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What to Look For When Choosing a Piercing Provider

Choosing to get a piercing is an exciting process that entails several decisions, including the area you want to have pierced, the material of the piercing, its colour, size, and type. 

However, keep in mind that there are more than just the esthetic related questions to answer. When deciding to do a piercing, you must also consider health, hygiene and long term side effects. Although these issues might not be as exciting as jewelry selection, overlooking them can cause you unnecessary problems and potentially dangerous health issues. 

Choosing the right piercer will go a long way in keeping you safe and satisfied with the overall look of your piercing. 

To learn what to look for when choosing a piercer, here is a list of piercing dos and don’ts.

Piercing Do’s and Don’ts

DON’T Have Your Procedure Done With Traditional Piercing Guns

Traditional piercing guns can pose a risk transmitting blood-borne viruses and infections. This is because they cannot be completely sterilised and they are designed in a way that your skin can come into contact with the blood of a previous client. Moreover, piercing guns can cause significant tissue damage.

DON’T Proceed With the Piercing if Your Provider Is Not Following the Required Safety and Hygiene Standards

Regardless  of the style of the shop, your piercing provider should follow specific health regulations that have been set in place to keep you safe from harm. 

To comply with health regulations: 

  • All instruments and jewellery used to pierce the skin must be sterilized and placed in sterilized packages. 
  • Sterilized equipment should be placed away from dust or moisture. 
  • A new sterilized needle should be used for every single client and immediately disposed of immediately after use.
  • Health Canada recommends piercing with a disposable sterile cartridge that should be removed after each client. The remainder of the device should be disinfected between clients.
  • All surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected. 
  • The shop should be well ventilated.
  • The shop should have appropriate lighting. 
  • The piercer should not have exposed cuts or wounds. 
  • Piercers should wash their hands and wear a pair of fresh gloves prior to starting the procedure. 

DON’T Do Your Own Piercing

At home DIY piercing kits are available all for purchase online. However, doing your own piercing can put you at risk of damaging your skin or contracting an infectious disease. 

We highly recommend that you complete your piercing with a licensed piercer.

DON’T Be Afraid to Ask Questions

If you have selected a piercer, do not be afraid to ask questions regarding your piercer’s experience and procedures. Remember that you are protecting your health and safety. 

If you feel that your questions are not being answered or if you do not feel comfortable with your piercer, do not feel pressured to go on with your piercing. You can easily find another piercing facility where you can feel comfortable and safe.

Remember the following: 

  • When the used method of piercing does not allow for medically approved equipment sanitizing, the procedure places the health of the recipient at an unacceptable risk.
  • Infection and other complications can occur during a procedure when the piercing is not performed according to sanitary standards AND when the piercing is not properly cared for following the procedure.   
aftercare for no infection with ear piercing

For these reasons,

DO choose an experienced piercing provider who will follow standard procedures and health and safety regulations.

DO ask the piercer to provide you with detailed information regarding the procedure and how to care for your piercing after the procedure. This should be done before the piercing is completed. 

DO ensure that the piercing provider will be able to help you if any complications arise. 

DO ensure the piercing jewelry is non-allergenic and nickel-free. 

 

Need more information regarding our safe medical piercing method that eliminates any chance of your skin coming into contact with unsterilized equipment or material? Contact us today 

Over 500,000 Safe Piercings Done! 

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