Tattoos and Body Piercing Considerations for Adolescents

Body art can be traced to the ancient Egyptians amid other primordial societies, spanning several thousand years throughout our evolution and progress. Body art was used as a means of self-identity, expressionism, and for therapeutic applications. Tattooing has remained popular throughout the annals of time and a major source of interest for today’s youth. Hence, young adults often succumb to idol worship, peer pressures or pubescent identity crises and find that tattoos or body piercings offer a self-induced mark of distinction. Other than the potential psychological implications associated with teen development and maturity, the young adult must consider his, or her short and long-term emotional and physical welfare. Even though safety measures are in place, there are physical risks and negative social consequences of tattoos and body piercings for young adults.

In modern times, the government has applied stricter safety standards to tattooists and body-piercing artists. Many States have instituted health regulations usually mandated by the Department of Health, and mandates implemented by the US Food and Drug Administration. Before committing to the procedure, young adults should make certain that a licensed artist who abides by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Universal Precautions guidelines is engaged. In addition, it is vital that the artist’s needles are clean and sterilized. Then check with local government resources, to get a clear understanding of regional laws and regulations. A good idea would be to verify if the artist complies with Better Business Bureau practices and if any complaints have been logged within its database. All complaints are available to the public on www.bbb.org.

There are numerous safety precautions and the processes have become more stringent. Hence, the artist needs to review the practices, sterilization methods and potential hazards with the young adult. Documentation contained in Kids Health points out that, the tattoo artist will start shading the design. After cleaning the area again, color will be injected. A new bottle of ink should be opened for each individual (Tattoos, p 4). Many of these safety applications also apply to body piercing procedures since they use devices that warrant sterility safeguards amid dermal effects. The Mayo Clinic advises that some practitioners may use a reusable piercing gun for these types of piercings. The devices are difficult to sterilize; however, and can more easily damage the skin (Piercings: Proper Care, para. 5). Regardless, the young adult faces the risk of infection, where HIV, hepatitis and other diseases can occur if the artists’ implements are tainted. These blood infections can cause major life-altering events through adulthood, and in some instances, cannot be cured. Bear in mind that it is imperative for the young adult contact his or her local health department to obtain the facts and discuss the liabilities with family or guardians to weigh the options and risks.

Body piercing and tattoos can bring about ailments such as hyperpigmentation, and dermatitis while skin tone color issues may arise; although, there are psychological connotations. According to Larzo, and Poe (2006), “…body modifications still may signal a patient who is at risk for medical complications and underlying psychosocial problems that require assessment during the clinical examination.” Consequently, the young adult might emotionally or psychologically unfit and is using body art for all the wrong reasons. The young adult may unknowingly be seeking help or attention, where body art could also intimate a temporary respite from ongoing depression. Adolescents are generally under enormous pressure at school and there are potential, deep-rooted problems that may trigger these aspirations. Otherwise, certain young adults may view body art as a means for revolting against their parents or perhaps, as a rite of passage into adulthood. Regardless, physical and psychological fitness needs to be determined upfront among many other topics for consideration.

With body piercings, the young adult will need to take on the responsibility of aftercare, which involves using antibacterial fluids and other methods for mitigating the chance of viral infections that can seep through the skin via contaminated jewelry. Furthermore, the act of receiving a tattoo or piercing can be a painful experience, depending on the size and detail of a tattoo or article of jewelry. Health risks are presented during the execution and especially during the healing process. Many body piercing shops will not perform the act without adult consent via a signed document for those under the age of 16. In due course, the young adult needs to consult a general physician or dermatologist to discuss any existing medical constraints.

