Frequently Asked Questions
How is it done?
A hollow needle is passed through the body part followed by the insertion of the body jewelry in the hole. A piercing gun should not be used because it crushes the tissues that are pierced and it cannot be properly sterilized.
How do the holes heal?
Skin heals after piercings by forming a layer of cells called epithelial cells along the inside of the piercing to protect the body from the foreign object. The epithelial cells form a tube-like layer of skin along the inside of the piercing. The process takes at least six to eight weeks, although most body piercings require at least six months to a year before the jewelry can be removed for any length of time without the risk of the hole closing.
After the epithelial layer has formed, the piercing may constrict around the jewelry. The epithelial layer can be easily torn or dislodged, so do not force the jewelry to rotate without first applying warm water. Once the epithelial cell layer forms, it must toughen and strengthen for up to a year before the piercing will become more flexible and relaxed around the jewelry.
What do you find better for an initial piercing? B.C.R.'s, barbells or banana bars?
Barbells and banana bars have the benefit of sitting flatter against the body, therefore reducing the risk of catching or snagging the jewellery and aggravating the piercing. However, cleaning around the site of the entry and exit holes of your piercing may be a little trickier.
BCRs stick out more than barbells or bananabells making them more likely to catch or snag and aggravate your piercing. However, it is often easier to clean around the entry and exit points of your piercing.
Typically, either a ring or bar can be used to pierce with.
Discuss the pros and cons with your piercer before selecting a piece to be pierced with.
Caring for Your Piercing Site
First, make sure that your piercing is done with a sterile object, and that jewelry inserted in the new piercing site is also sterile, to prevent bacteria and foreign objects from entering the body.
All new piercings produce a sticky white to off-white discharge that dries into a crusty formation around the openings of the piercings and on the jewelry). The area around the new piercing should be kept clean.
•Do not touch the new piercing. Wash your hands with soap before cleaning the piercing.
•Clean the pierced area with antibacterial soap. Remove all crusty formations, and rinse off the soap.
•Salt-water soaks are good to loosen up crusty formations. You can make salt water by adding 1/4 teaspoon of salt to one cup of clean water.
•Do not use alcohol or peroxide to clean the area at any time. They will dry out your skin. Betadine will discolor gold jewelry.
•Always wear clean clothing and change the bed-sheets every week during the healing period to avoid infection.
•Sweat and clothes rubbing against the piercing may be irritating.
•For piercings in your ear or around your face, avoid make-up and powders in that area during the healing process. Cover the pierced area with a tissue when applying hair spray.
•For body piercings, do not wear tight clothes. For navel piercing, do not wear large belts, stockings or body suits, and do not sleep on your stomach. Good air circulation is important for healing.
•Be careful where you swim. Avoid public pools and hot tubs until the piercing has healed.
•For mouth care following tongue or lip piercing, choose an antibacterial mouthwash that does not contain alcohol and rinse your mouth after all meals and snacks. If you notice bad breath and an off-colored tongue, the mouthwash may have killed bacteria that live naturally in the mouth. If this happens, switch to salt water rinses instead of mouthwash.
•Saline solution should be used to clean the inside entrance of nostril piercings.
•Do not use antibiotic ointments on piercings.
•Avoid kissing or oral sex while piercings in mouth are healing.
Average Healing Times for Piercings
Healing times will vary from person to person. All sorts of things can increase the healing but a good choice of metal (i.e. Titanium), good and careful aftercare as well as a zinc supplement will help reduce your healing time. But, please remember, you and your body MUST work together to make a piercing successful.
With nipple and navel piercings, you have to be extra careful as they are constantly under clothes. This will cause the piercing to become hot and sticky (a perfect breeding ground for germs).
Avergage healing times are as follows:
Piercing Location 
Average Healing Time
Average Healing Time Ear lobe
Nasal septum
Nasal bridge
Nipple
Female genitalia
Male genitalia
Cheek
I really want a piercing but I'm terrified of getting infected. How can I prevent this?
Infections are prevented with proper care and attention to your piercing. Alloy metals like steel can often tire your immune system making you more prone to infection. But even Titanium or Blackline won't stop you getting an infection if your piercing is always being aggravated or rarely cleaned.
