check yo self before yous wreck yo self. Education! So, you say "I'm in the market for getting a tattoo," and "what should I know and consider when getting a tattoo?" Well, I'm glad you asked! I came across a "scientific" article written by pediatric nurse practitioners for other pediatric nurse practitioners to educate and counsel preadolescents and adolescents about tattoos. Educate not in an "abstinence" kind of way, but in a "sex ed" kind of way. The authors discuss the history, the procedure, care, and potential risks of getting a tattoo. They even mention alternatives to tattooing. The article goes a little further and considers counseling implication for teens regarding tattoos and also explains removal techniques of tattoos. It's actually a very easy read and probably good for anyone considering a tattoo. Don't say I never warned ya!

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