In life’s circumstances, self-awareness, sound judgment and common sense are required to assess one’s physical well-being and to defer predicaments that can interfere with formal education and numerous social activities. The vim and vigor of youth might obscure clear thinking, even though body art is a personal choice. These aspects should be supplemented by discussing all options with immediate family members since their experience, knowledge and wisdom can provide insight, logic and sound reasoning. There may be factors that the young adults neglected, other than near-term gratification. Body art education is a key aspect and it is vitally important that the young adult consider the implications, spanning health-related and sociological concerns. In effect, impressionable youth should consider all factors and try to attain a realistic understanding of the overall scope and the rapid social changes that may occur. Then ask if it is worth the risk or is it possible that any regrets will come to arise during adulthood? Young adults can also field ideas and sentiments with their school counselor, clergy or relatives. Another avenue would be to interview regional body art technicians, or friends and family members who have body art, and inquire about any regrets or negative experiences.

Time marches on, attitudes change, wisdom gained and regrets flare up, so the tattoo must be removed: it can be costly, painful and time-consuming; an unpleasant experience. During the advent and medical advances of laser technology, older methodologies such as skin grafting have become largely obsolete. A word of caution: health insurance companies will not cover these expenses since body art is an aesthetic and preventable by choice. In addition, several visits to a tattoo removal clinic may be required, depending on the size and quantity of tattoos as the removal procedure might take months to complete.

Not all tattoos can be removed. Tattoo Health (2008), warns that tattoos are meant to be permanent and with recent ink technology and professional tattoo artists improving their skills, tattoos imprinted in the last decade are very difficult to remove. To that end, even laser technology does not circumvent residual effects such as skin damage and discoloration. Conversely, body-piercing removal is less involved since a young adult may decide to have jewelry implanted on the nose, tongue, or ears, for example. In these instances, jewelry removal should not occur if there is a skin problem and the incision should heal on its own, although some scarring might occur.

From a social perspective, the young adult is apt to make these important decisions based upon idolization of music celebrities, athletes and actors or believe that body art is a way of expressing one’s inner-self or sexual prowess. Hence, there are potential consequences that might not be notable during adolescence, but there are potentially, negative social consequences that are based on society’s perception of body art. Other than moral or religious beliefs, committing to piercings or tattoos is a major event that warrants in-depth forethought. As teens engage in school activities and social endeavors, they she should chart a course, based on social activities, education and long-range career goals. In many white-collar employment positions, body art can be ostracized due to common stereotypes that could hinder one’s progress during a job search via interviews, for instance, regardless of ability and education.

When the adolescent enters adulthood, mindsets change along with the mental and physical maturation processes. All modalities of life present challenges as social viewpoints are prevalent, despite the existing and unchangeable prejudices. Body art can also pose limitations when engaging the opposite sex and siblings, who might view it as a staple of society. Sure enough, the near and long-term consequences might seem daunting and at times, insurmountable.

Our ancestors used knives, pointed-objects and other crude implements for tattooing and body piercing and did not possess the sophisticated technology for removal processes. In ancient times, there was no effective means for sterilization and healing often led to infection, catastrophic diseases or death. Nowadays, medication, less-painful needles and incision implements serve as the antithesis to the primitive mechanisms previously employed. However, even by today’s standards and technology, imminent health hazards and multifarious social realities loom rather large during these complex times. For example, in society, tattooed teens can be perceived as renegades who abide by abnormal behavioral attributes and anti-social personifications. The serious health-related implications compound a throng of social obstacles, where the stakes are high. Therefore, the young adult must consider these potential repercussions before embarking upon an uninformed leap of faith.

References

Kids Health (2009). Tattoos. Retrieved June 16,

2009, from http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/skin_stuff/safe_tattooing.html#

Larzo, R. Melissa M.D & Poe, Grimm, Susannah, EdD. (2006). Adverse Consequences of Tattoos and Body Piercing. Retrieved June 17, 2009, from http://www.pediatricsupersite.com/view.aspx?rid=20764

Mayo Clinic. (2008, February 16). Piercings: Proper care can help prevent complications. Retrieved June 16, 2009, from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/piercings/SN00049

Tattoo Health (2008, November 4). Laser Tattoo Removal. Retrieved June 16, 2009, from http://www.tattoohealth.org/content/whatislaserremoval.asp