A piercing is a perforation made in the body with a needle. A piece of jewelry is then placed into the hole. The most common body parts pierced are the ears, nostrils, and navel. Oral piercings include those of the lips, cheeks, and tongue.
Once the piercing has healed, some people choose to have it widened so that they can wear certain types of jewelry, such as earrings and piercings. Widening the piercing should be done in gradual increments to reduce the chances of damaging the piercings and causing scarring.
What should I know about this?
If you're thinking about getting a piercing , do your research first. If you're under 18, some places won't let you get a piercing without parental consent, and other places require a parent to be present during the piercings. In some states, minors aren't allowed to get piercings .
Before getting a piercing , make sure you are up to date on your vaccinations (especially hepatitis B and tetanus vaccines). If you have any medical conditions (such as heart disease, allergies, diabetes, a weakened immune system, or a bleeding disorder), talk to your doctor before getting a piercing . If you are planning to get a tongue or mouth piercing , make sure your teeth and gums are healthy.
Likewise, if you tend to have keloids (excessive growths of scar tissue), you should not get piercings .
Although piercings are generally well accepted socially, some piercings could be an impediment to getting a job or advancing in your professional career.
How can I get a safe piercing ?
Piercings are regulated in some states, and not in others. If you decide to get a piercing , ask about the shop's procedures and make sure the procedure is done in a clean and safe environment for customers.
Each establishment must have an autoclave (sterilization equipment) and must store the instruments in sealed packages until they are used. Ask and make sure that the person who will be doing the piercings :
- is an authorized professional
- wash your hands before each procedure
- Use new, disposable gloves (like those used in doctors' offices)
- Use disposable needles and sterilized instruments
- use a piercing gun that has been sterilized or is disposable
The facility should follow appropriate procedures for handling and disposing of waste (such as needles or blood-stained gauze).
Before getting a piercing , find out if you are allergic to any metals, such as nickel or copper. Choose jewelry (including earring and stud backs and closures) made from metals that are less likely to cause allergic reactions, such as:
- surgical stainless steel
- Solid gold (not gold plated or gold plated)
- niobium
- titanium
If you feel the place is not clean enough, if they don't answer your questions, or if you feel uncomfortable for any other reason, go to another establishment to get your piercings.
What happens while you are getting a piercing ?
Here's what you can expect when you get a piercing :
- The person who is going to do the piercings should wash their hands with water and antibacterial soap, and wear new, clean gloves.
- The area you want to pierce (except the tongue) is cleaned with alcohol or another antiseptic.
- You should see the person doing your piercings remove the needles and equipment from sterile containers.
- The skin is then pierced with a piercings gun (for earrings only) or a very sharp, single-use needle.
- The piece of jewelry, which will have been previously sterilized, will be placed in the hole.
- The person doing the piercing will dispose of the needle in a special container so that there is no chance of the needle or blood coming into contact with another person.
He or she will then give you instructions on how to care for your new piercing and what to do if any problems arise.
What are the risks of getting a piercing ?
It's normal to have mild swelling and some discomfort in the pierced area. There can be a lot of swelling when your tongue is pierced. Serious problems can arise if you get a piercing done on yourself, a friend does it for you, or if you get a piercing done in an unclean location. Make sure you get a piercing done by a professional in a clean, safe environment.
But even if you follow all these tips, problems can still occur. The most common problems related to piercings are :
- pain
- infections
- hemorrhages
- scars and keloids
- allergic reaction to jewelry
Infections can range from skin or cartilage infections with redness, swelling, tenderness, and pus, to more serious infections such as blood infections. Swelling of the tongue after piercing can cause breathing problems. There is a risk of teeth chipping or cracking in people who get oral piercings. There is a chance that a piece of jewelry placed in the nose or tongue could be swallowed or inhaled and end up in the lungs.
Depending on what part of your body is pierced, the healing process can take several weeks to several months. If you get a piercing , be sure to take good care of it — don't pick at it or touch it, and keep the area clean by washing it with mild soap and water (not alcohol or hydrogen peroxide). Always wash your hands before touching your piercing . If you have a piercing in your mouth, use an alcohol-free antibacterial mouthwash or other mouthwash recommended by your doctor or pharmacist.
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