Wales bans all intimate piercings for under-18s

WALES has become the first country in the UK to ban under-18s from getting intimate piercings.

There are ten specified body areas where piercings have been outlawed for minors, including nipples and tongues.

Officials said a study in England found complications were reported with a third of all body piercings in those aged between 16 and 24. It stated that problems were most common with tongue piercings, followed by genital and nipple piercings.

A Welsh government spokesman said: ‘As young people continue to grow during their teenage years, an intimate piercing performed at a young age could result in further complications arising as their bodies develop.’

Yesterday Wales became the first part of the UK to introduce a nationwide ban on the procedures for under-18s, although some local authorities had already introduced restrictions.

Dr Frank Atherton, chief medical officer for Wales, said: ‘It’s concerning that a third of young people with intimate piercings have reported complications. I hope... practitioners understand the importance of obtaining proof of age beforehand.’