Inked Up Teens

At just 17, when I was a senior in high school, I decided I wanted to get a tattoo. All of my friends thought I was crazy. Tattoos were just starting to become mainstream, but mostly they were still seen as something bikers and rockstars get. But I didn’t care. I wanted one. Not a skull or snake or anything, but a pretty tattoo. Art has always been an important part of my life. My grandmother was a wonderful artist and she encouraged me to get my creative on. Some of my best memories as a child are watching her draw and sitting still so she could draw me. And I have several drawing pads filled with my own artwork. So it seemed natural to put art on my body.

Not surprisingly, my parents disagreed. To this day my dad cringes a little bit every time I discuss tattoos. As of Friday, I now have two and am considering more. My sister turns 18 in just two months and she’s talking about getting a tattoo on her birthday. I’m pretty sure my dad is on the verge of a heart attack at the thought of both of his daughters being inked up.

Tattoos have become very popular in the last several years. Three of my cousins, who range in age from 19 to 25, have between 1 and 5 tattoos each. As I look around the classroom in my college class I see a lot of inked up twenty-somethings. At the pool this summer I saw ink all over people from young adults to older mothers. They’ve become the new fashion statement, much to many parent’s dismay.

So how can you convince your teen to be responsible with body ink?

Talk, don’t preach. If you are against tattoos, tell him. But don’t forbid it or be condescending about it. Teens sometimes do the exact opposite of what we want just to prove they are their own person. So don’t preach. Instead talk about it. Tell him why you don’t like tattoos. Talk about your concerns. Ask him why he wants a tattoo. Does he want it because his friends have tattoos? Or is it more personal? Remembering an old friend or family member who passed away. Or matching tattoos with a childhood friend who is going off to college in another state. Talking about it may help your teen consider all the alternatives. Or it may help you better understand his reasoning.

Remind her how permanent they are. Will you still love this Mickey Mouse tattoo when you’re 80-year-old? Will your future spouse be ok with it? Will you be fine with your future children seeing this? Talk about how expensive and painful tattoo removal is. Have a discussion with your family doctor so a professional can explain the removal process.

Talk about the risks. Many people have no problems with their tattoos. But some people aren’t so lucky. The Mayo Clinic warns of some tattoo specific risks, including blood-borne diseases (e.g. hepatitis C, hepatitis B, tetanus, and HIV) if the needles aren’t clean, skin disorders or infections, allergic reactions and MRI complications. Again this is something to discuss with your doctor prior to getting a tattoo so you both understand these risks.

Ask your teen to do his research. A tattoo isn’t something that should be done on a whim. Have them do some research on the risks. Scour the internet for different tattoos. Read up on what people are saying about their tattoos. Did it hurt? How bad did it hurt? Are they happy with the results?

If your teen does get a tattoo, make sure they take every precaution. Go to a reputable tattoo parlor that’s licensed by the state or county. Ask around and get recommendations. Make sure they use brand new needles. They should open the packages right in front of you. Any non-disposable equipment should be sterilized. Ask to make sure. The tattoo artist should be wearing gloves and needs to change those gloves whenever he/she touches something else like the phone.

And after your teen gets the tattoo make sure he follows the aftercare instructions given to him by the tattoo parlor. These instructions should include information on cleaning the tattoo with soap and water and moisturizing the tattoo a couple times a day. Do not pick, peel or scratch the tattoo. Keep it out of direct sunlight for the first two weeks. And stay out of pools, hot tubs and saunas for the first 14 days.

How do you feel about tattoos? Would you allow your teen to get one? Or are you cringing at just the thought of your teen inked up?