Body Piercing Frequently Asked Questions

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1. How much do body piercings cost? (E.g. navel, eyebrow, tongue piercing)

• The cost of body piercings will vary according to the jewelry you choose, the area you want to be pierced, and where you go.  A "cheap" piercing is not always a good piercing. The best thing to look for when finding a place is experience.

2. What type of metal do you recommend to be pierced with?

( These Materials are Mostly Only Available to Professional Piercers - It is Extremely Important to See a Professional for Any Piercing or Piercing Information )

• The minimum Grade Steel used for an initial piercing should be Steel that is ASTM F-138 compliant or ISO 5832-1 compliant.
• Steel that is ISO 10993-6, 10993-10, and/or 10993-11 compliant (EEC Nickel Directive compliant
• Titanium (Ti6Al4V ELI) that is ASTM F136 compliant or ISO 5832-3 compliant
• Titanium that is ASTM F-67 compliant
• Solid 14 karat or higher nickel-free white or yellow gold
• Solid nickel-free platinum alloy
• Niobium (Nb)
• Fused quartz glass, lead-free borosilicate or lead-free soda-lime glass
• Polymers (plastics) as follows:
• Tygon® Medical Surgical Tubing S-50HL or S-54HL
• Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) that is ASTM F754-00 compliant
• Any plastic material that is ISO 10993-6, 10993-10 and/or 10993-11 compliant and/or meets the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Class VI material classification.
• All threaded or press-fit jewelry must have internal tapping (no threads on posts).
• For body jewelry purposes, surfaces and ends must be smooth, free of nicks, scratches, burrs, polishing compounds and metals must have a consistent mirror finish.

3. What is better for an initial piercing?

• C.B.R.'s, Barbells or Curved Bars?
Barbells and banana bars sit flatter against the body, reducing the risk of snagging the jewelry. and irritating the piercing. A C.B.R. will stick out more than a barbell making it more likely to catch or snag and irritate the piercing. Either a ring or bar can be used to pierce with, but care must be taken to avoid snagging the jewelry. Discuss the pros and cons with the piercer before making a choice to be pierced with.

4. How long does a piercing take to heal?

• Healing times will vary from person to person. All types of things can increase or decrease the healing but a good choice of metal, good and careful aftercare, good health, a zinc supplement will reduce your healing time.
• You and your body MUST work together to make a piercing successful.
Nipple and navel piercings, you have to be extra careful as they are constantly under clothes.
• All standard piercings take 12 months to heal completely. Most piercing initial heal time is 6 to 12 weeks before changing the jewelry.

5. What should a body piercing studio look like and what should it contain?

• A body piercing studio should be clean. It will have an examination bed, clinical waste bin, sharp`s bin (disposing the needles once they have been used), an autoclave unit to sterilize equipment and jewelry.
• After sterilization, clamps should be kept in sterile pouches while waiting to be used.
• All piercers must wear surgical or examination gloves.

6. What should I use to clean my piercing?

• Your body piercer will advice you on aftercare.

7. I really want a piercing but I'm terrified of getting infected. How can I prevent this?

• Above all JUST DO NOT TOUCH IT! Infections are prevented with proper care and attention to your piercing.
• When your piercing is always being touched, picked, aggravated, cleaned to much or rarely cleaned it will be prone to problems.
• When you just leave it alone the piercing will be fine.

8. Can gold be used to pierce with?

• ( See Question 2. )

9. How do you know if a piercer is qualified?

• NEVER be afraid to ask your piercer questions.
• Ask for a bloodborne pathogens certificate, references, online reviews, years of experience and a portfolio of work they have done.

10. I have a bump just by my navel or nose piercing. What is this and how do I get rid of it?

• The bump is usually scar tissue or trapped fluid by the skin. A hot salt-water press can help draw out anything trapped in the bump and reduce scar tissue. This is caused mainly because of picking, playing or irritating the piercing, which you should avoid.  ( See a qualified piercer to remove the bump if the hot water press does not work )

• HOT SALT WATER PRESS: heat 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.

11. I'm pregnant. Do I have to take my navel piercing out?

• 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 jewelry in, it will be pushed out as your belly gets larger.

12. I've just started a new job, my employer, or my school wants me to take my piercing out or hide it. How can I make my piercing discreet?

• There are a range of 'Retainers' which are clear plastic or colored and very small. These fit into the piercing ( e.g. tongue, navel, eyebrow ) and can only be noticed by you.

13. Will it hurt?

• Piercings will sting, like a quick jab. Being prepared and calm is important. Eat well beforehand and bring a sugary drink with you. 
This will counter balance the effects of shock. People work themselves up expecting a serious amount of pain and finding it so easy after the piercing, tend to go into shock.

14. 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.

15. My friend's piercing hasn't done any of the stuff mine did. Why?

• Biologically, everyone is different, so what happens to one person after a piercing may not necessarily happen to another.  Your friend may also be picking or playing with it.

* DISCLAIMER

These guidelines are based on a combination of vast professional experience, common sense, research and extensive clinical practice. This is not to be considered a substitute for medical advice from a doctor. If you suspect an infection, seek medical attention. Be aware that many doctors have not received specific training regarding piercing. Your local piercer may be able to refer you to a piercing-friendly medical professional.

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