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Name:  crwz
Status: N/A
Age: N/A
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: Around 1993
Question:
Why do tatoos persist without spreading out or dissolving? That is, why does the dye used stay within the cell? I wonder - if the cells themselves are stained and cells are replaced periodically, why do not tatoos disappear fairly rapidly? Two local tatoo parlors and a local tatoo-removing doctor did not really have adequate answers.


Replies:
I cannot say I am sure about this but I would guess that the dye probably stains connective tissue which is not turned over as rapidly. There are many cells which are involved in laying down and maintaining connective tissue, connective tissue includes things like bone, cartilage and ligaments. It is also everywhere in a body as a sort of fine net which helps hold things together.

psych


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