Piercings are still a divisive topic today—you either love them or hate them. Are you thinking about getting a piercing? Your piercing studio has compiled all the relevant information so you can make an informed decision.
Risks – a piercing is always a puncture in the skin
First and foremost, a piercing is always a puncture in the skin that results in a wound which heals in a controlled manner. The goal is not for the body to return to its original state. Instead, a sort of tunnel is created in the skin, and the piece of jewelry is inserted into this new tube, which is surrounded by skin. Therefore, the body is intentionally injured in order to bring about a change—no wonder that piercings are still viewed critically by some people.
Choose your position carefully
Before you get your piercing, you should be clear about its exact location. In terms of aesthetics, this means: do you want the piercing to always be visible on your face (lip, eyebrow, nose, ear)? Or is it more of a private matter, something between you and your body (such as the navel or nipple)? The risks associated with healing also depend on the body part. Sometimes the area is easier to care for, while in other cases it is more difficult. It goes without saying that a lip or nipple is more sensitive to pain than other parts of the body.
Risks and consequences
Piercing is a form of bodily injury, as the term itself suggests. The English verb “to pierce” means “to pierce” or “to pierce through.” No matter how hygienic and professional the piercer is, the wound can always become infected. Inflammation of the pierced area is quite common. As a result, bacteria or other pathogens can enter the body through this area. The tissue beneath the pierced area, such as blood vessels, can also be damaged. You can recognize this by the fact that the area turns blue-purple. What looks like a “bruise” is simply a bruise formed beneath the piercing. If nerves are damaged, piercings can even lead to paralysis.
People with allergies face another problem—they cannot wear jewelry. The body’s allergic reaction causes the skin to turn red, itch, or burn, and blisters to form. Skin that is irritated in this way is susceptible to infections. Skin reactions are often caused by jewelry containing nickel. Titanium jewelry is lighter, stronger, and completely nickel-free. It is simply important that you look for nickel-free jewelry. If you have an allergic reaction, you should, of course, consult your piercer immediately.
Once the piercing has healed properly, the risk of long-term effects is reduced. However, one risk remains: scarring. New skin tissue has formed in the area where the skin was pierced. If you remove the jewelry, a bump may remain visible, and it may stay that way for the rest of your life. Therefore, it is irreversible. Scars are small and inconspicuous if your piercing has healed properly and if it was done correctly. However, large, clearly visible scars can also remain. This is something you should keep in mind, especially when it comes to your face!
Care prevents negative consequences
It’s no secret that injuries heal better when they’re properly cared for. A piercing also requires care. You should always follow your piercer’s instructions. Ideally, you’ll be given detailed instructions on what you can and cannot do in the days following your piercing. An information sheet containing instructions on wound care is also included. Needless to say, you should learn how to clean and care for your jewelry yourself—this is also important because pathogens that you would rather not introduce into a fresh wound can attach to the jewelry.
Since the scab acts as a protective layer and helps the skin heal, you should avoid rubbing it. Similarly, prolonged bathing is counterproductive, as water softens the scab and allows bacteria to enter the wound, which can lead to inflammation.
How quickly your piercing heals depends on your body. For some people, the wound heals very quickly, while for others it takes longer. However, you can always avoid complications by following your piercer’s instructions.
Important for proper wound healing:
Although a few things are actually self-evident, they need to be mentioned again and again when it comes to piercings:
- Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap before touching your piercing.
- Make sure to keep the piercing that hasn't healed yet free of sweat and saliva (except for tongue piercings, where contact with saliva is, of course, unavoidable).
- Keep the pierced area away from clothing that rubs or presses against it and other physical irritants. You should also avoid sports until the piercing has healed..
- Clean your piercing only with pH-neutral care products.
- Disinfect the pierced area twice a day.
- If you have piercings in the mouth area, it is best to quit smoking, or at the very least, you should avoid smoking for at least a week. Kissing and other forms of close contact are also a concern.
Pain is part of it
We are frequently asked: just how painful is it? A piercing is always painful, since, after all, a needle is being pushed through your skin. Even a skilled piercer rarely manages to completely avoid all nerves. This is because nerve pathways vary from person to person. Therefore, there is no “map” showing exactly where the nerves are located or anything like that. Exactly how painful it is varies from person to person, and there’s a reason for that—some people barely feel the pain that makes others faint. This is completely normal and depends on both physical factors (biology) and your overall condition. How stressed or relaxed you are, whether you’re sleep-deprived, your nutritional status, your overall lifestyle—all of these factors influence how you experience pain. Generally speaking, however, let’s be clear: the pain you might feel is bearable. Otherwise, so many people wouldn’t get piercings. We’re also not aware of any cases where someone has died from pain in a piercing studio. Perhaps that will reassure you a little.
