Certain states and cities ban not only facial tattooing but all tattooing. Until recently, the states of Maine, South Caroline, and Oklahoma completely banned tattooing. By 2004, Oklahoma remained the only state with a ban still in place.

Oklahoma government representatives give several reasons for the state’s tattoo ban. Oklahoma representative Bill Graves believes that it is morally wrong to mark up a person’s body. And he believes that children should be protected from making irreversible mistakes, such as getting ta tattoo, that they will be unhappy with the later in life. Another reason commonly cited by opponents is the belief that tattooing is a health risk and can lead to the spread of infectious diseases.

Tattoo artists disagree, arguing that tattooing is safe when strict hygienic procedures are followed. Moreover, tattoo artists argue that Oklahoma’s ban is hypocritical. Although tattooing is banned, micropigmentation, the tattooing of permanent makeup, is allowed. Both micropigmentation and tattooing use the same machine and are essentially the same procedure.

As a result of the arguments of tattoo artists and their supporters, Oklahoma legislators have considered lifting the ban. In Mach 2004, the Oklahoma Senate approved a bill to legalize tattooing in the state. If the Oklahoma House also approves the bill, then tattooing will become legal there.