A Reader is worried about her youngsters wanting a body tattoo

A reader is seeking comments from others regarding tattoos - see Readers Letters.

The following is from internet sources:

A tattoo is a form of body modification where a design is made by inserting ink, dyes and pigments, either indelible or temporary, into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. The art of making tattoos is tattooing. 

Tattoos fall into three broad categories: purely decorative (with no specific meaning); symbolic (with a specific meaning pertinent to the wearer); pictorial (a depiction of a specific person or item). Tattoos have historically been regarded in the West as 'uncivilised', and over the last 100 years the fashion has been associated mainly with sailors, working men and criminals. By the end of the 20th century, many Western stigmas of the tattoo culture had been dismissed, and the practice has become more acceptable and accessible for people of all trades and levels of society.

Source: Wikipedia

Tattooing and the Law

It is illegal to tattoo young people under the age of 18.

You must be at least 18 years before you can have a tattoo; it is illegal for anyone to have a tattoo under 18 even with parental consent.

Tattooists must register with the local authority 

The local authority keeps a record of all registered tattooists and issue registration certificates. This certificate must be on display, if the tattooist is not displaying this, the likelihood is they are not registered.