Another Tattoo Question: Why Still Here?

Factual Questions
1

In high school our science teacher told us that all of our cells are replaced every 7 years.* If this is true, why do I still have my tattoo?

The continued presence of moles and birthmarks I understand because they are genetically coded to be there but I didn’t even get inked until I was 24. That was 12 years ago and the tatts are still here.

What’s the Straight Dope?

  • Not all at once, gradually. Though a one-time “ZAP! You’re new!” would be cool.
2

Tattoo ink is placed between cell layers, not within cells.

3

But don’t those layers move up and slough off?

4

High school science teachers say the darnedest things.

5

Epidermal cells slough off. Tattoos are made at the dermal level, past the basement membrane.

http://www.cockeyed.com/science/tattoo/tattoo.html

6

I would like to know why tatoos, which can look so crisp and vibrant when first done, will fade and blur as time goes on.

7

According to this, it is because of sun exposure.

8

Wow…and urk. I visit Cockeyed a lot but never saw that piece. Now I’m not sure if I’m glad I did. Some of those pix were just nasty. :eek: But the overall explanation made a lot of sense. Thanks for the link!

9

No problem.

I have an autographed photo of Brooke.