Sometimes they aren't happy with the outcome. The State of Oregon's Health Licensing Office is launching a statewide education effort this spring to inform teens about the health risks involved with getting a tattoo or body piercing. Body piercing and tattooing is gaining in popularity throughout Oregon. The Health Licensing Office statistics show a five percent increase in the number of licensed tattoo or piercing facilities in the state between 1999 and 2000, and a nine percent jump in the number of licensed body piercing technicians. A national study performed in 1995 indicated that nine percent of sampled adolescents had a tattoo, and 55 percent of the sample group stated that they wanted to obtain a tattoo.
Weeks says the campaign places the decision making process on young people and their parents.
We came up with the name for the campaign based on the reality that many teens and young adults want to get a piercing or tattoo. We're not going to say 'don't do it' because we would like an informed decision to occur. We're also going to educate people about what is and is not legal for piercing and tattooing in Oregon. If you are under 18, parental consent is required in Oregon to get a body piercing, whether that is an earlobe or any other part of the anatomy. Under no circumstances can someone under 18 obtain a genital or nipple piercing.