Bid to protect body piercing business rejected

Monday, Sept. 8, 2003 | 9:43 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court has rejected a petition by two men who challenged the authority of the Clark County Health District to conduct a hearing to revoke their licenses for tattoo and body piercing businesses.

The court said Friday it would not interfere with the Health District at this time. It added that the men, Walter Crutchfield and William Faught, may sue in District Court if they want to fight the Health District's decision.

Crutchfield said he developed a unique method of permanent makeup 22 years ago and was using it at his Paradise Permanent Make-up Layers Salon until health officials closed it July 18. He said there were no violations and the Health District did not follow its regulations in shutting down the business.

The district had issued a notice alleging the business: used rusted pliers and body piercing tools; used unapproved drugs or cosmetics; used "unregulated invasive body modification" with a tool that removed tattoos and used a dye or pigment not obtained from a reputable manufacturer.

The two men sought a writ of prohibition to stop the Health District from holding a hearing on the license.