Public Entertainment Licence standard conditions

Nail Bar licence conditions

These sector-specific conditions apply to Public Entertainment Licences for Nail Bars and must be read together with the Standard licence conditions for premises.

Definitions

  • Nail Bar: A commercial premises whose principal focus is nail treatments.
  • Nail treatments: manicure, pedicure, nail extensions and artificial nails of any kind are considered as nail treatments. The procedures may include: treatments of the hands, feet, finger nails or toe nails which may include scrubbing, massage, cutting, filing, varnishing and cuticle removal.
  • Nail technicians: anyone delivering any nail treatment to another person at a nail bar.

Licence conditions

  1. Control of odours and dusts:
    The licence holder must meet in full the guidance contained within Health and Safety Executive (HSE) “COSHH essentials for service and retail” SR13, to control odours and dusts. COSHH essentials for service and retail SR13 (PDF).
  2. Training and competence:
    The licence holder shall ensure that every operator can demonstrate that they have sufficient knowledge, skill, training and experience commensurate with the activities they carry out. Qualifications and records must be available for inspection and must cover Salon Hygiene/Infection Control, or similar.
  3. Prohibited products:
    The licence holder (and / or nail technicians) shall not use Methyl Methacrylate Liquid Monomer (MMA) products for any nail treatments.
  4. Cleaning and sterilisation:
    All equipment must be adequately cleaned, disinfected and sterilised between clients.
    The licence holder shall ensure there is sufficient equipment such as scissors, nail clippers, etc. provided, so that enough equipment is in place to allow such cleaning between clients.
    Where possible sterile single-use instruments, e.g., cuticle pushers, should be used.
    The treatment table and other hard surfaces shall be cleaned between clients, using a suitable surface disinfectant.
  5. Wash hand basin:
    The licence holder shall ensure that a non hand operable wash hand basin is provided in the salon treatment area, be supplied with running hot and cold water and connected to suitable drainage. Portable wash-hand basins are not permitted.
    An adequate supply of soap and paper towels must be provided at each wash hand basin.
  6. Hygiene procedure:
    The licence holder shall document a hygiene procedure, demonstrating:
    • all nail technicians must thoroughly wash their hands between clients
    • the client’s hands / feet, as appropriate, shall be cleaned at the commencement of the treatment
    • if nail technicians wear disposable gloves these must be single use and must be replaced between clients
  7. Towels:
    The licence holder shall ensure a clean and laundered towel (or single use disposable towel) is used for each client.
  8. Client assessment and contraindications:
    The licence holder shall ensure that prior to any treatment commencing assessment of the following is undertaken by staff:
    • Condition of client’s skin and nails
    • Contraindication checks
    Examples of contraindications:
    The following examples of contraindications, although not exhaustive, may indicate that a cosmetic nail treatment should not be carried out:
    • Open cuts, broken skin, abrasions or bleeding around the hands / feet or nails
    • Severe inflammation and / or swelling of the hands and / or feet
    • Onycholysis (nail separation from the nail bed)
    • A history of skin conditions e.g. dermatitis, eczema or sensitive skin
    • A history of allergic reactions or dermatitis affecting the hands or feet
    • Client has an existing relevant medical condition e.g. infection, heart disease, blood disease, haemophilia
    • Client is undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment or has a history of skin cancer or is on medication that makes the skin photosensitive
    The licence holder shall implement a procedure that ensures that any client who presents with a “contraindication” shall be advised to seek medical advice prior to the nail treatment being carried out. In these circumstances a written record shall be made detailing the client, the recommendation made and the client’s decision regarding treatment. The record shall be dated and signed by both parties and retained for a period of 12 months.
  9. Age restrictions:
    The licence holder shall ensure that nail treatment is not carried out on any child under the age of 16 unless accompanied by a responsible person (e.g., parent/guardian) who has given their consent.
    Proof of age should be required from young unaccompanied persons.
  10. Electric drills/files:
    The use of electric drills/files on a client’s natural nail is prohibited. Electric drills/files may only be used on the surface of the artificial nail and must not be used to blend the artificial nail to the natural nail. Only persons with specific training in the use of electric drills/files, and who are competent in their use, are permitted to use them.
  11. Aftercare advice:
    Appropriate aftercare advice must be made available to the public.

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