The Associated Risk of Tattoos and Piercings

 …and the Lack of Government Intervention

ARTICLE BY LUCY PEATY

In the UK, one in five adults have a tattoo, and even more so have, or have had, a piercing. Yet, despite the large proportion of the population who have modified their bodies in one way or another, there is a surprisingly low level of Government regulation in the increasingly popular industry.

Like any procedure which pierces the skin, the risks associated with tattooing and piercings revolve mainly around the effects of microbial infection and the potential spread of nasty diseases that can be contracted as a result of a lack of basic training in hygiene; training which Government regulation could ensue as a necessity.

Regional Regulations

Currently, the regulations surrounding the requirements for tattoo and piercing parlours vary depending on your location within the UK. For instance, at the moment, Wales is the only area where a compulsory licencing scheme is thought to be introduced in the near future.

In Scotland, shop owners require a licence, yet the individual technicians do not, meaning that anyone within the establishment can perform a tattoo and/or piercing.

For England, the Department of Health and Social Care confirmed that local authorities have been granted the power to regulate the cleanliness of modification parlours if they believe there to be a health and safety risk. Most regions across England require you to register for a licence but do not require any specific training or qualifications to obtain one.

Overall, it appears that the Government have devolved the ability to regulate tattoo and piercings providers regionally but have not nationally enforced or particularly encouraged local authorities to uphold a basic level of hygiene amongst the same.

Unfortunately, the lack of apparent interest from the Government in regulating and enforcing a standard level of care amongst those who offer tattoos and piercings has allowed the risk of infection to increase, and further correlates to the increasing cost to the NHS as a result of ‘botched’ cosmetic procedures.

Are There Side Effects Associated with Tattoos and Piercings?

The most common side effects from obtaining a tattoo or piercing are redness, burning, and swelling. Whilst these side effects usually reduce drastically within several days of the index procedure, complications can occur if considerations towards cleanliness before, during, or after the procedure are disregarded.

In the most extreme cases, diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, and even HIV can be spread from something as simple as a needle that looks clean but, in reality, is contaminated.

Whilst the risk of adverse side effects stemming from piercings and tattoos are potentially life-changing, and despite the lack of Government intervention, the actual risk to the consumer themselves can be reduced by following certain ‘good practices’.

Firstly, researching the professional who will carry out your procedure of choice can indicate if any of their previous customers has had any issues regarding hygiene and cleanliness, but also just the general nature of the service they provide. Similarly, researching the establishment where the procedure will take place can allow a potential customer to spot any warning signs that may indicate a risk to their health.

Moreover, it is important to remember that high-quality services and products do not tend to be cheap with the saying “Good tattoos aren’t cheap, and cheap tattoos aren’t good” highlighting that you will receive the quality of the service that you pay for.

In Conclusion

Whilst the Government continues to neglect the regulation of skin piercing across the UK, the associated risks of tattoos and piercings can be reduced by the consumer.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

If you have been affected by any of the side effects associated with obtaining a tattoo or piercing and would like to discuss a potential claim, do not hesitate to contact Oakwood Solicitors today on 0113 200 9720 for your free initial consultation with one of our team.