Adolescents and tattoos: marks of identity or deviancy?

Abstract

Are tattoos on adolescents only gang-related? Not according to this study with 105 tattooed adolescents; 69% were high school students with A or B grades. Of the other 537 teenagers who participated in this study in five suburban high schools and one large urban school district, over a third are considering tattooing. Understanding rationale and risks, as well as concerns if they later request laser therapy removal, is important for dermatology nurses.