Most states in the United States allow teens between the ages of 14 and 18 to have body piercings with parental permission. Some states do not need a parent to be present for the piercing, while others require at least written consent or the parent to be present with the adolescent for the piercing procedure. The decision to get a piercing should be made by talking with your child about the risks and benefits of getting one. Body piercings are permanent modifications to the body that allow jewelry to be worn underneath the skin. There are several reasons why someone might want to get a piercing. For example, people often get earrings pierced as an initial step toward getting a full set of earrings later. Other common body piercings include nose rings, tongue rings, and labret pendants. Piercing guns vary in size and style, but they all work on the same principle: pressure from a sharp object pushes the metal through the skin until it stops moving. This process is called "placing" the piercing. After placing the piercing, the needle is removed from the skin and blood flows freely once again. A sterilized tool is then used to pull the needle out of the wound. Sometimes a small piece of jewelry is placed in the hole left behind to serve as a reminder of the piercing. People often ask if it is safe for teens to get tattoos.