Guidelines for skin penetration

Skin penetration can be defined as a procedure where the skin is cut, torn, punctured, shaved or penetrated in any way. The age limit for getting a tattoo is 18 years of age. The age limit for piercing depends on the part of the body to be pierced:. The above age limitations are regulated by the Department of Child Protection.

The Public Health Act and Public Health Regulation regulates body decorating and grooming practices carried out by people who are not registered as health professionals. The regulated body decorating and grooming industries include:. Skin Penetration Audit Tool. Notification form to notify the local council of existence of premises where skin penetration is performed. NSW Health undertook a review to determine whether the current regulation of cosmetic procedures is appropriate to ensure the safety of consumers.

Some beauty therapies, such as waxing, shaving, tweezing and electrolysis are also considered a skin penetration procedure, as is the practice of acupuncture. If you are an operator providing any of these services, you need to be aware of the potential health risks and the importance of following correct infection control guidelines. It is important to have standards for infection control for skin penetration operators so clients can have confidence in the services they access. Most people visit establishments, such as studios, salons or practices, for skin penetration procedures where operators are required by law to operate at high standards of infection control. WA establishments wishing to perform skin penetration procedures are required to notify the local government of their registered trading name and business address, and the types of procedures they are planning to perform.

Note: skin penetration procedures carried out by a health practitioner registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, or by a person acting under the direction or supervision of a registered health practitioner, in the course of providing a health service are not subject skin penetration procedures for the purpose of the Act or Regulation. The skin penetration requirements of the Act and Regulation apply to occupiers of premises that carry out skin penetration procedures. In addition, there are requirements in the Regulation that apply to the person carrying out a skin penetration procedure, such as:. In the Act was updated to better protect public health by including procedures that penetrate a mucous membrane as skin penetration procedures. Mucous membranes are surfaces such as the lining of the mouth, nose, eye, vagina and anus.