Body art (body piercing and tattooing) among undergraduate university students: "then and now"

Abstract

Purpose: To survey the prevalence of body art and incidence of medical complications among university students comparing results in 2001 and 2006.

Methods: Students reported body piercings and tattoos and occurrence of medical complications.

Results: Prevalence of body piercing was 51% and tattooing 22%. Piercing medical complication incidence was 19%. No tattooing medical complications occurred.

Conclusions: Body art is prevalent among undergraduate university students, with prevalence essentially unchanged during two consecutive 5-year samples. Medical complications occur frequently among those with piercings.