They are almost seven million Italians which they have at least a tattoo but of these, 17,2% said they regretted having done so and 4,3% of them have already had it removed. The investigation was carried out byIstituto Superiore di Sanita in collaboration with IPR marketing on a sample of nearly 8000 people representative of the Italian population aged twelve and over.
It is interesting to note the reasons that led the sample interviewed to tattoo one or more parts of their body. The great majority declares that it is a simple desire to decorate one's body, 0,5% have had a tattoo for medical purposes and 3% a tattoo for aesthetic purposes, the so-called permanent make-up.
A surprise women are the most tattooed (13,8% of the interviewees against 11,7%) and on average the first tattoo is done at the age of 25. The highest number of tattooed people is between 35 and 44 years old (29,9%). About 1 million people are between 25 and 34 years old. Among minors, the percentage is equal to 7,7%.
76,1% of the tattooed turned to a specialized tattoo center and 9,1% to a beauty centre, but a good 13,4% did it outside the authorized centers and this can constitute a significant source of risk.
“Understanding who gets tattooed and where, how they do it and with what awareness, tracing a sort of tattoo demography means better understanding the critical issues associated with this practice and what rules are needed to ensure it is carried out in complete safety – says Alberto Renzoni, expert from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità who coordinated the survey – 22% of those who went to a center did not sign the informed consent. Instead, it is necessary not only to sign it but that in doing so there is real consent and real information, also considering that a large number of tattooed people are minors who could only do so with their parents' consent".
