Tattooing and Body Piercing

Tattooing and body piercing includes techniques of tattooing by skin penetration (including permanent makeup) and body piercing, excluding earlobe and nostril piercing performed with a piercing gun. This activity is performed by professionals specially trained in hygiene and health safety rules.

Any person wishing to practice this activity must have completed mandatory training of at least 21 hours provided by an organization approved by the Regional Health Agency (Agence régionale de santé, ARS) and file a prior activity declaration with the ARS. Permanent makeup falls under the same tattooing hygiene framework and requires the same 21-hour training.

Requirements and Qualifications

  • Mandatory training: Training of at least 21 hours over 3 consecutive days provided by an ARS-approved organization, covering hygiene conditions, health safety, and equipment sterilization.
  • Training certificate: Must be displayed in the client reception area.
  • Permanent makeup: Requires a CAP or BEP in aesthetics, an equivalent diploma registered in the RNCP, or 3 years of professional experience in the EU/EEA.
  • Exemptions: Holders of a State diploma as a doctor of medicine or a university degree in hospital hygiene specialty are exempt from training.
  • Minor clients: Prior written consent from a person with parental authority or guardian required, to be kept for 3 years.

Declaration Procedure

  • Prior declaration: Mandatory to the Director General of the ARS in the place of practice, before starting the activity.
  • Content: Last name, first name, address of practice location, nature of technique implemented, training certificate or equivalent qualification.
  • Receipt: Sent to the declarant for any complete application. If file is incomplete, invitation to regularize.
  • Cost: Free.
  • Exception: Piercing with a piercing gun (earlobe and nostril) is not subject to this declaration.

Hygiene Rules and Restrictions

  • Sterile equipment: Equipment penetrating the skin must be single-use and sterile, or sterilized before each use.
  • Premises: Room exclusively reserved for the activity, cleaned daily, surfaces disinfected between each client.
  • Protection: The professional must remove jewelry, wear sterile gloves changed for each client and after any septic procedure.
  • Authorized products: Tattoo products must comply with articles L. 513-10-1 et seq. of the Code de la santé publique. Only authorized pigments may be used.
  • Waste: Classified as infectious healthcare waste, subject to strict disposal rules (separation, sorting, collection, packaging, labeling).
  • Client information: Mandatory oral and written information on risks (irreversible nature, pain, infection, allergies, healing) and precautions to be observed.