Ear piercing performed in hairdressing salons and jewellery shops using a piercing gun has been set aside from the obligation to notify the local environmental and public health authorities, due to the use of disposable cassette with the piercing gun. According to the Swedish environmental code each practitioner are required to prevent any health hazards arisen from the operation. Local bacterial infection is the most frequent complication associated with the ear piercing procedure and to prevent the potential risk of such an event, hygiene conditions in both the premises and in procedures are essential. The purpose of the report was to examine the presence of ear piercing practitioners in Umeå and their current hygiene conditions. The study consisted of interviews with employees and managers on site whose answers was evaluated and compared to the general recommendations of The National Board of Health and Welfare. The study indicates that most of the shops had appropriate premises and proper hygiene methods. However merely half of the shops never seemed to clean nor disinfect the ear piercing gun, which may be considered to be non negligible deficiency in current methods. One salon had questionable methods which may require a follow-up. The conclusion of this study is that more information within the various practitioners is required in most cases to increase consciousness of proper and safe course of action.