Another law bill related to tattooists has been proposed to the National Assembly. The latest bill calls for legalizing people who specialize in scalp tattoos targeting those with hair loss problems. As a result, the number of tattoo-related bills proposed at the 21st National Assembly increased to seven.

Rep. Choi Young-hee of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) said Thursday that she proposed the bill on “semi-permanent scalp make-up.” 

Semi-permanent scalp make-up is an act that puts semi-permanent make-up on the hairless portions of the scalp with harmless pigments using needles and other devices and makes them appear like hair. 

The bill contains various related issues, including semi-permanent make-up artists’ licensing and scope of business, hygiene management obligations, and parlors' reporting and closures.

“Recently, more and more people receive semi-permanent scalp make-up, reflecting the increasing interest in hair loss and the rapid progress of related skills. However, there are no clear legal grounds for such activities,” Choi said.  

According to precedents, law enforcement authorities regard semi-permanent scalp make-up as a medical act and punish non-physician make-up artists’ conduct of business as an illegal medical act. However, the PPP lawmaker noted that most people do it for cosmetic purposes, not medical reasons.  

“However, as most of the semi-permanent scalp make-up activities are being done by people other than medical doctors, the law does not conform with reality,” she said. “It also adversely affects the public health, making it difficult to manage and supervise the semi-permanent make-up business.” 

Choi said the proposal is to provide legal ground, including licensing, for semi-permanent scalp make-up, bring it to the surface, and contribute to public health.