a cheaper alternative. Alcohol mixed with Carrier Oil: This is great to use to remove excess ink and care for your skin.
What angle should you tattoo at?
Does Angle Help You Hold a Tattoo Gun Longer? – Yes, a standard angle allows you to hold your tattoo machine longer and have a smooth tattoo process. When using your tattoo machine, it’s advisable to hold it at a standard angle of 45 and 60 degrees when putting tattoo ink into the skin. To hold your gun for longer, apply box motion. The box motion usually works more effectively than circles. Your hand is also more relaxed; thus, you don’t tire before completing the tattoo process. Note that when you hold your machine at different angles, the tattoo needles will go deeper in some areas than others.
This makes you create uneven tattoos, which are not perfect. Another important thing is that the angle you hold the tattoo machines also determines how deep it goes inside the skin surface. Change the angles depending on the level of penetration you need.
Watch this video on the correct tattoo machine holding angle. CHECK: Budget Tattoo Machines to Try!.
Do tattoo blowouts happen immediately?
While most tattoo blowouts are somewhat noticeable very shortly after the needle has injected the ink into the wrong layer of skin, it can sometimes take up to a few weeks while your tattoo is healing for the blown-out ink to disperse throughout the layer enough to become noticeable on the surface.
What is an overworked tattoo?
Natalia Lebedinskaia/Shutterstock New tattoos usually take two to three weeks to fully heal, and with good aftercare, they should heal perfectly, per Glamour Magazine. However, there are times when the healing process of a new tattoo doesn’t go as smoothly as it should. This can be so in the case of overworked tattoos. Otherwise known as a tattoo blowout (via Healthline ), an overworked tattoo is what happens when a tattoo causes scarring or when the tattoo ink goes past the dermis layer and reaches the hypodermis, per Demi Ink.
An effect of this is that the tattoo begins to look blurry, per Byrdie. Overworked tattoos are more likely when you patronize beginner tattoo artists, and the problem with overworked skin is that it only becomes truly apparent to the client once the tattoo begins to heal, per Saved Tattoo.
The discolored skin that slowly forms is a big hallmark of a tattoo blowout. It can be the result of the high voltage on the machine affecting its speed, per Tattooing 101. A tattoo artist going over a patch of skin more than once can also result in a tattoo blowout.
Why is my tattoo not dark enough?
Healing Scabs Over the Tattooed Area – Sometimes, tattoos only appear faded because the skin is trying to heal and is scabbing over. This is an entirely regular occurrence and should not be cause for any alarm. The fading will only last a couple of months as there’s a fine, dead layer of skin over the site. 
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What is a tattoo blowout?
– Tattoo blowouts occur when a tattoo artist presses too hard when applying ink to the skin. The ink is sent below the top layers of skin where tattoos belong. Below the skin’s surface, the ink spreads out in a layer of fat. This creates the blurring associated with a tattoo blowout.
