How Do Tattoo Machines Work?

How Do Tattoo Machines Work

There are a few basic types of tattoo machines: coil, rotary, and pneumatic. The magnetic coil machine is a classic machine which uses an alternating electromagnetic current to pass through coils and turn magnets on and off in rapid succession. This pulls a spring loaded armature bar and creates an up and down motion, which results in the armature bar tapping the needles into the skin. Coil machines create the notorious buzzing sound that tattoo shops are known for! How Do Tattoo Machines Work How Do Tattoo Machines Work Another type of tattoo machine is the rotary motored machine, which powers a small spinning motor attached to an armature, which produces an up and down motion. Rotary machines are much quieter than coil machines and are known to move the needles more smoothly and evenly in comparison to coil. How Do Tattoo Machines Work How Do Tattoo Machines Work Pneumatic tattoo machines were invented in 2000 by Carson Hill. These machines work through the use of pressurized air from air compressors to move the needles up and down. Major advantages to this type of machine is that they’re lightweight and safe to use in an autoclave. How Do Tattoo Machines Work The tattoo needles are set at the end of what is called an armature bar, which connects to the part of the machine that travels up and down. The armature bar passes through the “tube” that has a hand grip attached, which is fitted into a vise on the machine to hold it in place. Some artists use tubes that are made of stainless steel, which must be cleaned and sterilized after each use. The steel tubes are preferable for several reasons, however many artists are switching over to disposable plastic tubes like those shown here for reasons of safety and convenience.

The tube is set so that the needles only extend beyond the tip of the tube an appropriate distance. The up and down motion of the needles in the tube create conditions which draw tattoo pigment up into the tube, and allow it to be released when the needles are running in the skin.

The assembled machine is connected to a power supply by a special wiring harness called a “clip cord” or “RCA cord”. The power supply has settings which can control the speed of the machines, etc, and is most commonly activated by a foot switch, to keep the tattooers hands free.

  1. When the artist is working, they will stretch your skin, press the foot pedal, the machine will run the needles up and down as the tattooer passes the tip of the tube over your skin, the needles carry pigment along as they travel and deposit into your skin where it will stay forever;

Think of tattoo needles like individual hairs in a paint brush. All of the hairs in a paint brush are more or less the same, but we all know that paint brushes come in all shapes and sizes. The same is true for tattoo needles. There are some variations available within each size of needle, for instance the taper at the end of the needle may be long, or short, and the needle may be smooth or textured. How Do Tattoo Machines Work Basically there are “liners” and “shaders”. Liner needles are grouped together in various quantities in a round configuration, and are often tightened at the taper so that the points are very close together. Shader needles can also be configured in round patterns, as well as fanned out into what we call Magnums or “Mags”.

  1. Other than this all needles are more or less the same;
  2. There are other minor variations and some less common configurations that some tattooers use, but essentially this covers what is commonly used;
  3. The individual needles are grouped together and soldered in place to form what is referred to as the “tattoo needle”, the needle is then soldered onto what is called a “needle bar”, which is just a length of stainless steel wire with a loop on the end which can be fitted to the part of the tattoo machine that creates the up and down motion;

The unit as a whole is then cleaned, sterilized, and ready to use. The needle bar is placed within the “tube”, a stainless steel (re-useable) or rubber and plastic (disposable) device which provides a hand grip for the machine, that allows the mechanism to function within and through it, and also to provide a reservoir for the pigment.

The amount that the needles actually penetrate the skin is about the thickness of a nickel. Any given tattoo artist may work with a range of different needle groupings in order to create their own style of tattooing, it is truly a tiny stainless steel paint brush, and what sort an artist chooses is a matter of preference.

Source: https://hubtattoo. com/the-machinery/.

How does a tattoo gun works?

Coil Tattoo Gun – Coil tattoo guns get their name from the process that moves their armature bar. An alternating electromagnetic current passes through coils at the top of the machine, engaging and disengaging a magnet. This forces the armature bar up and down, tapping like a tiny hammer on the top of the needle, to continuously drive the needle into the client’s skin.

This process causes coil tattoo guns to be pretty loud. It creates the signature whirring or buzzing sound many people associate with tattoo parlors. The rate at which the needle moves in coil tattoo guns is slower than in rotary tattoo guns.

