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Skin Piercing and Tattooing Licence

A business which provides skin piercing or tattooing must be licensed.

What is Skin Piercing?

Skin piercing includes any of the following:

  • Acupuncture - the insertion of needles into living tissue for remedial or therapeutic purposes.
  • Cosmetic body piercing - the perforation of the skin and underlying tissue in order to create a tunnel in the skin through which jewellery may be inserted.
  • Electrolysis - the removal of body hair by electrocution of the hair roots with an electrified needle.
  • Tattooing  - the insertion into the skin of any colouring material designed to leave a semi-permanent or permanent mark including micro pigmentation.

On this page is all the information you will require to apply for a Skin Piercing and Tattooing Licence. Relevant documents are available from the 'Related Downloads' section of this page.

If you require further information about this topic please contact the Licensing Team, Legal Services, on telephone: 01856873535 extensions 2229 or 2232 or via email.

If you would like to see someone in person to discuss a licensing matter please contact the Licensing Team to make an appointment.

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