What kind of piercing supplies do I need?

By Moe Phillips

When it comes to piercing supplies, you can either do it yourself or have a professional do the piercing. Here are both sides...

The type of piercing supplies that you need fully depends on what exactly you intend to pierce. If you are just doing your ear, you can buy a piercing kit at any mall, which includes a surgical steel earing, as well as a one shot piercing gun. The piercing itself can be probably safely cleaned with rubbing alcohol, and if anything else is needed, the piercing kit will show you what it is and probably include it as well. If you are getting anything else pierced, whether nipple, eyebrow, genital, or navel, you should probably let a professional do it, instead of purchasing the piercing supplies yourself.

Professional piercers will have all of the piercing supplies that you will
need. Most piercings are not done with a gun at all, but rather with a
needle, and sometimes, the addition of a clamp. The needle is stuck
through whatever part of the body is to be pierced. Then the barbell is
either attached to the end of the needle, or stuck in following it, and
pulled in to the piercing.

A good piercer should have all of the piercing supplies that are needed
to do a proper, sterile cleaning, as well as those for you to care for
your piercing and prevent infection afterwards. These piercing supplies
include an autoclave for sterilizing, needles of various gages,
disinfectant wipes, and a variety of other tools.

Piercing Supplies Resources

Future Skin - As good of selection you will find anywhere.

Fresh Trends - Another good site.

Your piercer should also provide you with a guideline to cleaning your piercing, a timetable of recovery time, and piercing supplies to properly take care of it. When I got my eyebrows pierced, I was given a sterilizing wash to clean the piercing, another rub with aloe in it to protect the wound, as well as sea salt and cups to soak it in. Along with all of these piercing supplies, I was given a sheet telling me exactly what I needed to do to care for my piercing, and the expected recovery time and offering me assistance should I have any problem with my new piercings.

As it turns out, the piercing supplies and the instructions were more than adequate. They talked about risks of infection and oozing and crusting, but in reality the recovery was a breeze. I kept it clean with the piercing supplies, so besides being sore for a while, nothing was inconvenient about it.

Moe Phillips is a freelance author focusing on lifesyle topics. He is a frequent contributor to http://www.thanyouforasking.com

Header graphic courtesy of Digital Westex Gallary

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