Belly Piercing/Tattoo

NurseGirlKaren · Jun 24, 2002

I'm no expert on the subject, but I think I heard about a continuing problem with bloodborne illnesses with tattoos. Even though the tattoo needles that they use are single use only, they all go into the same pot of dye from one customer to the next, increasing the risk for pathogen transmission.

Just something to think about.

Karen

CashewLPN, LPN · Jun 24, 2002

hmm.... 5 tattoos.... L shoulder, L mid-back,back of my neck, just below my neck, and, my R LE

in my ears, I am just wearing one pair of cbr's(they're 22g,3/8" hoops... nice and tiny) about 1/2 way up my ears.... and, then, I have the single little piercing in the lobe....

nastiest infection was a project piercing in the L ear.... eventuaslly took it out....

I'mplanning on another tattoo (another huge dragon....)

on my lower back....

My tats arent too visable at work (the larger ones are visible through my whites)

my hair is dark flame red. the patients dont c/o... then again, I wear it in a long braid down my back..

i am 21 years old... I've been a nurse since 9/99...

I can be a little avant guarde.... but, its cool...

I do my work, and play when it can be done...

but, when I do work.. I work just as hard as the 20 year veterans...

colorfully yours...

barbara....

Nurse Ratched, RN · Jun 24, 2002

nursejws -

No pain beyond the initial poke - a little tenderness in the first couple of weeks but no more so than ears, really. Plus, you've got your bra to hold them still lol. No oral contact for at least the first month (risk of infection.)

If you go that route, I would recommend barbells versus rings. Rings tend to migrate out more easily and once healed you can swap out a for a ring if you have a barbell, but not easily vice versa.

live4today, RN · Jun 24, 2002

Fourteen year old teenagers are at the age of dealing with an explosive amount of hormones and indecision, trying to FIND themselves, connecting with their peers and DISconnecting from their parents...wavering back and forth between the two. One minute they are 'all grown up', and the next they are crying for Mommy. :rolleyes: No way are they EMOTIONALLY MATURE enough to make a decision about what is or isn't a permanent lifetime fixture on their bodies, let alone in their lives. So, if parents allow a child this age to go ahead with a tattoo and body piercing, be prepared to be blamed for any permanent consequences they may suffer due to the tattoos and/or body piercings. They may blame you long after they are adults saying "Why did you let me do this to myself? You know I wasn't old enough to know what lifetime damage this might cause, or how having them would affect my ego or lifestyle now?" :chuckle

It does NOT matter how INTELLIGENT OR BOOK SMART they are, what matters is their level of emotional (and social) maturity. How clean do they keep themselves? Do you have to constantly tell them they need a bathe AND a heavy dose of deodorant? Does their bedroom smell like a pig sty? Do they ACT like toddlers still or are they accountable and responsible for their personal belongings, keeping up with appointments on their own, timely in making those appointments, organized in their work...???

Based on the above factors and how you answer them in regards to your own child, that should be the determining factor in whether they are READY to take on being responsible for body piercings and tattoos.

If you let them have a tatto or body piercing, are you going to have to be the one "babysitting" when they clean it, did they clean it, etc., or are they responsible enough to take care of these tasks without you babying them through the process?

I raised three daughters who have their ears pierced (only by the pediatrician...so had to pay much $$$ for them to get them done). If the doctor didn't do them, their father would NOT permit them to be pierced. AFTER two of my daughters turned 18, left home and joined the military, they got a tiny tattoo on their body...a rose on the wrist of one...it's cute...and the other daughter put one where I ordinarily would NOT have ever seen it, had I NOT been present while she was in labor with my grandson. :eek: I wasn't too shocked with that particular child doing something like that...it was soooooo her! :rolleyes:

I have both ears pierced, but rarely wear earrings because I seem to be allergic to every type of jewelry EXCEPT the really expensive 100 percent gold earrings, which I can't afford, so....

I often wanted a tiny tattoo of an angel on my shoulder, but I'm too chicken to get one. My husband has a tattoo on his upper arm, he is military, but can't let it show while on duty.

Hope by my sharing my experience with this matter that it helps broaden the thought process for some parents on here when deciding whether to let your child be pierced or tatooed...or NOT! :)

LasVegasRN · Jun 24, 2002

Originally posted by cheerfuldoer
I often wanted a tiny tattoo of an angel on my shoulder, but I'm too chicken to get one.

