Tattoos and Piercings

The cultural phenomenon of tattooing and piercing is going strong.  For this reason, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently released recommendations on these practices. On a daily basis in our office, I witness both forms of body art and oftentimes have had to treat complications related to them most commonly local skin infections. While the legal age for tattooing in most states is 18, piercings are often done during mid-adolescence. Because of this, we as parents and pediatricians need to be discussing potential risks of tattooing and piercing starting early in the teen years.

Click here for the AAP recommendations.