Teens, Tattoos, and Piercings: The Health and Social Impact of Permanent Body Art

by G. L. Hall

This book was written for teens who are thinking about getting a permanent tattoo or body piercing. It is not intended to persuade young people not to get a tattoo or piercing. Instead, it provides the information teens need to make a thoughtful and educated decision they will not regret. The author addresses several potential health and social impacts that young people should consider, including the likelihood that a tattoo may go out of style, have unpleasant side effects, carry serious health risks, and can be difficult to remove if you later change your mind. He describes how a tattoo is done, potential problems with the inks, things that can go wrong (such as infection, scarring, and poor artwork), and how tattoos may put your future career at risk. Other topics include the issue of peer pressure; the fact that tattoos fade, sag, and run over time; tattoos you should avoid; tattoo removal procedures and potential complications; risks associated with body piercings; and the future of body art.

88 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2012