Belly Piercing/Tattoo

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I have a 14-year-old travelling through the minefield called adolescence. She wants her belly button pierced (absolutely not) and a tattoo (absolutely not). But just FMI - has anyone seen or had experience with health problems associated with belly botton piercing? Also, has anyone ever heard of a "six-month tattoo?"

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shavsha.....I'm not trying to 'butt-in' here, but I would say......chill alittle.....in a nice way:cool: I have raised 5....2 boys and 3 girls. All of my girls wanted their belly-buttons pierced and I let them. Really no different than their ears, in regards to health issues. You take care of it with soap/h2o....it will be ok. I actually had mine pierced for a couple of years (my jeans kept rubbing and I took it out).

As for the tattoo????? Got them too. No, I'm not some 'biker-looking momma' although I do ride a harley:chuckle All of my 5 have tattoos. Our oldest son (25) works at a tattoo/body piercing salon. I would rather he find another 'profession', but he makes good money and doesn't come here to borrow $$

One of my daughters has a cute little butterfly next to her belly-button.

I'm not saying to allow this, as you have your own convictions, but I do know as a Mom of 5 and a former youth pastor/counselor, the more you 'harp' on this....it could propell your daughter to have these things done without your consent.

Yes, there are laws regarding age, but not all salons comply with that law. Plus, I've heard of 'friends' assisting with these things. From a nursing prospective, I've not seen any health complications with either of these procedures. If you follow the instructions given to you....proper cleansing and caring for them daily, you will NOT have any problems.

This is a 'fad' for our kids today. Remember when you were young and there was something YOU wanted at that age?? Did your parents stop you?? Just something to think about. Do talk with your daughter and talk about the tattoo...it is a perm. piece of artwork on your body. It is also alittle painful.

Don't just 'say NO' and leave it at that. Talk with her. Keep the communication open and that way, you won't have any 'suprises' later on.

Good luck!!

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Shavsha, I am an LPN student from PA, I have 3 tattoos and love all of them, as far as a "6 month tatoo" i've never heard of them. I know that there are "hanna" tattoos that last about 6 weeks.. there applied with no puncture of the skin, they are all one color (a reddish brown)...as far as the belly ring, they take 6 months to heal, and localized infections of the site is very common, i know of 4 people that have got them(which is a big OUCH) and have taken them out before they were completely healed, they can leave scars. Has your daughter see them do a belly ring?? That might just change her mind.. hope that this helped.. MACAIR

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I agree with the other posters that this is a fad. But in all honesty, aren't there much worse things your daughter could be doing? And if she's gonna do it, she's gonna do it. Wouldn't you rather be aware of it, be involved, make sure it's done safely?

I would definately explain to her the whole "it's permanent" argument (for tattoos). Tell her to decide what she wants, a concrete decision. Then give her a waiting period. Like, I'm talking a whole year, or 2. See if in that time she changes her mind about the design, or about placement, or about the whole thing all together.

As for the belly button piercing, I'd let her do it. That too is a fad, only it's not permanent. We've all wanted to look like our teen idols. It used to be their hair, or their clothes. Britney Spears just upped the ante by piercing her belly button. She'll either take really good care of it and never have any problems with it and it will probably look really cute on her little 16 year old body, or it will get irritated (as it often does in such a place) and it will come out. I don't think a belly button piercing is a really big deal.

In fact, I'd let her get the belly button done, maybe that will curb the tattoo idea for awhile!

On a side note, I've done both. Had the belly button done, but took it out when I started showing with my son. Didn't get it redone because, well, the conditions weren't "perfect" for it again. In my opinion, tight beautiful abs are the only place for a belly button piercing! And I do have a tattoo. It's on the back of my left shoulder. Nobody sees it unless I'm in my bra, swimsuit, tank top, or birthday suit. It's a rose with initials by it, both my hubby's and my son's initials. I don't regret it.

Good luck to you shavsha!

Heather

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Okay, just my 2 cents, I personally hate tatoos on women I think they look slutty but again this is my opinion. As for your daughter I too have a 14 year old and tatoos and piercings are out of the question. As long as my kids live with me they follow my rules once they pay their own way the choices are theirs and hopefully by then the fad will pass. At least my 2 never asked for the above but if they knew I hated it so much they probably would.

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Specializes in Hospice/Homehealth/Homecare.

In many states, it is illegal to get a tattoo, even with parental permission until after the age of 18. I have 5 (so far) and will continue to add to the canvas that is my body. One draw back is that many hospitals/bloodbanks do not allow you to donate if you have been tattooed within the last year. I am in favor of waiting for adolescents because it costs thousands of dollars to remove them if you change your mind. I elected to get them in viewable as well as unviewable areas even though I have to wear a lab coat when I wear short sleeves at work. This was my choice and I don't regret it. My professional life is my professional life and my personal life is another matter. About piercing--for an adolescent to have a piercing done is more risky because of the infection potential. I have seen so many kids with infected ears from earrings that the thought of belly piercing on this group makes me cringe. I totally agree with Macair--taking her and making her watch someone else getting pierced may be a great deterrant.

