What are the laws in Maryland relating to tattoos?

Answer 1

Maryland's regulations (called "COMAR") refer to tattoo and piercing procedures as "Skin-penetrating body adornment."

The parlor and artist have a list of requirements they must comply with by regulation. These include for example that the client be informed of the risks and must sign written consent form, or the parent or guardian must sign if the client is a minor, and that consent must be kept for 3 years on record. The parlor must also keep records for 3 years on the client's name, what they had done, the date, and who did the procedure. There are also list of requirements on sterility, using gloves, cleaning etc.

Answer 2

Body Piercing Guidelines or "I want a piercing, now what"

1. All Body Piercing studios are regulated and work under regional and local health and city licensing regulations. What you may want may not be legal in your area so call and check with your local studios.
2. Age limits can vary from city to city and state/province to state/province, contact your local body piercing studios (under the yellow pages "Body Piercing" ) they will tell you what the age limits are for your area.
3. Identification is aways needed (Birth certificate, Student card, Drivers license) Parental consent is consent from the legal parents (Mother or Father). Grand parents, Sister, Brother, Second Cousin twice removed doesn't cut it sorry. Unless they are your legal guardians assigned by the courts and have documented proof or this, it just won't work.
4. Prices for piercings vary from shop to shop and city to city. Be sure you phone and ask them what the total price is including any *aftercare solutions they may try to sell you (* Professional body piercing studios won't try to sell you aftercare solution, they will recommend cleansers and soaps but that's it if you want it they will sell it but they will not force you to buy it.)
5. Do your research, check these places out and find a studio that you are comfortable with, talk to the piercer and discuss you wishes. If at any time you feel like you are being ignored or rushed leave, find somewhere else. Good shops will be busy, but they will also want you to book your appointment, this way they have there full attention on you not everyone else who is asking questions (that's a good thing).