Alright, so I don't have teenage kids wanting tattoos, but I have tattoos, as do most of my friends. I often find myself being asked for advice regarding tattoos from adults who are considering one for themselves, from teenagers wanting to find a way to convince their parents to let
them get one, as well as from parents wanting to know what is the best thing to tell their teenage children.
Firstly, there are age restrictions. Depending on the laws in your state or county, anyone under a certain age will likely need parental permission to get a tattoo. In Australia, tattoos are not allowed to be done on anyone under the age of 18 years, parental permission or not. After that, sorry parents, but you can't do much to stop your kids from getting tattoos, all you can do is get them to read this advice and have a serious think about it first. All good reputable tattoo studios will adhere to these age restrictions, and they will also enforce other common sence rules about not allowing anyone to get a tattoo if they are even suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Some will require a form to be filled out and signed confirming that the person getting the tattoo understands the conditions of getting the tattoo, that the care requirements and risks are properly understood, they don't have any medical conditions that the tattooist should be aware of, and that permission is given for the tattooist to perform the work they have been commissioned to do. Not all tattoo studios require this however.
There are health risks involved with getting a tattoo. Tattoos are created by injecting ink into the skin by use of a needle. It is common for tattoos to bleed slightly. This may cause a significant risk to anyone who has problems with haemhorraging (uncontrolled bleeding), and conditions like varicose veins and various skin problems may cause some problems for some people. All reputable tattooists will use freshly sterilized needles for every client, so the risk of getting blood-borne disease from tattoos should never happen anymore. However, like all professions, there will be bad apples, so you should confirm that your tattooist does indeed comply fully to the health regulations for tattoo studios. There is a very slight risk of allergic reaction to the inks used, though this is so rare it is almost unheard of. Any concerns about this should be discussed with your tattooist or your family doctor prior to booking in for the tattoo. The most common risk is infection. As with any wound, the tattoo must be kept clean and be looked after until it is properly healed. If infection occurs, a consultation with a doctor will be required. Your tattooist will be able to give you all the advice you need about caring for the tattoo.
The next thing that you should be aware of with tattoos is that they are permanent. Tattoos can be altered, old ones can be covered up with new ones, and now the technology is available to have tattoos removed with laser treatment. However, the laser treatment is incredibly expensive and after removal, scars where the tattoo once was can be visible in some people. But generally speaking, once you have a tattoo, it doesn't go away. So the choice to get a tattoo has to be very carefully thought through. It might seem cool for a young man at the age of 18 to get a tattoo of a naked woman, but when you are 40 years old and happily married with young children, will you still want a picture of a naked woman on your body? What about when you are 80 years old? Also, as your skin ages and wrinkles, so will the tattoo. Are you willing to live with that? Tattoos also age. Sunlight fades them terribly and they can blur and loose their detail. Cuts and burns will damage and scar the tattoo as well. If you get a tattoo when you are young, chances are, to keep it looking good you will need to get it touched up after ten to twenty years, depending on how well you managed to protect it from the sun.
Yes, tattoos do hurt a little bit, but it's not as bad as some people make it out to be. It stings like a sunburn for a day or two after, and as for getting it done in the first place, the outline hurts the most, but it is tollerable and it doesn't take long to get used to it. Most people with tattoos will say they are addictive. Of course, they aren't, but it is quite a common thing that once someone gets a tattoo that they are happy with, it isn't long before they start wanting another one. They are expensive, so for most people, it takes time to save the money before they can afford to get another one - which gives them more time to seriously think about whether or not it really is a good idea. It is a good idea that when you find a tattoo you want, you should get a copy of the design and hang it somewhere that you will see it at least several times every day. If after a month or two you still want that design, then it's okay to get it. Often, by doing that, you will get so bored with looking at it, you will see better designs and prefer them instead, and the design you originally wanted you end up throwing away - just as well you didn't end up gettting that as a tattoo after all hey?
People get tattoos for many different reasons. Most get them just because they like the artwork or to express something about themself. Some people get tattoos in rememberance of a loved one or in dedication to something significant in their lives. The general recommendation is that tattoos dedicated to loved ones are best for people that will always be loved unconditionally, such as your children, parents, or dear family members and friends that have passed away. Partner's names are generally not advised, because as much as you may love them today, you may be caught up in a very bitter divorce with them in 20 years time, at which point cutting the flesh from your body to get rid of the tattoo can suddenly seem like a viable option - but that is certainly not an advisable tactic for fixing that problem. Most teenagers get them to look "cool" and because of peer-pressure, which is not the right reason and it may come back to haunt them later on in life. Whatever the reason, it can be quite a personal thing to have a tattoo, and only the person getting the tattoo has the right to choose what they get and where.
The biggest thing to consider when getting a tattoo is without a doubt the stereotype that will come with it. This is the hardest part to deal with and accept, and it is usually the last thing that anyone considers before getting a tattoo. Despite all the anti-discrimination laws that exist now, there are few places where there are any laws enforced regarding discrimination against people that have tattoos. Even the most open-minded of people still make negative assumptions at the sight of a tattoo.
People with visible tattoos will be presumed by some people to be a bikie, a drug dealer, convicted criminal, prostitute, and general all-round social outcast - and may often been treated as such. Having tattoos can lead to rejections for employment, and refusal of entry and service in many places under the clause of "violating dress code". It can attract degradation, torment, and abuse, and can even lead to inferior treatment from police officers, security guards, and other such people of authority - even hospital staff. Socially, it makes finding friends and partners harder as many people feel that anyone with tattoos are unworthy of knowing and are to be avoided at all costs, some people even fear people that have tattoos.
If your teenager approaches you about getting a tattoo, don't instantly judge them and jump on the issue with a harsh "NO WAY!", as they may take it too personally and go off and get covered in them on their 18th birthday just to be rebellious and spiteful. Whatever your opinion of tattoos, stay calm and talk to you child about why they want to get a tattoo, where, when, what design (remember it's their body and their choice), and find out how much they know about tattoos. Refer back to this page and see if they have their head screwed on about it, get them to have a read, give them time to think it over some more, and if they still want it, then it is up to you whether you are willing to give them your blessing or pretend the tattoo doesn't exist. Whatever happens, tattoos are only skin deep. Don't think anything less of your child for getting one.
(August 2007) (
