The earliest evidence of body piercings dates back 1.5 million years, according to studies surrounding the Olduvai hominid 1, discovered in Tanzania in 1913.
These fossils show signs of lip and cheek piercings, thought to indicate belonging to a certain group, religious or otherwise, or simply as a way to stand out in the crowd. Today, millions of people worldwide have similar reasons for getting different types of body piercings.
Whether you want a body piercing for fashion or faith, make sure you avoid these body piercing mistakes if you want to sidestep any unpleasant consequences.
Insufficient Body Piercing Preparation
Plenty of people get body piercings at the spur of the moment, without considering how it may fit in with their lifestyle. Don’t head for the piercing parlor after a night on the town, they will turn you away if you’ve been ingesting alcohol.
Body piercings take time to heal, and you can’t remove them during this process. So, think about how our piercing will fit in with any work, sport, or school dress code before you commit.
Think about how easily you can cover up your body piercing if necessary. Ear piercings are widely accepted, and belly rings are easy to hide, but we can’t say the same for nose and lip piercings.
Piercings aren’t permanent and heal relatively quickly if you decide you don’t want them anymore, but they will leave scarring depending on how long you’ve had them in.
It takes time and money to care for a body piercing correctly, so make sure you consider this, too.
Experts suggest taking good care of your health in the days before and after getting a piercing. After all, you are subjecting your body to an invasive injury and you can never be too careful.
Make sure you have a good meal at least six hours before your appointment and follow that up with a snack two hours before the time. You might feel dizzy if you opt for this procedure on an empty stomach.
Finally, it’s plain good manners to show up for your appointment clean and hygienic. Shower and brush your teeth beforehand, and make sure you remove all traces of makeup and perspiration.
Dress in loose clothing that you can easily push aside during the piercing procedure.
Health-Related Body Piercing Mistakes
Some chronic illnesses and medications can impact how easily your blood clots, and some body piercing professionals might ask you about relevant medical issues.
If you have a bleeding disorder, diabetes, or a heart ailment, or you’re taking antibiotics, it’s best to consult your doctor about getting a piercing. Your body piercing professional might require medical clearance before they proceed.
If you’re taking any kind of medication, it’s always best to get the go-ahead before you opt for a piercing.
If you have sensitive skin, you may experience an unpleasant reaction to the metal used in body piercings. In this case, you must ask the body piercer to use hypoallergenic jewelry for your piercing.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine for a few days before getting a body piercing, they can also interfere with your blood clotting abilities or cause swelling at the site of your piercing.
Not Researching the Piercing Salon First
Call ahead and make an appointment for your piercing, not all studios take walk-ins. This also gives you a chance to ask some important questions and prepare thoroughly for your outing.
A personal recommendation from someone you know is always preferable, but you can also look up reviews on Yelp or other reputable online review sites.
It’s imperative to choose a reputable studio that has a clean, pleasant workspace and uses sterile materials and high-quality jewelry. Take a look at their website to get an overall idea of their work and level of professionalism.
If you have a metal allergy, make sure the studio can accommodate your needs. They must use sterile, nickel-free metal and surgical-grade needles that come in sealed packages.
Safe, hypo-allergenic materials include:
- Acrylic
- Surgical-grade steel
- Titanium
- Palladium
- Platinum
- 18-carat yellow gold
- Sterling silver
The jewelry backings must comprise the same material. Avoid nickel and brass alloys, they can turn your skin green or cause a serious reaction.
When you opt for a studio that uses piercing guns, make sure they don’t re-use the part that comes into contact with your skin.
Body Piercing Aftercare Mistakes
It’s vital to get detailed aftercare instructions from your piercer and ask them as many questions as you need. Ask them about the healing time for your piercing and what to do if you experience any unpleasant reactions.
If you’re having an oral piercing, they might advise you to avoid certain foods, too.
Keeping a new piercing scrupulously clean is central to the healing process, but your overall health may also impact how well it heals. Stay hydrated and get plenty of rest for the best results.
Clean your piercing once a day with a mild saline solution. If you notice any signs of infection, clean it more often.
Use a Q-tip to apply the fluid to the site of the piercing and wipe away any buildup or grime. Rinse with warm water afterward.
If you have an ear, nipple, or lip piercing, you can soak it in a small cup of saline solution for a few minutes, instead of using a Q-tip. Be sure to check for redness, swelling, or discharge when cleaning body piercings.
Avoid using harsh cleaning materials like hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol. These solutions may irritate your skin.
Don’t twist or tug on your jewelry unnecessarily while it’s healing, follow your piercer’s instructions to the letter.
It’s tempting to try your collection of swish earrings and cute nose rings as soon as possible, but you must keep your original piercing in for the duration of the recommended healing time.
Changing the jewelry out too soon will cause infection and prevent proper healing.
Enjoy Enduring Beauty
A clean, healthy piercing can add character and charm to your appearance.
By avoiding these body piercing mistakes, you can ensure your piercing ends up looking great for years to come. Ignore these warnings, and you’ll likely have to remove your piercing and refrain from getting it redone.
Would you like to discover more tips for long-lasting appeal? Browse our website for more of the best health, beauty, and fashion tips.
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