First piercing: what you need to know

Two reasons encourage people to get a piercing: by philosophy of life, or by pure aestheticism. No matter the reason and the place, the piercing requires preparation. It is part of minor surgery, so certain precautions must be taken.

The choice of the piercer

If it is a first piercing, it is better to choose a professional piercer, who has already recorded satisfaction with the majority of his customers. Ask people questions before choosing a piercer. There are two methods to do the piercing: the needle and the gun. Many people think that the gun is the best because it is faster. However, the gun is not suitable for parts other than the earlobe, because the risk is great for the tissue. In addition, the hygiene and sterilization part must be clearly visible. Are the materials used sterilized? Does the person who does the piercing respect the hygienic conditions such as washing his or her hands or wearing gloves? This part guarantees the health of the piercing after the operation.

The choice of jewellery

Gold, silver or gold-plated; simple or pendant jewellery; small or large, the choice of jewellery also matters for a successful piercing. As far as the materials are concerned, the piercers must sterilize the jewellery before putting it on. Most of the time, they choose them, in order to avoid the risks of infections. The pierced persons must wear the jewellery until the pierced part has healed. The same goes for the shapes and dimensions, it is the piercer who chooses. However, pierced people sometimes have a choice on the pattern. The choice of the jewellery is based on several criteria: being able to sleep in it, being able to dress easily, and not being restrictive when styling.

Some advice and rules about piercing

In some countries, under-18s must show parental permission before being pierced. An identity card is mandatory to be pierced. The most common question is: does it hurt? Answers differ from one person to another, depending on the level of pain tolerance. The majority of drillers do not use anaesthesia. Some use ice to replace it. To avoid unnecessary problems, you should follow the driller's advice to the letter. Only he can know what to do to avoid infection. Above all, ask questions, even the dumbest ones, to avoid unpleasant surprises.