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My daughter is 15 and recently got her belly button pierced. She has been asking to do this since February. At first I told her no, but after thinking about it she and I made a deal. First, she had to pay for it with her own money. Second, I got to pick the place where she had it done. What I did not want her to do was go behind my back to a place that did not adhere to infection control and aseptic/sterile techniques. I chose where she went to get it done, they let me watch, so I feel better about it since I know it was done with appropriate cleanliness. I check the site daily for s/s of infection.

Linda

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Hi Shavsha,

I don't have either, but I know of many people who have one, the other, or both.

As far as the belly button ring I will tell you this story. My cousin got a "barbell" tongue ring. A few weeks later she was put in the hospital because she was very sick - high fever, delirious, no appetite. The hosp. did a CT, basic blood work, the works and couldn't figure out what was wrong with her. It wasn't an infection and so they thought perhaps it was something much worse. Anyway, she was in and out of the hospital for about a week when they finally did another blood test that showed she was having an allergic reation to the Nickel in the tongue ring.

Took out the ring and low and behold she was healthy again.

I don't know if it's possible to have a reaction like that with a belly button ring but it is something to think about.

Also, I have known a number of people who have gotten belly button rings and have really bad problems with it getting infected right after they get it. I understand it is very painful if it gets infected and can take a while for it to heel.

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Hey Everybody,

Well this is my first post but I've been a lurker for awhile. Just so you all know....im going into my first year of nursing school this fall and I'm extremely excited. Anyway about this whole tattoo/piercing topic. I think piercings are fine to get. I personally had to go behind my mom's back and get my belly button and tongue done. Shes fine now w/ the belly button but still cant stand the tongue ring. I got it b/c I like the looks of both...not b/c it was "the cool thing to do". Moms-no matter how hard you try, your kids are most likely gonna do what they want to do. Let them learn from their mistakes. So far I dont regret what I've done. I've had no infections and when I feel that I dont want my piercings anymore, I'll take them out. I dont have any tattoos nor do i desire any....i dont want anything permanent. Just a quick question for all you nurses.....have you heard of any rules against visible body piercings? My tongue ring isnt all that visible unless I'm laughing with my mouth wide open:chuckle My mom is a nurse and thinks that I wont be allowed to work w/ patients if I have it in. Any info would be great! Thanks!

~kerry~

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Originally posted by WashYaHands

My daughter is 15 and recently got her belly button pierced. She has been asking to do this since February. At first I told her no, but after thinking about it she and I made a deal. First, she had to pay for it with her own money. Second, I got to pick the place where she had it done. What I did not want her to do was go behind my back to a place that did not adhere to infection control and aseptic/sterile techniques. I chose where she went to get it done, they let me watch, so I feel better about it since I know it was done with appropriate cleanliness. I check the site daily for s/s of infection.

Linda

This is a very good idea that I had in my head and was trying to find a way to say it. Although I've never had my belly button pierced, I would think about it if my belly button was belly button piercing material. :rotfl:

After my divorce, I did have my tongue pierced...for NO other reason than I just always wanted it done. I was very particular about it too, because the last thing you want is your tongue to become infected. Since I paid $60 to have it done, the condition was to keep it for at least a year, and then decide what to do. It got on my nerves and I took it out at 11 months. I was in my late 20's when I did this, and even then my Mother said, "don't tell your Father!" :chuckle: Daddy noticed at Thanksgiving when I was talking to him. He just gave me THE "look". I took it out the next year for Father's Day. :rotfl:

I even have a small tattoo on my ankle - which I paid for and followed the letter of the law in the healing process. Of course my Mother, once again....was livid at what I had done. She's so funny. I like my tattoo, but want to turn it into something else, and still keep it small. As small as it is, I was amazed at how this lady noticed it at work when I had a dress on and black hose!!! I'm like, what are you doing looking at my ankle??? I asked a guy this same question last year when he noticed my tattoo.

I would let your daughter get her belly button pierced, following Linda's ideas up at the top. I would say no to the tattoo, in the event she gets older and regrets getting it done. She can always take the piercing out.

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Originally posted by kcsunshyn8

Just a quick question for all you nurses.....have you heard of any rules against visible body piercings?

My hospital won't allow any visible piercings. This is where I start to show that I'm getting older, but I have to agree.

If I were in the hospital, and my nurse walked in and as she's talking I can hear that big barbell through her tongue clanking around, I would tell her to turn around and walk her a** right back out of my room.

I'm all for everyone expressing their individuality, and that it's the cool thing to do now, but what happened to being accountable for how you are perceived, and maintaining a sense of pride in your proffesionalism?

I'm not saying a nurse with visible piercings can't be a good nurse, she just won't be my nurse.

Heather

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"If I were in the hospital, and my nurse walked in and as she's talking I can hear that big barbell through her tongue clanking around, I would tell her to turn around and walk her a** right back out of my room."

Mine makes no sound whatsoever.....I know what you're talking about but I've gotten used to talking with it since I've had it for almost two years now. And if people are going to judge me b/c of one piercing, then oh well. I just think people need to b more open minded today. Times have changed and so have people.

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