Tip Diva | Top Ten Tips - Getting A Body Piercing

Top Ten Tips - Getting A Body Piercing

By Tip Diva | Mar 03, 2008

Categories: Adult, Alcohol, Beauty, Behavior, Creativity, Difficulty, Drinking, Family, Medical, Medicine, Personal Hygiene, Safety, Services, Tips, Websites

Piercings are all the rage right now in certain demographics, and could be a fun and fashionable investment. But, if not done properly, they can lead to infections, scarring or more. Here is what you need to know before getting any body piercing done:

Consider Your Personality And Environment - Before you get pierced, think hard about your personality and environment. Are you afraid of pain? Do you work somewhere or attend a school that does not allow piercings? Will you be able to take care of the piercing? If not, a piercing may not be right for you. Go with a fake piercing, which is painless and can be removed easily.
Research The Piercing - Before you get your ear, tongue, belly button or other body part pierced, make sure you research the piercing thoroughly to know the risk and care involved.
Make Sure You Are Not Allergic To Certain Metals -Piercings may use nickel or other metals that you may be allergic to. Ask a piercer before getting pierced what sort of metal the jewelry is made of.
Do A Test Run With A Fake - Before you make the monetary and body investment, do a test run with fake jewelry. You may find that a nose ring or eyebrow ring looks absolutely ridiculous on you. Or people may just love your labret piercing.
Don’t Pierce Yourself - You likely do not have the proper tools, sanitization, jewelry, experience and ability to do it yourself. You run the risk of mistakes, scarring and infection. Instead…
Find A Reputable Piercer - Make sure you go to a licensed piercing professional. They follow a strict sanitary and safety code, which you won’t find in your best friend’s bedroom or the back of a shady store. Make sure that the piercer is using proper tools, sanitization techniques and jewelry for what you want done. For instance, piercing guns should only be used for ears, while needles should be used elsewhere. If proper rules aren’t being followed, make sure to report the piercer to your local health department. And if you feel uncomfortable otherwise, just leave.
Do Not Drink Or Use Drugs Before Getting Pierced - Alcohol and certain drugs can thin your blood, which leaves for a messy piercing. And you don’t want to make any stupid, rash decisions when you’re drunk or otherwise impaired.
Follow Care Instructions - Make sure you’re supplied with after-care instructions, such as what to use on the piercing, how to keep it clean and when it is expected to heal.
Watch For Reactions Or Infection - If you get a reaction or infection, go see a doctor or other health professional immediately. You may need to remove the piercing and get medication, whether topical or oral.
Don’t Try To Change Certain Piercings By Yourself - Certain piercings need to be changed by the piercer, and he or she will do so for a nominal fee. Check with the piercer, because you don’t want to risk not being able to get the jewelry in yourself, wearing the wrong type or giving yourself an infection.