WhitneyGetting a Body Piercing: Piercing Guns or Piercing Needles
May 18th 2008 01:24
When getting a body piercing, whether an ear piercing, nose piercing, belly button piercing, or whatever, you may be interested in different piercing techniques- piercing gun versus piercing needles. One is safe and one is not.
Piercing guns are the contemporary and traditional means of piercing... Well, of course once the techniques reached more advanced cultures. Piercing guns are spring-loaded devices that propel a piercing stud through flesh. They are reused on every client that walks in the door with very little, if any, contamination control (just alcohol wipes).
Piercing guns are the least sterile means of getting a body piercing. Because they were designed to be reused, they are generally made of plastic, which prevents them from being autoclaved and properly cleansed of bloodborne pathogens, which means that they can be easily transferred from one person to another. Hepatitis is commonly spread between uses of the piercing gun.
Another concern with piercing guns is that they propel a blunt object through tissue. For the most part, when used on ear lobes, which is a more fleshy tissue, the risks a minimal, but on other body parts such as ear cartlidge, nose cartlidge, and even belly buttons, the risks of significant damage to the tissue is much greater. Ear studs jammed through upper ear cartlidge, for example, has the potential of shattering the tissue which can cause the ear to collapse.
Also, oncisder that ear studs are one size, and in this case ones ize does not fit all. When the tissue is forced to fit in the small area allouted by the ear stud, severe swelling and irritation can occur, which can lead to infection and rejection. This is usually the case when piercing guns are used to pierce navels.
One other thing to consider with piercing guns, is that are not the most accurate in placement. In earlobes, they are usually ok in regards to the stud piercing the position, but when used on other parts of hte body, such as noses and navels, it can be hard to be accurate when using a piercing gun.
Ok... Now on the other side, you have the piercing needle. They're one time use, meaning they're thrown away after each customer. The needles and all of the tools of a body piercer are made of steel, so they can be autoclaved and properly sterilized of bloodborne pathogens.
Piercing needles are hollow and beveled. They are very sharp, especially when in comparison to the dull ear stud. They cause less trauma to the tissue, which tends to mean less chance for irritation.
Although, piercing needles are not the 100% best option as not all body piercers are qualified and experienced, but they are the better option when compared to piercing guns.
As for body piercers, usually they have to go through a one year apprentice period where they study the art under the watch of a more qualified and experienced piercer before they are allowed to try on their own. In comparison those who are trained to use piercing guns, tend to get a whole hour of trainined.
The pain of getting a piercing with a gun versus a needle is hard to judge as everyone has a different tolerance to pain. Generally, piercing guns can cause more pain as there is more truama to the tissue. Plus, most mall employees tell the customer to turn the new piercing several times a day, which causes even more trauma to the area, which in turn tends to cause more pain.
Yes, going to the mall tends to be more convienent and cheaper, going to a tattoo shop with a real body piercer is safer and cleaner.
Piercing guns are the contemporary and traditional means of piercing... Well, of course once the techniques reached more advanced cultures. Piercing guns are spring-loaded devices that propel a piercing stud through flesh. They are reused on every client that walks in the door with very little, if any, contamination control (just alcohol wipes).
Another concern with piercing guns is that they propel a blunt object through tissue. For the most part, when used on ear lobes, which is a more fleshy tissue, the risks a minimal, but on other body parts such as ear cartlidge, nose cartlidge, and even belly buttons, the risks of significant damage to the tissue is much greater. Ear studs jammed through upper ear cartlidge, for example, has the potential of shattering the tissue which can cause the ear to collapse.
Also, oncisder that ear studs are one size, and in this case ones ize does not fit all. When the tissue is forced to fit in the small area allouted by the ear stud, severe swelling and irritation can occur, which can lead to infection and rejection. This is usually the case when piercing guns are used to pierce navels.
One other thing to consider with piercing guns, is that are not the most accurate in placement. In earlobes, they are usually ok in regards to the stud piercing the position, but when used on other parts of hte body, such as noses and navels, it can be hard to be accurate when using a piercing gun.
Piercing needles are hollow and beveled. They are very sharp, especially when in comparison to the dull ear stud. They cause less trauma to the tissue, which tends to mean less chance for irritation.
Although, piercing needles are not the 100% best option as not all body piercers are qualified and experienced, but they are the better option when compared to piercing guns.
As for body piercers, usually they have to go through a one year apprentice period where they study the art under the watch of a more qualified and experienced piercer before they are allowed to try on their own. In comparison those who are trained to use piercing guns, tend to get a whole hour of trainined.
The pain of getting a piercing with a gun versus a needle is hard to judge as everyone has a different tolerance to pain. Generally, piercing guns can cause more pain as there is more truama to the tissue. Plus, most mall employees tell the customer to turn the new piercing several times a day, which causes even more trauma to the area, which in turn tends to cause more pain.
Yes, going to the mall tends to be more convienent and cheaper, going to a tattoo shop with a real body piercer is safer and cleaner.
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Comment by Bianca S
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I had my nose pierced with the needle, hurt a bit, but had no probelms whatsoever afterwards, and the guy was fantastic, got it done at Totally pierced of Oxford st I believe.
Comment by Cheryl J
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When I had my navel pierced years ago I was only the third person my piercer had done on her own. She was very honest and told me up front and gave me the option of using someone else but hey, a person never gets better if they don't practice. She was nervous and after the needle was through and she was about to insert the ring she dropped it! We had to autoclave it while I had the needle in my stomach. She was horrified poor thing (I'd known her for a while so at least she didn't panic). I don't know why I made her nervous, the person she did right before me was a genital piercing - now that would scare the pants off a noobie.
Anyway, it wasn't as bad as it sounds, it hurt but I've felt worse and after it was resterilised she was amazingly swift and adept. Luckily, I was on prescription painkillers for something else at the time so it probably dulled it somewhat.
Informative post, I hadn't thought about the reuse of guns. Eeeeuw!
Comment by Whitney
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That's great that the woman who pierced your navel, gave you a head's up about her experience. Most people wouldn't have done that.