Thinking of getting a new piercing? Awesome! But before you stroll into the nearest piercing parlor, here are some things you should consider.
1. Do your research!
The beautiful thing about getting pierced is that you can take it out anytime you decide you don’t want it anymore. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do some investigating before hand. First decide on a piercing and do an internet search on it. There are tons of sites and forums to help you out and you can read other people’s experiences. Pay attention to healing time and aftercare, those will be your best friend!
2. Know what piercing will work for you!
Navel piercings are very cute but may not be a great idea if you’re an athlete. If you do choose to get one, then wait until you’re offseason! Your body needs time to heal! Also if you’re getting a inner ear piercing, like a conch or a rook, be aware that you aren’t going to be able to wear ear buds for the first week or two. A new trend is dermal piercings, which are piercings that are anchored into the skin usually around the collar bond, nape, or sternum. While these are adorable, they also have a very high rejection rate, meaning your body might push the piercing out. Also they are not permanent like most other piercings, they may last 6 months or six years but eventually they will come out. Also during the healing process for any piercing (which may be up to 9 months) you should be the only one touching it. This means your friends or significant other will have to keep their hands off!
3. Go to a reputable shop!
Piercing is one of those things when going cheap can actually be harmful. Go online, go on yelp, and ask friends about where they went to get pierced! Most sites will have artists galleries that you can peruse and see if you like that artists work. Also some shops don’t take credit cards so check out their websites for acceptable payment methods before time.
Here are some tips to know if a shop is reputable: They should only offer to pierce you with surgical steel, titanium, glass or gold. Don’t put anything in your body that is only plated with one of these materials, the outer covering can rub off and expose your skin to the harmful metal underneath. The only piercing that you have a little leeway in this is your lobes, but regardless don’t get pierced with copper or any other cheap jewelry. Also don’t get pierced with a gun! The way a piercing gun is made makes it nearly impossible to fully sterilize between uses! Also a gun could shatter your cartilage if you’re getting your upper ears pierced!
4. Finally the pain factor!
The question I’m always asked about my piercings is: Did it hurt? Which the answer is of course it hurt! They are sticking a needle through my body, there’s no way there won’t be some slight pain. That being said, don’t let pain deter you! A reputable piercer will work very quick so the initial sting is short lived. also bringing a friend (who’s not squeamish around needles) can be great moral support! Really if you’re worried about pain, you should be thinking about the tenderness and soreness that’s going to come after. The biggest thing is sleeping. If you get a naval piercing, you probably aren’t going to be able to sleep on your stomach for a while, the same goes for sleeping on the side that your new ear piercing is on. Also you should be cautious when combing your hair or removing clothes, since these can catch on peircings. But generally the tenderness and soreness only lasts for two weeks, after that, they only hurt if you jostle it.
To me, a piercing is worth a little short term pain. It’s a new part of your body you can customize and that’s really cool. I’m happy with all my 7 of my piercings (2 in each lobe, 2 helix/cartilage piercings in my right ear, and a septum). I think it’s a worthwhile experience, just be safe and do your research!