The owner of a West London beauty parlour has been fined £2,000 after offering beauty treatments, including tattoo removal, without the required licence.
The owner of Chiswick-based Wellness Lounge, Olga Cika, pleaded guilty to offences under Section 14(1) of the London Local Authorities Act 1991 at Uxbridge Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 9 June 2026.
The prosecution followed investigation by Hounslow Council’s Health and Safety Officers, which found the business had been advertising – and was suspected of carrying out – certain beauty treatments including laser treatments, without the legally required licence.
Special Treatment Licences are required for a range of procedures including tattooing, semi-permanent makeup, massage, cosmetic piercing, acupuncture and laser treatments.
Council officers inspected the premises after an anonymous tip-off. They found that the business was advertising licensable treatments such as laser tattoo removal, and that the equipment for these procedures was in place.
The court heard that the business had reopened in October 2025 after previously closing during the Covid-19 pandemic. In court, Ms Cika admitted continuing to operate while awaiting certification for licensable treatments and before obtaining the appropriate licence.
Ms Cika had previously held a licence for these treatments for eight years from 2013, which had not been renewed since 2021.
After considering mitigation and credit for an early guilty plea, the Magistrates imposed a £1,000 fine. Ms Cika was also ordered to pay a £400 victim surcharge and £600 towards the Council's prosecution costs, making a total financial penalty of £2,000. The court ordered the amount to be paid within 12 months.
Councillor Amy Croft, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Enforcement and Recycling at Hounslow Council, said:
“This business had been operating without the licence required by law and that is completely unacceptable. These regulations exist to protect the public and ensure treatments are carried out safely and responsibly.
“We will not hesitate to take strong enforcement action against businesses that ignore the rules, and this prosecution should serve as a warning that those who fail to comply will face court action and significant financial penalties.”
The licensing regime helps ensure appropriate hygiene, safety and practitioner standards are maintained.
It is illegal to provide or advertise Special Treatments without an annual licence which lasts from 1st April to 31st March.
Guidance on which activities require a licence and on how to apply is available on the Council’s website: Massage and special treatment licences | London Borough of Hounslow.
If you suspect a business is illegally offering licensable beauty treatments, please contact the Council’s Health and Safety team at HealthandSafety@hounslow.gov.uk.