You can use coil tattoo machines for both shading or lining, but their firm, intentional needle movements make them a solid choice for shading and blending in lines. They’re great at performing intricate work thanks to their slower strokes. They also use a bit more force than rotary tattoo guns, causing more damage to the client’s skin.

Coil tattoo guns may not be the best choice for a beginning tattoo artist. They contain many intricate components, making them both heavier and more complex than rotary tattoo guns. Their loud sound can also be off-putting during long sessions.

While they offer customization opportunities and the ability to perform advanced, intricate work, many new tattoo artists gravitate toward rotary tattoo guns. Artists looking to challenge themselves might consider a coil tattoo gun.

How many times does a tattoo needle go in per second?

– The tattoo needle punctures your skin around 100 times per second, with the aim of depositing the ink in a region of 1. 5 to 2 millimeters below the surface of the skin. The reason for this depth of penetration is to bypass the outer layer of the skin, or the epidermis.

This part of the skin constantly renews itself. Every day, thousands of epidermal cells are shed from your skin and replaced with new cells. Ink injected into the superficial skin layer would simply come off within 3 weeks.

In order to give the ink a permanent home in your body, the tattoo needle must travel through the epidermis into the deeper layer, or the dermis. Nerves and blood vessels are located here, which is why getting a tattoo hurts and your skin tends to bleed.

  1. The bleeding is part of the skin’s natural defense against injury;
  2. The result is an influx of immune cells to the site of injury;
  3. Macrophages are specialized immune cells, whose job it is to engulf foreign particles and clear them from the tissue;

But this process is only partially successful when it comes to tattoo ink. Some macrophages loaded with ink particles remain in the dermis, while other pigment particles are taken up by the main dermal residents, which are called fibroblasts. Clumps of pigment particles have also been found to stick between the dense collagen fibers of the dermis.

  1. Although every new tattoo will display some pigment loss, the majority of the ink will stay in the skin;
  2. A study in mice reported that 42 days after tattooing, 68 percent of the dye was still located at the injection site;

But where is the rest of the ink?.

What is a tattoo machine and how does it work?

A tattoo machine is a hand-held device generally used to create a tattoo , a permanent marking of the skin with indelible ink. Modern tattoo machines use electromagnetic coils to move an armature bar up and down. Connected to the armature bar is a barred needle grouping that pushes ink into the skin. Tattoo artists generally use the term “machine”, “pen”, or even “iron”, to refer to their equipment, and the word “gun” is also occasionally used.

In addition to “coiled” tattoo machines, there are also rotary tattoo machines, which are powered by regulated motors rather than electromagnetic coils. “The basic machine is pretty much unchanged today, in recent years variations of the theme have crept into the market, namely Manfred Kohr’s Rotary machine of 1976 or Carson Hill’s pneumatic machine that uses compressed air rather than electricity, but the principle is essentially the same.

” [1].

How does a rotary tattoo machine work?

How Do Tattoo Machines Work When getting a tattoo, most people might not think it’s important to know much about the equipment used in the process. After all, it’s difficult to understand how the machines work and what materials are required without the years of study a tattoo artist puts in. So why bother, right? Well, here’s why — the equipment affects your tattoo. Which machine is being used, the number of needles, aftercare materials — the right equipment combined with the right artist will result in the best tattoo you could get.

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Which is why it is important to understand the basics! Determining which tattoo machines are the best first requires understanding what makes a good tattoo machine, to begin with. Tattoo machines are usually either a coil machine or a rotary machine.

Coil machines use power to move the armature bar and tattoo needle towards the coil, which then pulls the needle into the skin. This breaks the circuit, which causes the needle to pull back into the machine. The constant repetition of this process is how a coil machine works.

  1. Did those words just fly over your head? Well, here’s a visual to help you out: Put simply, coils work like a hammer and drive the needle into the skin;
  2. These machines are quite powerful, which is why they are usually used for larger groupings of needles;

Larger needles clusters are used when an artist has a larger area to cover, such as with shading. While these machines can be used for lining and detailing, it requires precision and this means it works best in the hands of an experienced tattooist. Additionally, because of how forceful these machines can be, it requires a greater understanding of ink and skin on the tattoo artist’s part since these machines need to be tuned frequently and are quite heavy.

The artist needs to really know how their machine works to make sure it inks consistently. Besides this, the power of these machines means any errors might lead to more skin damage and thus a longer healing period.

