As tattoos continue to move from taboo to mainstream, they are becoming more and more popular with younger ages. In fact, studies have shown that the current millennial generation sports a lot more ink than the boomer generation. As tattoos and piercings have grown in popularity, pediatricians are seeing more and more cases of problem ink. To ensure that parents are aware of the risks of tattoos and protect their kids from harm, some pediatricians are creating guidelines to follow so that your teen understands the risks of random tattoos and piercings and gets them done safely. Here’s what parents should know about teens and tattoos.

An overwhelming majority of people with tattoos have no regrets about getting them. But many pediatricians are unaware of the complications that can arise as a result of a teen going under the needle. Dr. Cora Breuner is a member of the team that created the guidelines, a division of adolescent medicine at Seattle Children's Hospital who chaired the AAP Committee on Adolescence.

Dr. Breuner advises that most of her colleagues remain unaware of teens and tattoos and the different regulations in each state as well as possible complications and issues finding a job that teens could face later in life.

There are no federal guidelines for tattoos and body piercings so Dr. Breuner hopes that physicians learn the ones for their state. Age requirements, as well as hygiene practices, vary widely.

The AAP advises undergoing procedures only in parlors that use new disposable gloves; needles from a sealed, sterile container; and fresh unused ink poured into a new disposable container with each client — just like a doctor’s office.

California sets standards for hygiene, requiring practitioners to register with the state health department, submit proof of hepatitis vaccination and take yearly classes to prevent the transmission of bloodborne diseases.

In addition, it’s important to counsel teens so they understand the permanence of tattoos and how painful and expensive they are to remove.

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