Tattoo Laws and Regulations
The two main reasons for tattoo regulations are for health concerns and discrimination as many do not like or think tattoos are morally good. The health concerns can be valid if you do not go to a reputable tattoo artist, if the tattoo artist uses dirty needles or equipment you could contract Hepatitus, or HIV/AIDS, or any number of other blood borne diseases. Many are also concerned about the inks that are used in tattoos as their are few regulations and even less testing for the safety of the inks commonly used in tattoo parlors across the country. You would think with the national popularity of tattoos that more time would be given to testing safety of the inks for use under the skin of these inks that are not regualted or tested for use under the skin in many cases. Many cases have also been showing up with a blood borne bacteria that is drug resistant from tattoos not done by a reputable tattoo parlor.
Tattoos are now legal in all 50 states, Oklahoma was the last hold out state and made it legal in 2006, however in many states it is left up to local cities and counties to decide if you can get a tattoo at a local tattoo parlor rather than making it a state legal decision. To show you how much laws vary from place to place: some places tattoos are not regulated at all. some places you merely have to register with the state, while at other places you must pass inspection by state or local officials to even open a tattoo parlor. You should be careful as some state stop even requiring that tattoos artist be licensed. Tattoos laws vary as I mentioned and some states and localities regulate what type of tattoo you can get and where you can get them on your body, so check you local health department to understand your local regulations.
Tattoos laws range from having to be over 18 to get tattooed, some areas of the country you can not get tattoos on certain body parts or your face, one regulation which may be a good in some areas is not allowing tattoos when your drunk, some areas don’t allow tattoos of offensive or hateful words, some places you can only get tattooed in the tattoo parlor of the artist and not at your home or even at a tattoo expo. So once again to protect yourself and your rights check with the local health department to see what regulations are in place for tattoos where you live. Another good way to check local tattoo laws is to go to your states web site and search tattoo to see what regulations apply to you locally, and what regulations are in place to protect or to discriminate you. In some areas if you know a tattoo artist they will do tattoos that are not allowed or are not legal in their area but they are risking losing their tattoo license or even being prosecuted for breaking the law. Remember illegal tattoos or tattoos done at tattoo parties or unlicensed artist can be potentially fatal and dangerous to your health and safety. Despite the danger of getting tattoos from unlicensed artist many still do so as the illegal or outlaw idea is appealing to many though those who contract a blood borne infection or health concern later wish they had not done so.
Tattoos can be fun and sometimes very appealing if done properly and safe if done by a reputable tattoo artist. However if you still choose to get a tattoo by a unlicensed tattoo artist, or get a tattoo at at tattoo party, or let someone with a homemade tattoo gun remember that you are taking your safety and life into your own hands and could be very sorry that you do so for many years to come.
