Body piercing guidance

Body piercing provisions

• Consent forms - must include name, address and telephone number and email address.
• Age policy. Type of ID accepted? Should be photo ID, for example, driving licence or passport. Recording of type of treatment, such as, depth of needles and area treated. 
• A completed medical questionnaire completed by the client prior to any procedures been carried out.
• Electronic or paper records must be kept for 2 years for every customer and the type of piercing.  These need to be General Data Protection Regulation compliant and kept secured.
• After care advice given, verbally and in written form. Consider a text or message reminder.
• Working surfaces and work stations - good construction, in a suitable material that is capable of being cleaned and disinfected. Must be non-porous.
• Floors and walls – in good condition, in a suitable material that is capable of being cleaned and where necessary, disinfected. Floors should be well sealed. Wallpaper is not acceptable.
• Adequate ventilation, either by natural or mechanical means.
• Adequate lighting to be provided.  If local or portable lighting, it must be capable of being covered or wrapped to prevent any potential contamination.
• Procedures for cleaning working surfaces with a sodium hypochlorite based solution or sanitiser.
• Designated wash hand basin for operators use only, with liquid dispensed soap (preferably anti-bacterial), hot and cold running water (or suitably controlled hot water), connected to main drainage to the property.
• Disposable paper towels for hand drying and foot operated towel waste bin.
• Suitable couch and chairs with washable surfaces, in good condition capable of being disinfected. Any temporary covering should be replaced between clients.
• Disposable vinyl or nitrile gloves, latex should be avoided as they can cause latex allergy problems.
• Procedures for cleaning client’s skin prior to the treatment, for example, using 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes and spray.
• Use of any topical anaesthetic. A procedure is required avoid contamination.
• Any trigger spray bottles or similar used must be clearly labelled. The covering to be renewed between clients.  Any bottles should be either capable of being sterilised in an autoclave, or disposable.
• Type of equipment used – size of needles? Clamps, forceps, tweezers used? Storage of clean equipment. Pouched (sterilised) or loose?
• If dermal punches are used - what sizes?
• Jewellery – type? Consider the type of metal - Titanium, Gold, Certified Low Nickel Content Steel.
• Jewellery – pre-sterilised or sterilised on site? Where kept on site - loose or kept in autoclave pouch
• Need to know supplier details of equipment and consumables.
• Disposable tissue wipes for wiping the skin during the treatment.
• Any treatment after piercing must be completed prior to the customer leaving the studio.
• Sharps box and clinical waste contract with a licensed operator. You will be asked to produce evidence of your contract.
• A body fluid spill kit, consisting of disposable aprons, gloves, cloths, plastic bags and sodium hypochlorite based solution.
• First aid kit and you must have a basic qualification in first aid.
• Training or apprenticeship details of the person applying for registration. Membership of a professional organisation is recommended.
• Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended.  Ask your medical practitioner for further details.

If treatments do not utilise disposable equipment you will need to implement robust sterilisation procedures and obtain the relevant equipment. Glass bead sterilisers and dry heat sterilisers are not sufficient. Well maintained vacuum autoclaves are considered to be the safest means of sterilising equipment. You will need:

• Deep sink with hot and cold water for washing equipment.
• Procedures for cleaning:
  • thorough cleaning in hot soapy water, using a lumen or small brush to remove debris, rinse in clean hot water
  • place in ultrasonic bath for manufacturer’s recommended time and
  • place in autoclave. Pouches must only be used with vacuum sterilisers.
• Autoclave sterilisation procedures and record or maintenance sheets. These should include daily and weekly checks, annual calibration for temperature and written scheme of examination under health and safety legislation covering pressure systems. You will be asked to produce the documentation to prove this examination has been carried out.