There are a lot of reasons why people get pierced. While some do it for manhood and individualism, others are doing it to highlight their respective cultures or show off their rebelliousness. Regardless of the reason why you’re getting pierced, you should be prepared for the entire process, especially if it’s your first time. Preparation is key for your first body piercing experience to be memorable for all the right reasons.
Here are some tips to help you prepare for your first body piercing experience:
1. Find A Reputable Shop.
Before deciding which part of your body you want to pierce, you should find a reputable piercing shop or studio in your area first. The track record of the studio can make or break the outcomes of your body piercing. If you end up working with a shop or studio that uses unsanitary equipment, you’ll likely experience swelling and allergies.
To ensure that this doesn’t happen, ask for recommendations from friends and families. You can gain a lot of insights if these people have experienced piercing in the past. If you have the time, check the online community for reviews about a particular piercing shop or studio. The End Is Near, for example, can be an excellent option if you’re living in New York and are planning to get pierced.
2. Find A Piercer.
Looking for a reputable piercing shop or studio is one thing, and looking for a piercer is another. You should work with a piercer who is trained and experienced in the body piercing you’re planning to have.
Don’t hire someone who only has experience in ear piercing when you want your belly button to be pierced. Additionally, you should also make sure that you’re actually comfortable with the piercer. If possible, look for a piercer who you can treat as a friend, so your first experience wouldn’t be too painful.
3. Make An Appointment.
Depending on your lifestyle and pain tolerance, you might decide to make an appointment with the piercer on the next day or week. In some cases, you might need an entire month to prepare for the body piercing. Once you finally found the piercing shop and piercer suitable for your needs and budget, make an appointment.
This step is vital so you’ll know what time and date you should visit the shop. This will also ensure that you won’t be turned away when the piercing shop has a lot of customers during that day.
4. Eat A Good Meal And Stay Hydrated.
Getting your body pierced for the first time can be nerve-wracking. This is especially true if you only heard stories of how painful the experience is. To help you calm your nerves, eat a good meal and stay hydrated hours before your appointment. This simple trick can calm your stomach and prevent you from being too stressed out.
Aside from these, nutrients and minerals can also help your body heal from the piercings faster, while easing you from any discomfort towards recovery.
5. Carefully Choose The Studs You Want.
Regardless of the body part you want to get pierced, choosing the right studs is crucial. Remember, you’ll be using this for at least six weeks (depending on the healing time and body part).
If you’re planning to have a visible body part pierced – like your ear, helix or cartilage, for example – you should look for studs that’ll complement most of your outfits. Getting your belly button or tongue pierced is not much of a concern since these body parts are usually hidden.
6. Stay Calm And Learn To Relax.
A lot of things will be running around your head once the piercer arrives in the shop. You might even experience anxiety once the piercer begins the process. During this time, it’s best if you stay calm and learn how to relax.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Bring a friend with you. It always feels comforting when someone is by your side before, during, and after the actual body piercing.
- Listen to calming music and podcast hours before your appointment. If your piercing doesn’t involve the ear, you can continue listening even when the piercer is already working.
- Think positive and remember that body piercing isn’t as painful as they sound.
- Practice breathing exercises. The internet is a goldmine for this information, so take the time to research.
Knowledge Is Power
The phrase “body piercing” would usually indicate pain for many people. This is one of the reasons why people are hesitant in getting their bodies pierced in the first place. If you’re one of them, be prepared by following the tips from this article. You’ll be surprised how your efforts can make your first body piercing experience almost painless!
