Every person who tattoos or offers to tattoo a person under the age of 18 years is guilty of a misdemeanor.

As used in this section, to “tattoo” means to insert pigment under the surface of the skin of a human being, by pricking with a needle or otherwise, so as to produce an indelible mark or figure visible through the skin.

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Terms Used In California Penal Code 653

This section is not intended to apply to any act of a licensed practitioner of the healing arts performed in the course of his practice.

(Added by Stats. 1955, Ch. 1422.)