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The Body Piercing Experience: What to Expect Before, During, and After

Submitted by Tribalectic Archives in Instructional Articles on November 20th, 2007

Before

Having a part of your body pierced is a very unique and personal experience. Like the saying, “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure” it is also true that “one person’s pain is another person’s pleasure.” Furthermore, every piercing experience that you have will vary, depending on the body part, your state of mind and mood at the time, the piercer and the setting of the shop where you are getting pierced, and your level of piercing comfort.

People get pierced for a number of different reasons. Some do it for aesthetic or fashion purposes. Some do it because they enjoy the intensity of the moment. Some people get pierced as part of a group or collective experience, and some do it to stimulate or enhance physical sensation. Regardless of whether you want to be pierced for these or any other reason, once you decide a piercing is for you, you are ready to make the next step to the piercing shop.

To the newcomer, a body piercing or Tattoo shop may be a bit intimidating at first. But once you have been in one a couple of times, you start to realize that they are kind of fun. So when you’re ready, find a shop that you think suits you, and pay them a visit. You’ll meet your piercer, they will make sure that you are of age, and not uncontrollably intoxicated, then they will take you into a sanitary piercing booth. Sanitation is a relative description—obviously getting pierced does not require the same precautions as open-heart surgery, but you should make sure that you are comfortable with the level of cleanliness in the piercing booth. Most piercers are extremely meticulous when it comes to sanitation, and the first thing they will do is pre-sterilize their booth if they have not done so already.

During

The piercer will put their gloves on, then sit you down or stand you up (depending on the piercing and his/her particular piercing style), and examine the area to be pierced. Not every piercing is for everybody—especially genital piercings, which can present potential rejection or infection situations—but a knowledgeable piercer can determine right away if your body can accept a particular piercing. After examining the piercing area, the piercer will then clean the area and somehow mark the area to be pierced. Some piercers do this with a one use, disposable sterile water-based marker, and some will just do it with their eyes.

The piercer will then ready their tools on their instrument tray. All piercing instruments and jewelry should be in sealed sterile packages, which the piercer opens in front of you just before the piercing. If you do not feel that a piercer’s instruments are adequately sterile, politely request that they use ones that you see them open. If at any time during your piercing experience, you doubt the sterility of a piercer’s instruments or procedures, simply ask your piercer to explain his/her sterilization precautions.

Once your piercer has removed the instruments from the sterilization pouches, they will then be sure you are ready, and begin aligning their needle. Some piercers clamp the piercing area with a rubber band wrapped around piercing pliers called forceps, and some just use their hands and maybe a cork on the exit side of the piercing. Again, this depends on the personal style and preferences of your piercer—there is no right or wrong method, some piercers use the forceps to more accurately align and guide the needle, while some feel that without forceps they have greater control and dexterity. When the needle is in line, the piercer will make sure that you are ready for a final time, and then they will slide the needle right through.

Most piercings last for only a moment—the most anxious part of your experience will be the few minutes it takes your piercer to set up. But after a quick prick, before you know it, your piercer will be inserting your new starter jewelry. Most oral, facial, and body piercings take only a moment and don’t hurt that much at all, but if you are getting a unique surface piercing or a larger spanning genital piercing, expect the actual piercing to take a little longer, and feel more intense. This is understandable, though, as the more sensitive the area of your body, the more sensitive it will be while being pierced.

After

After the needle is in you, and your wait is over, your piercer will insert one end of your starter jewelry into the back of the needle, and in one continuous motion, slide the needle all the way through and leave the jewelry in the piercing. Piercers prefer stainless steel captive bead rings or stainless steel barbells as starter jewelry, as these will be the easiest to clean and the least prone to infection or adverse reaction. After your jewelry is in place, your piercer will either clip in or screw on the ball at the end of the jewelry, and you are almost ready to face the world with your new piercing. Lastly, your piercer will make a final examination of your piercing, clean your piercing one last time, then instruct you on proper cleaning and aftercare procedures.

