What is the legal age for a tattoo in South Africa?

South Africa is one of the few developed countries in the world that has no age restrictions for getting tattoos. Individual tattoo artists in South Africa, however, often refuse to tattoo minors without parental permission.

Although the country of South Africa has no laws regarding tattooing, several South African cities have laws regarding safety and hygiene issues. Many of these laws were passed at the urging of tattoo artists themselves due to concerns about the possibility of hepatitis or AIDS infections. Current laws in Cape Town call for the use of professional tattooing machines with sterilized needles as well as basic sterilization and health safety procedures.