PROPOSALS to safeguard public health by closing a loophole on cosmetic body-piercing have won the backing of Hyndburn councillors.

Because of a legal anomaly, cosmetic body-piercing can currently be practised without having to register with the local authority.

The Department of Health has now issued a consultation paper proposing to extend the scope of legislation to bring types of skin-piercing, other than those already listed, under local government control.

This would give local authorities the power to regulate cosmetic body-piercing and the application of semi permanent makeup or micro pigmentation. Body-piercing is potentially the most hazardous of all skin-piercing activities and yet currently falls outside the activities requiring registration, Hyndburn environmental services committee was told.

Environmental health chief Steve Todd said: "Cosmetic body-piercing is rings through the navel and all sorts of other unsavoury parts of people's bodies."

In its response to the consultation paper the council says it is only right that body piercing should be included in any skin-piercing legislation.

Likewise, the application of semi-permanent makeup should be included as the process involved is very similar to tattooing.

Dyes are injected under the skin for cosmetic effects such as lip lining, eyebrow lining and for camouflaging scars, burns, or other skin blemishes.

Councillors also welcomed the continued regulation of tattooing.

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