No Age Requirement for Piercings in Iowa

By Beth Malicki Anchor/Reporter

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By Beth Malicki

Story Created: Mar 15, 2007 at 9:50 PM CST

Story Updated: Mar 16, 2007 at 11:34 AM CST

You have to be born after Thursday in 1989 to buy tobacco products.

Legally someone born Thursday could get a naval ring, tongue piercing or other body modification. It's something lawmakers are talking about and parents might want to know.

Iowa law says you have to be at least 18 to get a tattoo. But piercings? There is no age requirement.

"They clamp your tongue with the tongs and they stick a long hollow needle through your tongue," said Jamaica Abben.

Jamaica Abben's mom found out about the tongue piercing Thursday- three weeks after the 17-year-old got a tongue stud.

"She found out from a friend that who had gone to this tattoo she didn't need my consent to do it so she did," said Jamaica’s mom, Lori Abben Goodwin.

It's up to individual piercing establishments to come up with their own rules on body modifications. Jamaica went to a tattoo and piercing establishment in Cedar Rapids.

The Neon Dragon in Hiawatha has a strict policy regarding work on minors-- you have to be at least 18 to get any body modification. No exceptions.

"Ethically should you pierce someone's child... They're under 18 so yes they're a child -- should you pierce without their [parents’] permission?" said Spider, an employee of the Neon Dragon.

Spider says he would never peirce a minor- Neon Dragon requires a photo ID to make sure all customers are 18 or older.

The Iowa Legislature is considering a bill that would require parental consent or ban all minors from getting piercings, but the bill is far from becoming law.

“In hospitals we leave this to registered surgeons who have good direction and aseptic techniques,” said Tom Hart of Linn County Public Health.

“It should be legislated and there should be standards," said Spider

A senior in high school, Jamaica’s tongue will heal, but her mom thinks a minor should never have had option to get a piercing herself.

The bill would also require piercing establishments to be licensed, just like tattoo businesses.

This bill does not affect traditional ear piercings.

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