Body Piercing

Derma-rolling, ear and body piercing, permanent and semi-permanent makeup, tattooing (including memorial tattoos), platelet rich plasma (PRP) facials and ritual self-flagellation.

Must not donate if:
Less than 3 months after last piercing.

Piercings performed within the UK in a commercial setting: Accept

Piercings performed outside the UK or within the UK in an unlicensed non-commercial premises more than 3 months ago: Accept

Painting, stencilling or transfers applied to the skin without piercing: Accept

Under all current legislation it is a criminal offence to trade without registration (licensing) or to be in breach of the relevant byelaws. Similar provisions are in place in Scotland in the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Skin Piercing and Tattooing) Order 2006. Some London boroughs also require a ‘special treatment’ license. It is expected that all premises will follow infection control processes including using single needles for treatments.   

In the UK local authorities are responsible for regulating and monitoring businesses providing semi-permanent skin colouring procedures (micropigmentation, semi-permanent make-up and temporary tattooing).  The focus of legislation covering local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982) is on minimising infection risks using compulsory registration of practitioners and premises and optional powers to make byelaws.

For piercings performed outside the UK or within the UK in an unlicensed, non-commercial establishment less than 3 months ago, the donor may only be accepted following documented individual risk assessment and discussion with the transplant centre if the risk of delaying transplant outweighs the risk of transmission of infections.

Piercing has passed infection from person to person. Waiting 3 months helps to ensure that the infections tested for by the Blood & Tissues Services will be picked up.

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) facials (also known as ‘Vampire Facials’) have been associated with HIV transmission. 

Ritual self-flagellation is carried out by some religious groups. The practice includes beating or flogging oneself with sharp objects. It may be associated with exposure to blood from other participants, either directly or through contamination of shared equipment.

This guidance presumes that a validated NAT test for HIV, HBV and HCV is negative, if this test is stopped for any reason the guidance will change.

To add  Derma-rolling, ear and body piercing, tattooing (including memorial tattoos), platelet rich plasma (PRP) facials and ritual self-flagellation to the entry and to add information regarding PRP facials and ritual self-flagellation.