Dermatology in permanent makeup: skin structure

It is important for micropigmentation specialists to have a good knowledge of the function and structure of the skin in order to better understand what reactions the implantation of dyes causes in it and how different skin layers affect the final shade of pigments.

We offer a series of publications on the topic "Skin problems associated with micropigmentation" to help permanent makeup artists understand how the skin reacts to the micropigmentation process and how it recovers after the procedure. To do this, we will consider which features of the skin areas allow for micropigmentation, which require special security measures, and which are a contraindication for the procedure.

The micropigmentation specialist must clearly understand the condition of his client's skin in order to know when the procedure is contraindicated and / or when he should be advised to seek medical advice, recognizing anomalies and pathologies or skin lesions and other violations of the client's condition and illness, which can adversely affect the conduct of micropigmentation and affect its results.

Skin structure

Skin structure

The skin is made up of three layers: epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. The epidermis is the outer layer of the skin. During the micropigmentation procedure, both the epidermis and the dermis are involved, directly in which the subsequent fixation of the pigment takes place. These layers are connected by a thin, complex tissue called the basement membrane. Beneath the dermis is the hypodermis, which is made up of adipose tissue. There is no clear boundary between these two layers.

Epidermis

The epidermis is the layer of skin through which the needle penetrates during the procedure to color the selected area. It acts as a color filter, because the pigment introduced into the skin shines through it after the process of healing and restoration of the skin and throughout the entire time until the coloring matter fades and completely disappears.

The epidermis is formed by several layers of cells, namely, from the inner to the outer: germinal or basal layer, spiny, granular, shiny and stratum corneum. The most numerous cells of the epidermis are keratinocytes.

The epidermis is in a constant process of renewal. Through mitosis, within 28-35 days, new cells are formed in the germ layer, which move up and occupy the outer layers. During this movement, keratinocytes age, change shape, and produce keratin, which is a persistent fibrillar protein. At the end of this process, called keratinization, the cells in the stratum corneum of the epidermis are filled with keratin, flat, dry and dead.

The germ layer also contains other cells called melanocytes, which produce skin-coloring pigment. Skin pigmentation is influenced by various factors, such as heredity, solar radiation, age and hormones; so, it differs in people of different races and greatly affects the shade of pigment obtained after the tattoo procedure.

Layers of the epidermis

Dermis and hypodermis

The dermis is the layer of skin located under the epidermis, it is at the level separating their borders that the pigment is implanted in the process of micropigmentation.

Compared to the thinner epidermis, the dermis is a complex network containing cellular and acellular components. It contains blood vessels, nerves, hair roots and sweat glands. Structurally, the dermis consists of two sublayers, the superficial papillary dermis and the deeper reticular dermis. The vascular loops of the papillary dermis provide the epidermis with nutrients and oxygen. Collagen - mainly found in the reticular dermis - is the main structural protein in the dermis that ensures its longevity. Elastin, another important structural protein in the dermis, it gives the skin its elasticity. Fibroblasts are the main cells of the dermis and are responsible for the synthesis and degradation of dermal proteins (collagen and elastin). Other cells found in the dermis are macrophages and lymphocytes. These cells are part of the skin's immune system.

Dermis

The hypodermis is the deepest layer of the skin, made up of connective and adipose tissue. It is a kind of "pillow" , depreciation and provides skin mobility. In the area of the eyelids, for example, it is not there at all, so it is here that wrinkles appear first.

This layer influences the performance and outcome of micropigmentation and tattoo procedures.

In the next article, read about the features of the skin in different areas of micropigmentation.