
She's just turned 18.

And it's clear Ariel Winter is fully embracing the freedoms that come with adulthood - revealing a new tattoo as she relaxed with her boyfriend while on a romantic vacation in The Bahamas.

Wearing a high-cut red swimsuit to best display her body art, the teen frolicked happily in the surf with Laurent Gaudette, stopping to hug him as they enjoyed their island getaway.

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Tatt's permanent! Ariel Winter reveals new inking in a high cut swimsuit as she frolicks in the Bahamas surf with boyfriend Laurent Gaudette... after getting THREE tattoos just weeks after 18th birthday

No longer a child: The Modern Family star's new inking, in cursive script along the top of her thigh, could be seen on her right thigh; DailyMail.com can reveal the tattoo is just one of three Ariel has had since her landmark birthday back in January

Meaningful: A second on her rib cage appeared to be the initials of family members

The Modern Family star's new inking, in cursive script along the top of her thigh, could be seen on her right thigh.

And DailyMail.com can reveal the tattoo is just one of three Ariel has had since her landmark birthday back in January.

The teen had her body inked by Hollywood tattoo artist Dr Woo last month, sharing an image of herself reclining in his chair, as he sat needle in hand.

'About last night...' she wrote, later adding that the tattoo was one of three.

While tattoos are illegal in minor children, at 18 Ariel is entitled to get as many as she likes - something she is obviously keen to do.

Another of the former child star's new inkings - script on her rib cage - was on display in a white bikini during her trip.

It appeared to be the initials of five people, including nieces Parker Eleni Gray and Skylar Athena Gray.

While she may seem young to be making permanent changes to her body, Ariel, who plays good student Alex on Modern Family, has already undergone life-altering breast reduction surgery.

Island life: Wearing a high-cut red swimsuit to best display her body art, the teen frolicked happily in the surf

Having fun: The beach vacation comes after Ariel underwent breast reduction surgery last year

Explaining her F-cup bra size was making her 'unhappy,' Ariel has said it also caused her physical problems.

'Having so much weight on my frame was affecting me psychologically,' she confessed.

'I was uncomfortable and unhappy. It wasn't because I didn't like how I looked,' she wrote in an essay for Motto, a new website from the editors of Time.

She added: 'Women are already over-sexualised and I grew into my body so young. I was 13, 14 years old and I looked 19. Suddenly, people didn't want to talk about my job - they just wanted to talk about my cleavage.'

It's back on: Ariel first began dating Laurent, 19, two years ago, but the two briefly broke up in December last year

One for the album: Ariel and Laurent are staying at the luxury Atlantis Resort

Taking a dip: The teen star lives with her older sister, who she moved in with in 2012 after making allegations against their mother of physical and emotional abuse

The award-winning actress stated: 'I chose surgery because of how I felt, not because of what anyone else thought.'

Ariel insisted she was never bothered by the negative comments she received about her figure online and her decision was made purely to please herself.

'People may find it hard to believe but when I got my breast-reduction surgery last year, it wasn't because of the mean comments online.'

'Afterwards, I automatically felt so much happier and just better physically,' she added. 'My back and shoulders didn't hurt any more!'

Sun seekers: Ariel currently lives in Los Angeles with her older sister, having left home in 2012 after alleging physical and emotional abuse against their mother Chrisoula Workman; her father retained control of Ariel's finances until she turned 18

Ariel first began dating Laurent, 19, two years ago, but the two briefly broke up in December.

Amid reports of a breakup, the actress posted a note about Beyonce's Single Ladies, hinting she no longer had a boyfriend.

Ariel currently lives in Los Angeles with her older sister, having left home in 2012 alleging physical and emotional abuse against their mother Chrisoula Workman.

Her father retained control of the young actresses finances until her 18th birthday.