So if an artist is using a coil — they need the skill to match! Rotary machines work on a spinning motor that moves the attached needle up and down, meaning the needle enters your skin in a much more smooth motion as opposed to the forcefulness of a coil.

Because of this, rotaries tend to reduce the amount of time needed for healing once the tattoo is done. Because of how much easier these machines are to use and maintain, they’re a big hit with newer artists.

These machines work well for lining and adding colour, but are less desirable for shading and precision because they do not accommodate large needle clusters quite as well as a coil. Additionally, rotaries do not need to be re-tuned as much and are less noisy, making them ideal for the modern tattoo artist.

Check out this video that shows you the various parts of the Vlad Blad Pro Liner rotary machine, including a short demo of how the parts work. There is no clear answer as to which kind of machine is better — they both have their benefits! Traditional artists often prefer the coil due to its power and precision, while newer artists find the rotary to be a better choice since it is easy to use and works with many different styles of inking.

Some artists might use both, depending on what the job requires. As a client, knowing how the machines works will give you an understanding of what kind of tattoo you’ll get out of it. While the artist’s skill determines how well the machine will work when used, knowing the difference helps you understand why the artist is using a certain machine and whether it matches the design you’ve chosen to get.

So how do you tell a coil from a rotary? Coil machines are loud, meaning the buzzing of a machine usually associated with tattoo shops is an indication that they’re using coil machines. You can also look at the mechanism on the machine and work out whether it’s a coil or rotary.

But besides that, you can always just ask! Tattoo artists are usually comfortable talking about their equipment and welcome queries from clients. Whether your artist prefers a coil or a rotary, there are some machines that are considered top of the line across the world.

Can a tattoo gun pierce a vein?

Blog In Less Than 30 Seconds:

  • Tattoos have remained a popular commodity for generations of people, especially Millennials, who make up the majority of those tattooed in the United States (40%).
  • In some instances, it is possible to tattoo over varicose veins; however, doing so could lead to a distorted tattoo or worse: ruptured veins, spontaneous bleeding, or an infection.
  • In this blog, the vein specialists at Palm Vein Center explain the negative effects tattooing over varicose veins can have on a patient’s health.

What is Tattooing? Tattooing is a unique body modification technique that injects ink into layers of the skin using a special needle attached to a rotary or coil machine. This process creates permanent designs in the skin that can only be removed by a high-powered laser skin-resurfacing device. Tattoos often have a cultural significance or meaning to them, which is why getting one can be a very tough, yet personal decision.

Many people may be surprised to learn tattoos have been around for thousands of years, with the earliest known examples of tattoos dating back 5,200 years. Fortunately, tattooing tools have evolved since then, so the physical act of tattooing is relatively safe.

We say “relatively” because tattooing is really only its safest when the tattoo artist practices all of the safety and sanitary guidelines necessary to prevent infection and other complications. Tattooing and Varicose Veins Patients at Palm Vein Center often ask questions about what activities they can and cannot do with a venous disease like varicose veins.

While there is little a person can’t do, there are a few things the team at PVC recommends patients avoid at all costs, one of these being a tattoo. There are many blogs, videos, and public forums that say otherwise, but the vein specialists at Palm Vein Center want to inform patients that tattooing over varicose veins is not a good ideafor many reasons.

Decreased Function, Unsightly Appearance, and Infection First, patients should understand that tattooing is not a great alternative to minimizing the appearance of varicose veins. In fact, doing so could worsen the condition they’re in and cause them to bulge or protrude even more. Many websites will argue tattoo needles don’t go deep enough to puncture varicose veins, but that is not necessarily true. If a patient lacks an adequate amount of subcutaneous fat near or around the protruding vein, a tattooing needle could pierce the vein as it is injecting ink. These occurrences are rare, but that doesn’t mean they can’t happen. The bottom line? Tattooing over varicose veins can result in decreased function, an unsightly appearance, and possible infection.

  1. While tattooing over scar tissue can be done safely (mastectomy scars, stretch marks, etc;
  2. ), tattooing over varicose veins could lead to an infection, making them even more unsightly than before;
  3. Tattoos Make It Difficult To Treat A Venous Disease People need to understand spider veins and varicose veins are not a cosmetic concern – they’re a disease;

Both conditions indicate that the valves within the veins are not functioning properly, which is why varicose veins look the way they do (bulging, thick, snake-like, etc. Varicose veins that are left untreated could lead to serious health problems such as skin ulcers, poor circulation, pain, skin discoloration, hemorrhaging, and much more.