In the days subsequent to your piercing, you will notice that the pierced area is a little sore, and may be swollen or slightly black and blue for a few days to a few weeks. This is normal and to be expected. Over time, as your piercing heals and strengthens, it will become a more innate and comfortable part of your body. After a few weeks to a few months (depending on the piercing) your piercing will be fully healed, and you will be ready to upgrade your style from starter jewelry to something a little more personal (See Tribalectic Body Jewelry and Accessories). If you have any questions or concerns regarding your new piercing, always feel comfortable asking your piercer, or refer to the Tribalectic Healing and Aftercare pages for general information.

Piercing Pain Rankings

(from least painful to most painful)

Eyebrow
Earlobe
Tongue
Navel
Nostril
Labret/Lip
Female Nipple
Cartilage Piercings
Male Nipple
Genitals

Note: Pain is completely relative to the individual.

Click here to read more articles about body piercing.

Click here to see body piercing pictures or videos.

Click here to read more body piercing experiences.

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Reader Comments

Stretchers03
Joined: 21 Sep 2008
Member #: 13819
Status: Offline

Posted on October 4, 2008, 6:50 am

I find the lip piercing hurt way less than the lobe. The lobe accualy hurt, but my lip, I barely felt a thing. But I guess the pain is different per individual. uCool2

mod.88
Joined: 06 Mar 2008
Member #: 1448
Status: Offline

Posted on October 21, 2008, 3:50 am

Genitals hurt, minus the inner labias... And nipple, not painful at all

I'm in love <3

just sk8 dont h8
Joined: 26 Sep 2008
Member #: 14675
Status: Offline

Posted on October 30, 2008, 2:44 pm

i wana get my eyebrow pierced uDance

AlexxxisMachine
Joined: 25 Nov 2008
Member #: 23006
Status: Offline

Posted on November 25, 2008, 7:47 pm

I just got my inverse navel done (which is apparently supposed to hurt a LOT), and I didn't feel a thing! In all honesty, my second hole in my ear hurt more, haha.

jasilla_dk
Joined: 03 Feb 2009
Member #: 31746
Status: Offline

Posted on February 4, 2009, 11:08 am

I just had my nipples pierced and they hurt, especially the left one. My legs popped off the table! So far I'm glad I did it. uSmile2

piercedoff101
Joined: 11 Feb 2009
Member #: 32763
Status: Offline

Posted on February 11, 2009, 1:07 pm

Don't let anyone kid you- navel piercings hurt ALOT. It hurt so bad, it kept hurting for 12 HOURS after it was done, I was bleeding a lot and I probably should have got it stiched up right away.

The woman that did it lied to me and told me it didn't hurt at all. She and everyone there said this so many times I believed them. They were just trying to sell me a pierceing and didn't care at all about the results. This was at a reputable place, very popular too- and recommended. So much for that.

I tried to live with it until finally someone selling jewelry told me mine was done way too thin and low- and dangerous- it could get caught and easily rip.

Now I have a nice scar there, it will never go away. If I want to get rid of it I now have to pay for scar removal.

So if you're thinking about getting a piercing done- WATCH OUT! Be very careful about who you go to and research about it first. I didn't do much research since this place was recommended to me. It may be better if you don't do it at all.

mod.88
Joined: 06 Mar 2008
Member #: 1448
Status: Offline

Posted on February 12, 2009, 9:20 am

"Note: Pain is completely relative to the individual."

And as you said: I tried to live with it until finally someone selling jewelry told me mine was done way too thin and low- and dangerous- it could get caught and easily rip.

That's probably why it hurt more when you got it done.. cuz it was done wrong. Too bad, i hope that didn't svare you too much. Cuz in the navels don't hurt that much, but they can/are a pain in the a*s to heal...

I'm in love <3

sgrundens
Joined: 12 Feb 2009
Member #: 32897
Status: Offline

Posted on February 12, 2009, 4:31 pm

i have had my tongue, eye brow (3 times) and just did my lip. which none of them hurt. now i'm thinkin of gettin my clit done. has anyone gotten that and does it hurt? uTongue2

mod.88
Joined: 06 Mar 2008
Member #: 1448
Status: Offline

Posted on February 12, 2009, 5:46 pm

the clit or do you mean clitoral hood?? it'a a big difference in pain, the clit would probably hurt A LOT compared to clit hood

I'm in love <3

NancyP
Joined: 02 Mar 2009
Member #: 35171
Status: Offline

Posted on March 2, 2009, 2:38 pm

Speaking from experience, 6 in my ears, 3 tragus, both nipples (5 times - they migrated the first 4 times - 5th time's a charm), outer labia (both) and triangle (the muscle behind the clit)and navel - and yes, the clit. I can say this, the clit was the most painful (literally saw stars for about 20 seconds) - but it's also the one I will NEVER give up uHappy .

