What you should know
about....
Tattooing and Body Piercing
From:
The American Academy of
Pediatrics
New York Chapter 2
Committee on Youth and
Adolescence
Tattooing and Body Piercing
Tattooing
and body piercing have recently become more popular among adolescents.
"Should I get a tattoo or body piercing?" This is a personal decision, as well as a serious one. In thinking about this decision, you should be aware of the potential health risks involved and you should know how to protect yourself.
Tattooing involves injecting dyes into the skin. Tattoos are permanent and are associated with serious side effects. In the State of New York it is illegal for anyone to apply a tattoo to a person under the age of 18.
Body piercing can be performed on any part of the body but certain sites are more likely to be associated with severe complications. According to New York State law, anyone under the age of 18 must have parental consent in order to pierce any part of the body other than the earlobe.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, New York Chapter
2 Committee on Youth and Adolescence does not recommend tattooing or body
piercing for anyone under the age of 18 years because of the serious
health risks associated with these decisions.
Before you decide to get a tattoo or have your body
pierced.....
Speak to your pediatrician!
Risks of Tattooing and Body Piercing:
|
What you can do to protect yourself:
|
For your piercing to heal, you must clean it at least twice a day. Some redness or discharge is to be expected for a few days.
Approximate Healing Times |
|
Earlobe | 4-6 weeks |
Ear cartilage | 2 months - 1 year |
Navel | 6 months - 1 year |
Tongue | 4-6 weeks |
Eyebrow | 6-8 weeks |
Lip and cheek | 6-8 weeks |
Nipple | 2-6 months |
Genital | 2-6 months |
See your pediatrician if you have any of the following from your piercing or tattoo site: