6 hours

Icelandic Environment and Energy Agency

Everyone who performs skin penetration procedures, such as piercing, tattoos,

permanent makeup, and acupuncture, and who has not completed education in the health

sector that includes training in infection prevention and control.

To increase safety for those performing skin penetration procedures and those

receiving such treatment. The course specifically covers aspects relating to hygiene and

infection control for skin penetration procedures, as well as restrictions on the chemical

content of tattoo inks and jewellery inserted through the skin. The goal is to enhance the

knowledge of those working with skin penetration procedures and their ability to implement

infection prevention and control measures.

Lectures and demonstrations (videos).

Multiple-choice test where a minimum score of 7 out of 10 is required to meet the competence criteria.

• Laws, regulations, and licensing requirements that apply to skin penetration procedures, piercing, and tattooing.
• The body and the skin and common reactions to interventions.
• Microbes and pathogens, their living conditions, transmission routes, and infection risk from skin penetration procedures.
• Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization and the necessary substances, tools, and equipment.
• Monitoring of disinfection equipment (washing machine) and sterilization equipment (sterilizers, autoclaves).
• Effectiveness of different disinfectants.
• Importance of personal hygiene and staff clothing.
• Protective equipment and correct use of it.
• Setup, maintenance, and cleaning of the workplace.
• The obligation of the person performing skin penetration procedures to advise the client on matters concerning the specific skin penetration procedure, tattooing, or body piercing, such as the permanence of the intervention, risk factors like medication use, underlying diseases or allergens that may affect the intended treatment, appropriate aftercare, minimum age, and other information necessary for the client to have knowledge of in order to make an informed decision regarding the intervention.
• Requirements regarding registration and preservation of information regarding skin penetration procedures, including information about the contents of tattoo inks.
• Requirements regarding metals in jewellery that are inserted through the skin.
• Requirements regarding substances used in ink for tattooing and permanent makeup.
• Proper treatment of contaminated waste.
• Handling of sharp and/or pointed objects and responses to incidents and accidents.
• Preparation of risk and response plans for unexpected incidents such as fainting, excessive bleeding, acute allergies, and similar situations.

• Be familiar with the laws and regulations that apply to the activity.
• Be familiar with the physical aspects that this activity affects, especially the skin.
• Be aware of possible infection risks during work.
• Know the rules for personal hygiene, staff clothing, and the use of protective equipment.
• Know how to clean the workplace before and after each treatment.
• Understand the difference between disinfection and sterilization and the rules that only sterilized items may enter the skin or body.
• Be familiar with rules regarding which metals can be used in body piercing.
• Be familiar with rules regarding substances and dyes used in tattoos as well as what effects and consequences the use of such substances can have.
• Be familiar with the duty to provide written and oral guidance concerning skin penetration, body piercing, and tattooing.
• Be familiar with rules regarding handling special waste, including contaminated waste.
• Have basic knowledge to make risk and response plans, regarding for example what to do if someone complains of discomfort, faints, or if the client bleeds suddenly or the bleeding cannot be stopped.