Body Piercing FAQ

Q1. How much do body piercings usually cost? (E.g. navel, eyebrow, tongue.)
Q2. What type of metal do you recommend to be pierced with?
Q3. What do you find better for an initial body piercing? B.C.R.'s, barbells or banana bars?
Q4. How long does a body piercing take to heal?
Q5. What should a body piercing studio look like and what should it contain?
Q6. What should I use to clean my piercing?
Q7. I really want a body piercing but I'm terrified of getting infected. How can I prevent this?
Q8. Can gold be used to pierce with?
Q9. How do you know if a piercer is qualified and licensed by the council?
Q10. I have a lump just by the bottom hole of my navel. What is this and how do I get rid of it?
Q11. I'm pregnant. Do I have to take my navel piercing out?
Q12. I've just started a new job and my employers don't appreciate my piercing in the same way as I. How can I make it discreet?
Q13. Will it hurt?
Q14. Will my clothes affect my piercing?
Q15. My friend's piercing hasn't done any of the stuff mine did, Why?

The cost of body piercings will vary according to the jewellery you choose, the area you want to be pierced, and where you go. The norm appears to be between £25 and £30. BUT, please remember that a "cheap" piercing is not always a good piercing.

We always recommend Titanium or Blackline body jewellery, as this is a completely pure metal. Your piercing will heal at a substantially faster rate with this body jewellery. This is because it is biologically inert.

Barbells and banana bars have the benefit of sitting flatter against the body, therefore reducing the risk of catching or snagging the jewellery and aggravating the piercing. However, cleaning around the site of the entry and exit holes of your piercing may be a little trickier.
BCRs stick out more than barbells or bananabells making them more likely to catch or snag and aggravate your piercing. However, it is often easier to clean around the entry and exit points of your piercing.
Typically, either a ring or bar can be used to pierce with.
Discuss the pros and cons with your piercer before selecting a piece to be pierced with.

Healing times will vary from person to person. All sorts of things can increase the healing but a good choice of metal (i.e. Titanium), good and careful aftercare as well as a zinc supplement will help reduce your healing time. But, please remember, you and your body MUST work together to make a piercing successful.
With nipple and navel piercings, you have to be extra careful as they are constantly under clothes. This will cause the piercing to become hot and sticky (a perfect breeding ground for germs).

Avergage healing times are as follows:
Cartilage: Three to six months
Nipples / Navels: Three to six months
Facial: Within three months

Obviously a body piercing studio should be clean. It should have an examination bed, clinical waste bin, sharp`s bin (disposing the needles once they have been used), an autoclave unit to sterilise equipment and jewellery. After sterilisation, clamps should be kept in sterile pouches while waiting to be used. All piercers must wear surgical or examination gloves.

Your body piercer will advice you on aftercare.
We recommend using Saline Solution to clean your piercing, or boiled salt water. (But ask for your piercer's advice on making a good saltwater cleaner.)
Always clean and dry your piercing with cotton. Disinfectants are often too strong or harsh to clean a healthy piercing with and sometimes cause aggravation.
If you suspect you have an infection you should feel free to consult your piercer and G.P. A zinc supplement will often help boost your immune system, helping your body heal itself.

Infections are prevented with proper care and attention to your piercing. Alloy metals like steel can often tire your immune system making you more prone to infection. But even Titanium or Blackline won't stop you getting an infection if your piercing is always being aggravated or rarely cleaned.

You can now get nickel free 9ct gold. This is perfectly OK to be pierced with.
MAKE SURE YOU'RE NOT ALLERGIC TO THE METAL YOU HAVE CHOSEN.

NEVER be afraid to ask your piercer questions. Look for a certificate of training and a health and safety certificate from the local council.

The lump is possibly scar tissue or dirt trapped by the skin. A hot salt-water press can help draw out anything trapped in the lump or reduce scar tissue.

HOT SALT WATER PRESS: Boil water with a small amount of sea salt. Allow the mix to cool a little. Dip a clean cloth into the hot salt water and press against your piercing for 10 minutes or until the cloth is cools. You probably only need to do this once a day.

You will have to change your piercing to a P.T.F.E. This is a biologically inert plastic barbell, which will bend as your stomach expands. If you do keep your metal jewellery in, it will be pushed out as your belly gets larger.

There is a range of 'keepers' which are clear plastic and very small. These fit into the piercing (e.g. tongue) and can only be noticed by you.

Piercings sting, like a quick jab. Being prepared and calm is paramount. Eat well beforehand and bring a sugary drink with you.
This will counter balance the effects of shock as most people work themselves up expecting a serious amount of pain and finding it so easy after the piercing, tend to go into shock.

Speak to your body piercer if you have any doubts. It's common sense to wear low-cut or casual trousers after a navel piercing for example, or a loose cotton T-shirt for nipple piercings.

Biologically, everyone differs, so what happens to one person after a piercing may not necessarily happen to another.