All first piercing experiences can seem a bit daunting and intimidating, whether it’s a regular earlobe piercing or if you’re considering a more exotic and unconventional place to decorate your body. In this article, we will be going over some important things to watch out for in piercings – especially if this is going to be your first time.

Try Going Solo

Deciding to insert a metal rod, ring, or stud is a major deal, and if this is your first time doing it, chances are you want to grab your best friend or your parent to tag along for moral support. Though this may seem like a good idea for your nerves, it’s important to note that people transmit their energies to one another all the time. Your friend or sibling may transmit some of their nervousness to you, so it’s a good idea to step into the piercing studio alone.

Make Sure to Eat Before

Piercing specialists claim that it is always a good idea to get your piercing done with a full stomach as it helps maintain the sugar levels in your body. If not a proper meal, then have something light like a banana to prevent you from feeling dizzy and lightheaded during the piercing process. Sometimes people tend to faint during piercings and you due to lack of energy – you definitely don’t want that.

Sterile Equipment and Tools Only

From the moment you walk into the piercing studio, absolutely everything that touches you should be sterilized. This includes the piece of jewelry, the chair you’re sitting on, the needle that is used to pierce the hole, and finally, the hands of the piercer too. If you notice that the tools being used are not sterilized, under no circumstances let the piercer go through with the procedure.

Minor Bleeding and Irritation is Normal

A needle is going to pierce right through your skin; it’s expected to hurt and be a painful experience. But then again, pain is relative, and it varies from person to person. While some people experience a minor pinch, others may not the intensity of pain differs in different parts of the body. It’s possible that you might bleed a little, too, but there is nothing to worry about as long as you clean it with an alcohol swab. You may also notice some discoloration or the secretion of fluid a couple of weeks following the procedure. You may also observe crusting around the piercing, but these are all normal stages of the healing process. To prevent the piercing from getting infected, it is advised to avoid getting into swimming pools and using irritable products like hairspray and moisturizers.