Things You should know before getting a new piercing

I think every girl in our class had a piercing. My mum did not have one and therefore, did not see why we should get one. I think I felt left out. I too wanted some beautiful shiny gold studs on my ears. So, in a local salon with a post that read “piercings done here” with a picture of a piercing gun next to the words. I went home and begged my mum to let me have this piercing. Thirty minutes later I joined every other girl in my class. The pain was a 2. Please note that earlobes are the least painful part to be pierced as they go through the flesh. However, since no aftercare tips were given, two months later I spent a double English class getting the jewelry removed. My earlobes were swollen, and hot, and pus coming out. Our social studies teacher, who later went on to pursue medicine, insisted that I take them out.

Fast forward to year two, I accompany my friend to get her second earlobe piercing. I did not plan on getting my second piercing that day, but I did. Unfortunately, I stayed for so long without the piercing of jewelry that the holes closed. I’ve also had a belly piercing that closed on me. So, there was a lot I needed to learn before getting these piercings.

Here are things I wish I had known before getting my first piercings:

Location

The location of your piercing plays a huge role in the pain level, healing process, and type of jewelry.

As mentioned before piercings that go through flesh, are less painful. Those that go through the cartilage are more painful. The pain level of course depends on the person, but do expect some pain.

Piercings normally take one month to 6 months to heal. However, if the piercing is constantly touched or rubbed on, it will take longer. The conch piercing, as is hidden by the ear might take a lesser time to heal. While a nose piercing takes a little longer since one must blow their nose, wash their face, etc.

It is advised that you pick a stud for your nose piercing first. You can then change this to a hoop when your nose piercing is healed. Some piercings require specific types of jewelry, jewelry that is small enough to prevent irritation. However, for piercings such as a septum, it is normal to have a hoop immediately after.

How many piercings should you get?

It’s advised that you get a maximum of three. Less piercings make it easier to care for them making the healing process fast. The number highly depends on the person’s ability to care for them and their pain tolerance. Again, the location of the piercing determines how many you can get at ago. If you are a slide sleeper getting a helix piercing on your left and an industrial piercing on the right ear will leave you struggling to sleep on your back. I have had 3 at a go, but the belly piercing fell off. How many piercings have you had at a single-sitting?

Lifestyle

Fresh piercings should not be submerged. They should also not be rubbed on or touched with unsterilized hands. Depending on the piercing, it is important that you adjust your lifestyle. You might skip the high-waisted jeans after a belly piercing. You might keep off the helmet for your earlobe piercings.

Before getting your piercings, research, research, research. Read everything you can on the piercings and your piercer. They should sterilise the workstation, wear gloves, and use new and clean needles. Before getting your piercing, it is important that you ask any questions you have. Your piercer should advise on what methods they use. Piercing guns, although widely used here in Kenya, cause more swelling than needles.

How to take care of your piercing

Here are tips on how to clean your piercings and a simple DIY saline solution.

I have been thinking of getting a new piercing. Which one would you recommend, a helix, conch, septum, smiley, or rook?

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