How Old You Have to Be to Get a Tattoo

Tattoos have become a norm in Canada. As such, many teenagers are yearning to have their first tattoos.

Naturally, you’ll want to know how old you have to be as a teenager to get a tattoo. Tattoo laws in Canada depend on the region and province. Regions like Ontario and Alberta have regulations for tattoos but no specific age requirements for getting a tattoo.

Are you about to get your first tattoo? We’ll discuss the age requirements and other regulations for tattoos in Ontario.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Tattoo in Toronto

Eighteen years is the unofficial age for getting a tattoo in Toronto. Toronto has many laws regulating body adornments, including tattoos and piercings. But these laws don’t indicate a specific legal age to get a tattoo.

Instead, these laws focus on your safety by regulating the industry practices. Toronto authorities give renewable licenses to every legal tattoo studio.

Getting a tattoo has a psychological effect on you. So, tattoo studios in Toronto want to confirm that you’re an adult making the decision.

Here’s why tattoo shops regulate how old you have to be to get your first tattoo;

Understanding Danger

Tattoos are beautiful, but they carry their risks. Drawing a tattoo may cause irritations like a skin infection, allergies, and keloids. According to Healthline, tattoos can even contribute to hiding skin cancer.

A teenager may not understand the dangers that can come from tattoos. And sometimes, the side effects may not be the fault of the tattoo studio involved.

Picking Tattoo Studio

Another big problem teenagers will have when they want their first tattoo is choosing the proper studio. A good studio is critical to the success of the tattoo process. Standard tattoo studios won’t draw tattoos without parental consent for a teenager.

In addition, the studio should educate the teen about the risks and other factors involved in getting a tattoo.

The Process

The younger generation wants tattoos because of celebrities and people they love. Little do they know that drawing a tattoo comes with some pain. And this pain can last for more than a week.

The pain a tattoo will cause you depends on:

Size
Process
Tattoo artist

Young teens need education to understand the pain involved to ensure their readiness.

Self-Care Recovery

Recovering from a tattoo depends on your self-care practices. The tattoo artist will explain certain things you must do to make your tattoo heal fast and naturally. Failure to follow these instructions may lead to skin irritations and infections.

That’s why tattoo artists are specific about the age minimum to get a tattoo. For example, the tattoo area will itch you around the second week of the healing stage. This itching can be tempting, but you must not scratch the area.

A young teenager may not have the discipline to endure the itchiness caused by the tattoo. Scratching it may deter the tattoo healing process. But an adult knows the importance of healing and won’t scratch the area.

Tattoo Thoughtfulness

Tattoos are art. People use it to send messages across to whoever cares to listen.

Every tattoo you see has a meaning and a message. The location of the tattoo may even be a message in itself.

Teenagers are yet to see the symbolism behind the tattoo. They often want to tattoo their favourite superhero or animal on their bodies.

Can a 16-year-old get a tattoo in Ontario?

A sixteen-year-old can get a tattoo in Ontario if they produce verifiable consent from their parents or guardians. A tattoo studio in Ontario will naturally decline a 16-year-old getting a tattoo. But the studio will draw the tattoo when they come in with their parents or guardians.

Some studios may not require the presence of your parents or guardians. A simple signed document and a phone number to reach the guardian will suffice.

What to Consider Before Getting Your First Tattoo

You’re a teen looking to get your first tattoo. Instead of worrying if minors can get a tattoo, here are some things to consider before your first tattoo

Understand the Symbolism Behind It

Tattooing has an ancient history leading back to a millennium. You can trace the origin of tattoos to religion, wars, and prison. In those days, no one drew a tattoo just for fun or aesthetics.

It’s vital that you consider what a tattoo means, why people draw it, and why you want one. As such, you’ll have a clearer picture of your desire and tell your story better.

The person’s tattoo you admire may be a deep story you can’t relate to.

Speak About it to Someone.

Going for your tattoo session with some experience will prepare you better for the process. It’s advisable to talk with someone before you go for your first tattoo. Whoever you choose to speak with should either have experience or be a professional.

The experienced person will explain what you can expect from a tattoo appointment and how to get ready. Alongside this, you can watch videos of tattoo sessions readily available online.

If you speak to a professional, it should be a tattoo artist or dermatologist. They know the age requirements for getting a tattoo in Toronto and can advise you against allergies and skin reactions to prepare for.

Choose The Design

Pick what you want to design on your tattoo. Remember to tell a story with your tattoo or use it for something important.

Many people prefer to use abstract illustrations of nature and animals as their first tattoo. But you’re free to choose what suits you.

You can use the font software to choose the best font if you write something as a tattoo.

In addition, you need to have an idea of the colours you’ll combine for the tattoo. The colours depend primarily on your skin tone and the expertise of the tattoo artist.

Choose The Location of the Tattoo

Picking where you want your tattoo is solely your decision to make. It doesn’t matter if you meet the age requirements for getting a tattoo. Just know that wherever you place your tattoo, it sends a message to the world.

Here are some typical locations and their respective meanings:

Arm: strength and courage
Chest: Importance
Back: Expression
Neck: Courage

Start Small

Have you ever wanted something so bad but didn’t like it after getting it? This scenario is common with tattoos.

There’s no legal age to get a tattoo in Toronto. But you’ll do yourself a great privilege by drawing a small tattoo first before the larger ones. So, if you don’t like it, it’s easier to hide or remove it.

Consider the Pain and Be Patient

Drawing a tattoo on any body part is a painful procedure. You must consider your pain endurance levels when getting a tattoo.

Choose a part of your body where you can easily endure the pain during and after drawing the tattoo. For example, you may have to reconsider a back tattoo if you love to sleep on your back at night.

In addition, tattooing takes a lot of time. You have to remain in one position for up to six or seven hours. The time spent depends on the size and complexity of the tattoo design.

Choose a Hygienic Studio

Your age when getting a first tattoo isn’t the most critical factor for tattoo art. The primary thing is finding a reputable tattoo studio for your art.

A standard tattoo studio will educate you on the tattooing process and side effects. In addition, they’ll explain the process and educate you on what you should prepare for. You’ll be making an informed decision by choosing a sound studio.

How to Find a Good Studio

You shouldn’t be getting tattoos without parental consent, even at eighteen years old. But if you’re doing this without consent, try to choose the perfect studio. Here are the steps to follow:

Research Online and Make a List

A simple Google search on “tattoo studios near me” is sufficient to make the perfect list. All you need is to check pictures or videos of their studio while working. Put them on your list if their portfolio impresses you.

Visit the Studio and Ask Enough Questions

Any tattoo studio that doesn’t entertain the questions of a young potential client isn’t a standard one. Visit all the studios on your list without fear of asking too many questions.

Ask questions about their licenses, their process, and aftercare. Use the question session also to study tiny hygiene details of the tattoo studio.

Details like the hygiene of the tattoo artist are crucial to your safety. Do they wash their hands before the process? Where do they keep their tools? These details are critical.

Related Article: How to Choose a Tattoo Shop in the GTA?

You Just Might Be Old Enough to get a Tattoo in Toronto

Toronto has no official age set for tattoo artists to draw one. But tattoo artists still worry about how old you are prior to giving you a tattoo. As such, they require parental consent from minors.

Most young people aren’t sure of what they want and why they want the tattoo. So, they risk choosing a substandard tattoo studio by focusing on the excitement of getting a first tattoo.

If you want your first tattoo in Ontario or around Toronto, choose Piranha Studio. Our experts are willing to explain the tattoo procedure and educate teenagers on the best practices. In addition, our procedure is safe and professional – ensuring the best experience for your first tattoo.