Religion, self-expression and sexual pleasure are three of the many reasons why people decide to get piercings. With the roots of decorating ear lobes, noses and nipples stemming back a staggering 5000 years, the popularity of piercing one’s body has expanded across the world.
However, some consideration of what to prepare for and expect are necessary. Why? Because while a lot of piercings work out, and the customer walks out the salon unscathed, except with the expected after-effects of mild soreness requiring them to keep the area clean for a while before it heals. In contrast, piercings can go very, very wrong if you don’t take time to prepare yourself beforehand and source a reputable, experienced piercing expert whos compliant with the law.
Eat Up
Before you set foot in the studio, and begin selecting your new gold nipple barbells, take time beforehand to digest a good meal. Irregular breathing, nerves and quite honestly, sometimes the pain can be enough to make you feel queazy, which in turn could induce the risk of fainting. A healthy meal beforehand, however, will stabilize your blood sugars, and help your body handle the procedure swimmingly.
Legalities
Of course, there’s no way you can get a piercing, legally anyway, if you’re not of age. It’s a good indication of a salon’s compliance with the law if they ask your age beforehand, or even request proof of age. In most cases, the minimum age is 18, but if you’re under 18, there is scope to get a piercing so long as your parent consents. Be mindful that different states have different rules to protect children from making decisions they can’t undo, or that could administer pain they’re not equipped to cope with.
Your Rights
As expected, you have a right to get a piercing that’s created with a brand new needle, which should be disposed of immediately after your new piercing is intact. Not to mention all kits must be sterilized, and the person doing the piercing should wear new plastic gloves to prevent the spread of infection. This means if on entering a salon, the cleanliness is questionable, and the piercer doesn’t wear gloves, for your own safety, walk the other way. Better yet, check the place out before you commit to an appointment; that’s what online reviews are for after all. Just remember, there are plenty of piercing studios available that can offer you a piercing that’s in keeping with your rights and safety, so head towards those.
Prepare Yourself
Your piercing, if you’re happy with it, will become a permanent fixture on your body. But beforehand, you should prepare your mind to expect and accept some degree of pain. Each person’s pain levels vary; some may feel a pinch, others may feel a punch. By managing your expectations of what it might feel like, it’ll help gear you up and prepare you to get in the chair and hold still for your piercing.
If you consider the above points, mainly those concerning the legal requirements and necessary precautions to reduce the risk of an accident or infection; you’ll be on track for getting a clean, professional piercing. If you’re feeling anxious, remember, hundreds of thousands of people have had piercings, some of which have had multiple! And as with most piercings, it’ll be over in minutes.