Body piercing

Registration for body and ear piercing

You do not need to register to practise body piercing in Aldershot and Farnborough. However, you must register to practise ear piercing. For more details and information on how to register, please see our acupuncture, tattooing, ear piercing and electrolysis registration page.

Body piercing and health and safety

Although you do not need to register to practise body piercing, you must meet health and safety standards and have clean, well-equipped, and suitable premises.

You must be able to sterilise all instruments and jewellery before use.

You must also provide written aftercare advice that your clients can take away.

Further information can be found in advice and safe practice for body piercing - guidance for practitioners 

Age restrictions on body piercing

There is no lower age limit for cosmetic body piercing, but permanent tattooing is restricted to over-18s by the Tattooing of Minors Act 1969.  See our acupuncture, tattooing, ear piercing and electrolysis registration page for more details.

Children aged under 16 do not need to ask their parents for permission for body piercing, but it is always better that you suggest they do.

We do not enforce the age of consent for body piercing. If you have concerns about consent or the potential for assault/sexual offences, we advise you to contact Hampshire Constabulary.

Further information

• Byelaws for ear piercing and electrolysis
• Advice and safe practice for body piercing - guidance for practitioners