Tattoo taboo: D.C. mulls 24-hour waiting period on skin ink

Lawmakers in Washington, D.C., are mulling a new rule that would require tattoo-seekers to wait 24 hours before they get their ink.

The regulation would also apply to body piercings, United Press International reported.

Washington City Paper said that current law only requires tattoo artists and piercers to obtain a business license to operate within city limits, and that they’re loosely regulated.

Health Department officials say the waiting period could save a lot of people from next-day regrets.

“We’re making sure when that decision is made that you’re in the right frame of mind,” said Najma Roberts, a spokeswoman for the Health Department, in Time magazine. “And you don’t wake up in the morning saying, ’Oh my God, what happened?’ “

Part of the reason the issue has reached the city’s radar is that many tattoo outfits are located next to bars — and though artists say they don’t ink those who heavily drink, city regulators have their doubts.

if the rule passes, the District of Columbia will be the largest city in America to implement a waiting period for tattoos and body piercings. Tattoo artists say the waiting period will cause them to lose significant business.