Children today are exposed to body art at a very early age. They have temporary tattoos as toys, and even Barbie almost had a butterfly tattoo until parents objected. It depends on how and where it's done and by who. Tattoos and piercings are done in studios, but they're also frequently done in flea markets, concerts, house fronts, cars, and vans. It's not unusual for adolescents to pierce or tattoo themselves or their friends, especially younger students who don't have the resources or parental consent that most reputable artists require for anyone under the age of 18.
Students learn from their friends, the Internet, or just get very creative on their own.
Amateur brandings might be done with a red-hot coat hanger or paper clip. Amateur tattooing might be performed with crude instruments such as pencils, pens, and straight pins, using pigments such as charcoal or mascara. Branding and scarification are extremely dangerous practices, bordering on self-mutilation. Implanting is officially considered surgery and should never be done. Half of the states do not have health regulations governing tattooing, and only about 15 have regulated body piercing.