My child wants a tattoo

Posted on 04 Mar, 2012

With tattoos becoming more and more popular with celebrities, young people are at risk of seeing them as fashion accessories rather than as potentially embarrassing reminders of a mistake. So what do you do if your child starts asking to have one?

For a start, it is illegal for people under the age of eighteen to have a tattoo done in the first place. If someone lies about their age to a tattoo artist, they are placing the tattooist at risk of prosecution. It goes without saying that a tattooist who knowingly tattoos an underage person should not be trusted.

There is also the risk of infection, along with the risk of developing an allergic reaction to the ink, which can result in months of pain and discomfort. Make sure that your child understands these risks fully to try and persuade them to wait until they are eighteen.

If a tattoo goes wrong or is in an inappropriate place, it could also have adverse effects on a person’s prospects. Employers can be put off prospective candidates if they have noticeable designs or motifs that have negative connotations.

Laser tattoo removal is the only real option for those with an unwanted tattoo.