Tattoos and body piercing are gaining popularity as a form of personal expression. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommendations for your child’s safety with these body modifications.

Basic Guidelines:
- Know that each state has a set of rules and regulations for minimum age. Proper identification is needed and so is parental accompaniment in some cases.
- Look for a clean and sanitary establishment.
- Watch someone else undergo a tattoo or piercing at your chosen establishment.
- Meticulous guidelines for care of the wound is important.
- It’s expensive to get a laser tattoo removal and it isn’t covered by insurance. Consider long and hard before getting a tattoo. A temporary or henna tattoo is a smart first step.
- No tattoo artist or piercer will do a procedure on someone under the influence.
- Make sure tetanus, hepatitis and other immunizations are up to date.
- If the procedure site is red, hurts more than the initial needling, red streaking above or below, pus or fever, contact your doctor immediately.

Speak with your child’s pediatrician if he is considering a body modification. She can share risks and complications if your child is passionate about getting a tattoo or piercing.

Listen as Dr. Cora Breuner joins Melanie Cole, MS, in this encore episode from 2018 to share how to make sure your child is safe when getting a body modification.