Therefore, it’s best to avoid getting tattooed and instead opt for vein treatment. Speaking of vein treatment, tattooing over varicose veins could also make administering treatment difficult for the vein specialists at Palm Vein Center.

The team at the IAC-accredited vein care facility needs to be able to see your veins clearly to ensure treatment accuracy and efficacy. Although the medical team at Palm Vein Center is highly qualified and knowledgeable in treating varicose veins and spider veins, tattoos could complicate the process and increase your risk of developing serious health problems.

Threatens Overall Health and Wellness This may seem like an obvious point, but as we mentioned previously, tattoos could cause significant damage to your overall health if a varicose vein is pierced or damaged in the process.

This could cause spontaneous internal and external bleeding, which can affect surrounding organs. Plus, when a varicose vein bleeds, it usually has some difficulty healing itself because it is an unhealthy, damaged vein. In these cases, patients may need to visit a vein clinic, urgent care facility, or emergency room to have their ruptured vein sutured closed. Tattooing To avoid some of these scenarios, patients should see the vein specialists at Palm Vein Center before scheduling their tattoo appointment. If your vein condition and symptoms are relatively mild, a specialist at the clinic may recommend conservative therapies such as exercise, dietary changes, elevating the legs, therapeutic massage, or compression stockings. While these options are favorable for most patients, they may not be the most effective at successfully mitigating the existing vein disease.

  1. This could cause increased stress and affect a patient’s overall health and wellness;
  2. Ultimately, patients should consider treatment before getting a tattoo;
  3. Treatment Vs;
  4. Instead, patients may fare better with minimally invasive vein treatments like light-guided sclerotherapy , endovenous radiofrequency treatment, endovenous laser treatment, ambulatory phlebectomy, or VenaSeal Closure;

Light-guided sclerotherapy is an injection procedure for patients with spider veins and small varicose veins, and endovenous radiofrequency treatment, endovenous laser treatment, ambulatory phlebectomy, and VenaSeal Closure are minimally invasive surgeries for larger varicose veins that may require local anesthesia and ultrasound guidance.

The most important thing a patient can do is educate him or herself on the causes, symptoms, and treatments for venous diseases like spider veins and varicose veins. Check out our Vein Disease page to learn more about these conditions, and for more information on this topic (tattooing and varicose veins), schedule an appointment with a member of the Palm Vein Center team today.

Please call 623-201-4777; we look forward to meeting you!   The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.

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What happens if a tattoo needle hits 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.

What speed do you set a tattoo gun at?

Conclusion – Tattoo needles move up and down at a speed of between 50 and 3,000 times per minute. The rate can vary depending on the needs and preferences of the tattoo artist. Artists can control speed, angle of the needle, ink colors and other aspects of the process with their tattoo machine.

Does tattoo ink go into blood?

Research Continues into the Safety of Tattoos  – As far as tattoo ink getting into your veins goes, the answer is that, yes, it happens. The process involves ink being injected into your dermis, which happens to contain many blood vessels. A skilled tattoo artist can keep the amount of ink getting into your veins to a minimum by injecting the ink at the correct depth.

How does a tattoo machine hold ink?

If you’ve never gotten a tattoo, you might think that a tattoo needle works by “injecting” ink under the skin. That’s sort of true, but close-up and slowed-down footage of the process reveals some nuance. Popular YouTube channel Smarter Every Day  gives a tattoo machine its close-up in the video above (the slow-mo action starts at 3:10).

  1. As you can see, the machine actually has many-pointed needles — and they’re not the same ones you see in the doctor’s office;
  2. As Kyle Hill writes on Nerdist, the fluid mechanics that make a tattoo gun work are pretty spectacular: Artists aren’t simply injecting ink from some chamber in the machine into your skin;

They dip the needles into pots of ink, the same way another artist would dip a brush. (In fact, you can watch Smarter Every Day host Destin get an ink-free needle jab in the video) The ink is actually held between the needles. After those needles puncture your skin (just the upper layer, if your tattoo artist knows their stuff — going beneath the fat will cause your tattoo to blur), the ink held between the needles is drawn down.

