The Skin Treatments (Licensing and Control) Regulations 1997 ensure that practices such as skin piercing, electrolysis, acupuncture, and tattooing are carried out safely and hygienically. Anyone wishing to operate in these fields must hold a valid licence issued by the Chief Environmental Health Officer.
Licensing applies both to the individual operator and the premises where treatments are performed.
Tatooing of Minors
Tattooing persons under 18 is prohibited, except for medical reasons performed by a qualified practitioner. Breaches may result in fines and repeat offences carry higher penalties.
Skin Piercing Guidelines
Read our guidelines to find out what safety measures you need to take.
Keeping your premises clean
You should make sure that:
- your premises and furniture are kept in good condition so they can be cleaned effectively
- needles are single-use and disposable or are sterilised each time they are used
- needles are stored safely
any waste material and used needles are handled and disposed of in accordance with relevant legislation and guidance from us
Your treatment area
Your treatment area should:
- not be used for any other purpose
have smooth waterproof flooring - However, this does not apply if you only provide ear-piercing or nose-piercing using a hygienic piercing instrument (an instrument used to pierce someone's ear or nose. Any part of the instrument that touches a client is sterile, disposed of after every client and fitted with its own jewellery.
- No eating, drinking, or smoking should be allowed in the treatment area. You should put up prominent signs making this clear.
Furniture in the treatment area
You should use a smooth, waterproof surface for any:
furniture which could become contaminated with blood or other body fluids
surfaces you put a needle or instrument on before using it
This furniture should be disinfected:
- immediately after use
- at the end of each working day
- Any furniture a client sits on during treatment should also have a disposable paper sheet which is changed between each client.
Sterilisation of needles and other equipment
Needles and other instruments
Equipment you use should be sterile, including:
- needles
- equipment used in treatment
- equipment used for handling needles or other equipment
- any part of a piercing instrument that touches a client
- jewellery used for cosmetic piercing
- dye used for tattooing or semi-permanent skin-colouring (this should also be inert)
- Clothing towels and other material
Make sure that coverings, protective clothing, towels or other material used in treatment:
are clean, in good condition and (as far as appropriate) sterile
has not been used with another client, unless it has been cleaned and (as far as appropriate) sterilised
Tattoo dyes
Any container holding dye for tattooing or semi-permanent skin-colouring should be (either):
- disposed of at the end of each treatment
- cleaned and sterilised before each use
Cleaning facilities
You should provide:
- facilities to clean and sterilise equipment (unless you only use pre-sterilised equipment)
- safe electrical socket outlets
- clean hot and cold water
- clean and suitable storage to avoid contamination of needles, instruments and other equipment
Hygiene for you and your staff
Any staff that provide treatments should:
- keep their hands and nails clean and their nails short
- keep any cuts or grazes on an exposed part of their body covered by a waterproof dressing
- wear protective clothing that is clean and washable, or a disposable covering that has not been used before
- wear disposable examination gloves that have not been used with another client (this does not apply to acupuncture, see below for guidance on this)
If you are providing acupuncture
Your staff member providing the treatment should wear disposable gloves if:
- your client is bleeding or has an open lesion on an exposed part of his body
- your client is known to be infected with a blood-borne virus
- your staff member has an open lesion on their hand
- your staff member is handling items that may be contaminated with blood or other body fluids
Washing facilities
You should provide:
staff only washing facilities (if you only provide treatment using only a hygienic piercing instrument and have either a hand hygienic gel or liquid cleaner, it does not need to be staff only)
sanitary accommodation for your staff
Documents
You can find all relevant documentation below on Skin Treatments.
Applications
If you are looking to apply in anything related to Skin Treatments, you can do so online using our electronic application forms.
