Body piercing and tattoos is not a rarity. It has taken the form of a trend. According to a survey conducted by Pew Research Center, 36 percent of the teens have tattoos. Most parents, which might include you as well, do not approve of the change this big. This is not exactly the right way to approach or handle this sort of a thing. You must talk to your kids about tattoo and piercing risks so that they take an informed decision.

Talk About It

It is very important to have a face to face conversation with teens about body piercing and getting tattoos. You have to make sure that they understand the whole procedure. Fran Walfish, a renowned psychiatrist, is of the view that parents should not overreact. Instead, they should listen to youngsters’ point of view. Ask them following questions to know the reason behind their attraction to tattoos and body piercing:

• Why do you want a tattoo or body piercing?
• What does it mean to you?

Russell Hyken, author of The Parent Playbook, encourages parents to find the root cause behind this decision as it will help them discover the unknown side of their kid. Some kids want it to strengthen their friendship, others see it a way to relieve stress and anger. Some go this far just to seek love and attention from their parents or to overcome the identity crisis. If you feel that this is something that means a lot to your kid and that he is fully ready to go through the whole process, then you should accept their decision with an open heart. This leads us to the next point.

Take Preventive Measures

Now when you have allowed your kid to get a tattoo or get their body pierced, make sure the parlor or salon they are going to has a good repute. It is strongly recommended that you check everything beforehand in order to avoid any problem afterwards. Make sure:

• that the salon is registered;
• uses sterilized equipment;
• has an experienced and professional staff;
• uses disposable piercing needles.

Take Care of the Wound

The wound takes some days to completely heal, so you must advise your kid to take an extra bit of care, especially during the first few days. Most of the parlors suggest applying a weak saline solution on the wound to avoid any allergic reaction. It can be prepared by mixing sea salt in lukewarm water.

Do not worry about what people say and think about your kid’s tattoo or body piercing. Give a similar lesson to your teen. There is nothing wrong with getting a tattoo or body piercing as long as it is done in a safe manner.