20
May
Microblading for minors: Is there a loophole?
One of the first things we learn about microblading is that they’re not allowed for minors (or people under 18). But is there a loophole that lets kids get their brows microbladed? Read on to find all about microblading for minors.
When you’re still establishing your career as a microblading artist, it can be tempting to get as many clients as possible. Unfortunately, there’s a number of people you should absolutely not work on. Among them are people who are/have:
- Keloids
- Transmittable blood diseases (e.g. HIV, hepatitis)
- Skin complications
- Skin diseases
- Fillers, Juvederm, or Botox in the desired treatment area
- Undergoing chemotherapy
- Allergic to numbing agents
- Pregnant
- Breastfeeding
- Underage
Yes, minors included. But why can’t kids get their brows done by a microblading artist?
Microblading is tattooing
Despite the many names it’s called (microblading, permanent makeup, microfeathering, etc.), at the end of the day, microblading is a form of tattooing. As you well know, microblading involves the injection of ink pigments into a person’s skin.
That means state laws on tattooing regulate permanent makeup, as well. Here are the different regulations surrounding tattooing:
State laws on microblading for minors
| Alabama | Needs prior written informed consent from a parent or legal guardian |
| Arizona | Needs physical presence of a parent or legal guardian |
| Arkansas | Needs the written consent and presence of a parent or legal guardian |
| Alaska | Illegal to tattoo a minor in all cases |
| California | Illegal to tattoo a minor in all cases |
| Colorado | Needs express consent from a parent or legal guardian |
| Connecticut | Needs permission from a parent or legal guardian |
| Columbia | Illegal to tattoo a minor in all cases |
| Delaware | Needs the written informed consent from a parent or legal guardian |
| Florida | Needs written, notarized informed consent from a parent or legal guardian |
| Georgia | Only a licensed osteopath may tattoo on minors |
Hawaii |
Needs the written consent from a parent or legal guardian |
| Idaho | Needs the written informed consent and presence of a parent or legal guardian |
| Illinois | Illegal to tattoo a minor in all cases |
| Indiana | Needs the written permission and presence of a parent or legal guardian |
| Iowa | Illegal to tattoo an unmarried minor in all cases |
| Kansas | Needs the written, notarized consent and presence of a parent or court-approved guardian |
| Kentucky | Needs the written, notarized consent of parent or guardian |
| Louisiana | Needs consent and presence of parent or guardian |
| Maine | Needs prior written consent of a parent or legal guardian |
| Maryland | |
| Massachusetts | |
| Michigan | Requires prior written, informed consent and presence of a parent or legal guardian |
| Minnesota | Needs the written consent from a parent |
| Mississippi | Illegal to tattoo a minor in all cases |
| Missouri | Needs prior written, informed consent and presence of a parent or legal guardian |
| Montana | Needs consent and presence of a parent |
| Nebraska | Needs prior written consent of a parent or court-approved guardian |
| Nevada | No regulations on tattooing |
| New Hampshire | Needs consent and presence of a parent or legal guardian |
| New Jersey | Needs prior written permission of a parent or legal guardian |
| New Mexico | |
| New York | Illegal to tattoo a minor in all cases |
| North Carolina | Illegal to tattoo a minor in all cases |
| North Dakota | Needs consent and presence of a parent |
| Ohio | Needs consent and presence of a parent |
| Oklahoma | |
| Oregon | |
| Pennsylvania | Needs consent and presence of parent or guardian |
Rhode Island |
|
| South Carolina | Illegal to tattoo a minor in all cases; needs parental consent from ages 18 to 20 |
| South Dakota | Needs signed consent form from parents |
| Tennessee | Needs consent and presence of a parent or legal guardian starting from age 1 |
| Texas | Needs consent of parent or guardian |
| Utah | Needs consent of a parent or legal guardian |
| Vermont | Needs the written consent of parent or guardian |
| Virginia | Needs presence of parent or guardian |
| Washington | Illegal to tattoo a minor in all cases |
| West Virginia | Requires prior written consent of parent or guardian |
| Wisconsin | Needs to be part of a physician’s professional practice |
| Wyoming | Needs consent and presence of a parent or legal guardian |
Microblading shouldn’t be for underaged clients
Even though it is legal in some states, we still advise against microblading for minors. Semi-permanent makeup is a big decision and, to be honest, it’s often a purely cosmetic procedure.
There’s always traditional makeup; surely, permanent makeup can always wait a few more years.
If you really have to perform microblading for minors, however, keep these reminders in mind:
- Always make sure it is legal in the state you’re operating in!
- Always store a record of the written consent or the consent form for at least a couple of years. Some states require that you store records for at least two years, but to be sure, keep it for at least five.
- As much as possible—even if it’s not legally required—have a parent or legal guardian present during the procedure.
Think we missed an important detail about microblading for minors? Leave a comment below!
