Needling issues for body piercing
Body piercings are still the height of fashion for many young people, despite the chances of getting an infection if not done properly.
Salons offering the service here are unregulated, so it's worth taking time to do some checks in advance of getting the procedure done.
Take advice from people who have used the piercer before. Ask them questions about how much information they were given about looking after their piercing.
A few days before having your piercing, visit the shop in order to identify any potential health risks. After looking around, make sure that you can answer yes to the following questions:
- Are pets kept well away from the piercing area?
- Is the piercer wearing clean, practical clothing, with long hair tied back?
- Do they use sterile surgical gloves, changed and discarded between each client?
- Do they wash their hands regularly and use disposable paper towels to dry them?
- Have they covered any cuts or wounds on their hands with waterproof dressings?
- Are the premises clean, with wipe-clean surfaces throughout (including the floor)?
- Do they use single-use needles and discard them after each piercing?
- Are other instruments kept in an autoclave (steriliser) until needed?
- Is the jewellery used appropriate for the type of piercing?
- Is it made of non-nickel metal?
- Has it been sterilised immediately before insertion?
- Will the piercer refuse to pierce more than two sites on the body during one visit?
- Does the piercer have a clear policy regarding age restrictions and parental consent?
- Eilish O'Regan
