Provide an ear piercing service
Overview
This standard coexists alongside, SKAHDBRBNST1 Implement and maintain safe, hygienic and effective working practices *and *SKAHDBRBNS1 Consult, assess, plan and prepare for Hair, Barbering, Beauty, Nails, Wellbeing and Holistic services. This standard is for a Beauty professional providing ear piercing services on the ear lobe or upper flat cartilage in accordance with your local authority requirements. You will also be required to do a post procedure evaluation and reflection for continuous improvement. Users of this standard will need to ensure that their practices reflect up-to-date information, policies, procedures and best practice guidance. It is advisable users of this standard are aware of, and comply with first aid requirements in accordance with legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
The main outcomes are:
- Pierce the ear lobes
- Pierce the upper flat cartilage area of the ear
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
1. carry out a concise and comprehensive consultation with the individual
2. maintain your responsibilities for health and safety in accordance with legislation, regulations, directives and guidelines
3. discuss and establish the individual's objectives, concerns, expectations and desired outcomes to inform the ear piercing service plan, to include:
3.1 individual's treatment area
3.2 prior ear piercing services
4. confirm and agree with the individual, they have understood the proposed ear piercing service, to include:
4.1 contra-actions
4.2 adverse reactions
4.3 physical sensation
5. obtain and record the individual's informed consent for the ear piercing service, post instructions and healing advice in accordance with organisational and insurance requirements
6. prepare the individual and the individual's treatment area in accordance with the ear piercing service protocol, to include:
6.1 use an effective hygiene preparation product to meet the individual's needs in accordance with the manufacturer instructions
7. carry out an ear lobe and cartilage analysis, to include:
7.1 skin classification
7.2 skin condition
7.3 sufficient surface area
7.4 existing scar tissue
7.5 raised imperfections
7.6 prominent veins
8. mark the ear using a sterile marking tool in accordance with the ear piercing service protocol, to include:
8.1 confirm the placement with the individual
9. discuss, agree and select the hypo-allergenic and pre-sterilised ear rings
10. prepare individual's treatment area in accordance with the ear piercing service protocol
11. prepare the equipment in accordance with the ear piercing service protocol, to include:
11.1 loading the ear rings aseptically
12. carry out the ear piercing on the individual's treatment area in accordance with the ear piercing service protocol
13. check the piercing has adequate spacing between the ear and butterfly
14. use a post treatment sterile solution to remove any traces of marking in accordance with the ear piercing service protocol
15. monitor the individual's health, wellbeing and skin reaction throughout the ear piercing service
16. implement the correct course of action in the event of an adverse reaction
17. conclude the treatment in accordance with the ear piercing service protocol, legislative requirements and organisational policies and procedures
18. complete the individual's treatment record and store in accordance with data legislation
19. use reflective practice to evaluate the ear piercing service and take appropriate action
20. provide instructions and advice to the individual, pre and post the treatment
21. record the outcome and evaluation of the ear piercing service
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
1. your role and responsibilities in providing ear piercing services and the importance of working within your competence
2. why you must comply with ethical practice and work within the legislative requirements, to include:
2.1 the responsibilities and required registration under local authority licensing regulations for yourself and your premises
3. the importance to engage in, and document continuous professional development to include, up-to-date information policies, procedures and best practice guidance
4. the anatomy and physiology relevant to this standard
5. the *basic structure of the ear *
6. the relative and absolute contraindications relevant to the ear piercing service, to include:
6.1 the legislative and insurance requirements for obtaining medical diagnosis and referral
7. the importance of recognising suspicious skin irregularities and lesions, and referring to a relevant healthcare professional
8. the purpose, use and limitations of ear piercing services, in relation to:
8.1 past and current medical history
8.2 prior ear piercing services
8.3 relevant lifestyle factors
8.4 medication and medical conditions
8.5 a history of allergies to metal
8.6 individual's expectations
9. the adverse reactions associated with an ear piercing service and how to respond
10. the health and safety responsibilities in line with legislation before, during and after the ear piercing service
11. why it is important to discuss and establish the individual's objectives, concerns, expectations, desired outcomes and agree the ear piercing service plan, to include:
11.1 physical sensation
11.2 expected healing process and duration
11.3 post instructions and advice