From Nerdist : Once there are hundreds of tiny holes leading down to your dermis — the layer of skin between the epidermis (outer layer) and subcutaneous tissues — the ink  between  the needles is drawn into them by capillary action.

In short, the surface tension and forces holding the ink together encourages the ink to seep into the holes left by the needles. As someone who’s spent about 11 hours total on the receiving end of a tattoo machine, I can tell you that it’s pretty cool to watch — even without being an inch away from the needles.

You can learn more about tattooing (placement, process, and even different styles) by checking out this interactive. And for some basics on what you should know before getting your first tattoo, watch the video below.

Paul Roe, owner of Britishink Tattoo, tells us what you should know before you get inked. From the type of pigment to the equipment your artist uses, Roe, these are the steps of tattooing. (Video: Ben Dorger/The Washington Post).

How long do tattoo machines last?

Think Long Term – When you first buy a tattoo machine, you may think you don’t have to put more money into it. Though, if you get a low-quality machine, it won’t last very long. Perhaps you buy a machine for $100, but it only lasts for a year. Compare that to a $500 machine that lasts for almost 10 years.

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.

Which tattoo machine is good for beginners?

FK Irons Spektra Direkt 2 – How Do Tattoo Machines Work Check Price This is a machine that has made its way to the top of several lists for best beginner/professional tattoo machines, and for good reason. First off, it is a rotary tattoo gun, which means that is fully capable of shading and lining, making it a great choice for a novice tattooist. The 4. 5-watt motor can actually be adjusted from as low as 4 watts, all the way up 9. 5 watts providing all the torque and speed an artist might need.

Produced in the USA, the Direkt 2 is made of aircraft-grade anodized aluminum, ensuring durability; and on top of that it has a 1 year warranty. Beyond hygienic practices, maintenance on the Direkt is practically non-existent: the closed system of the motor means that even lubrication isn’t necessary.

This machine will work with a variety of different setups and can be used with all standard needle and cartridge arrangements. The interchangeable stroke caps make this simple machine even more versatile; the Direkt can be used for coloring as well as shading and line work.

  1. The lightweight (the Direkt weighs in at just 2;
  2. 85 ounces) and ergonomic grip mean that even the newest artists won’t suffer from wrist and hand fatigue commonly associated with tattooing;
  3. The Spektra Direkt 2 is a great machine, for beginners and professionals a like;

The only real drawback for this piece is the fact that it is not a kit, meaning that all the other gear associated with tattooing will need to be purchased separately. The Direkt 2 is the most expensive machine on our list, but it is a high quality, versatile machine that can be used well after an artist has grown out of their “beginner phase”.

What’s better rotary or coil tattoo machines?

Our Final Comparison  – Is one better than the other?  Rotary machines are lightweight and easy to use, yet a coil machine can create smooth lines and better shading. Coil machines are easier to maintain but lack the fluidity of motion in the needles, whereas the rotary has better motion quality.

  • When we consider all the differences between a rotary or coil tattoo machine, we come to one conclusion;
  • It truly is up to the individual tattoo artist to decide which one they prefer;
  • Before making any final decisions, do your research and try both types;

Consider your level of experience and talk to other artists in the tattoo industry. Then, make your own decision..

Why do tattoo artists wrap their machines?

Grips are usually of a universal size and meant to make the tattoo artist’s work much easier, but most end up having to wrap their slick Xion, or other machine’s grip, with cloth material to make it bulkier and easier to hold for intricate illustrations that take a long time.

How does a tattoo machine hold ink?

If you’ve never gotten a tattoo, you might think that a tattoo needle works by “injecting” ink under the skin. That’s sort of true, but close-up and slowed-down footage of the process reveals some nuance. Popular YouTube channel Smarter Every Day  gives a tattoo machine its close-up in the video above (the slow-mo action starts at 3:10).

As you can see, the machine actually has many-pointed needles — and they’re not the same ones you see in the doctor’s office. As Kyle Hill writes on Nerdist, the fluid mechanics that make a tattoo gun work are pretty spectacular: Artists aren’t simply injecting ink from some chamber in the machine into your skin.

