Are you excited to get your first tattoo, but you don`t know at what age you can get one? A tattoo is for life, so it`s not something you should skip or make illegal, especially as a minor. Anyone who tattoos a minor can be prosecuted and fined. As a result, many tattoo shops require age verification for anyone who appears to be under the age of 18. It also means that tattooing a minor at home is a criminal offense. In most parts of Australia and Tasmania, you must be 18 or older to get a tattoo. In some states, no one is allowed to get a face tattoo. Texas law requires that you maintain a clean tattoo parlor and regularly comply with state laws that have been implemented to prevent blood-borne diseases and infections. You should wash your hands with antibacterial and germicidal hand soap, always use disposable gloves, use sterilized tattoo needles and ink, or you should use disposable devices and dispose of your needles and other hazardous waste properly in properly labeled containers. This is for the safety of the minor and the tattoo artist.

The content of this column is provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice or a substitute for legal advice. For advice on your specific facts and circumstances, consult a licensed lawyer. You can contact the Lawyer Referral Service of Central Texas, a nonprofit public service of the Austin Bar Association, at 512-472-8303 or www.austinlrs.com. The Ministry of Health recommends obtaining parental consent for people under the age of 19, but it is not a law. This means that anyone 18 years of age or older can be tattooed without parental consent. Yes. Tattoo and piercing studios must meet certain requirements as a condition of their license to operate in Texas. For example, physical facilities must be located in permanent, uninhabited buildings or parts of buildings permitted by local zoning by-laws. Studios must be adequately lit and kept hygienic. Work surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected with germicidal solution, and walls, ceilings and floors should be kept in good condition and made of smooth, non-porous surfaces. The consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in the studio and the use of tobacco products is prohibited in the work areas.

A studio must be equipped with handwashing facilities for its staff, and employees must wash their hands properly with antibacterial soap before performing a tattoo or piercing procedure and after any interruption of the procedure. Employees must wear clean outerwear and disposable gloves during the procedure. Before the procedure, the employee must properly clean the area of skin where the tattoo or piercing is to be applied with germicidal soap or antiseptic mouthwash. Local piercer Chris Rodriguez, owner of Tried and True Tattoos in Victoria, explained that getting tattooed is incredibly illegal for anyone under the age of 18. If someone is caught tattooing a minor, they can be charged with Class B misdemeanor and child abuse. There are at least 24 states where a 14-year-old can be legally tattooed. The second reason for age restrictions is that tattooing is a medical procedure and therefore minimum standards must be met. For example, in Georgia, it is illegal to get tattooed within an inch of your eyes. You also can`t get tattooed with offensive or hateful images, and most artists will refuse to do these types of designs. Are service animals allowed in tattoo and piercing studios? If you`re not comfortable with your teen getting tattooed or pierced, you may be able to opt for another option, such as a henna tattoo or an extra ear piercing. But if you can`t find a compromise and aren`t willing to give in, make sure your teen is informed.

Texas tattoo artists must obtain an appropriate license, comply with safety and health regulations, and comply with all local regulations. You have to maintain a separate tattoo parlor and can`t do business in your home. You can use a mobile pendant to perform tattoos and piercings, but you must have a separate license for each studio. You need to apply for a tattoo parlor license to make tattoos for each of your studios. You will also need to purchase a separate Body Piercing Studio license to perform piercings. It is also important to do the proper tattoo license renewal process when the time comes. First, consent from the person`s parents or guardians must be obtained to cover the tattoo. In addition to regular documentation, the artist must document the tattoo by taking before-and-after photos that will be kept for future audits. However, it is up to the artist and the company to decide if they are ready to tattoo under these circumstances. An exception is if a 14-year-old is married in the state of Iowa, they are legally allowed to get tattooed without their parents` consent. So, how old do you have to be to get a tattoo? For all states in the United States, the minimum age is 18. The legal age in the UK, Canada and Australia is also 18.

In some cases, you may be able to get one under the age of 18 with parental consent, but that depends on the state. Who can I contact if I have questions or concerns about a tattoo or piercing studio? While there are strict safety and hygiene standards for tattooing, Nova Scotia does not have a minimum age. Instead, tattoo shops set the minimum. These restrictions are intended to protect the minor, his/her parents and the tattoo artist and the company from legal or medical consequences. Although the law states that no one under the age of 18 can get tattooed in Texas, there are two very specific exceptions. Often, stores ask for ID and verify your age if you look under 18. It is illegal to tattoo minors even if they have parental consent. However, in Western Australia, it is legal to get a tattoo if you are 16 or older and have written parental consent. Some states have specific rules for the types of piercings. While ear piercing may be legal for a minor, tongue piercing may require parental consent. The UK is one of the few countries in the EU to ban anyone under the age of 18 from getting a tattoo, regardless of parental consent.

Are some people forbidden to get tattoos or pierces? No one can be tattooed within an inch of their eye socket. [25] Are there any risks I need to be aware of before getting tattooed or pierced? Before you start planning your tattoo, familiarize yourself with the regulations of the state where you want to get a tattoo.