Piercings that aren’t done properly can lead to infections or scaring, according to Dr. Christopher Stenberg of the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center in Portland.
Be sure to visit various piercing studios before having any work done, and watch how a piercer works when given the chance.
They should wash their hands thoroughly, wear gloves and use disposable products, Stenberg says. The needles should always be new, and piercing guns are generally frowned upon – even for simple ear piercings – because they cannot be fully disinfected.
Also, nontoxic metals like surgical steel, titanium or 14-18 karat gold are recommended, and Stenberg says to avoid any metals containing nickel.
“I think you’ve got to go by your gut feeling,” he adds, echoing advice given on the Web site of the national Association of Professional Piercers. “And you’ve got to be really sure you want to get it done.”
Piercers always should provide information on how to care for their work. Some standard cleansing rules for new piercings:
• Wash hands thoroughly before handling a piercing.
• Use antibacterial soap to wash piercings rather than harsh disinfectants like alcohol or peroxide, which can cause or intensify scarring.
• For oral piercings, use a 50/50 mix of water and oral antiseptic mouthwash after meals and when feeling any discomfort.
Ask about using antibacterial ointments – some ointments can trap infections.
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