Therefore, the sensation of pain is subjective and depends on the location. A piercing in the genital area is perceived as more painful than a navel piercing. Depending on the area being pierced, your studio can help alleviate some of the pain. An ice spray can help in some areas, while others can be numbed with a local anesthetic.
How to spot a good piercing studio – keep this in mind!
Whether your piercing heals well, how high the risk of infection is, and whether scars form depends, in no small part, on the cleanliness of the studio, since wounds can obviously become infected during the piercing process. Don’t just look at the website of your piercing studio; try to visit the studio in person before you decide to get a piercing. Get some advice and ask the studio staff questions. If you do this at several studios, you’ll get a sense of which studio operates “cleanly.” You may also have friends who have already gotten piercings. Ask them if they have a recommendation for you. Check out these points:
- What is the studio like? Is it clean, or is it a bit shabby?
- What does the piercer look like—neat or scruffy?
- How much experience does your piercer have?
- Are piercings wrapped in sterile packaging at the studio?
- Does the piercer use disposable gloves?
- Does the studio take the time to help you and answer all your questions?
- Are you aware of the risks and possible consequences of getting a piercing without asking?
- Does your piercer discuss aftercare with you and give you a leaflet with instructions?
If you're satisfied with all those points, you've found the right studio! Admittedly, some aspects aren't so easy to assess on your first visit to a studio.
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Cost point – the entire range
The cost of your piercing depends on various factors. Every studio has different prices, the jewelry itself costs money (sometimes more, sometimes less), and costs vary depending on the body part. The piercer’s training and experience also play a role, as do regional differences. However, we can provide you with a rough overview of the costs involved. This is another point you should consider when choosing your studio: If the cost of the piercing differs significantly from the average, there must be a reason for it. Decide for yourself whether this is trustworthy. You can use the following as a guide:
- Ear piercings cost between €20 and €60 each.
- As for the nose and eyebrows, you'll pay around €70.
- Lip, tongue, and nipple piercings are more difficult and cost around €80.
- Intimate piercings require special training and should only be performed by specialists. Expect to pay up to €150.
Did you know that piercings are one of the oldest forms of body jewelry? Many centuries ago, people used metal jewelry to show that they belonged to a tribe and to celebrate their cultural rituals. Strictly speaking, every ear piercing is a piercing.
Different types of piercings. What exactly is a tunnel?
A tunnel is usually the first piercing you get. Newcomers often choose this style. The ear hole, often referred to as the lobe, is slightly widened for this. Ear holes need to be stretched for a tunnel. Starting gently with 0.2 millimeters per month at first and later 0.4 millimeters per month, the process isn’t too painful. If you proceed too quickly, the skin can tear. You must know that a widely stretched ear hole will not close up again. As an alternative to a tunnel, a plug can be inserted into an ear hole that has been stretched in this way. These are round piercings, cylinders, or disks that completely fill the opening. On the other hand, with a tunnel, a ring is inserted so that you can see through the ear hole—just like with a tunnel. However, that is not all:
- A barbell: if you use an elongated piece of jewelry instead of a ring or a horseshoe in the septum, this is a barbell. It resembles a barbell in appearance.
- A navel piercing: the piercing isn't visible under clothing, except for swimwear and underwear. As a result, it's a more discreet type of jewelry and, therefore, a perennial favorite. However, it can be tricky to manage, as you need to be careful not to catch it on your clothes.
- A fake piercing: this type of piercing involves absolutely no blood. Instead of getting pierced, you simply clip a fake piercing onto the spot where you’d actually like to have a piercing. Clip-on earrings are a type of fake piercing.
- A helix: This is an ear piercing on the outer edge of the auricle, in the cartilage. A plug or a ring is inserted here.
- An intimate piercing: a piercing in intimate areas is a completely private matter. Only you and your partner can see it, because it’s practically invisible. However, the procedure is also quite painful.
- A septum piercing: A nose piercing is reminiscent of the ring that oxen used to wear through their noses. A septum piercing is not made through the cartilage of the nasal septum, but through the connective tissue beneath it. The procedure is slightly more painful than a standard ear piercing.
Conclusion: Make an informed decision about your piercing so you won't have any regrets
To summarize, piercings are painful and carry some health risks. However, if you find a studio that maintains high standards of hygiene and follows the guidelines for proper wound healing, the risk of infection is minimized. Besides, piercings are a truly time-honored tradition. People have been wearing metal jewelry for more than 1,000 years! Take your time to think about what type of piercing you want to get. Now you have all the information you need to make a well-informed decision. If you’re unsure, sleep on it a little longer. A reputable piercing studio will also explain all these points to you.