[Tattooing and piercing in teenagers].

The presence of mutilations in the form of tattooing and body piercing is becoming increasingly common in adolescents, a practice that is not free of risk. Reported complications include local infections, bleeding, tearing, hypersensitivity reactions, transfusion-transmitted diseases (hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, HIV, syphilis), Chagas' disease and infective endocarditis. On the other hand, several studies have demonstrated an association between body modifications and high-risk behavior in adolescents, as alcohol or drug abuse, cigarette smoking, violence and schooling problems. There is also an association with depression, suicide, eating disorders and other psychophysiologic disorders. This is a review of body modifications in adolescents, emphasizing in the risks, complications and motivations of this practice.