NancyP

mod.88
Joined: 06 Mar 2008
Member #: 1448
Status: Offline

Posted on March 2, 2009, 4:12 pm

the muscle behind the clit? really?
cuz as far as i know, i don't think the triangle is suppose to be in any muscle...

but what do i know, i don't have one... yet... but i will soon and then i'll check this out, but it still seems a bit fu*ed up to me...

I'm in love <3

paigeybear
Joined: 10 Jul 2008
Member #: 7299
Status: Offline

Posted on March 2, 2009, 7:51 pm

Yeah, the triangle is just a thin area of skin behind the clitoral shaft.

-paige

Buddah Bear
Joined: 15 Apr 2009
Member #: 40125
Status: Offline

Posted on April 28, 2009, 6:04 pm

Just got 2 frenums and a lorum. Pain was minimal. The anticipation was the worse part.

achet
Joined: 12 May 2009
Member #: 43017
Status: Offline

Posted on May 12, 2009, 4:50 am

Often a piercing done with slightly irritating material like steel or an alloy of gold (usually including copper, silver and trace metals) can cause irritation and prevent complete healing. Switch to an implant certified piece of titanium jewelry for better success.
anticelulita

body mod lover
Joined: 14 May 2009
Member #: 43204
Status: Offline

Posted on May 14, 2009, 12:44 am

I love my piercings!! I got my nipples pierced about a year ago and I was surprised at how little it hurt. The right defenately hurt a bit more than the left. I then decided to get my bellybutton pierced about three weeks ago, OMG it hurt so much worse than my nipples, both during the piercing and the week following. Now I'm thinking of getting a genital piercing, I just can't decided which one LOL uDance

CollegeJock
Joined: 23 May 2009
Member #: 44158
Status: Offline

Posted on May 23, 2009, 4:50 pm

Hey man, getting a PA in 4 days. Is it really painfull? Wish me luck... Mark uHappy

mlynvargas
Joined: 26 Apr 2009
Member #: 41348
Status: Offline

Posted on May 27, 2009, 10:34 am

I just had a clitorial hood verticaly and it last for a second the pain felt like as if i was have blood drawn so i would say honestly no uHappy

elliie27
Joined: 14 Jul 2009
Member #: 48996
Status: Offline

Posted on July 14, 2009, 9:02 pm

I have eleven piercings (Earlobes x3, lip,beauty spot,navel,tongue and a vertical labret) And out of all of them the vertical hurt the most and my ears hurt the least uSmile2

KawaiiSceneGirl
Joined: 24 Jul 2009
Member #: 49730
Status: Offline

Posted on July 24, 2009, 10:53 am

I've got only my cartlidge and my ear lobes pierced (which didn't hurt really at all) but I'm dying to get my tongue or my lip pierced but lip peircings I heard if you take them out they don't heal well. And I'm hell afraid of the pain of getting my tongue done, although everyone says it doesn't hurt. So in y'all's opinion, which is better to get, lip or tongue? Smiling Thanks for any opinions.

stupefacente_mistero
Joined: 12 Aug 2009
Member #: 51245
Status: Offline

Posted on August 27, 2009, 10:48 pm

Well.. I've had my lip & tounge done and personally neither hurt.. but healing wise the tounge healed amazingly fast and really was no trouble at all except the first few days when it swelled somewhat. The lip healed okay but was a little harder to heal defiantly not as fast as the tounge.. Alot more cleaning and it was sore for about a week maybe a week and 1/2 but I think its sexy and I love it uDance !!! Good luck on your choice!!!

angrydoll
Joined: 29 Aug 2009
Member #: 52721
Status: Offline

Posted on August 29, 2009, 5:17 pm

Does a rook piercing hurt? Is it possible to get both sides done at the same time? I just got my trangus about 9 months ago-- It did not even hurt, I had no difficulty healing.Looking foward to two rooks!

