Cellular Uptake of Tattoo Ink in Macrophages

Abstract

Macrophages are phagocytic white blood cells in the dermis. When ink is injected into the dermis during the tattooing process, macrophages take up tattoo ink, and after several weeks to several months, they die and release that pigment for new macrophages to take up. This cycle repeats, which is why tattoos are permanent. It is not well understood, however, how tattoo ink particles enter macrophages in the first place. This study aims to elucidate how macrophages may respond on a molecular level when exposed to tattoo ink.