Skin penetration services explained

What it means

A skin penetration procedure is any procedure that pierces or breaks the skin or a mucous membrane. Tattooing, cosmetic tattooing, piercing, electrolysis and acupuncture are obvious examples, but the term also covers many everyday beauty services where the skin may be broken.

An example: NSW

In NSW, the Public Health Act 2010 and Public Health Regulation 2022 cover skin penetration. NSW Health lists procedures that can include tattooing, cosmetic tattooing, piercing, manicures and pedicures, and waxing. A few points from NSW Health:

• Businesses must be registered with their local council, and council officers can inspect them without notice.
• Laser hair removal is not a skin penetration procedure under the NSW regulation.
• Procedures done by registered health practitioners while providing a health service are excluded.
• Hairdressing that doesn't deliberately pierce the skin isn't covered, although councils may regulate it under other laws.

Why it's regulated

Contaminated equipment and surfaces can spread hepatitis B and C and bacterial infections such as staphylococcal and streptococcal infections. That's why the core rules focus on sterile equipment, single-use items, clean premises and safe sharps disposal.

The core requirements

• Anything that penetrates the skin must be sterile at the time of use, or single-use. In NSW, reusable items are sterilised in a steam steriliser (autoclave).
• Needles are sterile, single-use and go straight into a sharps container.
• Creams, inks and pigments are decanted so nothing is double-dipped.
• Clean linen for every client, and benches cleaned or covered between clients.
• Gloves and a clean gown or apron during skin penetration procedures.

Other states

Every state and territory regulates skin penetration differently. In Victoria, for example, hair, beauty, tattooing and skin penetration businesses register with their local council, the Department of Health publishes infection prevention guidelines under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008, and in some cases clients must be given written information about the health risks. Check your state health department and local council before you start offering a service, and follow your workplace procedures.