Glencoe Health ©2011

Introduction:
Many teens today wear tattoos or body piercings as a way to make themselves stand out. Getting a piercing or a tattoo may seem like a cool way to express your individuality. However, as you learned in this lesson, piercing and tattooing and tattooing also carry health risks. For teens who are considering tattooing or piercing, the Web site below has more information about these risks and what you can do to protect yourself.

Links to Explore:
Tattoos and piercings: What to know beforehand
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tattoos-and-piercings/MC00020

Directions:

• Click on the link and read the fact sheet on tattooing and piercing.
• Then answer the following questions:

1			Identify five health risks associated with tattoos.
2			What special steps should a person take to protect recently tattooed skin?
3			Identify five health risks associated with body piercing.
4			What steps should be taken to protect a new skin piercing?
5			Why are piercing guns unsafe?
6			List three things to check for when choosing a place to have a piercing or a tattoo done.