Body art

Your body art will only be as good as the artist you go to, and how well you care for it while it heals. This is important as body art creates an open wound that is prone to infection.

If your body art is not done hygienically, by a professional artist, you could suffer nerve damage, scarring or infections. Find out more about the potential risks of body art.

Be sure to choose someone who has extensive experience working in the body art industry.

We strongly recommend that any type of body art is performed by reputable and professional artists working in established studios with high standards of infection control. Don’t be afraid to ask about their methods of infection control.

Tattoos

Tattoos are permanent designs on the skin. They are made with coloured inks injected under the skin using a machine called a tattoo gun.

Think before you ink.

A tattoo should be considered permanent. Although tattoos can be removed, it is expensive and your skin may never be the same, as often ink remnants still remain.

Cosmetic tattooing (permanent makeup)

Cosmetic tattooing (including eye and lip-lining) is most commonly performed in beauty salons and may be advertised as permanent makeup rather than tattooing.

If you are thinking of having one of these procedures, remember cosmetic styles change and although the work will fade over time, it is a permanent procedure.

If you choose to go ahead with the procedure, make sure the body artist meets health and safety requirements. Make sure that a new sterile needle is attached to the tattooing machine in your presence. Do not agree to a procedure if the needle is already in place as it may not be sterile or may have been used on someone else.

Temporary tattoos

Reactions to temporary tattoos and henna tattoos have been reported. People with sensitive skin or with any skin conditions such as eczema, or with known allergies, should avoid temporary tattoos including henna tattoos. 

Henna tattoos should appear brown to orange. Particularly tourist spots overseas often mix toxic substances with the henna to make it appear black. "Black henna" is toxic and should be avoided.

Body piercings

Traditionally body piercings were limited to ears, tongues, and lips – places that could be pierced right through. Now, with advancements in the piercing industry, piercings can be placed virtually anywhere.

Body piercing can result in scarring, which can remain long after jewellery is removed. Oral piercings, such as tongue studs, pose serious dental health risks. Speak to your dentist for more information.

Beading

Beading – also known as three dimensional body art – involves cutting open the skin and inserting stainless steel or silicone implants (such as rings, beads and other jewellery) beneath it.

Scarification

Scarification involves cutting the skin with surgical tools or a laser to create scar tissue.

Branding

Branding involves using heated surgical steel (hot branding) or dry ice (cold branding) to leave a permanent scar or mark on the skin.

Under the Children and Community Services Act 2004 (external site) it is illegal to:

• tattoo or brand a person under 18 without written consent of the parent or legal guardian
• carry out intimate body piercing (nipples, genitals or anal area) on a person under 18 even if you have parental or legal guardian consent
• carry out non-intimate body piercing (such as belly button) on a person under 18 without written parental or legal guardian consent
• pierce the ears of a person under 16 without parental or legal guardian consent.

An operator can face imprisonment or be fined for illegally branding, tattooing or piercing a person under the legal age.