why do pens and markers almost always permanently stay on most things, but can usually wash off human skin?

Question

why do pens and markers almost always permanently stay on most things, but can usually wash off human skin?

In: 3

Answer 1

We are constantly shedding dead skin cells. When you write on the surface of your skin you are only discoloring the dead outer layer. Scrub hard enough and you can remove those dead cells and the ink that is on them.

Things that stain your skin last a little longer because they penetrate a little deeper, so more layers have to be shed to remove the staining agent.