Piercing Preparation

Some tips on how to dress for your Piercing appointment so you can be as comfortable as possible during your tattoo.

Begin with the location of where you are getting pierced. In almost all instances, one-piece clothing should be avoided. Dresses, jumpsuits, overalls and similar outfits make it extremely difficult to get to places like navels and nipples. Choose an old outfit that does not matter too much to you – just in case it gets soiled.

For navels, and below-the-waist piercings, try to wear loose fitting pants or skirts. Avoid pantyhose if possible – they tend to roll not-so-nicely over fresh navel piercings. In addition for navels, avoid lace-topped panties or even a threadbare top panty. You will understand why the first time you catch your new navel piercing on a lace edge.

Also for the below the waist piercings, wear loose underwear. Cotton is a good material in that it is comfortable, and helps minimize sweat.

For the guys, cotton boxers are the easiest – they are loose and you can remove them without touching your new piercing. If your boxers happen to have button-fly, it’s probably a good idea to button it so as not to catch it on your new piercing.

For the ladies, cotton, full bottomed panties are best. Thongs may be cool to look at, and comfortable, but a full panty will minimize the risk of catching your underwear on your new below-the-waist piercing.

Moving north on the body, for nipples and above the neck piercings, be sure to wear a shirt that you will be able to put back on after the piercing, as well as be able to remove later at home. Button up is good, since it doesn’t slide over your head. This is important so you can avoid scraping against that fresh nipple piercing, or yanking that new eyebrow piercing up.

For above the neck piercings, including eyebrows and ear work, avoid hats, since hats may bump your piercing during donning and removal. Winter hats can be difficult to get back on - bring a scarf to wrap your head in. That metal in your new ear piercing gets cold quick, and in really cold temperatures, can do damage to cartilage if exposed too long. Also, be cautious when wrapping that scarf around your face, as it may catch on your new labret piercing.

Dressing to go home can be as important as dressing to get the piercing. For nipple piercing in particular, if possible, after the piercing and your shirt is back on you, tuck the end into your pants. In colder weather, that cold air flying up your shirt as you leave the shop can be a big surprise. And don’t be afraid to zip up your coat.

When most people get a piercing, they often don’t realize how much work and care actually goes into it. It looks quick and easy, right? Here’s a rundown of things you may see and some things you might not see during your piercing.

As you walk in the door, you are greeted by a body art technician, receptionist, or sales person. Once it is established what you would like to get pierced, your sales person will then assist you in choosing jewelry that is appropriate for the type of piercing you are getting. You will then fill out any paperwork required by the establishment and local Health Board, and your identification will be verified.

From there, you will be taken to the piercing area and if you have not yet met your body art technician, now you will. And it is here where your tech will go over the procedure with you, aftercare instructions and do your piercing.

Concerning the piercing, things you will see include cleansing of hands, and donning of gloves. You may also see other protective gear such as safety glasses, masks, and protective clothing cover.

The work station should be “blank” when you come to the area. That means that the technician should open sterilize packages and set up everything in front of you: forceps or tubes that are needed, gauze pads, q-tips, cork, needle, jewelry, and pliers are all things you may see in this area. Chemicals that you may see include Technicare Surgical Scrub, rubbing alcohol, and other skin surface sterilizers may also be used (Betadine is often seen). For mouth piercings, you will also see antiseptic mouth rinse.

A side note about rubbing alcohol: It should never be used by itself as a skin surface sterilizer. For rubbing alcohol to be used as a skin surface sterilizer, it would have to be rubbed vigorously on the area for 30 minutes, and lets just say, that would not be very fun for either the piercer or you. Technicare Surgical Scrub is the fastest skin surface sterilizer - usually does its job in about less than a minute.

After thoroughly cleaning the area, you will most likely be marked for placement. At that point, there’s not much left to do but pierce you.