(A) It is unlawful for a person to perform or offer to perform tattooing upon a person under the age of eighteen years.

(B) The minor upon whom tattooing is performed, or the parent or legal guardian of that minor, or any other minor is not liable for punishment pursuant to this section.

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 44-34-100

  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Department: means the Department of Health and Environmental Control. See South Carolina Code 44-34-10
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Tattoo artist: means a person who practices body tattooing and who meets the requirements of this chapter. See South Carolina Code 44-34-10

(C) Tattooing may not be performed upon a person impaired by drugs or alcohol. A person impaired by drugs or alcohol is considered incapable of consenting to tattooing and incapable of understanding tattooing procedures and aftercare suggestions.

(D) Tattooing may not be performed on skin surfaces having a rash, pimples, boils, keloids, sunburn, open lesions, infections, or manifest any evidence of unhealthy conditions.

(E) It is unlawful for a tattoo artist to tattoo any part of the head, face, or neck of another person.

(F) A person who violates a provision of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined up to two thousand five hundred dollars or imprisoned up to one year, or both.

(G) All licensing fees and monetary penalties collected must be remitted to the Department of Health and Environmental Control in a separate and distinct account to be used solely to carry out and enforce the provisions of this chapter.