What are the risks?
Both tattooing and body piercing are forms of body art that involve penetration of the skin with a needle. Any piercing equipment used during tattooing or piercing that is contaminated with someone else’s blood could allow a blood borne virus (BBV) such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV to be transmitted to you. Before you choose who to get your body art from make sure your body artist can answer yes to all of the items on this safety checklist.
How to minimise risk
Body Piercings
Body piercings are holes in different parts of the body (for example, ear lobes, nose, eyebrow) made so jewellery can be worn. The holes are made with a piercing needle or stud gun.
Stud guns are designed for ear lobes only. Do not allow anyone to use a stud gun to pierce another part of your body for which it is not designed.
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 with parental or legal guardian consent
- carry out non-intimate body piercing (such as belly button but apart from ears) 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.
How to minimise risk
Tattoos:
Tattoos are permanent ink designs on the skin. They are made with coloured inks which are injected under the skin with a tattooing needle. This also includes cosmetic tattooing, such as eyeliner and lip lining which may also be advertised as permanent make-up.
It is against the law in Western Australia to:
- tattoo or brand any part of the body of a person under 16 years of age
- tattoo or brand any part of the body of a person aged over 16 years of age (but under 18 years of age) without the written consent of their parent/guardian for a specific tattoo or brand on a specific part of the person's body.
An operator can go to jail or be fined for illegally branding or tattooing a minor.
What is in tattoo ink?
Studies have found that some tattoo ink may contain toxic chemicals, heavy metals, bacteria and fungi. These ingredients can cause allergic reactions in some people, and some chemicals might have long-term health effects. Bacteria and fungi can cause serious infections.
You should tell the tattoo artist if you are allergic to anything before getting a tattoo. If you are unsure ask if the studio will do a patch test with the dyes before you have the full procedure.
