Bradford councillors have discussed updating decades-old regulations covering tattooing, piercing and other cosmetic treatments in response to changing beauty trends and growing public health concerns.
Members of Bradford Council’s Regulatory and Appeals Committee heard that the authority’s current by-laws regulating skin piercing activities date back to 1982. It was the time when legislation was primarily focused on ear piercing, tattooing, acupuncture and electrolysis.
Since then, the popularity of treatments such as semi-permanent skin colouring and cosmetic body piercing has grown significantly, with many more businesses now offering such services.
A report presented to the committee said there had been “a number of developments in skin piercing primarily associated with fashion trends” since the original controls were introduced. The report noted that while the Local Government Act 1982 allows councils to require the registration of businesses carrying out certain skin piercing activities to ensure hygienic standards are met, newer procedures such as cosmetic body piercing and semi-permanent skin colouring are effectively unregulated under the current framework.
It stated that the original legislation was introduced to reduce health risks including skin infections, bleeding and the transmission of blood-borne viruses such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV. The report added that local authorities have raised concerns for several years that newer cosmetic procedures could pose similar health risks.
Councillors were asked to consider updating the authority’s by-laws relating to acupuncture, tattooing, semi-permanent skin colouring, cosmetic piercing and electrolysis.
Senior Environmental Health Officer Jane Bradbury told the meeting: “There has been a massive rise in beauty treatments, and so we have to make sure we have the adequate by-laws in place to cover these businesses.”
Members heard that many businesses already voluntarily register with the council, but updated regulations would help formalise requirements and strengthen oversight. If approved, the council’s next step would be to seek government approval for revised by-laws.
During the discussion, Councillor Rizwana Jamil (Lab, Bowling and Barkerend) asked whether the proposed changes would also cover treatments such as Botox.
Mrs Bradbury explained that councils currently have no overarching powers to regulate Botox, dermal fillers or laser treatments. She said a Government white paper relating to cosmetic procedures is progressing through Parliament, but any national licensing scheme is unlikely to be introduced for at least two years.
“At the moment, people who offer filler, laser treatment and Botox are not covered by legislation,” she said.
