Proposed 'Think Before You Ink' Law Seeks To Prevent Regrettable Tattoos
LYNDHURST, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The days of waking up with a hangover, a fresh tattoo, and a case of buyer's remorse could be coming to an end for people in Washington D.C.
Health officials are considering a "Think Before You Ink" law that would require a mandatory 24-hour waiting period for anybody who wants a tattoo, CBS 2's Tracee Carrasco reported Monday.
Louie Baroody said he was 18 when he got a tattoo of flames and stars, which he has since covered with a new design.
"I thought at the time that it was me. And now, I figured it's not," Baroody said.
The new regulation would crack down on people who try to get tattoos while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Some shops like Afflicted Ink in Lyndhurst have already employed a similar policy.
"We talk them through it and give them their best option and make sure it's something not crazy regrettable," owner Thomas Farrell said.
Sometimes those regrets lead customers to seek out laser tattoo removal specialists.
"There's so many changes that take place in their life you just don't know what's going to happen," removal specialist Carol O'Brien said.
Baroody said that a 24-hour waiting period may have been enough to prevent him from getting a "flames and stars" tattoo, but that's not the case for everybody.
"Every tattoo that I get it's for a reason, so 24 hours isn't a big deal to me," Caitlyn McGirr said.
The proposed waiting period in Washington D.C. would include body piercings as well.
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