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Your teen has just shared with you their intention to get a tattoo. Don’t panic! As is true for many conversations with teens, the better informed you are, the better you can help guide them.

Fortunately, when you’re looking for a trusted source of everyday health information and advice, AboutKidsHealth, a health education resource for children, youth and caregivers approved by health-care providers at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), has an answer. The AboutKidsHealth monthly newsletter offers everyday health information and practical advice delivered straight to your inbox. Whether you’re looking for guidance on what your teen needs to know about getting a tattoo, or how to build resiliency in your kids, this newsletter is a credible and useful resource. Don’t miss out! Sign up for the newsletter here. Here’s the type of information you could expect to receive in an AboutKidsHealth newsletter.

You probably have a good idea of what a tattoo is, but it’s important to understand that they are permanent. Tattoos are drawn on the body using one or more needles attached to a tattoo machine. The needles rapidly pierce the skin to insert ink under the top layer of the skin. They can be put anywhere on the skin, although some areas are more painful or prone to fading than others.

There is no legal age minimum for getting a tattoo in Ontario, but parental consent is required at most tattoo studios for teens under the age of 18. You and your teen will likely be asked to show proof of identity and sign a form saying you understand the risks before getting one.

You’ll want you and your teen do your homework before getting a tattoo. Tattoos can be difficult and expensive to remove. Make sure you and your teen choose a studio that’s been inspected and approved by public health. A studio in good standing will have tattoo artists who:

• wash their hands with soap and water, and wear new gloves, before starting the tattoo;

• clean the skin with an antiseptic, such as 70 per cent alcohol;

• use a single-use disposable razor if a part of the body needs shaving before tattooing;

• use single-use disposable stencils to transfer the tattoo design onto the skin;

• use single-use, clean and sterile needles;

• use only unused pigments and trays;

• do not add the ingredient para-phenylenediamine (PPD) or hair dye to their ink;

• cover the tattoo with a non-stick bandage when it is finished;

• dispose of razors and needles in the proper biomedical waste containers;

• explain the tattooing process in detail and provide instructions on how to properly care for tattoo(s) at home; and

• will deny patrons service if they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Because tattooing needles break the skin, complications can occur:

• Your teen can get an infection at the site of the tattoo, causing pain, redness and swelling. While your skin is healing, dirt and bacteria can get under the skin. Your teen can avoid infections by keeping the tattoo site clean. If the site does become infected, antibiotic medications can help treat the area.

• Your teen could get a blood infection such as HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C. This is usually from contaminated tattooing equipment. You can help protect your teen by making sure their hepatitis B and tetanus vaccines are up to date.

• Your teen might have an allergic reaction. Although rare, it is possible to be allergic to the pigments used in tattoo ink. It is also possible to develop an allergic reaction to tattoos your teen has had for years.

• Tattoos can cause scarring or overgrowth of scar tissue (keloids). If you know your teen’s body is prone to keloids, you should probably avoid tattoos.

• Tattoos can cause areas of inflammation (granulomas), which are nodules that form around material that your teen’s body thinks is foreign (like tattoo pigment).

Get more content like this by signing up for the AboutKidsHealth newsletter, a free monthly newsletter that provides trusted information and advice from SickKids experts on everyday health matters. Whether you’re looking for tips on how to build resiliency with your kids, how to safely remove a splinter, or how best to talk to your teens about tattoos, the AboutKidsHealth newsletter is a credible source of everyday health information and advice, delivered straight to your inbox. Don’t miss out! Sign up today at www.aboutkidshealth.ca.

Disclaimer This content was produced as part of a partnership and therefore it may not meet the standards of impartial or independent journalism.

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