Parents of any stripe would likely do a double-take if their precious baby came home with a tattoo or piercing — particularly if the child hadn’t discussed it with his or her parents first. A new American Academy of Pediatrics report — the first clinical one on the subject of tattoos and piercings — aims to provide guidance for both parents and teens on the subject.
The report, released Monday, notes there’s much to consider when getting a tattoo or piercing. One 2014 survey revealed that 76 percent of 2,700 people said they thought a tattoo or piercing affected their ability to get a job.
But the amount of people who have tattoos is increasing, according to 2016 Harris Poll data. The research found that in the U.S., 3 in 10 adults had one tattoo at a minimum — a 10 percent increase from 2012. The Pew Research Center found that 38 percent of 18 to 29-year-olds had at least one tattoo in 2010.
If you decide to go through with it, you should be sure wherever you go is state-regulated and gives people information on how to take care of the tattoo or piercing following the procedure.
The tattoo salon or facility should be mindful of infection control practices similar to that of a doctor’s office. If you start showing signs of an infection, like redness, an uptick in pain or a fever, “go to the doctor,” Dr. Cora Breuner told NPR. Breuner is a lead author of the report and chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Adolescence.
People should also be aware of their immunization record — to make sure they are up to date on their shots — as well as if they are on immunity-compromising medications.
Another reason to think before altering your body? The price of removal. If you later regret how the tattoo looks, remember that getting rid of a tattoo could cost anywhere from $49 to $300 for each square inch of the treatment area.
The report warns pediatricians to also look out for differences between regular body modification versus self-harm practices, like cutting, scratching or burning oneself (referred to as nonsuicidal self injury syndrome).
As with any major life decisions, teens should talk about their decision first.
“In most cases, teens just enjoy the look of the tattoo or piercing, but we do advise them to talk any decision over with their parents or another adult first,” Dr. David Levine, another lead author of the report, said in a statement.
10 Gross Things You Should Stop Doing in College
Top Reasons Children End Up in the Hospital
More from U.S. News
How College Students Can Avoid Getting Sick
10 Gross Things You Should Stop Doing in College
Top Reasons Children End Up in the Hospital
Teens: Think Before You Get a Tattoo, Report Says originally appeared on usnews.com
