Body piercing and tattooing

Transforming our bodies into works of art has been practiced since time began.  Designs and jewellery change with fashion.  Read TheSite's page about tattoos and piercings, and don't rush in without thinking or you may spend the rest of your life regretting it!

Definitions from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

Body piercing usually refers to the piercing of a part of the human body for the purpose of wearing jewelery in the opening created. Body piercing is a form of body modification. The word "piercing" can refer to the act or practice of body piercing, or to a specific pierced opening in the body.

Some peoples practice piercing for religious or other cultural reasons, while many individuals, particularly in the modern West, choose to be pierced for spiritual, ornamental, or sexual reasons.

Tattooing is a design in ink or some other pigment, usually decorative or symbolic, placed permanently under the skin. In technical terms, tattooing is micro-pigment implantation. Tattoos are a type of body modification.

Getting a Tattoo - what to expect

If you're thinking "should I get a tattoo", then you're probably not ready to make the decision yet.  Be very certain before you visit a tattooist.  Research suggests that up to a third of people who've had tattoos regretted it.

• Take Your Time. Getting a tattoo is exciting and when you decide this is what you want, it is hard to wait.  
• But don't rush. Choose a tattoo that you are going to be happy with for the rest of your life. 
• Think ahead.  Tattoos are permanent, try to think about yourself in five, ten, or even 20 years time. What will you be doing at that time?  Will the tattoo you've chosen be easily seen?  Will you have to hide it? 
• Tattoo removal is expensive and can be disfiguring.  Think carefully!

A series of very useful factsheets can be viewed online at GettingaTattoo.com.  These include choosing a tattooist, history and safety.

Getting a Piercing - what to look for

Basic piercing safety is much like that for getting a tattoo.  Don't be afraid to check the piercing studio out first and ask questions.  The studio must be clean and tidy.  Make ceratain that the equipment is properly sterilised using an autoclave and surgical gloves should be used for each person.

Avoid studios using a piercing gun and be sure that they use the correct jewellery (barbell or captive bead ring).

TheSite's useful factsheets can be viewed online.  This includes piercing safety and aftercare.

What the law says:

Body piercing

There are no legal restrictions on the age at which you can have your ears or other body parts pierced. However, some establishments may operate their own informal guidelines on obtaining parental consent.

Tattooing

You must be aged 18 or over to get a tattoo.  It is an offence to tattoo anyone under 18 unless a qualified medical practitioner does it for medical reasons. Someone who tattoos anyone under 18 can be prosecuted unless they show they had good cause to believe the person was over 18.  A licence from the local authority may be required to operate a tattoo parlour.

For more information about young people and the law see Adviceguide >>