A guide to a successful first piercing experience
At A Glance Author Millie Contact [email protected] IAM MilllieB When N/A I, my-self am fairly new to the experience of being pierced so I thought it would be appropriate to write an article based on my experience, the good, the bad and the very, very ugly.
So you want a piercing do you? Here are some of the things to consider when searching for a piercer/piercing studio:
Is the counter made of a non-porous surface such as glass? This makes the counter area easier to keep clean.
Are the staffs clean and presentable? They should be after all they are exposed to your open wound (which is what your piercing is while it is healing) would you let a dirty doctor touch a cut on your leg? No, this is essentially the same thing.
Are all your questions, no matter how immature/pointless/stupid/idiotic, answered with a satisfactory answer? It is a piercer's job to inform and educate their clients on safety and proper care of piercing.
What type of jewellery do they use in fresh piercing? It is recommended that Implant grade Titanium is used as it is light weight and zinc allergy sensitive.
Does the studio in question use an autoclave and ultrasonic sterilization techniques? These are known are the best way to sterilize tools.
Does the studio use industrial strength single use pre-packaged, pre-sterilized needles? This should damn well be mandatory but often isn't the case.
Are there spore tests for there Autoclave readily available to the public? Another sign of a good studio is spore testing of the Autoclave.
How do they pierce? Is it free-hand or with the aid of clamps/forceps?
Does the staff in the studio make you feel comfortable, safe and happy? They should do, after all one of them could be pushing needles through your body
Do they use disposable latex/latex free gloves during the clean up, piercing and clean down? They should as this cuts out a part of the risk of Blood Bourne Pathogens which can be transferred to or from you.
Can the piercer/counter staff describe in detail exactly what the procedure entails? If they can't describe it how are they supposed to perform it?
Does all the staff have certificates, such as Safe work in the Tattoo and Body Piercing industry, CPR and First Aid certified, Blood Bourne Pathogen Effects etc? These are important as it shows what capabilities the staffs have.
Are the staffs judgmental and patronizing? This is something that no piercer should be; you should feel safe and relaxed in a piercing studio.
Do the staffs talk down to you? They most certainly should not; they should be there to help you make informed decisions not to patronise.
A piercing studio should be filled with competent, willing, capable staffs who will give you advice to suit your ability. Don't be scared to ask questions, from my experience with piercers they like to be asked questions. It is never appropriate to be discriminated against in a piercing studio, if they choose to take this attitude out on you, walk out the door.
Every person providing their age complies with local/studios age laws/rules has the right to be pierced by a sober, conscientious, trained piercer in a studio that meets and exceeds the minimum requirements for sterilization, sterile technique and cross-contamination.
You as the client/potential client should be treat as an individual and not somebody who pays the piercers bills. You have every right to walk straight out of the studio if you are made to feel unsafe/uncomfatable in anyway, shape or form.
Good piercers will tell you if your anatomy is not suitable for a particular piercing, do not take offence at this. They are guiding you to make the most out of your body.
Unfortunately for us, the clients and for them, the piercers, good studios are often rare. Many of the "popular" piercing studios employ staffs that have never done a days training in their lives. Although their prices are the cheapest going, you as the client have to think of this, why are their prices so cheap? Are they cutting corners on the quality of the jewellery used. Are they reusing needles?
You have every right to question their prices, their tools and their staff. It is not only themselves they put at serious risk if they don't use gloves, it is you as well. Do you want to risk catching HIV, hepatitis B/C as well as other blood Bourne pathogens? Just for the sake of saving your self a couple of pounds.
Most of the good piercers make very little profit on piercing, do you want to help put the people who make it their endeavor to make the piercing industry a better, safe place, out of a career just so you can go and get pierced at the cheaper, most likely unsafe, studio round the corner?
Please respect your body and the individuals who got the industry this far.