Know the risks
Body art (tattoos and piercings) has become a very popular form of self-expression. If it’s something you’re considering, know the risks involved and protect your health by making sure the facility you choose is licensed.
Body art procedures can be associated with serious health risks, including the transmission of blood-borne diseases such as Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV. These procedures also carry the risk of dangerous skin infections such as Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, or MRSA.
To help protect against these risks, the State of Michigan requires body art facilities to be licensed, to follow certain standards, and pass on-site inspections.
If you’re planning to get a tattoo or piercing, protect yourself by avoiding unlicensed body art facilities.
To learn more about the risks associated with body art, licensing requirements, or to find a list of local licensed body art facilities, visit the Michigan Department of Community Health website at www.michigan.gov/bodyart.