Minor Piercing Requirements
Georgia State Law requires that minors are accompanied by a Parent or LEGAL Guardian for piercings. Proper identification must be presented at the appointment and will be copied on consent per Health Department guidelines. Copies or photos of ANY ID/documents are not accepted. Failure to present proper identification at the appointment will result in forfeiture of deposit. No exceptions will be made on ID requirements.
PARENTS MUST BRING:
- YOUR valid photo ID. Passport, Military ID, State issued ID, or Drivers License
- Child’s birth certificate (original copy)
- Parent or guardians name must match on birth certificate. If not, supplemental documents must accompany it.
LEGAL GUARDIAN
- YOUR valid photo ID. Passport, Military ID, State issued ID, and Drivers license are all acceptable.
- LEGAL, current guardianship documents - expired documents are not valid.
- If any names differ on documents, name change documents must also be presented.
Any issues with these requirements can be directed to Susan, our local environmental health inspector. susan.wright@dph.ga.gov
Below are my age requirements for piercings. These requirements may be due to anatomy, growth phases, personal hygiene habits typical for age, healing times, and healing complexity.
- 4 mo+ - Earlobes only (first set)
- 10+ - 2nd set earlobes (2 piercings per appt, min 6 months apart)
- 12+ - 3rd set earlobes (2 piercings per appt, min 6 months apart)
- 14+ - standard helix, tragus, nostril, nasal septum
- 15+ - lips/ around mouth, daith, navel
- 16+ - eyebrow, rook, flat, forward helix, conch
- 18+ - tongue, industrial, surface tragus, nasal bridge, nipples/genitals
*Age 16+ can consent for themselves for EARLOBES ONLY and DO NOT require a present parent/guardian as long as they have a valid photo ID that proves their age.
Read below to learn more about my policies, process, and mindset:
Additional guests are not permitted into the studio. This includes infants/minors without a piercing appointment. Minors must be accompanied by ONE parent/guardian. Our studio is small and appointments are timed. I realize this may be difficult to coordinate for some, but it is non-negotiable studio policy. My aim is to allocate my time and focus to my scheduled client so that I may move onto my next without rushing or cutting corners. Aside from not having the space to accommodate extra guests, additional children tend to impede workflow, delay appointment, increase minor and parent anxiousness, and diminish the experience of other clients in waiting. We strive to make our environment as calm and enjoyable as possible for all of our guests. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
All piercings hurt. Every child experiences pain differently. While the ages above outline when I am willing to perform a piercing, it does not take into effect whether a child can tolerate it. I will never tell a child that a piercing does not hurt and neither should you. Instead, I opt for nurturing a trusting relationship through transparency. Deception tactics ("it won't hurt!") break trust and can make completing a second piercing extremely difficult, if not impossible. Pinch, pressure, sliding, click is what I will explain. I like to describe the sensation as a quick pinch followed by pressure and sliding and finishing by clicking on the end. It is your responsibility as a parent to decide if your child possesses the maturity and emotional bandwidth for a piercing.
Safety is my top priority. It is my job as the practitioner to discontinue services once safety is at risk to myself or my client. Children ages 5+ who escalate/withdraw consent may not be able to be pierced. I use parent assisted holds for ages 4 mos – 4 years, but will not pierce minors age 5+ whom withdraw consent. After 3 asks for consent after it has been withdrawn, piercing will no longer be performed and the appointment will conclude. Any unused jewelry will be charged, bagged and sent home with you and piercing fee will be charged to cover setup, supply waste, and time that cannot be used for another client.
Piercings require maintenance and care! Minors of any age (and sometimes adults) need help keeping their piercings clean. Be prepared for the time and financial commitment of cleaning regimens and follow up appointments.
SPORTS can interfere with healing and can increase risk of infection. Please consider healing time and plan piercings during off season.
Minor piercing is a personal choice between you and your child. I am happy to answer any questions not covered in this document, but please understand that my policies and procedures are not up for debate. Please direct them to candice@worthwhiletattoo.com. My goal is to educate so that you may move forward in confidence.