When you decide to get a piercing, it is just as important to decide on a piercer, as it is the actual piercing!
The difference between getting a piercing from a good piercer, and a bad piercer can be phenominal. You want to begin by doing your research, and asking around. I found my piercer via word of mouth and I have stuck with her because she is so experienced and hygenic.
A good piercer can save you the trouble of:
- Having to chage jewellery later down the track due to irritation
- Rejecting piercings
- Scarring
- Shattering cartilage (if you are getting a cartilage piercing)
- Infection
Before you give a piercing or tattoo business your money and time, ask them about the piercing and what it involves. If they aren't happy about your questions then go somewhere else. You're their loss if they don't have the decency to listen and answer questions.
Go to the studio and see for yourself the conditions. Is there privacy? Are the needles sterile, and used only once? Is the area clean? A quick trip to check out the store before getting something done can save so much trouble.
Look up the website and reviews from previous customers online. There is always going to be at least one bad review, but I suggest deciding based on percentages and what they say. For example, if one review says that the piercer knew what the were doing, the piercing is going well, etc.. but comments on the bad attitude, you can decide whether a friendly piercer is so important to you or not. Customer satisfaction gives a good indication into what you should expect.
Please please please DO NOT go to a store in the mall, regardless of what you are getting done. I had my second lobes done at Cosmetics Plus - which I assume is the Australian version of Clairs - about two months ago now and I am still having trouble healing them. It doesn't matter whether you think a certain piercing is a big deal or not, please go to a proper store. ANY hole through your body should be dealt with care and caution regardless of the body part. My friend just got her first lobes redone at a proper piercer, and everything is nearly healed and it has been about 3 weeks now.
Basically guys, finding a good piercer is essential to how you want your piercing to turn out. Do you want to spend months and months battling with infection/rejection/irritation or all three just because you had a bad piercer? No.
Even if your friend says: 'Oh mine turned out fine and I didn't spend all that money at a proper place!' you might be a different story. Read my page, 'All About My Piercings' and you will see how it worked out for me!
