If pigment is deposited in the epidermis rather than the dermis, what is the expected outcome?

• A. Enhanced permanence.
• B. Temporary results and fading.
• C. Deeper penetration into subcutaneous tissue.
• D. No difference.

Answer: (B)

When pigment sits in the epidermis, its longevity is limited by the skin’s turnover. The epidermis is constantly renewed, with cells being shed and replaced relatively quickly. As the outermost cells are shed, the pigment they contain is carried away and removed, so the color fades over time. This leads to temporary results that diminish in the weeks to months after application, often requiring touch-ups if a longer-lasting look is desired.

Depth matters because deeper placement in the dermis tends to be far more durable—pigment there is protected by slower turnover and interactions with dermal cells, which is why dermal deposits are associated with permanence. Choices about deeper penetration, no difference, or enhanced permanence don’t fit the biology of pigment retention in skin layers.