This is the piercing of the body including the ear. Cosmetic piercing also includes treatments such as skin divers and dermal anchors.
Business advice
The Local Government Act 2003 and The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 requires that all persons carrying out cosmetic piercing and any premises where these treatments are carried out must be registered with the local authority, unless the person carrying out the cosmetic piercing is a registered medical practitioner or carries out the treatment under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner. In these circumstances the premises does not require a licence.
There is a registration fee for the premises and for each practitioner. The fee for 2011/12 is £57.50 for each operator and £105 for each premise.
All premises and operators registered by the local authority must comply with strict local authority byelaws and health and safety legislation. All premises that register or have registered will have been or will be inspected to ensure compliance with the byelaws and health and safety legislation. The operator and premises registration forms and a copy of the byelaws must be displayed in the premises.
We strongly advise that you put in place age restrictions for some types of cosmetic piercing and check ID for all people you pierce. You must not pierce the genitals of any person under the age of 16 or nipples of girls under the age of 16 as this is considered indecent assault.
If you practice cosmetic piercing without operator or premises registration you are committing an offence and on summary conviction could be fined up to £200, and you could be fined a further £200 for failure to comply with the byelaws.
For further advice on legislative requirements and best practice please click the link below to obtain a copy of the Health and Safety Laboratory guidance “Advice and Safe Practice for Body Piercing”.
If you wish to practice cosmetic piercing within the borough of Basingstoke and Deane please click the links below for an application form and a copy of the byelaws.
Customer advice
If you wish to undergo any type of cosmetic piercing you should check that the operator is registered by viewing their registration certificate. Each operator will have a registration certificate with their name and a unique registration number. The operator certificate will also have the name and address of where they operate on it. To see an example of the registration certificate please click here.
The premises used for carrying out cosmetic piercing treatment must also be registered and will have a registration certificate issued by the local authority. To see an example of the registration certificate please click here.
When going for a cosmetic piercing you should check for the following:
• The premises and operator are registered and the certificates and byelaws are on display
• You are asked to complete a pre-treatment questionnaire which includes medical questions
• The treatment is clearly explained to you before you undergo the treatment
• The premises and operator look clean and tidy
• The needles used are sterile and single use – the operator should open the packet in front of you
• The needles are disposed of after use
• The jewellery you choose is sterile – check that the packet is opened in front of you
• The equipment e.g. clamps are sterile – check that the packet is opened in front of you
• The operator washes their hands in soap and hot water and dries them before putting gloves on
• You are provided with verbal and written aftercare advice following your treatment.
When having a cosmetic piercing many of our registered cosmetic piercers have strict age limits for different types of piercing so you may be asked to prove your age, so remember to take a valid form of ID with you that proves your age.
You should remember the possible health risks of having a piercing:
• Possible allergic reaction to metals in the jewellery
• Severe swelling and inflammation can occur
• Jewellery embedding or migrating
• Scarring
• Excessive bleeding (if blood vessels are pierced)
• Piercing of cartilage can lead to deformity, infection blood poisoning/septicemia
• Blood borne viruses such as HIV or Hepatitis
Things to remember before considering a piercing
• Do not get a piercing if you think you are pregnant or are pregnant.
• Consult your doctor before a piercing if you are taking any prescribed medication or have any medical conditions
• Do not get a piercing if you are taking drugs or alcohol
• Some types of piercing such as skin divers are permanent – if you want them removed they require cutting out of your skin
• Piercing hurts!
• If you are not sure about having a piercing don’t
If you have concerns prior to your treatment you should discuss them with the operator and if you are not happy do not undergo the treatment.
If you have any concerns regarding cleanliness, general health and safety or the treatment itself please contact the food and safety team on 01256 844844 or ehteam@basingstoke.gov.uk
