Getting your first piercing can feel daunting, especially if you're not sure of what to expect. And you probably have tonnes of questions, like where should you get your piercing done, how much should a piercing cost, how much will different piercings hurt, and how can you minimise the risk of a piercing getting infected?
But have no fear, as we're here to answer all of your questions, from where to go to how to prepare.
First things first: you'll need to choose which piercing you want. There are plenty of ear piercing styles out there, from classic lobe piercings to more daring helix piercings. You might also prefer to go for a facial piercing, or a bodily placement like a nipple piercing, belly button piercing or even a clit piercing.
There are lots to choose from, so take some time to think about what kind of piercing you want before you take the plunge.
Still have questions? We've got you covered. We've spoken to professional piercer Kevin, who works at Liberty London, and world-famous jewellery designer Maria Tash to find out everything experts want you to be aware of before you get your first piercing.
Where should I go for my first piercing?
Before doing anything, make sure you find a studio where the staff and piercers are reputable.
Kevin's advice? "Always take a look through their portfolio and ask around to see what experiences your friends have had. Most piercers will have done an apprenticeship, as it is a more self-regulated industry," he explains. (You can check out this list of tattoo and ear piercing parlors!)
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Should I do anything to prepare for my first piercing?
You don't need to do a lot, but there are a few things that Kevin reckons are essential.
At Liberty, they "always suggest having food beforehand". Try a slow-release carb snack that'll give you sustained energy, like a banana, rice cakes, or popcorn.
How do piercings work?
"We ask customers to come in a little earlier for their appointment to go through the choices of jewellery", Kevin says. "Once this has been done and payment has been taken, we sterilise the jewellery to make it safe to put through the body—this takes roughly ten minutes—and then call you through to the piercing room," he continues.
"Once you are in the room the piercer will clean your skin and make a mark of where we think is the best placement for your anatomy," he shares. Finally, the piercer will check the placement to see if it needs adjusting and check you're good to go. "We will not pierce until both piercer and client are happy," Kevin adds.
I'm nervous. Help!
Everyone—and every piercing—is different.
According to Kevin, it's important to let the piercer know if you have any particular concerns. He says: "I would just say, feel free to ask whatever you need to put your mind at rest." So, if you have any worries at all, just ask.
Part of the piercer's job, after all, is to make sure your piercing experience is as comfortable as possible, so they won't mind a few questions.
What does the *actual* piercing feel like?
The all-important question. "The actual piercing is very fast and is just a big deep breath in, then on the exhale the piercing will be finished and it's just a case of popping in the jewellery", Kevin tells us. "We will then run you through your aftercare and it's yours to look after."
While everyone experiences different levels of pain, you should expect to always feel some discomfort. Kevin explains: "All piercings pinch a little but the procedure is over with very quickly so it's all relative. In my personal opinion, I tend to find it's more about a state of mind. If you come into the experience with a positive attitude then you’re going to have an easier time."
How much does a piercing cost?
Remember that you don't just have to pay for the piercing service, but the jewellery that you want, too. Be prepared to shell out P800 to P1,500, depending on the kind of piercing you want.
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Should I get my piercing done with a gun or a needle?
For Kevin, it's pretty obvious that the needle has the advantage. He says: "The only pro to a gun is that they are faster. They are not as accurate as a needle and they cannot be fully sterilized, whereas all our needles are single-use."
It's worth thinking a bit about the process, too. "With a gun, you are using a sharpened piece of jewellery with force and velocity to break your skin."
A needle, on the other hand? "A much smoother process. It may take an extra couple of seconds but it helps with your healing. Guns do not remove the tissue and just push it to the side, which is why most gun piercings have a lumpy bit of tissue next to them. Needles are hollow and remove the skin for a better healing and feeling piercing." Interesting.
Important piercing after-care steps
So, you've had your first piercing. But what next? You actually need to be pretty careful with the aftercare process, or you risk infection, warns Maria Tash.
She shares: "You shouldn't touch any piercing with dirty hands—this rule is very important."
Fun fact: over-cleaning can actually create irritation. As much as cleaning once or twice a day is very important, not over-cleaning is important, too. What products should you be cleaning your first piercing with? As Maria shares, "The products that are suggested these days are very mild ones, like sterile wound wash saline. I, personally, like a very mild soap, and it is important not to twist the jewellery as much as reasonably possible while healing."
Wondering how long to leave it before changing it? Kevin says that freshly-pierced jewellery should be left alone for "a minimum of twelve weeks, but if you don't need to change it, I'd recommend leaving it" as ultimately, it will only help with healing.
I think my piercing is infected. Help!
First up: don't panic.
"An infection is very rare with body piercing," shares Kevin. He explains that what people think are infections are normally just slight irritations, not infections. "If you have any problems what so ever you should always go see your body piercer to get advice."
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This article originally appeared on Cosmopolitan.com/uk. Minor edits have been made by the Cosmo.ph editors.
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Source: Cosmo PH
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