Homemade Tattoos In Middle School Concern Parents

Homemade Tattoos In Middle School Concern Parents
October 20, 2010
Liz Palka
digtriad.com

Rockingham County, NC -- Some Triad middle school students are giving themselves tattoos and it has parents very concerned.

One Rockingham County Middle School parent said that kids are using an electric toothbrush with a needle on the top to create the homemade tattoo. The "jailhouse tattoo" is created by dipping the needle in ink from a ball point pen.

If not done properly, tattoos can lead to some serious health concerns. According to the Mayo Clinic, there's a risk for bloodborne diseases like Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Tetanus and HIV. They can also cause skin infections and other skin irritation.

A Rockingham County Schools spokeswoman said they're aware the students are doing this, but it is happening off campus. She said their eyes are open to anything suspicious happening at school.

Local tattoo artist, Houston Black, said this type of activity is not just common at Western Rockingham; it's at many other middle schools as well.

Black, who works at Jolly Rogers Tattoo in Greensboro, went to Western Rockingham County Middle School in the late 90s. He remembers kids giving each other tattoos when he was there. He said he knew early on he wanted to be a tattoo artist, so when he was in middle school, he would draw the pictures for other kids.

Now that he's in the tattoo business, he wants young kids to know, "You're messing yourself up for life."

Tattoo shops have strict health regulations they need to follow. From disinfecting the chairs, to washing hands for two minutes, to sterilizing the tools, tattoo shops take many precaustions.

Tatto artist Jeff Ketison said the needle, electric tooth brush and ball point pen ink some middle school students are using, puts everyone getting the tattoos at risk.

Ketison adds, "It's really easy to get all kinds of diseases if you don't know what you're doing."

"The only way to be a tattoo artist is to know what you're really doing," said Black. "Take the time to go and learn it."

Black said kids need to wait until they're 18 to get a tattoo. They need to think about how they want to permanently change their skin.

Homemade tattoos break several laws according to health officials. It's against the law for someone to give a minor a tattoo, and it's also against the law to give someone a tattoo if you're not licensed.

Parents are encouraged to take their kids to the doctor if they find an illegal tattoo.