History and epidemiology of tattoos and piercings. legislation in the United States

Abstract

Core Messages: Tattooing and body piercing date back to early civilizations. In the past, they were used during initiation rites or as an indication of social status. Tattooing has been used to identify criminals, prisoners, and slaves, and for punishment. Body modification has become more common and more sophisticated over the last 30 years. Body art may be associated with risky behavior. Body piercing may be associated with depression. Regulation in the United States of America is variable from state to state. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.