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Body piercing age limit in Guernsey could be lowered to 16

This summer, 16-year-olds in Guernsey may be permitted to get body piercings, with parental permission.

Currently, in Guernsey, you have to be at least 18 years old to get a body piercing that is not in the earlobe.

A group of seven deputies have submitted the first Requete of this States' term to change that.

They want to see the age restriction reduced to 16, but written parental consent would still be needed.

One of the deputies backing the change is Rhona Humphreys.

She says the law, written in 2000, is outdated.

"The current age restriction is unrealistic, young people aged sixteen are obviously engaging with their bodies and their look, and a piercing is not unusual at that age. Therefore, it is appropriate that at that age, with parental consent, piercings should be allowed.

"The law is aimed at effectively doing self-piercing, which is what is happening now, and to have it done properly in a proper salon, with parental consent, is absolutely the way forward, so I should  imagine it will get the consent of the house."

In the UK, there’s no set age limit for piercings, except for in intimate areas such as genitals and nipples, with the government allowing salons to set their own rules.

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