11.4 associated risks from lobe piercings and/or flat cartilage piercings
12. the importance of carrying out an ear analysis, to include:
12.1 identifying and carrying out adaptations required to the ear piercing service
13. the fee structures and treatment options
14. the legislative and indemnity requirements of gaining signed, informed consent for the ear piercing service
15. the storage, handling, usage and disposal of ear piercing equipment and single use ear rings in accordance with manufacturer instructions and legislative requirements
16. the importance of adhering to the ear piercing service protocol
17. the types of hygiene products for the skin and the importance of following manufacturer instructions
18. the different size and types of ear rings available
19. the types of ear piercing equipment, materials and products used in ear piercing services
20. how to prepare and check the equipment in accordance with the manufacturer instructions
21. how to load ear rings aseptically into the ear piercing equipment
22. the techniques used to carry out ear piercing effectively, to include:
22.1 how to position yourself and the individual
22.2 how to manually support each ear during the ear piercing service
23. the implications of premature removal of the equipment immediately post the ear piercing service
24. the reasons for hygienically rotating the studs during the healing process and how often this should be carried out
25. how the healing processes and durations differ with each skin classification
26. how keloid scarring occurs
27. the risks associated with premature removal of earrings, and why earrings shouldn’t be removed until the healing process is complete
28. the importance of monitoring the health and wellbeing of the individual during, and post the treatment
29. the reasons for taking consensual visual media of the individual's treatment area and storing in accordance with the service, legislative, insurance and organisational requirements
30. the legislative and regulatory requirements of completing and storing the individual's ear piercing service records
31. the expected outcomes of an ear piercing service
32. the purpose of reflective practice and evaluation and how it informs future treatments
33. the importance to record the outcome and evaluation of the ear piercing service
34. the instructions and advice, pre and post the ear piercing service
Scope/range
Adverse reactions
- bleeding
- bruising
- hyperaemia
- excessive oedema
- allergy
Ear piercing protocol
- working environment
- health and safety
- infection prevention and control
- service plan
- informed consent
- data management
- test outcomes
- manufacturer instructions
- audit and accountability
- instructions and advice
- sustainability
- waste management
- evidence-based practice
- reflective practice
Instructions
- the individual and practitioner's legal rights and responsibilities
- pre and post treatment instructions and care
- restrictions and associated risks
- future treatments
Anatomy and physiology
- the structure and function of the body systems and their interdependence on each other
- relative and absolute contraindications and related pathologies
- the basic structure of the ear
Basic structure of the ear
- the pinna
- lobe
- cartilage
- cartilaginous tissue
Equipment, materials and products
- ear piercing instrument
- sterile non-toxic skin marker pen
- sterile ear studs
- mirror
- consumables
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Absolute contraindication
An absolute contraindication is a condition that prevents the service from being carried out and may require referral.
Adverse reaction
An adverse reaction is an 'unexpected' reaction or outcome following a service, i.e. fainting
Anatomy and Physiology
How the skeletal, muscular, circulatory, lymphatic, respiratory, excretory, digestive, endocrine and nervous systems interact with each other and how they impact the individual, service and outcomes.
Cartilage Piercing
Piercing of the upper flat cartilage area, where the shape of the ear allows, can be performed hygienically and safely with pre-sterilised jewellery. It is important for the piercer to first advise the individual about the additional aftercare and possible risk associated with piercing the area as part of the consultation form. Special attention should be paid to ensure that there is sufficient space for the piercing and that there are no veins, moles or skin conditions that could prohibit the piercing.
Contra action
A contra-action is an 'expected' reaction or outcome following a service, i.e. erythema
Evidence-based practice
Evidence-based practice is based on the best available, current, valid and relevant evidence.
First aid
First aid can refer to first aid at work qualifications or equivalent and first aid mental health awareness.
Protocol
A protocol is a standard procedure to ensure best practice and compliance when providing services, i.e. follow manufacturer instructions.
Relative contraindication
A relative contraindication is a condition that requires an assessment of suitability for the service and/or if adaptions are required.
Links To Other NOS
SKAHDBRBNST1, SKAHDBRBNS1, SKABBR1, SKABBR2, SKABN1, SKABN2, SKABN3, SKAB1, SKAB2, SKAB3, SKAB4, SKAB5, SKAB6, SKAB7, SKAB8, SKAB9, SKAB10, SKAB12, SKABS1, SKABS2, SKABS2, SKABS3, SKABS4, SKABS5, SKABS6, SKABS7, SKAHDBMN1, SKAHDBRBNS2, SKAHDBRBNS3, SKAHDBRBNST2, SKAHDBRBNST3, SKAHDBRBNT1