Needle Depth
The distance the needle penetrates the skin with each puncture, a determining factor in a tattoo's quality and longevity.
The ideal depth places ink in the dermis, the skin's middle layer — too shallow and the ink doesn't hold well, fading over time; too deep and the result is unnecessary pain, excessive bleeding and a risk of blowout. The correct depth varies with skin thickness in each part of the body and needs to be adjusted by the artist during the session, usually through the machine's stroke and the pressure applied.
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