Cosmetic (Beauty) piercing guidance

Health and safety requirements and hygiene facilities

Novice piercers should have shadowed an experienced piercer and performed piercings under supervision.

Where possible piercers should have proof of qualifications and these should be displayed on the premises.

The operator must be able to show knowledge of possible contra-indications and shall discuss the client's medical history with them accordingly to include the following prior to piercing.

• Heart Disease
• Cellulitis
• Eczema
• Impetigo
• Genital Warts (if relevant)
• Allergic responses (anaesthetics, plasters, jewellery metals, such as, nickel)
• Haemorrhaging
• Fainting
• Seizures, for example, epilepsy
• Diabetes
• HIV Infection etc.
• Hepatitis

Where these conditions exist or there is past history, written authorisation from their GP is required.

There should be a notice prominently displayed informing clients of the possible risks including:

• Blood poisoning
• Localised severe swelling and trauma around the piercing site
• Scarring
• Jewellery embedding
• Localised infections
• Allergic reactions

The administration of local anaesthetic injections by body piercers is an offence.

The operator and the client shall not be under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other substances.

Needles must be pre-packed and pre-sterilized and used once only. Hollow needles should have a minimum of 1.55mm diameter.

Needles should be disposed of in a proper "sharps" box and should be taken to an approved outlet i.e. a local hospital.

Jewellery should be of suitable grade surgical steel or high carat gold and must be kept sterile until inserted.

Ear piercing guns must not be used for any other parts of the body. “Butterfly clips” must not be placed on the back of a nose piercing.

Surgical spirit must not be used on a nose piercing.

Customers must be given verbal and written information regarding cosmetic piercing aftercare.

This should include:

• Normal bathing and showering permitted otherwise keep dry
• Clean hands before touching jewellery
• Turn jewellery when wound is not dry
• Do not cover wound closely to permit access to air
• Expected healing times of wound
• Possible indication of complications
• Advice on how to deal with redness, swelling and pain - also recommendation to consult GP if the problem does not improve within 24 hours.

Piercing provisions

Including micro-needling, derma rolling or similar

You must provide the following:

• 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, for example, depth of needles and area treated.
• A completed medical questionnaire completed by the client prior to any procedures been carried out.
• Records (electronic or paper), must be kept for 2 years for every customer and the type of piercing.  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 of the property.
• Disposable paper towels for hand drying and foot operated towel waste bin
• Suitable couch or 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 or 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 type of metal - Titanium, Gold or 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. For further details, ask your medical practitioner. 

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 also 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 or 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.

Inspection procedure 

Once a completed application is received, together with the appropriate payment, an officer from the Council will contact you to make an appointment to carry out an inspection. All the above points will be checked during the inspection, together with a general health and safety check. For details about workplace health and safety and the current legislation please go the Health and Safety Executive website.

Further information is available in the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Tattoo and Piercing Toolkit.

It is advisable to have all necessary documentation and equipment to hand when the inspector visits. You are not expected to set up your workstation for the inspection. 

Successful applicants should expect their registration to be granted within 20 working days and once received, certificates must be on display in the public area in the premises.

If you have any queries please email the Licensing Team at licensing@derby.gov.uk.

Please note: these guidance notes are not exhaustive. You may need to comply with other legislation relevant to your business. It is your responsibility to ensure you are complying with current law, which may include health and safety, electrical safety, gas safety, pressure systems and data protection.

Cosmetic piercing at conventions

Novice piercers must have shadowed an experienced piercer and performed piercings under supervision.

Where possible piercers should have proof of qualifications and these should be available for inspection.

The operator must be able to show knowledge of possible contra-indications and shall discuss the client's medical history with them accordingly to include the following prior to piercing.

• Heart Disease
• Cellulitis
• Eczema
• Impetigo
• Genital Warts (if relevant)
• Allergic responses (anaesthetics, plasters, jewellery metals, i.e. nickel)
• Haemorrhaging
• Fainting
• Seizures, i.e. epilepsy
• Diabetes
• HIV Infection etc.
• Hepatitis

There should be a notice prominently displayed informing clients of the possible risks including:

• Blood poisoning
• Localised severe swelling and trauma around the piercing site
• Scarring
• Jewellery embedding
• Localised infections
• Allergic reactions

You must keep an adequate first aid kit and you should have a qualification in basic first aid.

It is recommended that body piercers are vaccinated for the Hepatitis B virus.

Gloves must be worn by all piercers when carrying out piercings.

The administration of local anaesthetic injections by cosmetic piercers is an offence. Any anaesthetic must be used with extreme caution. Medical consent forms must be completed prior to any anaesthetic being administered and must be retained by the piercer.

The operator and the client shall not be under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other substances.

Needles must be pre-packed and pre-sterilized and used once only. Hollow needles should have a minimum of 1.55mm diameter.

Needles should be disposed of in a proper "sharps" box and should be taken to an approved outlet.

Jewellery should be of titanium, niobium suitable grade surgical steel (316L) or high carat gold (14 or 18 carat). This must be kept sterile until inserted.

Ear piercing guns must not be used for any other parts of the body other than ear lobes.

Customers must be given verbal and written information regarding cosmetic piercing aftercare.

This should include:

• Normal bathing and showering permitted otherwise keep dry
• Do not use perfumed bathing products
• Clean hands before touching jewellery
• Turn jewellery when wound is not dry
• Do not cover wound closely to permit access to air
• Expected healing times of wound
• Possible indication of complications
• Advice on how to deal with redness/swelling/pain also recommendation to consult GP if the problem does not improve within 24 hours

Surgical spirit must not be used on a nose piercing.

You should keep adequate records of every customer and the type of piercing. As a minimum you should record the name and the address of the customer the date the piercing was carried out.

Every effort must be made to ensure that persons requesting cosmetic piercing are over 18. The client must be asked to produce appropriate proof of age.

Under no circumstances should cosmetic piercing be offered or administered to those who cannot produce appropriate identification and proof of age.

You should not pierce anyone under the age of 18 without parental approval.

Skin piercing consent forms must be signed by the parents/guardian of clients below the age of 18.

If you cannot comply with the requirements then you will not be allowed to trade.