Piercing has long been a subject of fascination, adorned by cultures around the world for centuries. Yet, amid the allure, myths and misconceptions have multiplied, casting a shadow of doubt over this form of body modification. From tales of excruciating pain to horror stories of infections gone wrong, there are many forms of misinformation surrounding this art. In that sense, we hope to share some of the common myths or misconceptions surrounding piercings.
Myth 1: You should move and rotate your jewelry
Truth: If you’ve pierced your ears at a goldsmith shop when you were younger, you’ve been told that you should apply alcohol and rotate the jewelry everyday until it heals. However, this is not true.
New piercings should avoid unnecessary movement as it only irritates the wound and prolongs healing.
Myth 2: Any piercing material is safe
Truth: Although many places offer different materials to pierce, not all materials are safe for piercings. According to the Association of Professional Piercers, materials used to pierce should be able to withstand the heat and pressure of autoclave sterilization and should be inert and compatible with the body so it doesn’t cause irritation, allergy, or infection. And the recommended materials include surgical steel, titanium and 14k solid gold.
At Curious Creatures we use 14k solid gold for our piercing services, as such, if you are allergic to gold, it is not recommended to get a piercing with us.
Myth 3: You can get pierced on any part of your ear
Truth: Ear anatomy varies greatly to each unique individual, influencing piercing suitability. This means that not everyone is suitable for certain piercings. If your anatomy is not right, it can lead to a multitude of issues such as infections, scarring, poor healing and uncomfortable pain. Hence, you should always consult with your piercer on what is the best for your ear’s anatomy.
Myth 4: How it looks, is an indication of healing
Truth: Oftentimes only the exterior is healed, but internally there could still be some bleeding. This is because tissue heals from the outside in, and although it feels fine, the interior remains fragile. Lobe piercings typically take at least 2 months to heal and cartilage piercings take at least 4 months, with some taking up to a year.
Do not rush the healing process and be consistent with cleaning your piercings to prevent any complications. Read more about our suggested aftercare guide here.
Myth 5: Cartilage piercings always lead to keloids
Truth: In a study of newly pierced individuals by Cleveland Clinic, only 2.5% of the participants had a keloid formation. And only about 10% of the population are prone to keloids. According to the NIH, some people are more prone to keloids due to genetic reasons.
Usually with piercings, if there is a bump near the piercing, it is an irritation bump which will go away with proper care, emphasizing the importance of piercing hygiene and cleanliness. If you are prone to keloids or any other skin conditions, do let your piercer know and seek advice before piercing.
Myth 6: Getting pierced with a piercing gun is quick and safe
Truth: The process is indeed fast, many of us who got pierced with a gun at a goldsmith or accessory shop can agree with that. Although getting pierced with a gun might seem like the best choice as it creates the piercing and inserts the jewelry all in one quick motion, there are many misconceptions about getting pierced this way.
The piercing gun, or piercing cartridge, are often made of plastic which cannot be properly sterilized as it cannot go into the autoclave machine. Piercings done by such mechanism also cause more trauma to the piercing site as it uses blunt force, which can result in more pain, especially in cartilage piercings. Hence it is best to get pierced by a professional with a sterile needle. This ensures lesser tissue damage, better hygiene (which decreases the chances of an infection) and not to mention, allow for more precision during piercing.
