Lesson 2: Layers of the Skin

We are most interested in the blood vessels and the nerve endings of the dermis as the dermal layer directly influences the service we provide. As an artist we are always attempting to implant pigment between the epidermis and dermis.

The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin. It is the layer we are in physical contact with and it is the protective barrier we breach to implant pigment into the skin. This layer of the skin is extremely thin, yet tough. The cells that primarily exist in this layer are the keratinocytes and their primary role is to produce keratin, protect against invasion, and prevent water loss. These cells are found in the epidermis, but they originate from the hypodermis and approximately every 28-30 days they undergo the cell-cycle and migrate upward, shed, and are replaced with new cells. This shedding is the foundation of tattoo wound healing that we will cover extensively. Physically dispersed within the epidermis are the hair shafts and the pores of the sweat glands.

Beneath this layer lies the dermal layer, the dermis. This layer is thicker than the epidermis and is responsible for giving the skin its elasticity and its strength. Dispersed within this layer are the hair follicles, the blood vessels, and the nerve endings. From an artist's perspective we are most interested in the blood vessels and the nerve endings of this layer as those directly influence the service we provide.

The internal most layer is the hypodermis or the fat layer. This layer of the skin is mostly responsible for temperature regulation and insulation of internal organs. If done correctly, this layer is not impacted by our services.