Tattoo artists call for ban on facial tattoos for under 21 in UK

In view of the increase in the number of young people opting for a permanent tattoo, a group of tattoo artists in UK is calling for a law to increase the minimum age for getting a face tattoo to be increased from 18 to 21. Such tattoos are known as the ‘job stoppers’ in the tattoo industry. They argue that face tattoos can affect future job prospects. Nowadays, young people are getting inspired by celebrities who have tattoos on the face, neck, and hands like Justin Bieber, Post Malone, and Jesy Nelson, and model Jeremy Meeks. This has increased the number of requests from young people looking for similar work.

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Facial tattoos are ‘job stoppers’

The British Tattoo Artist Federation said that the face tattoo can affect the job prospects of the young people who seek employment, regarding the tattoos as ‘job stoppers’.  Lee Clements, the spokesperson of BTAF said in an interview that there is a huge increase in the number of facial tattoo requests. He said, that every week there is at least one youngster who wishes to get a face tattoo. Their aim is to look good for their Instagram posts. Therefore, the tattoo artists are demanding that the age limit should be raised so that people can have a sound judgment about getting a permanent tattoo on their face.  Lee Clements has a tattoo shop in South Wales, he believes that such a tattoo will affect the job opportunity. However, getting a position should not depend on an individual having a face tattoo. 

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‘People don't think about the future’

Nicole Anderson, who is an Instagrammer with 100,000 followers said that the celebrities are normalizing the social taboo surrounding the tattoos. She said that many people get themselves inked without giving enough thought to their decision, which can ruin their future. 

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