They dip the needles into pots of ink, the same way another artist would dip a brush. (In fact, you can watch Smarter Every Day host Destin get an ink-free needle jab in the video) The ink is actually held between the needles. After those needles puncture your skin (just the upper layer, if your tattoo artist knows their stuff — going beneath the fat will cause your tattoo to blur), the ink held between the needles is drawn down.

  • From Nerdist : Once there are hundreds of tiny holes leading down to your dermis — the layer of skin between the epidermis (outer layer) and subcutaneous tissues — the ink  between  the needles is drawn into them by capillary action;
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In short, the surface tension and forces holding the ink together encourages the ink to seep into the holes left by the needles. As someone who’s spent about 11 hours total on the receiving end of a tattoo machine, I can tell you that it’s pretty cool to watch — even without being an inch away from the needles.

You can learn more about tattooing (placement, process, and even different styles) by checking out this interactive. And for some basics on what you should know before getting your first tattoo, watch the video below.

Paul Roe, owner of Britishink Tattoo, tells us what you should know before you get inked. From the type of pigment to the equipment your artist uses, Roe, these are the steps of tattooing. (Video: Ben Dorger/The Washington Post).

How does tattoo ink stay in the skin?

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It takes a brave soul (in some cases, emboldened by a strong drink or two) to get a tattoo. And while people may spend time considering what design to have pierced onto their bodies, few may consider exactly what happens to the ink once it is injected under their skin. In fact, scientists are still investigating that question. To make a tattoo permanent, a tattoo artist punctures the skin with hundreds of needle pricks.

  1. Each prick delivers a deposit of ink into the dermis , the layer of skin that lies below the epidermis, which is populated with blood vessels and nerves;
  2. Once the ink is inserted into the dermis, it doesn’t all stay put, research is finding;

Some ink particles migrate through the lymphatic system and the bloodstream and are delivered to the lymph nodes. Research on mice suggests some particles of ink may also end up in the liver. “When you inject particles into the skin, some travel to the lymph nodes within minutes,” Ines Schreiver, a chemist with the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment in Berlin,told Live Science.

  1. [ 5 Weird Ways Tattoos Affect Your Health ] Where the ink goes To be clear, most of the tattoo pigment stays put after a person gets a tattoo;
  2. The ink that’s not cleared away by special repair cells, called macrophages, stays in the dermis within trapped macrophages or skin cells called fibroblasts;

It then shows through the skin, perhaps spelling out “Mom” or featuring that eagle design you spent weeks choosing. “Normally, the ink doesn’t migrate too far from where it’s injected,” Dr. Arisa Ortiz, a dermatologist and director of laser and cosmetic dermatology at the U.

  1. San Diego Health, told Live Science;
  2. “For the most part, it is engulfed [by skin or immune cells ] and then kind of sticks around in the dermis;
  3. ” But researchers are now taking a closer look at the tattoo ink that does travel to other parts of the body, particularly the lymph nodes;

Schreiver was part of a team of German and French scientists that performed the first chemical analyses on tattoo ink collected at human lymph nodes. The researchers analyzed the lymph nodes of four cadavers that had tattoos, as well as two cadavers that had no tattoos, which served as controls.

  1. The researchers pointed out in their study, published in the journal Scientific Reports (opens in new tab) , that “pigmented and enlarged lymph nodes have been noticed in tattooed individuals for decades;

” Those reports came mostly from pathologists who began noticing unusual coloring in lymph node biopsies taken from tattooed patients. For example, a 2015 report  in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology described how doctors at first thought a woman’s cervical cancer had spread to her lymph nodes.

  • After surgically removing the nodes, the doctors realized that what had appeared to be malignant cells were actually tattoo ink particles;
  • “I was very curious about the chemical side effect of tattoos,” Schreiver said;

“I think people are aware that you can get skin infections from a tattoo, but I don’t think most are aware that there may also be risks from the ink. ” To investigate these side effects, Schreiver and her colleagues used several different tests, to analyze what forms of tattoo ink were collecting in the lymph nodes and any damage that might have resulted.

  1. Among their findings was that nanoparticles — particles measuring less than 100 nanometers across — were most likely to have migrated to the lymph nodes;
  2. Carbon black, which is one of the most common ingredients in tattoo inks, appears to break down readily into nanoparticles and end up in the lymph nodes, the study found;

The team also looked at titanium dioxide (TiO2), which is a common ingredient in a white pigment usually combined with other colors to create certain shades. This type of ink does not appear to break down into particles as small as those found with carbon black, but some larger particles of TiO2 were still detected in the cadavers’ lymph nodes, the study said.

