The Truth About Piercings: 10 Myths Debunked
Piercings are a form of body modification that has been around for thousands of years. Unfortunately, the truth about piercings is often shrouded in mystery and misinformation. But if you're considering getting your first piercing, you may have some questions about what it entails. We've collected the top 10 myths about piercings that we want to debunk right now.
Let's start debunking these myths!
Myth #1: Piercings are temporary and can easily heal
Piercings are definitely not temporary, and there's no way they can heal in just a few days. When you get pierced with an earring or another form of body piercing jewelry that stays out on the skin for hours at a time, it's true that your piercing will heal very quickly. However, piercings that are done by professionals usually come with dermal anchors (or small pieces of metal) which require weeks to properly heal before being removed safely without causing damage like scar tissue buildup around them.
If you don't have enough time for healing then maybe it's better not to get one, especially now you know that piercings take time and patience.
Myth #2: Getting a piercing will hurt more than getting a tattoo
Pain is subjective. That said, getting a piercing is generally less painful than getting a tattoo because tattoos are done with needles that puncture the skin multiple times, whereas piercings involve one piercing needle insertion and pressure on your skin for just a few seconds.
So while piercings may not be as painful, they can hurt and should never be done without proper care.
Myth #3: You have to move earrings frequently during the healing process
It's true that you have to keep your new piercing clean after getting it, but this doesn't mean that you need to take out or rotate piercings constantly. If there are no complications with your piercing then leaving the jewelry inside for months at a time won't cause any damage since most of them are made from surgical steel or titanium.
Both of these are very durable and resistant even during prolonged periods of use. You can leave earrings in all day if they make you feel more comfortable! Just be sure not to touch it too much without cleaning your hands and the piercing first. That way you'll avoid infections and enjoy a healthier piercing life.
Myth#4: You'll get a lisp if you pierce your tongue
Getting your tongue pierced can cause feelings of discomfort, which may affect your speech for about a week or two (especially while eating certain foods). But as long as you're careful, everything should go back to normal with time.
In fact, many people have their tongue pierced and others never even realize it because there aren't any visible signs. That's why a good piercing artist will ensure that the barbell they use won't touch your teeth or interfere with anything at all involving speech since you could risk damaging them if something goes wrong during the process.
Myth#5: It's better to go to the mall for piercings instead of going to a professional studio
If you're going to get a piercing, make sure you're getting it from a properly licensed, clean and sterilized studio. Don't be fooled by those piercings done in the mall because they're not always sanitized properly and can lead to serious infections. That's why researching reputable piercing studios near you is a must while looking out for those that are licensed, clean, and safe!
Don't risk your health by trying low-quality, low-priced piercing services from malls or kiosks that may use dirty equipment!
Myth#6: It is a good idea to use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide for piercing aftercare solutions
This is one of the biggest myths out there, but it's also a really common practice for people to do. In fact, some piercers even recommend this aftercare solution! But what they fail to mention is how many studies have proven how harsh these types of solutions can be on your new piercing, causing serious irritation instead of soothing it! That's why many professional studios have already stopped using them in favor of saline spray or sea salt soaks which are much more gentle while cleaning a fresh wound after getting pierced.
The best way that you should handle any kind of bleeding from a new piercing should be by soaking it in warm water along with Epsom salts (about two tablespoons) until everything stops then patting dry afterward. You shouldn't touch a fresh piercing or even take out your jewelry it’s until fully healed. And then you can slowly start to change the pieces by using sea salt solutions.
Read More: The Importance of Piercing Aftercare
Myth#7: You can't get piercings if you're on antibiotics
It's true that some medications might interfere with the healing process of your piercing, but this doesn't mean that you should never take any medication when getting pierced.
However, don't take any risks when getting pierced while using antibiotics or other medications. It's always best to consult with your professional piercer and, of course, your doctor before doing any procedure.
Myth#8: It's better to use a piercing gun than piercing needles
Although this might be true for eyebrow piercings and earlobe piercings, it's definitely not the case when talking about other areas of your body. Piercing guns are still a very recent concept that many people aren't aware of, but they're actually much more dangerous and less effective than piercing needles according to studies.
That's because these types of tools rely on physical force and piercing power rather than clean and sterile equipment like fully sterilized surgical steel or titanium piercing needles.
If you do have sensitive skin then a piercing gun can feel a bit uncomfortable because of the amount of force put onto it. That's why it's best to use piercing needles instead since they're much more gentle when going through your skin without any pain involved during this process!
Myth #9: Always use gold and silver in your first piercings
While it's true that gold and silver are both safe metals to use for ear piercings, they're not the only ones out there. If you want something unique then go ahead and get pierced with other types of metal like titanium or surgical steel because these materials are long-lasting and don't tarnish over time. Plus they are hypoallergenic, which means that they don't cause allergic reactions or irritations once inserted into the skin. That's why we recommend these materials for new piercings.
On the other hand, we don't recommend any piercing jewelry made from nickel because it's known to cause an allergic reaction when inserted into the skin!
Myth #10: Getting an infection at your new piercing is normal.
Infections may be common but they are not "normal" and should be taken seriously. Make sure you're searching for a professional piercer who has plenty of experience with this process. The last thing anyone wants is an infection at their new piercing location. So don't let it occur if possible by simply following the proper procedures and sticking to your piercing aftercare routine.
Try to be aware of any kind of signs of infections like redness, swelling, tenderness, discharge, or pain in general so you can quickly go see a professional if needed.
Read More: Preparing Yourself for a Piercing
Debunking Myths About Piercings Is Fun
Whew! We've debunked the top 10 myths about piercings and we hope that you can learn from them in order to avoid any kind of complications after getting pierced.
So, what do you think about these myths for piercings? Do you agree or disagree with them? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
And if you want jewelry for your next piercing then don't hesitate to browse our collections! We stock the best selection of jewelry for every piercing. With over 100 different styles to choose from, you'll definitely find something you'll love!