So, How Deep is the Dermis? A good rule of thumb is that
Pinch the skin on the back of your hand tightly. If your needle is reaching further than half way across (if youre floating ur needle then obviously account for that) the pinch of skin you have in your fingers, youre going too deep.
If the lines split, you're going too deep. Faded lines or not completed? Too light of a pass or too fast. If the mag snags, you're going too deep. Mag looks scratchy? Too fast or too light.
If the needle doesn't go deep enough, the tattoo may fade quickly within a few weeks. Achieving the right depth is crucial for a successful and long-lasting tattoo. This usually means that the needle should penetrate about 1-2 mm (usually closer to 2 mm) or about 1/16 of an inch into the skin.
Basic Lubrication: Vaseline, also known as petroleum jelly, is commonly used as a lubricant during tattoo sessions. It provides a basic level of lubrication, allowing the tattoo needle to glide smoothly over the skin and reducing friction.
You want to deposit the ink into the dermis, which is the second layer of skin, and typically, the dermis is around 1.5 to 2 millimeters deep. A penny is 1.5 millimeters thick, so you can use this as a visual. for how deep the needle should go into the skin. Because of this, you want your needle hang to be.
The History and Symbolism of Swallow Tattoos
In the past, sailors would get a swallow tattoo to signify that they had traveled a specific distance or had returned home safely after a long journey. Swallows, known for their migration habits, became a symbol of loyalty, hope, and the promise of return.
Penetrating beyond the dermis into the hypodermis can cause severe complications. This can lead to excessive bleeding, increased pain, and potential scarring. It's crucial for tattoo artists to develop a keen sense of the right depth to avoid these issues.
While your tattoo is healing, it's important you only moisturise the area once the skin is totally dry. In fact, not drying your tattoo properly after washing and before moisturising is one of the main causes of over-moisturised tattoos.
Linework. When it comes to linework, using the right tattoo voltage for lining and shading is important in achieving clean, crisp lines that don't blow out or look fuzzy. For that, you'll typically use higher voltage than for shading. Recommended voltage: 7-10 volts for coil machines, 6-8 volts for rotary machines.
While not likely, there is a possibility that a tattoo needle could go too far and puncture the hypodermis and rupture a vein. Tattoos typically do not puncture regular veins, but there is a higher risk of encountering more problems with spider veins. So, yes, you technically could try to tattoo over a spider vein.
When you ride the tube, it is nearly impossible to go too deep in the skin. This means you're way less likely to cause blowouts, scarring, or additional trauma to your client's skin. When you're first starting out, this is a great way to get comfortable (and avoid messing up a tattoo).
It's typically caused when a tattoo artist presses too aggressively into the skin, deposits ink at the wrong angle, or overworks the skin, which occurs more often with a less-experienced tattoo artist but can happen with any artist.
Natural migration of pigment in the skin is manifested by: lines become visually wider; a small (about a millimeter) shadow may appear near the tattoo lines; there will be less empty space between the lines.
The bottom line is that tattoo blowout happens when you get inked by an inexperienced or unprofessional artist. The easiest way to prevent it, says Campbell, is by “seeing an experienced tattoo artist who understands where to place the tattoo pigment.”
Use MD Wipe Outz premium DRY tattoo towels during and after tattoo sessions as a superior replacement for paper towels. Wipe Outz towels are superior to basic paper towels because they produce no lint or frustrating needle clogs. Their softness leads to less irritated skin and better healed tattoos.
You may notice your artist dip the needle in water during the session. This is called a dip cap which helps clean, blend, dry, or dilute ink. Artists do this for smoother ink flow and to reduce friction. This allows more precise and comfortable tattooing.
Staying well hydrated leading up to being tattooed, will put your skin in better condition. It helps your skin become more resilient which helps allow the tattoo ink application easier. Also, do not forget to moisturize your skin prior to your tattoo session.