Skin Anatomy & Pigment Theory Flashcards

Merkel cells in the basal layer of the epidermis are associated with:

Answer: Light touch mechanoreception

Merkel cells function as slow-adapting mechanoreceptors, detecting sustained pressure and fine texture details.

In SMP color theory, adding more white or lightening agent to a pigment will primarily affect which property?

Answer: Value (lightness)

Value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color; adding white raises the value, making the pigment lighter.

The arrector pili muscles are located in which skin layer?

Answer: Reticular dermis

Arrector pili are smooth muscle bundles anchored in the reticular dermis that contract to cause 'goosebumps' and erect hair follicles.

A client with a history of keloid scarring presents for SMP. The primary concern is that:

Answer: Needle trauma may trigger abnormal collagen overgrowth

Keloid-prone individuals may respond to dermal injury with excessive fibroblast activity, producing raised scar tissue at treatment sites.

What role does the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ) play in SMP pigment placement?

Answer: It is the ideal target depth for most SMP pigment deposits

Depositing pigment at or just above the DEJ (upper papillary dermis) provides optimal retention and crisp dot definition for SMP.

Which of the following best explains why carbon-based SMP pigments tend to turn bluish-gray over time?

Answer: Macrophages break down large carbon particles, shifting light scatter toward blue wavelengths

Macrophage phagocytosis reduces carbon particle size, causing Tyndall-effect light scattering that makes the residual pigment appear bluish-gray.

Sebaceous glands are most densely concentrated in which area of the scalp, which can affect SMP ink retention?

Answer: Frontal and crown (vertex) region

The frontal scalp and crown have the highest density of sebaceous glands, meaning more sebum production that can disrupt pigment retention and cause faster fading.