Skin Piercing (Acupuncture, Tattooing, Piercing, Electrolysis)
Advice and safe practice guidance for operators carrying out skin piercing activities has been produced by the Health and Safety Laboratory.
The guidance includes information on basic requirements for safe, clean premises, legal issues, waste disposal, infection control, aftercare advice and at a glance checklist. Appendices within each document also present examples of how a medical history questionnaire, consent form and aftercare advice sheet might be prepared for each of the three treatment areas.
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To carry out any form of skin piercing, both the premises and the person carrying out the piercing need to be registered with the Council.
Registration is not required if carried out under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner. The purpose of registration is to prevent infection of the person whose skin is pierced. Registered skin piercing personnel and premises must comply with byelaws designed to prevent infection.