Body piercing and tattooing are increasingly popular in today's society. But if not done safely, body art can cause serious health risks. Both hepatitis B and C have been associated with these activities.
When the skin is broken, as in tattooing and piercing, viruses and germs can easily get into the body. HIV, hepatitis and other infections may be picked up from unsafe tattooing and piercing practices.
Statistics show more than one third of youth will consider getting tattooed. This practice represents a health risk. Piercings carry the risk of bacterial infection and hepatitis B and C. Hepatitis B and C pose such a concern that the U.S. and Canadian Blood Services will not accept blood donations from anyone who has been pierced or tattooed within the previous 12 months.
Please click on the following for more information:
Safe Tattooing
Safe Body Piercing
Safe Tattooing Checklist (Acrobat PDF document
64 KB)
Safe Body Piercing Checklist (Acrobat PDF document
67 KB)
Tattooing and Piercing Make It Safe Brochure (Acrobat PDF document 290 KB)
