Body Piercing

Body Piercing

Body piercings are becoming more popular and accepted. Some fear getting it done due to the pain it causes. Every part of the body doesn’t cause equal pain. It’s like, the fewer nerves in the area, the lesser it pains.

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Body piercing is an art that involves making a hole in the skin to insert a piece of jewelry. Earlier it used to be only earlobes but these days, piercing is done on numerous parts of the body, some of which are mentioned below-

  • Ear piercing (most commonly pierced area with least pain).
  • Nose piercing (the wall of a nostril, high nostril, and the center of the septum can be pierced).
  • Belly button piercing (second least painful piercing as what’s pierced is flesh and not nerves).
  • Genital piercing (most nerve-dense area, very sensitive, and painful).
  • Nipple piercing (another sensitive area that is commonly pierced these days).
  • Dermal piercing (such piercings enter the skin but don’t come outside, done generally on the face, neck, lower back, or chest).
  • Tongue piercing (less painful; exposed to bacteria while eating or drinking but brushing and rinsing the mouth with a saline solution can help in healing quicker).
  • Eyebrow piercing (pain depends on the location of the piercing).

There are two ways of getting piercings done.

Gun Piercing 

As the name suggests, this method uses a gun that can be reused for piercing. It is a contactless method of piercing wherein a plastic cartridge holding the jewelry is inserted in the skin and then disposed off. The jewellery is pointed and sharp enough to pierce the skin.

Needle Piercing 

This is the traditional way of piercing wherein a fresh needle is used for every piercing. The needle makes a clean hole in the skin thereby making proper space for jewellery to set in.

Cleaning and sanitization are done in both cases.

Though no major risks are associated with piercing, a few physical changes can be witnessed, such as

  • Little scarring,
  • Skin embedding, meaning growing of skin over piercing,
  • Rejection, means the body pushes the piercing outside,
  • Excess bleeding,
  • Skin tearing,
  • Damage of nerve, and
  • Bacterial infections due to poor hygiene during piercing or improper aftercare.

What is body piercing?

Creating a hole in the skin to add a piece of jewelry to it for adornment is body piercing.

Which parts of the body can be pierced?

Usually, earlobes and nose used to be pierced but now, ear cartilage, eyebrows, lips, tongue, belly buttons, genitals, and nipples are also pierced.

Is body piercing risky?

It doesn't pose any direct risk to one's health but at times, it may cause infections, swelling, scarring, bleeding, or any kind of reaction.

How to know if my piercing is infected?

If the area around your piercing is swollen, red, painful on touching,  with some fluid coming out of the hole, and fever in some cases, there are high chances of your piercing being infected, which calls for your doctor's visit.

How to get my infection treated?

If it is a minor infection, it can be treated with OTC medicines. If it is a severe one, the doctor prescribes higher medication, or surgery in some cases.

What may cause problems due to body piercing?

Anything that reduces one's ability to fight infection can cause problems. Medical conditions like heart problems or diabetes or taking steroids or blood thinners affect the body's ability so you should visit a doctor before going for a piercing.

To whom should I go for body piercing?

Go to a professional piercer who uses clean and sterilized tools and who owns a good reputation in the market. Don't settle for anyone lesser.

What precautions should I take post-body piercing?

One needs to take certain precautions to avoid infection and promote quicker healing-

  • If there are oral piercings done, clean them with antiseptic mouthwash after every meal. Also, use a soft-bristled toothbrush for brushing.
  • Clean the pierced site and piercing regularly with clean hands.
  • Stay away from swimming pools, hot tubs, and other water bodies until the piercing is healed.
  • Touch your new piercing only when you clean it.
  • Don't move the piercing during the initial weeks. Let it be intact to avoid the closure of the hole and delay in healing.

Does it pain?

Well, it all depends on the piercing site and how much one is capable of bearing pain. There is no universal answer to it. Some piercings are over in a few seconds whereas some take time.

How much time does it take to heal?

This healing period depends on a number of factors like the piercing site and care after the piercing. Certain piercings take a few months whereas others may take months.