How Do Tattoos Work

How Do Tattoos Work?

Tattoos have fascinated people for centuries, from ancient rituals to modern self-expression. But while designs, styles and cultural meanings have evolved, the science behind how tattoos actually stay in the skin has remained surprisingly consistent. To truly understand how laser removal works, it’s important to first know what makes tattoos so permanent in the first place.

The Science Beneath the Surface

When you get a tattoo, the artist uses a machine fitted with tiny needles to repeatedly puncture your skin, depositing ink into the dermis, the second, deeper layer of skin that sits just beneath the epidermis. Unlike the surface layer, which constantly renews and sheds, the dermis is far more stable. That’s what helps the ink remain visible and relatively unchanged over time.

Tattoo machines typically puncture the skin between 50 to 3,000 times per minute, allowing the artist to create precise lines, shading and colour gradients. The ink particles are suspended in a carrier solution that allows for even distribution and consistency. Once injected, the body recognises these ink particles as foreign material, and the immune system responds accordingly.

Why Doesn’t the Ink Just Fade Away?

Here’s where your body plays a fascinating role. The immune system sends specialised cells, mainly macrophages, to the tattoo site to try and “clean up” the ink. These cells engulf some of the ink particles, but most of the pigment particles are too large for them to digest and carry away. Instead, they remain trapped in the dermis, held in place by connective tissue and immune cells that have effectively “given up” on removing them. That’s why the tattoo doesn’t disappear over time, even though some fading can occur due to sun exposure, natural skin ageing and minor cellular turnover.

What Happens When You Get a Tattoo?

The process itself involves multiple stages. First, the tattooist preps your skin by cleaning and shaving the area to create a smooth surface. Then they trace the design using either a stencil or freehand technique. As the tattoo machine begins its rhythmic motion, the artist guides the needle to implant the ink at a consistent depth in the dermis. The pain can range from a mild scratch to a sharper sting, depending on the location, size of the piece and your personal tolerance.

Once the tattoo is finished, the skin is cleaned, wrapped and ready to begin the healing journey. Initially, the body responds as it would to any wound  with redness, swelling and scabbing. Over the next few weeks, the skin gradually closes and regenerates, locking the ink in place.

Why Some Tattoos Fade Over Time

While tattoos are technically permanent, various factors can cause them to blur, fade or change slightly. UV light from the sun is one of the biggest culprits, breaking down ink particles and encouraging the immune system to carry off tiny fragments. The body’s natural cell renewal can also dull the appearance of colours over the years. Lighter shades like yellow or pastel tones tend to fade faster, whereas black ink usually lasts the longest.

Poor technique, such as injecting the ink too shallowly into the skin, can also result in early fading or uneven patches. Similarly, if ink is placed too deep, it can cause blowouts, a blurry, smudged appearance due to the ink spreading into the surrounding tissue.

Why This Matters for Laser Removal

Understanding how tattoos settle in the skin helps explain why laser removal is both possible and complex. Laser tattoo removal doesn’t simply “wipe away” a design  instead, it targets those stubborn pigment particles trapped in the dermis. By breaking them down into smaller fragments using specific wavelengths of light, the immune system can finally do what it couldn’t the first time: flush them out over time.

Some inks are more resistant to laser energy than others. For example, black ink is usually the easiest to treat because it absorbs a broad spectrum of laser light. Colours like green, blue and yellow may require more specialised laser wavelengths or multiple sessions to fully break down.

So, Are Tattoos Truly Permanent?

In theory, tattoos are designed to last a lifetime. In practice, they can be altered, faded or removed thanks to advancements in laser technology. But what keeps them in your skin is the remarkable interplay between ink chemistry, skin structure and the immune system’s ongoing balancing act.

This permanence is what makes tattoos such a powerful form of self-expression – and also why laser removal takes time, patience and professional oversight. Whether you’re preparing for removal, considering a cover-up or simply curious about how tattoos “stick,” understanding their biological foundation is the first step toward making informed choices about your body art journey.