Health experts call for 'urgent' regulation of semi-invasive cosmetic treatments

Piercings, fillers and semi-permanent makeup are often being administered by staff with little to no training at salons in England, according to new research

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Environmental health officials have suggested that urgent new regulations are needed to protect clients undergoing semi-invasive treatments such as fillers and semi-permanent makeup.

It comes after research by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and the Institute of Licencing (IoL) claimed that salons across England are offering semi-invasive treatments with little or no training.

Without the relevant experience, beauty professionals have been found to be scarring or burning clients, according to PA.

Vague laws mean that is hard to prosecute beauty practitioners who harm clients, and regulations are “failing to keep up with the range of procedures now on offer”, states PA.

The problem is exacerbated as staff at salons and tattoo parlours are not required by law to complete training certificates to ensure they know how to practice cosmetic procedures safely.

Furthermore, there are no age restrictions on intimate piercings or increasingly popular semi-permanent makeup and fillers to protect under 18s and prevent them from receiving the treatments.

Inspectors told PA they have to rely on “a hodgepodge of existing health and safety legislation" to attempt to prosecute beauty professionals who harm clients.

A survey of 258 environmental health and licensing professionals in England showed that inspectors frequently went to salons where practitioners had limited or no understanding of infection control.

Many were found to be reusing needles and tools - such as those used in eyebrow microblading - on multiple clients after cleaning with them an alcohol wipe.

Other health and safety measures such as patch testing for procedures, checking medical history or allergies, as well as basic cleaning practices weren’t fulfilled.

One inspector reported a number of ear cartilage infections linked to one piercing studio that saw several clients attend A&E and one lose the top of their ear.

Failure to check medical history is not only a concern for physical health, but also mental health issues like body dysmorphia, which may lead people to obsessively seek alteration of their appearance.

To protect clients and limit infection, the CIEH and IoL are calling for the urgent introduction of an England-wide licensing scheme on cosmetic treatments.

Debbie Wood, CIEH executive director for membership and external affairs, told PA: "With an abundance of new treatments emerging on the market, local authorities desperately need new powers to check these are being carried out safely by trained and competent practitioners."

Daniel Davies, chairman of the IoL, added: "A complete reform of licensing arrangements together with measures to raise public awareness is absolutely essential and should be progressed as soon as possible.”

A similar scheme is already planned in Wales, while Scotland has a licensing regime for piercing and tattooing businesses already in place.