Okay, that's it. When you get to Vegas we are going to get tatoos! (I may need to be in an inebriated state, but that's okay... )

Christian Nurse · Jun 24, 2002

I have a tattoo on the lower part of my back. I like it because I can conceal it when I'm at work and I can show it when I want. It's simple but elegant. It's a rose with some small vines. But I waited until I was out of my parents house to get it. Because I knew that my father wouldn't approve of it. So mom it's your decision. Just remeber if you give in to this it may start a trend! (ha,ha,ha) Just joking!

Oh by the way I don't think that tattoos on women look slutty. So for the person who said that (BadBird) you shouldn't make judgements like that. It's not like I'm walking around with my breast hanging out and my thong showing. It's comments like that, that will make a person, especially a child feel bad about themselves because of a personal decision. The tattoo doesn't make the person, it just enhaces them in a way that they want it too. So who are you to say anything different.

Huganurse · Jun 25, 2002

Hi shavsha, Never heard of 6 month tatoos, have heard of 6 week tatoos. Have also heard of problems r/t infection and others r/t reaction from type of metal used for ring or bar. You may think you can stop your teen from doing this but I would make my wager on the teen.

I will only agree to tatoos when they can be covered by clothing for my kids and encourage them to wait till they are 18 (to allow them opportunity later in the real world), but will drive them to a reputable parlor before I'd take the chance of them getting it done homemade or by someone who doesn't know what they are doing.

kewlnurse · Jun 25, 2002

Originally posted by NurseGirlKaren
I'm no expert on the subject, but I think I heard about a continuing problem with bloodborne illnesses with tattoos. Even though the tattoo needles that they use are single use only, they all go into the same pot of dye from one customer to the next, increasing the risk for pathogen transmission.

Just something to think about.

Karen

A good shop pours the ink from the main container into a disposable one. They NEVER stick the needle into the main can of ink. They place I got mine even showed me his autoclave, and he was/is a nurse (not practicing, makes 6 digits doing ink, ain't gonna make that as a nurse)

kids · Jun 25, 2002

Originally posted by NurseGirlKaren
I'm no expert on the subject, but I think I heard about a continuing problem with bloodborne illnesses with tattoos. Even though the tattoo needles that they use are single use only, they all go into the same pot of dye from one customer to the next, increasing the risk for pathogen transmission.

Just something to think about.

Karen

Not in a licensed tattoo shop...goes from a squirt bottle on to a paper or foam plate or single use ink cups.

kids · Jun 25, 2002

Lots of good info in them:

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8488&highlight=tattoo

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7753&highlight=tattoo

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10815&highlight=piercing

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13126&highlight=piercing

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11333&highlight=piercing

As a much tattooed and pierced person with 3 kids (21, 19, 17) ... my rules are pretty simple and they have never been broken, as long as you live under my roof:

>No tattoos until 18 (is a law here in WA)

>No piercings other than ears until I say you are old enough (personally I think 14 is to young for anything more than 2 holes in each ear).

>If I say NO (piercing or tattoo design) that ends the discussion

>I pick the piercer/tattoo artist.

17 yo has no tattoos and has his eye brow pierced- was his 17th BD present-from me, he never had the desire to do his ear(s).

19 & 21 yo have mult piercings and tattoos.

live4today, RN · Jun 25, 2002

Originally posted by LasVegasRN

Okay, that's it. When you get to Vegas we are going to get tatoos! (I may need to be in an inebriated state, but that's okay... )

Boy, won't that be fun...hiccup...hiccup...hiccup! :lol2: :rotfl:

semstr · Jun 25, 2002

14 year old daughter got her nose pierced for her birthday. I picked the piercingstudio and went with her. Taught her how to desinfect the hole and watched her do it. Till now (this was in April) no problem, she wears tiny little balls or sparklingstuds, no rings.

Next year she wants her belly button done. We'll have the same procedure as this year.

An abslolute No, No to mouth, lips and eyebrows, nor nipples or genital. (what is the fun of having your nipples or even worse clit pierced?)

And no tattoos before her 18 birthday.

I myself have earrings (2 on the left, 3 on the right) that's enough for me.

As comíng from an old sailor country, tattoos are for sailors and the "lightgirls" (my granny called them that), I know it's not true of course, but hey, I grew up with that.

Take care, Renee