Heaps of people are getting body piercings and tattoos these days. Getting a piercing or tattoo can definitely make a statement about who you are.
But before you do it (and along with everything else you need to think about): remember that with any kind of tattoo or piercing, there is always a risk of infection from a blood-borne virus (BBV).
Body Piercings
Body piercings are holes in different parts of the body (for eg, ear lobes, nose, eyebrow) made so jewellery can be worn. The holes are made with a piercing needle or gun.
It is against the law in Western Australia to:
- carry out intimate body piercing (nipples, genitals, anal area, perineum) on a person under 18 years of age, even if you have parental or legal guardian consent
- carry out non intimate body piercing (apart from ears) (such as belly button) on a person under 18 years of age without written parental or legal guardian consent
- carry out piercing on the ears of a person under 16 years of age without parental or legal guardian consent .
An operator can go to jail or be fined for illegally piercing a minor.
Tattoos
Tattoos are permanent ink designs on the skin. They are made with coloured inks put under the skin with a tattooing needle which penetrates the skin to apply the ink.
It is against the law in Western Australia to tattoo or brand a person under the age of 18 without the written consent of their parent/guardian. An operator can go to jail or be fined for illegally branding or tattooing a minor.
Regardless of the reason to get some kind of body art, there are definitely certain things to consider first. Tattoos can be removed, but this is very expensive and your skin will never be the same. Body piercings can leave a scar.
