How old do you have to be to get a tattoo?

“My body is my journal, and my tattoos are my story.” – Johnny Depp.

Many who have them will tell you that tattoos can be incredibly meaningful. They can also be used as a means of expressing your interests, creating your own personal style, showcasing your own artwork, and, let’s be honest, they just look awesome.

Getting inked for the first time is often a huge deal, no matter why you need one. But before you get inked, do you know how old do you have to be to get a tattoo?

In this blog, you will get an answer to this question and much more.

Continue reading!

What is the Minimum Age to Get a Tattoo?

In the UK, the minimum age for a tattoo is 18 years or older.

The Tattooing of Minors Act of 1969 established the age limit and clearly stated that tattooing a person under 18 is illegal.

According to the law, unless done for medical reasons by a licensed medical professional or a person acting under his supervision.

Because tattoo artists are responsible, they must look for evidence showing the client is at least 18 years old. They should also record that information before starting any tattoos.

So now the question is, “Can you get a tattoo with parental consent in the UK?” The answer is simply no. Tattooing a person under the age of 18 is against the law.

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Rules and Regulations for Getting a Tattoo in the UK

As a tattoo artist, you must protect yourself and your customers, even if you’re self-employed or you own your own shop.

One of the first things a tattoo artist should consider before putting ink on someone’s body is ensuring they comply with UK tattoo rules because everyone must follow the same rules.
Getting a tattoo in the UK is governed by the following rules & regulations:

• Health and Safety

Here in the UK, there is a lot of regulation surrounding tattoo and piercing studio licensing and processes.

Every tattoo artist is required to have a local council licence. Local councils commonly perform routine inspections of locations to ensure they comply with health and safety standards. It is against the law to get a tattoo without a tattoo licence or certification.

Check out this blog and recognise what is duty of care in health and social care.

• Age of Consent in the UK

As we have discussed earlier, the legal age for a tattoo is 18. It is illegal for anyone under 18 to get a tattoo in the UK. Also, if any tattoo artist is found doing so, they will be punished and fined. So, tattoo artists must ask for age proof before tattooing.

• Insurance

Another essential aspect to think about is getting tattoo insurance. Choosing the right plan is crucial for both you and your company.

Your choice of insurance will be entirely based on the size of your business, the number of employees, and the level of protection you require.

How Old Do You Have to be to Get a Tattoo: Reasons Behind an Age Restriction

Due to health and safety concerns, there are age restrictions on getting tattoos. Also, some would argue that you aren’t really in control of choosing what permanent image you want on your body once you reach a certain age.
The majority of people may agree that you shouldn’t trust a minor to make such a big decision for their future that they may regret in years to come.

Imagine being a child and getting a tattoo of Justin Bieber. Do you think that if you were to be 40 or older, you would still love having the face of a pop artist on your body?

If you ask many adults who got tattoos when they were much younger, they would also say that they wish they had waited till they were old enough to select a more relevant piece of art. So, the age restriction is there for a purpose.

What Kinds of Problems Can You Face With a Tattoo?

Tattoos damage the skin, which makes it possible for skin infections and other problems, such as:

• Allergic reactions.

Red, green, yellow, and blue tattoo inks, in particular, can result in allergic skin reactions, such as an unpleasant rash at the tattoo location. Even years after getting the tattoo, this can still happen.

• Skin infections.

After getting a tattoo, skin infections are possible.

• Other skin problems.

The ink from tattoos can sometimes develop a granuloma, which is an area of inflammation. Also, getting a tattoo can induce keloids, which are elevated spots brought on by an excess of scar tissue magic.

• Bloodborne diseases.

You might get different bloodborne infections, such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, if the tattooing equipment was affected by infected blood.

FAQ

Can I get a tattoo at 16?

No. Before getting a tattoo, you need to be at least 18 years old.

Is it illegal to get a tattoo under 18?

Yes. It is legal to get a tattoo under 18.

Can I get a tattoo while pregnant?

The biggest concern about having a tattoo while pregnant is the risk of getting an infection like Hepatitis B or HIV. Although the risk is low, it is recommended that you avoid getting a tattoo until after the birth of your child.

Where are tattoos illegal?

Countries like Japan, Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkey, China, and Vietnam do not allow tattoos.

Can I get a tattoo at 16 in Georgia?

No. In Georgia, it is against the law to tattoo anyone under the age of 18 unless you’re a certified technician or licensed osteopath working under a certified doctor or osteopath’s direct supervision.

Why can’t kids have a tattoo?

Kids should not have tattoos because poorly conceived tattoos and piercings can result in a range of health problems.

What state has the youngest tattoo age?

According to Wikipedia, Idaho, a northwestern U.S. state, has the youngest tattoo age, which is 14.

Is it illegal to get a tattoo when you’re drunk?

If you are drunk, many tattoo artists won’t ink you. If you’re drunk, you can’t legally sign the release form. Even if they agree to tattoo you, you may get something you regret. For example, it could be expensive to have it removed.

What States Can You Get a Tattoo at 14?

In the northwest U.S. state of Idaho, you can get inked as early as 14.

How much is a tattoo?

A good tattoo would cost between £80 and £100 per hour in Leeds as opposed to London, where hourly prices are typically around £150.

Conclusion

There you have it. Who knew you needed to know about the legal age for a tattoo?
Every nation has a separate set of tattoo laws, so we strongly advise you to research them before visiting a tattoo studio. Talk to a trustworthy tattoo artist to learn more about the laws. After all, you don’t want to end up having to pay fines and deal with the legal consequences.
We hope that this article has helped you understand how old do you have to be to get a tattoo better.

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