I'm 25. When I was little, my mom took me to get my ears pierced. My ears got infected and they had to be taken out. Later when I was 11, I wanted pierced ears because all the girls in school had pierced ears. Again, infected and gross. Come to find out I'm allergic to nickel. So my opinion of piercings is negative because of personal experience. Another thing that should be mentioned is that piercings in the face such as eyebrow or lip leave scars.

I have 2 tattoos and think they're beautiful. I talked to a tattoo artist before I got my first one and his suggestion was to think about the tattoo for at least a year, if after a year you still think the tattoo is a good idea then get it.

My first tattoo is on the front of my shoulder/chest area. It was painful! My second tattoo is on my right calf and was uncomfortable but not painful.

So in my opinion, I think you should talk to them about the possible consequences of getting tattoos and piercings and then when they're 18 let them decide for themselves.