Disturbingly, Schreiver and her colleagues found that some potentially toxic heavy metals originating in tattoo ink also made their way to the lymph nodes. The scientists detected particles of cobalt, nickel and chromium, which are sometimes added to organic tattoo pigment as preservatives, at the lymph nodes.

“These are not things you want to have permanently deposited in your body,” Schreiver said. Is it harmful? Other research has shown that tattoo pigment may land elsewhere in the body. For a May 2017 study published in the journal Dermatology, researchers tattooed the backs of mice with black and red ink.

  • About a year later, the team found ink pigment in the mice’s lymph nodes, as was found in human studies, but also within liver cells;
  • “It was a quite interesting and very surprising finding,” said Mitra Sepehri, lead author of the research in mice and an M;

/Ph. candidate at the Wound Healing Centre of Bispebjerg University Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark. “To reach the liver cells, the pigment has to go through the blood to reach the liver. So, we have shown that tattoo pigment can spread through the mouse’s blood system as well as through the lymphatic system.

” The ink pigment was detected inside special cells in the liver that remove toxic substances, called Kupffer cells. These cells appeared to be in the process of “eating” the pigment particles, Sepehri said.

Of course, mice aren’t humans, and, as Sepehri pointed out, the study did not confirm that tattooed humans can end up with pigment in their livers. Plus, she added, since mouse skin is thinner than human skin, tattoo ink may be more likely to be deposited more deeply in mice and more likely to enter the bloodstream.

“Even if we find out maybe in five or 10 years that tattoo ink can be deposited in the liver in human beings, we still don’t know if it’s harmful,” Sepehri said. “It may pose no risk” It’s also not known if it’s harmful for tattoo pigment particles to accumulate in the lymph nodes.

So far, evidence suggests such deposits may cause enlargement of the lymph nodes and some blood clotting. But long-term studies in humans are needed to definitively link tattoo ink in lymph nodes to any harmful effect. The ingredients within tattoo ink itself also remain largely unknown and under-regulated.

  • A study from Denmark in 2011 found that 10 percent of unopened tattoo ink bottles tested were contaminated with bacteria;
  • And a 2012 Danish Environmental Protection Agency  study  revealed that 1 in 5 tattoo inks contained carcinogenic chemicals;

Schreiver said she and her team hope to start raising the curtain on tattoo ink ingredients. They next plan to investigate inks associated with tattoo-related skin reactions and infections by analyzing skin biopsies of human patients. For example, it’s commonly known that red tattoo ink is often associated with nasty skin reactions.

But not all red inks are the same. “As a chemist, describing a pigment as ‘red’ means nothing to me,” Schreiver said. “We need to analyze the chemistry. ” Tattoo ink manufacturing in the United States is overseen by the U.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but as a cosmetic. As the FDA states , “because of other competing public health priorities and a previous lack of evidence of safety problems specifically associated with these pigments, FDA traditionally has not exercised regulatory authority for color additives on the pigments used in tattoo inks.

  1. ” Ortiz said this needs to change;
  2. She works with the U;
  3. San Diego Clean Slate Tattoo Removal Program, which provides free care to former gang members who wish to erase their gang-associated tattoos to make it easier to enter the job market or the military;

She said she sees many tattoo-related problems that can flare up again during tattoo removal. “People have tattooed their bodies for thousands of years. Clearly, they’re not going to stop,” Ortiz said. “So, we need more testing on both the tattooing process and the ink to know potential reactions in the skin so we can optimize the safety of tattoos.

  • ” Originally published on Live Science;
  • Amanda Onion writes about health science advances and other topics at Live Science;
  • Onion has covered science news for ABCNews;
  • com, Time;
  • com and Discovery News, among other publications;

A graduate of Dartmouth College and the Columbia School of Journalism, she’s a mother, a runner, a skier and proud tree-hugger based in Brooklyn, New York..

How much does tattoo gun cost?

Tattoo Gun Cost – If you already have access to some supplies, you may only need to buy a tattoo gun. The average cost for a tattoo machine is $400 to $900, and that doesn’t include the cost for other tattoo supplies. You’ll get an excellent quality tattoo gun for that price, though.