Essential Tools for Piercing

If you've ever had a piercing or are thinking about getting one, you might be wondering about the tools your piercer uses. With all the different kinds of piercings out there, shops have various tools for the job. Here's a quick rundown of some main types of tools you might come across and which ones you might want to steer clear of.

Piercing Needles

When you're getting a cute simple piercing jewellery, one of the most common tools you'll encounter is the piercing needle. These needles come in various sizes and shapes to make the piercing process easier and less painful, helping you heal up faster and enjoy your new piercing. Piercing needles can be either curved or straight, catering to different parts of the body, and they come in different gauges (thicknesses) for creating piercings of various sizes.

For instance, a 14g is the typical size for a navel piercing, but a piercer might use a 12g to match the size of your belly button jewellery. The same flexibility applies to eyebrow and lip piercings, which can be done at 14g or 16g, depending on what suits your face and the size of jewellery you want. People often start with one size and may later stretch to a larger size or opt for smaller jewellery over time, allowing the piercing to naturally size down around it.

Dermal Punch

Think of a dermal punch like a hole punch, but for dermal and surface piercings on flat body parts, not like your typical ear cartilage piercing. These piercings, also known as single-point piercings, don't go through your body; instead, they stay right under the skin's surface.

Here's how it works: the dermal punch, similar to a hole punch, is used to create a hole, and then a small anchor is tucked into the skin. This anchor provides a spot for a visible dermal top to be screwed or secured in, keeping the piercing in place.

Dermal punches are handy for various piercings, including facial ones like on the cheek or around the eyebrow, hip piercings, chest piercings, nape piercings, those in the hollow of your throat, and even collar bones. Essentially, if you've got a flat spot on your body you want to pierce, a professional with a dermal punch can likely do it.

If this intrigues you, reach out to your go-to piercer to discuss whether a dermal punch is the right fit for what you have in mind.

Forceps (clamps)

Forceps, or clamps, are super common in the piercing world because they're the go-to tools for gripping the tissue or body part that's getting pierced. They do two important things: first, they make sure the area stays clean and germ-free— no touching allowed. Second, they play a crucial role in keeping your body steady while the piercer works their magic with a needle or dermal punch to get your piercing done.

These forceps typically have slots or a big enough opening that allows a piercing needle to pass through smoothly. They're used for most piercings that aren't done freehand, providing that extra precision and control during the process.

Piercing Guns

A piercing gun is a tool mainly used for piercing earlobes. It forcefully pushes a chosen piece of starter jewellery through the earlobe and secures it with an earring back.

Guns are commonly found in mall-style piercing shops, where they offer ear carilage and earlobe piercings at a lower cost than professional piercers and without requiring an appointment.

Piercing guns are often both reusable and disposable, making them suitable for bulk piercings in mall shops. However, many professional piercers strongly discourage their use for several reasons:

1. Blunt Force vs. Precision: Piercing guns use blunt force instead of the precision of a fine needle.
2. Pain and Infection Risk: They can be unnecessarily painful and carry a higher risk of infection, causing trauma to the tissue.
3. Unregulated Environment: They are frequently used in unregulated shops and stores.
4. Sanitation Concerns: Some use disposable needles that may not be properly sanitised.
5. Lack of Training: They are often used by untrained and unprofessional piercers.
6. Hygiene Issues: There's a risk of touching the skin and passing germs from one person to the next.

Professional piercers strongly advise against getting pierced with a gun. If you go to a less professional place, the chance of your piercing getting infected is higher, and the person doing it might not be as skilled. Your piercing might end up not centred, which can lead to it moving or even being rejected, causing damage or leaving a scar. Pros recommend hitting up a legit place with a licensed piercer for a safer and top-notch experience.

These are some of the tools you might come across (or hope not to) when you're getting pierced. Knowing about them can help you decide where to go for your piercing and make sure it stays awesome in the long run. If your piercer is using something you don't get, don't be shy to ask questions.