Eighty-three percent of Americans have pierced earlobes, and that’s just one of the many body modifications that you can have.
Once you’ve decided on the type of piercing you want, you still have a couple more details to figure out. Namely, you shouldn’t choose just anyone to perform the job. You want the best piercings done by the best piercing professional you can find.
But how do you figure out who’s the right person to give you a piercing? Here’s a complete guide to handling this task — and finding the best local body piercer to help you.
1. Check Reviews or Ask For Body Piercer Recommendations
The best way to find the best piercer is to ask around. Friends who have piercings should be able to point you to piercers who have given them top-tier treatments.
If you don’t have any friends with piercings, then consider an online search. Pore through Google or Yelp reviews to find universally well-liked piercing studios. Chances are, high-ranking businesses will meet the requirements for a good body piercer.
2. Check the Licensing and Permits
Once you’re at the piercing studio, you’ll want to make sure that the piercer has all of their licenses and permits proudly on display. Keep in mind that these papers might not mean that your piercer has done all of their required training. So, be sure to do your research as described in step one and use the licensing paperwork as further corroboration of what you find.
3. Peruse the Portfolio
Most piercing studios will have a binder full of pictures with their best work. You can also peruse social media before you land on the piercer you want to visit. Either way, look through these photos with a discerning eye.
Do the piercings you see look good? Are they even and sitting in the right place? If not, you might want to extend your search to find someone whose work fits your vision.
4. Evaluate the Environment
You don’t want to get a piercing in a place that doesn’t look sparkling clean. So, after following the above advice, make sure the piercer you choose has a sanitary studio to match the glowing reviews.
Every reputable piercer will have a public restroom that’s separate from the sanitizing area, where piercing tools and materials are carefully cleaned. On top of that, there should be a piercing room that’s its own space, too. It should be well lit and spotless, just like the rest of the place.
Your good judgment will guide you here. If you feel like a piercing studio isn’t clean, then skip your appointment and find another local piercer with a safer place to pierce.
5. Make Sure They See Your ID
It’s not just grownups who want piercings — teens and even kids want these baubles, too. However, a parent has to give consent before anyone under the age of 18 can get a piercing. This does not include nipple or genital piercings, though, which are always illegal for minors.
The most reputable of piercers will check to make sure you have state-issued identification before they give you a piercing. They will also make sure that any parents or guardians have the right to sign for an under-18-year-old to get a piercing. They should have some kind of court document or identification form to prove the relationship.
Even if you find the most highly recommended piercer with the cleanest studio, you might want to think twice if they don’t check your ID before your service. Otherwise, it may be a sign that they don’t follow the rules — and you don’t want someone like that piercing your body.
6. Check Out the Jewelry
On that note, you’ll want to evaluate the Body Pierce Jewelry, too. Does the piercer have a large selection of jewelry, sizes, etc.? If so, then you’re in good hands. They should have several options to suit all different kinds of clients and body types.
Check that the jewelry is the safest for new piercings. The fasteners should be at the end of the jewelry, rather than on the shaft.
You should also check the material from which the jewelry is made. Titanium is the best, most lightweight, and most sanitary option. It’s also hypoallergenic and nickel-free, and nickel often causes skin irritation — you’ll find it in lots of cheap earrings and other jewelry.
Surgical steel is a great second option, as it is so low in nickel that it rarely causes irritation. You can also use 14-karat gold and get the same benefit. Plus, if you prefer gold-toned jewelry, this option will have you covered.
7. Follow Your Instinct
Finally, you can choose the best piercer by going with your gut. If you go into a piercing studio and something doesn’t feel quite right, listen to that voice inside of your head. Also, be wary of low-price piercings — if a deal seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
Of course, waiting for the right piercer has its drawbacks. Namely, finding yourself in a subpar piercer’s may mean you can’t get pierced on the day you plan. However, it’s better to wait until you can go to a studio that’s high-quality.
Find the Best Body Piercer For You
With the right research and on-the-scene inspection, you’ll have no trouble finding the best body piercer for you. And you’ll feel comfortable and confident when it comes time to pierce your ears, eyebrow, nose, bellybutton… wherever you envision your next piercing to be.
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