JohnB
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Member #: 53005
Status: Offline

Posted on September 2, 2009, 7:15 am

wonder who made this Pain Rankings?
I personally have been much easier to pierce a nostril than an eyebrow!
__________________
JohnB, Essay Help

supersarahface
Joined: 07 Sep 2009
Member #: 53415
Status: Offline

Posted on September 7, 2009, 3:15 pm

KawaiiSceneGirl: "I've got only my cartlidge and my ear lobes pierced (which didn't hurt really at all) but I'm dying to get my tongue or my lip pierced but lip peircings I heard if you take them out they don't heal well. And I'm hell afraid of the pain of getting my tongue done, although everyone says it doesn't hurt. So in y'all's opinion, which is better to get, lip or tongue? Thanks for any opinions."

I had my tongue done 8 days ago, and so far I've had less trouble with it than my earlobes. (Had to have them re-pierced...yeah, it was bad.) But Pain really is a relative thing. Piercings and tats can be situational. I have a tattoo on my foot and I was almost worried about it. During, it was painful. But it's a memorial tattoo and during the worst of it, I pictured my friend's face and couldn't help but smile. (Now, I'll be back to tell how my rib-cage piercing goes...supposedly that's the worst.)
So it all depends on you.

But for me, my tongue swelled up a lot the first few days - it's consistently lower now - and as for tips...
...ice chips, especially the first couple days
...ibuprofen, it's a blood thinner, so don't go overboard, but it'll keep the swelling down
...sea salt rinse, given to me by the piercer
...mouthwash, it's an antiseptic so it's good for cleaning the crap out of your mouth'
...LISTEN TO YOUR BODY...no matter what you get or where, your body will react uniquely to everything. My tongue is healing wonderfully, but my ear lobes infected the first time I tried to change them. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who have had a bad experience or two with the tonge. If the pain is too much, or you think something might be wrong, talk to the piercer. (Find a knowledgeable one BEFORE the piercing for your sake.)
Also, be aware of any sensitivities. If you even THINK you might be allergic to anything, I'd say it would save you a lot of time, money, and suffering to just get a straight, 100% gold barbell. (Or, you know, something surgically approved or "implant grade")

As for tongue or lip, I think lips are hot. but they also leave a hole in your face. So it's up to you and what you think of future employment. (Something I wasn't told until after: you can't leave your tongue ring out for very long before it starts to heal. My piercer had hers for 2 years and could leave it out about 30 minutes. Also circumstantial to every person.) Either way, the piercing is around your mouth. Keep it clean and respect your body. You won't have to brush your teeth any more often than usual, but be sure to use any rinse or anything they tell you to treat it with.

Other things: you can't change it until it's fully healed, which can be anywhere from 2-6weeks or more. (Again, depends on your body). It's exciting, new, and fun, but you gotta know yourself and pay attention to your body.

Have fun, and good luck!

boyy
Joined: 28 Sep 2009
Member #: 54927
Status: Offline

Posted on September 28, 2009, 6:15 am

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Fairydustx
Joined: 03 Oct 2009
Member #: 55301
Status: Offline

Posted on October 3, 2009, 5:30 pm

Out of all my peircings, the tongue hurt the least! I had it done twice. Gudluck Smiling

bozozo
Joined: 05 Oct 2009
Member #: 55477
Status: Offline

Posted on October 5, 2009, 10:43 pm

I heard if you take them out they don't heal well. And I'm hell afraid of the pain of getting my tongue done.
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bozozo
Joined: 05 Oct 2009
Member #: 55477
Status: Offline

Posted on October 5, 2009, 10:43 pm

Keep it clean and respect your body. You won't have to brush your teeth any more often than usual, but be sure to use any rinse or anything they tell you to treat it with.
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benhurtisson
Joined: 11 Oct 2009
Member #: 55823
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Posted on October 11, 2009, 2:04 am

I think these materials can be useful for everybody.
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Willis
Joined: 11 Oct 2009
Member #: 55882
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Posted on October 11, 2009, 8:04 pm

I am shocked to know this. If it is painful a lot in the genital areas, why many people would do it? It doesn't look good at all, after all.. free advertising |jobs |memory foam mattress