Long-lasting tattoos

Q: Why do tattoos stay permanently? I thought we constantly formed new skin cells.
Bert, Albuquerque, New Mexico

A: "A tattoo is made up of [ink] particles embedded in the skin. Although microscopic, they are too large for the body to remove," says James Nachbar, a plastic surgeon in Phoenix who volunteers time to remove tattoos from ex-gang members.

The body rids itself of foreign specks by engulfing them and washing them away. White blood cells swallow the offending matter and clear, watery lymph removes the encased specks. The bits of tattoo ink, however, are bigger than the white blood cells, which rules out surrounding them. So tattoos persist because they defeat the body's cleaning mechanism.

It's true we constantly form new skin cells but mainly in the epidermis, the topmost layer. Tattoos are down deeper, in the dermis, a relatively permanent skin layer.

"The tattoo pigment is not within the cells, but in the space between them," adds Dr. Nachbar, "So replacing the cells doesn't help."

Further Surfing:

Epic Tattoo

Tattoos and permanent makeup, U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Plastic and reconstructive surgery, James M. Nachbar, MD, FACS

(Answered April 2000; updated Jan. 1, 2008)