Tattoos on 18-year-old male adolescents--characteristics and associated factors.
Prevalence of tattoos is around 10-26% in men and 10-22% in women, and can involve negative effects such as: regret, removal attempts, physical and biological changes of the skin and association with some viral diseases.



to determine the prevalence, characteristics and factors associated with tattoos in recruiters joining the military.



the recruiters were examined by dermatologists that documented the presence or absence of tattoos, as well as their sizes, colors, designs and patterns, and whether they needed a parent's consent to get a tattoo.



1,968 recruiters were examined and the prevalence of tattoos was 10.82% (213), 141 (66.20%) had a single tattoo, 44 (20.66%) two tattoos, 15 (7.04%) three tattoos, 9 (4.23%) four tattoos, and 4 (1.88%) had more than four. Of the total sample, 168 (80.77%) reported getting the first tattoo before the age of 18. 158 (74.53%) were monochromatic. In relation to size, 108 (50.70%) had tattoos of up to 10 cm, 75 (35.21%) had tattoos measuring between 11-20 cm, while 30 had ones over 21 cm (14.09%).



The population studied had a high prevalence of tattoos for their age, the percentage of complex (large and polychromatic) tattoos was also high.
Catholic University of Pelotas, Federal University of Pelotas, PelotasRS, Brazil, Internist - Federal University of Pelotas (UFPEL) - Undertaking postgraduate program in Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas (UCPEL) - Pelotas (RS), Brazil.
José Froner
JF
Bicca
Federal Medical Sciences Foundation of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil, Assistant Professor of Dermatology - Federal Medical Sciences Foundation of Porto Alegre (FFCMPA) - Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Rodrigo Pereira
RP
Duquia
University of Santa Cruz do Sul, Santa Cruz do Sul, Brazil, Professor of Dermatology - University of Santa Cruz do Sul (UNISC) - Santa Cruz do Sul, Brazil.
Juliano de Avelar
Jde A
Breunig
Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil, Dermatology Preceptor - Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS) - Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Paulo Ricardo Martins
PR
de Souza
Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil, Assistant Professor of Dermatology - Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) - Pelotas. Postgraduate Program in Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas (UCPEL) - Pelotas (RS), Brazil.
Hiram Larangeira de
HL
Almeida
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013653:Tattooing / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*