Signs of Infection
If you experience pain that does not go away within a day or two, increased pain, unusual pain or swelling in the piercing site, or see signs of infection, see your health care provider. Do not remove your jewelry. If the jewelry is removed, the openings of the piercing may close and trap the infection, which can create an abscess (a pus-filled, painful area).
Signs of Sensitivity to Cleaning Products
Symptoms may include redness, irritation, itching or burning when the piercing is cleaned, or a rash surrounding the piercing. Over- or under-cleaning of the piercing can cause the openings of the piercing to become red, overly dry and cracked.
Signs of Sensitivity to the Jewelry
Symptoms may include redness, irritation, itching or burning when the piercing is cleaned, or a rash surrounding the piercing. Piercers recommend non-toxic metals such as surgical steel (316L or 316LVM), 14K or 18K yellow gold, 18K palladium white gold, niobium or titanium to avoid infections and allergic reactions.
Can gold be used to pierce with?
You can now get nickel free 9ct gold. This is perfectly OK to be pierced with.
MAKE SURE YOU'RE NOT ALLERGIC TO THE METAL YOU HAVE CHOSEN.
How do you know if a piercer is qualified and licensed by the council?
NEVER be afraid to ask your piercer questions. Look for a certificate of training and a health and safety certificate from the local council.
What should a body piercing studio look like and what should it contain?
Obviously a body piercing studio should be clean. It should have an examination bed, clinical waste bin, sharp`s bin (disposing the needles once they have been used), an autoclave unit to sterilise equipment and jewellery. After sterilisation, clamps should be kept in sterile pouches while waiting to be used. All piercers must wear surgical or examination gloves.
I have a lump just by the bottom hole of my navel. What is this and how do I get rid of it?
The lump is possibly scar tissue or dirt trapped by the skin. A hot salt-water press can help draw out anything trapped in the lump or reduce scar tissue.
HOT SALT WATER PRESS: Boil water with a small amount of sea salt. Allow the mix to cool a little. Dip a clean cloth into the hot salt water and press against your piercing for 10 minutes or until the cloth is cools. You probably only need to do this once a day.
I'm pregnant. Do I have to take my navel piercing out?
You will have to change your piercing to a P.T.F.E. This is a biologically inert plastic barbell, which will bend as your stomach expands. If you do keep your metal jewellery in, it will be pushed out as your belly gets larger.
I've just started a new job and my employers don't appreciate my piercing in the same way as I. How can I make it discreet?
There is a range of 'keepers' which are clear plastic and very small. These fit into the piercing (e.g. tongue) and can only be noticed by you.
Will it hurt?
Piercings sting, like a quick jab. Being prepared and calm is paramount. Eat well beforehand and bring a sugary drink with you.
This will counter balance the effects of shock as most people work themselves up expecting a serious amount of pain and finding it so easy after the piercing, tend to go into shock.
Will my clothes affect my piercing?
Speak to your body piercer if you have any doubts. It's common sense to wear low-cut or casual trousers after a navel piercing for example, or a loose cotton T-shirt for nipple piercings.
My friend's piercing hasn't done any of the stuff mine did. Why?
Biologically, everyone differs, so what happens to one person after a piercing may not necessarily happen to another.
Oral Piercing and Dental Health
No matter where you put pierced jewelry, you could have an infection or sensitivity. Piercings in the mouth have some specific additional risks, according to the American Dental Association.
Metal jewelry in the mouth can cause irritation to the soft tissue in the mouth, and it can cause the gums to recede due to constant irritation. Constant contact of the jewelry against the teeth can cause chipping and cracking of the teeth, and jewelry that comes unfastened can be a choking hazard.
Q and A about Lip Piercing
Question
People say that getting a ring is better than getting a stud when getting a lip piercing. Why is that? And I hear that there can be problems with receding gums and such with lip piercings. What are the possible health hazards for getting lip piercings?
Answer
I did some research in order to respond to your question. I did not find any recommendations for using rings instead of studs for lip piercing. In fact, there was a suggestion that studs might actually be safer since they have less of a tendency to move around, therefore having a slightly lower risk of infection. Also, there have been reports of dental problems such as receding gums from a lip piercing. It is thought that this is due to the metal rubbing on the teeth and gums. The other main complication from lip piercing is infection, especially since the mouth is constantly filled with bacteria no matter what. It is impossible to sterilize the mouth completely.
