A body piercing is just what it sounds like – a piercing or puncture made in the body by a needle. After that, a piece of jewelry is inserted in the hole. Commonly pierced body parts are the ears, nose, and the belly button. Oral piercings include the lip, cheek, and tongue.
When piercing is healed, some will choose to expand the size of the hole to wear certain types of jewelry, including plugs and tunnels. Stretching should be done in small increments to decrease the chance of damage to the piercing and scarring.
Below are All You Need to Know About Body Piercing.
How Can You Get a Body Piercing Safely
Body piercing is regulated in some states but not others. If you decide to get a body piercing, do a little investigative work about a shop’s procedure and find out whether it provides a clean and safe environment for its customers.
Every shop should have an autoclave (a sterilizing machine) and keep sterilized instruments in sealed packets until they are used. Ask questions and make sure that the body piercer is:
A licensed practitioner
Washes his or her hands before each procedure
Wears fresh disposable gloves
Uses single-use needles and sterilized instruments
Uses ear-piercing guns that are sterilized or disposable
The shop should follow procedures for the proper handling and disposable of waste.
What happens During Body Piercing
The body piercer should wash his or her hands with anti-bacterial soap and water and wear clean, fresh gloves.
The area to be pierced is supposed to be cleaned with alcohol or other antiseptic
You should see the piercer remove needles and equipment from sterile containers
Your skin is then punctured with a very sharp, single-use needle
The piece of jewelry, which has already been sterilized, is placed
The body piercer disposes of the needle in a special container so that there is no risk of the needle or blood touching someone else
The body piercer gives you instructions on how to care for your new piercing and what to do if there is a problem.
Risks Involved In Body Piercing
It is normal to have mild swelling and tenderness at the pierced area. Swelling may be significant in the case of a tongue piercing. Serious problems can happen if you try to pierce yourself, have a friend do it for you, or have it done in any unclean environment. Make sure it’s done by professional in a safe and clean environment.
Even if you are careful, problems can occur which are related to Body Piercing
Examples:
Pain
Infection
Bleeding
Scarring and keloids
Allergic reaction to the jewelry that’s used
In conclusion, depending on the body part that was pierced, healing time can be a few weeks to several months. If you do get a piercing make sure you take good care of it afterwards, don’t pick or tug at it, keep the area clean with water and gentle soap.
Always wash your hands before touching your piercing. If you have a mouth piercing, use an alcohol-free, anti-bacterial, use an alcohol-free, anti-bacterial mouthwash or other recommended oral cleanser.
