Annoyed Sibling

LegacyUser

I just found out today that my 13 year old sister has gone and got a tattoo done. I'm very annoyed at both her and the tattoo artist who did this. She's 13 for god's sake, not 16/17 where you might think she looks over 18.

I'm wondering two things, is there anyone I can report this tattoo studio to?

Also secondly should I tell our mother about the tattoo? I know she's going to find out eventually but I don't want to betray my sister's trust but at the same time I don't want my mother getting annoyed I knew and said nothing.

username123

As far as I know there is no LEGAL age restriction in Ireland for a tattoo - although most places would insist on the person being 18 or have parental consent. Perhaps ask the guards?

Its a very very silly thing for your sister to have done. Her body is not even finished growing so the tattoo is going to look ridiculous in even 10 years time. She will more than likely be facing expensive and painful laser treatment to get rid off it.

How on earth did she find a willing tattoo artist? How did she afford it - tattoos are expensive??

As for telling your mother - hard call, she is going to find out somehow, someday anyway? Although I would be inclined to think yes - tell her, your sister is a young minor. Perhaps the telling off that ensues might dissuade her from future body modification until she is old enough to be making responsible decisions.

Where is it and how big is it - how likely is it that your mother will see it anyway over the next few days/weeks?

labradoodlelady

Tough call.

Out of curiosity, where is the tatoo? Is it somewhere your Mum is likely to notice? Are you sure it's real, and not a henna tatoo?

I think you would be better off to say it to her. She will find out eventually anyway. Plus, a child of that age is bound to show her friends, one of whom will undoubtedly tell their parents and/or it could be seen at school/doctors check up.

I also think that because of her age, you ought to tell your Mum who can determine the appropriate action.

I am not aware of any minimum age for tatooing or of any regulatory body that you could report to. Agree with the previous poster, running it past the guards might not be a bad idea. 13 is way way too young for a tatoo in my opinion and there is no way a tatoo artist should be permitted to tatoo a child of that age.

I would be a bit concerned, that if a tatoo artist is unscrupulous enough to tatoo a child of 13, then could there be a risk that his studio isn't the most hygienic, to say the least?

Esoteric_

It's a tough call, but I would tell your mother mainly because of something another poster pointed out - if the place is dodgy enough to tattoo a 13 year old child, who knows whether they even have regulatory hygiene rules being followed? She will probably need blood tests to make sure the needle wasn't contaminated or anything like that. For her safety, tell your mother.

As for reporting them, I don't know if there is a legal age for tattoos, but I would assume that there is SOME regulation in place, otherwise why would all tattoo places require you to be over 18, considering how many 15-16 year olds want tattoos? I doubt tattoo studios are rejecting those customers based on their own morals, let's be realistic here! I was asked for ID when I got tattooed, a month before my 20th birthday, and I don't look much younger than my age!

Jennypops

There is no legislation in place governing the age for tattoos/piercings. So indeed it is down to the studios 'morals' when they state they only tattoo over 18s.
Of course there are studios who will tattoo anyone without bothering to check for id or indeed caring what age someone is and until there is legislation put in place this will continue to happen. Most tattoo and piercing studios want this legislation put in place precisely to prevent this kind of thing happening, one dodgy studio gives a bad name in a lot of peoples eyes and makes people think that every tattoo artist is just in it for the money and has no morals.

jimmycrackcorm

I wouldn't tell your mother for the simple reason that it's too late now. Your mother will find out anyway and it's not like your sister is going out to get another any time soon.

Telling your mother serves no purpose now and you'll break your sisters trust for when she may really need to tell you something important in the future.

Morag

Tatoos are considered the same as injections or surgery and you have consent as an adult or if a monior an adult has to consent. Tell you parents and you can make a complaint against the tatoo parlour.

Jennypops

There is NO legal age restriction, I wish people would inform themselves before throwing out incorrect information.

To the OP, your mam will find out eventually, and I suppose I would rather keep my sisters confidence but I do believe that any shops that are tattooing underage people (and you stated that its not like she even looks of age) my concern would be the overall hygiene in the studio.

username123

Sharrow wrote: »

Tatoos are considered the same as injections or surgery and you have consent as an adult or if a monior an adult has to consent.

Absolute rubbish. The law in Ireland has not caught up with regulating the tattoo industry yet. Its the wild west, anyone can tattoo anyone, regardless of age.

LegacyUser

HI,

I don't think i would tell, if its done now then its done and your mother is going to find out soon enough. Your sister will get in trouble and suffer the consequences from your parents, i don't think you need to get involved as well, if it was me i would prefer to have my sister trust me to come talk to me, if she sees you as another mother figure then you might loose some sisterly closeness.

lace

Hi OP! You should try to find out where she got this tattoo. If it was a proper tattoo shop then they will have their own regulations and age limit (well - most places do) and you'll be able to complain to management. It may not have been a proper shop though - lots of people just buy a gun and do it freelance - and if this is the case then there's not much you can do apart from find them and give them a good telling off. Going to the guards would be no harm just to see if there's anything they can do to help you.

As for telling your mother - I definitely would, if it were me. But only after I'd found out who did the tattoo. I know you don't want to betray your sister's trust but she's only a child and shouldn't be keeping secrets like this from your mother anyway. An irresponsible stranger has just marked her 13-year-old daughter for life - she has a right to know. Being the girl's guardian, she'll also be in a better position to make complaints or seek advice about how to handle this.

!!!

I'd usually be the one to say "don't dare tell your mother!!!!!!" but I got a tattoo when I was 14, (now covered-up with a real, amazing tattoo!) so it is possible. I wish I hadn't of got it. My mother didn't know for a year! But I was thinking about getting another one... maybe your sister is too, so if you're mother scares the hell out of her then she won't get another one = no extra regrets in 3 years time.

calex71

People are correct re: the law but my god what kind of gob****e tattoos a 13 year old?

I'd have half a mind to tell you to kick up a fuss and inform media etc just to have the place closed down but then I'd think of the consequences for your sister!!!

Honestly it's done now OP and it;s there like it or not, so telling your mum isn't going to achieve much.