Tattooing and Body Piercing

It is an offence to tattoo anyone under 18. Someone who tattoos anyone under 18 can be prosecuted unless they show they had good cause to believe the person was over 18 (with the exception of tattoos for medical reasons).

If you are getting a piercing or tattoo, look for the following:

• The shop should be clean and clearly set up for the purpose. No smoking should be allowed.
• The staff should have clean outer clothing and be wearing surgical gloves. They should be using sterilised equipment for each customer (in the case of tattooing, dyes and needles should be sterilised). Sterilisation is critical to avoid possible transmission of HIV.
• For body piercing check that the person doing it is using surgical steel or gold. Ears can be pierced with silver but infection and oxidisation is easier to avoid anywhere when either surgical steel or gold is used. If there is a lot of swelling you need to take the metal out because it might become embedded.
• If you get an any kind of infection or adverse reaction to a piercing or tattoo, see a doctor as soon as possible.

For more information about tattooing and cosmetic piercing, visit the
Tattoo Club of Great Britain website at: www.tattoo.co.uk