How tattoo and piercing shops will work when they open with new coronavirus safety rules
FACE tattoos and face piercings will likely be off the cards when studios reopen with new coronavirus safety rules in place.
Tattoo and piercing shops in England have been given the green light to welcome back customers from Monday, July 13.
The announcement was made on Thursday, July 9, as part of a coronavirus Downing Street briefing by culture secretary Oliver Dowden.
Mr Dowden also announced that nail bars, beauty salons and massage parlours can reopen on July 13.
But getting inked or pierced will be different when studios reopen, with no walk-ins and customers being asked to attend appointments alone.
These are the recommendations set out in , as well as a ten-point plan submitted by the Tattoo and Piercing Industry Union.
Advice may change if the government issues updated guidance over the weekend.
Tattoo studios opened on July 6 in Northern Ireland, while reopening dates for Scotland and Wales have yet to be announced.
Tattoo artists and body piercers already wear gloves when they work with clients, while their working area and tools are also sanitised between appointments as standard practice.
No face tattoos or face piercings
Tattoo artists and piercers are being told to avoid "face-to-face" working with clients where possible.
Instead, they should limit their appointments to "back-to-back or side-to-side" working only.
Similar action is also being taken at beauty salons, where you won't be able to get a facial.
For tattoo artists, this will likely mean face tattoos won't be allowed.
Coronavirus guidance for close-contact workers
THE government has issued the following advice for workers whose job requires them to have close contact with customers.
This includes: hairdressers, barbers, beauticians, tattooists, sports and massage therapists, dress fitters, tailors and fashion designers.
The suggests following the below procedures to manage any risk of spreading infection:
- Ensure customers and staff stay at home if they feel unwell
- Increased hand washing and cleaning of work surfaces
- Full PPE, including gloves and face masks, should be provided
- Comply with social distancing measures where possible, and if staff cannot work from home
- If social distancing can't be followed, businesses should consider what actions can be removed while allowing staff to still work
- Services within the "highest risk zone" of workers (defined as the area in front of the face where splashes and droplets from the nose and mouth, that may not be visible, can be present and pose a hazard from the client to the practitioner and vice versa) should not be resumed until they have been adapted
When The Sun spoke to the Tattoo and Piercing Industry Union, they said the government advice doesn't specifically list other body parts that artists should avoid - however, it's likely to depend on individual artist and client needs.
For example, it'll depend on if the artist can get their tattoo gun to a body part without face-to-face contact, or if the client can rest their body in a certain position for a length of time without facing the tattooist.
For body piercers, facial piercings - including nose, lip and eyebrow - are also likely to be out of bounds.
This means they'll likely be limited to other areas of the body - such as belly buttons, genital piercings or other surface piercings.
The Tattoo and Piercing Industry suggests customers book a consultation first to discuss changing the location of their tattoo or piercing, or even pushing their appointment back to a later date.
No walk-ins - appointment only
Government guidance also recommends that tattoo and piercing studios operate on an appointment-only basis when they reopen - so you won't be able to just walk-in.
Many tattoo studios have "flash" designs readily available to give walk-in customers inspiration.
But under new guidance, you'll need to know exactly what design you're getting and be booked in before you turn up.
Some tattoo and piercing studios are likely to already have long waiting lists, so get in contact with your regular artist to see what they have available.
Shorter tattoo sessions
Some larger tattoos can take hours to complete, which means it can be lengthy process - especially if you take into account healing time between sittings.
But under new government guidance, tattoo artists are being asked to "minimise the duration of contact with the client".
This means you may find your tattoo artist is working under reduced hours and can't spend as long on your design as before.
PPE for staff and customers
The Tattoo and Piercing Industry Union is suggesting staff wear masks, face shields, aprons and gloves when tattooing.
Tattoo artists already wear gloves, but the rest of the recommendations would be additional measures.
You shouldn't be surprised if your tattoo artist asks you to also wear a mask, especially for long sittings.
Some businesses have installed plastic screens to separate customers and staff, but this isn't likely to work with tattoo artists and piercers as they need to move to reach body parts.
Keep customer details for 21 days
Like pubs and restaurants, tattoo artists and body piercers will also be asked to keep customer details for 21 days, in the event of another outbreak.
This is according to government guidance to help NHS Test and Trace - although it isn't required by law.
Tattoo and piercing studios will likely take your details when you book an appointment.
No contact with anyone infected with coronavirus in last 15 days
The Tattoo and Piercing Industry Union recommends both workers and customers sign a form to say they haven't been in contact with anyone infected with coronavirus over the past 15 days.
This form must be signed and dated and include full name, address, and phone number, to help NHS Track and Trace.
Customers should attend alone
Getting a tattoo or piercing can be a nervous experience for some people, so it's understandable that you'd want to bring someone along with you.
But under government guidelines, tattoo artists and piercers may ask you to attend you appointment alone.
This is to avoid people gathering in one area.
Similar capacity measures are already in place for supermarkets, where only limited numbers of people are allowed inside at one time.
No waiting or magazines in reception areas
There will be no waiting around, or magazines to keep you entertained in reception areas, under suggestions by The Tattoo and Piercing Industry Union.
Some studios may even get rid of their waiting areas altogether.
Spas have also said they won't have magazines in their waiting areas - plus they're also getting rid of food and drink.
Hand washing for customers
You'll also likely find hand sanitiser stations when you enter a tattoo or piercing studio - just like in pubs and restaurants.
This is to help keep customers and staff safe, as well as stopping the spread of germs.
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