Minors wanting tattoos! Parents read!!

2007-08-09 05:09 AM | 6 comments

Tattooing an underage person can be very risky for many reasons. As a result, many shops will not tattoo anyone under 18. However, I can understand the reason many young people are wanting tattoos at a younger age. But don’t just go anywhere. You’re still growing, and you’re skin is changing quickly, and there are statutory rape laws against some activity involving tattooing minors, if the tattoo is in a provocative area. Getting tattooed in a sterile, professional environment should always be your first priority. Chances are if someone doesn’t care enough to follow health guidelines, they don’t care about your son or daughter’s tattoo experience.

If you’re the parent of an underage son or daughter who wants a tattoo: I think it’s important to talk to your young adult about their ideas for a tattoo, and why they are wanting to get tattooed. This is especially important after a traumatic experience. Many teens express emotion toward losing a friend or loved one by getting a memorial tattoo in that person’s honor. Kids will get tattooed if they want to. I feel it’s better to be involved and help them make the right decisions, then have them get tattooed dangerously in an illegal or unsanitary situation. I encourage parents to be involved in the ENTIRE tattoo process by asking questions and being open to their teen’s feelings.

If you’re a minor getting tattooed: bring as many references as possible for your tattoo idea. It’s important to think through what you want to get. If what you’re wanting is something that you cannot get right away (placement or content), just wait! Settling for something you may not really want will haunt you later in life, and become an experience you regret. Remain respectful of your parent and show that you are mature enough to handle the responsibility of having a tattoo. Acting like a spoiled brat, or being disrespectful will get you very little in a tattoo shop.

We are happy to tattoo a young person under the age of eighteen provided that they meet the requirements of the Clark County Health Department, and at our discretion, requirements that may vary from patient to patient.

IDENTIFICATION
The minor must have proof of their age, and must be at least 16 years old to get tattooed with parental permission.
Both the Minor and the Parent/ Legal Guardian must have a valid state issued photo ID with current name and address.
(The minor may substitute a state issued ID with a combination of official certificate of live birth [birth certificate] AND a valid school photo ID.)
Both Last names and Addresses must be the same for Minor and Parent/ Legal Guardian, or be accompanied by Legal Guardianship papers.
If the parent’s name has changed (ie divorced, remarried, etc.) ID must be accompanied by marriage certificate and/ or divorce papers showing name change.

LEGAL GUARDIANSHIP
The person taking responsibility for the minor must be a parent or LEGAL guardian. This means no step-parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents, or older siblings, unless you have actual court or adoption documents showing legal guardianship. The parent or legal guardian MUST be present/ on the premises for the entire tattoo.

CONTENT
Nothing that could be considered gang-related, drug-related, racially offensive, age inappropriate or sexually explicit or provocative symbols. We will not tattoo any of these on a minor.

PLACEMENT
The tattoo must be easy to hide under normal t-shirt and pants, but not into any area that could be considered provocative. This means some lower-back tattoos, all hip, groin, and chest (females), head, neck, forearms, face, and hands are not allowed. Generally, the safest place is the back of the shoulder, upper arm, or lower leg. Here is an easy-to-understand chart, showing the untattooable areas of a minor in red:

Please remember, if you have any comments, questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact myself or the Clark County Health Department.

with love, Nickhole