Getting a piercing often means hearing all sorts of advice — some helpful, some not so much, such as outdated beliefs and personal opinions without any scientific backing. At Ink By Finch, Singapore’s top piercing studio, we know all the facts and myths about piercings inside and out. Our team has put together a list of ten common piercing myths and the real truths behind them — get a rundown of them below.
Myth #1: Piercings are permanent… or temporary.
The reality is somewhere in between. While some piercings might leave a scar or mark, others can shrink and fade significantly after you take the jewelry out, especially if you leave it that way for a long time. The general advice is to only go for a piercing if you’re ready to commit for the long haul. And once you get it, keep your jewelry in to let it heal and mature, at least while it’s new.
Myth #2: Regularly rotating the jewelry in your piercing helps it heal better.
It’s a tale as old as time, but that doesn’t make it true. The purported reason behind this is to help the piercing heal evenly and to dislodge any debris that might get stuck. However, more and more professional piercers are now warning against rotating the jewelry, as it can actually irritate the piercing site and slow down the healing process.
Myth #3: You can’t donate blood if you have piercings.
Blood banks might ask you for details about any piercings you have before you can donate blood. You’re usually fine as long as your piercing was done with sterile equipment, like single-use or disposable needles. If you’re unsure about the conditions under which your piercing was done, you might need to wait three months before donating to lower the risk of transmitting blood-borne diseases.
Myth #4: You can always re-pierce a healed piercing.
Re-piercing in the same spot is possible, but it’s generally not recommended. The scar tissue from the original piercing can make healing more difficult because it has fewer blood vessels to support the process. It’s a good idea to make sure your old piercing has completely recovered before considering re-piercing the area. Always consult with an expert before making a decision.
Myth #5: You can’t breastfeed if you’ve pierced your nipple.
Nipple piercings do not prevent you from breastfeeding your baby. The only concern is that they might partially impede milk flow due to the placement of the piercing or scarring. Despite this, your milk production should remain unaffected, as the milk-producing glandular tissues are located behind the nipple. It’s important to remove the piercing before breastfeeding, as it can cause latching difficulties and potentially pose a choking hazard.
Myth #6: Piercing guns are always the better option.
Piercing guns are often touted as being fast and precise, getting the job done in one quick motion. But choose safety over convenience, many advise, as piercing guns are shunned for being risky in several ways. For one, they’re challenging to sterilize because they have plastic parts that can’t be put through an autoclave. They also forcibly push your starter jewelry through tissue, causing excessive trauma to the piercing, leading to more pain and potential damage.
Myth #7: Unconventional piercings take longer to heal.
It’s not so much about the unconventionality of the piercing as it is about its location. For example, while ear lobe piercings typically take up to two months to heal, tongue piercings usually heal in about one month. Some other areas, like genital piercings, might even heal faster due to their low risk of infection, thanks to being protected by clothing and careful handling.
Myth #8: You can perform a piercing safely at home.
Piercing yourself at home should not be attempted as improper sterilization and a lack of knowledge about piercing techniques can easily result in infections and other complications. Professional piercers, on the other hand, receive training in both methods and body anatomy to ensure safe and effective piercings. Piercing studios also maintain hygienic practices for a clean environment for each procedure.
Myth #9: You can swim right after getting a piercing.
As a rule of thumb, wait until your piercing is completely healed before taking a dip. Swimming in pools and oceans after getting a new piercing can introduce bacteria and irritants to the wound, which might lead to an infection.
Myth #10: Always keep your piercing jewelry in place to prevent it from closing.
It’s good practice to keep your starter jewelry in place until the piercing site has fully healed, which is usually at least six weeks. Since everyone heals at a different rate, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly how long you need to keep it in. But you don’t have to wear it forever — once your piercing has matured, it should be safe to remove it occasionally. Taking it out too soon, though, can cause a fresh piercing to close up quickly, sometimes within days or even hours. To get the best personalized advice, check with your piercer about when it’s safe to start switching out your jewelry.
Swing by Ink By Finch for safely and professionally executed piercings. We are Singapore’s leading tattoo and piercing studio, known for our expert staff and top-notch hygiene practices. Get in touch with us today.