Skin Piercing Registration

Cosmetic procedures that pierce the skin are regulated by the Local Government (miscellaneous provisions) Act 1982 as amended by the Local Government Act 2003.

These cosmetic procedures include the following activities:

• tattooing
• acupuncture
• semi-permanent skin colouring / make-up
• cosmetic piercing of body and ears
• electrolysis
• micro-blading

These procedures have become more popular and fashionable in the UK as a whole, particularly over the last decade.

There are known and well-reported health risks which can be attributed to these procedures as well as health issues. Improper and unhygienic practise may result in localised skin infections and there is also the risk of transmission of blood-borne viruses, such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis D or HIV, which can have more serious and long term health consequences.

It is therefore important that practitioners have safe working practices, and particularly that good infection control practices are followed at all times for the protection of both clients and practitioners.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has made byelaws for the regulation of these skin piercing practices.

If you wish to apply for registration to enable you to offer skin piercing practices, please download the application form.

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health has released the Tattooing and Body Piercing Guidance Toolkit, which the District Council recommends as a valuable resource for any practitioner.

To apply for registration of a skin piercing premises, the fee is £133.10. To register an additional operator at an already registered premises, the fee is £70.10.