The Truth About Piercing Guns
A piercing gun may look quite innocent, especially because it is so widely used in many jewelry stores that offer a “free piercing” service. It’s a quick, cheap, and easy, way to make a hole in your ear.
But wait, doesn’t that sound a bit suspicious?
Is The Piercing Gun Really Less Painful?
Most of you ask me if I use a piercing gun, and when I say that I don’t, I often get surprised reactions.
“But, why..? Isn’t it less painful?”
The answer is… not at all!
Pain is a personal matter, so you might come across the opinion that a pistol gun is less painful, but the reality is, that there is no difference in pain between a needle and a piercing gun. Your skin is getting pierced anyway, so you will most likely feel some pain. I discuss this topic more in the other posts, but the bottom line is that piercing may not be the most pleasant procedure, but the right result is well worth it!
Why The Gun Isn’t The Best Choice
Let’s not focus solely on the pain aspect here, as that’s not the main issue. Let’s look at the procedure from a technical standpoint.
Pressure from the gun compresses the tissue, which leads to irreversible pinching, causing irritation. This pinching reduces blood flow and oxygen, causing significant swelling and blockage. This can lead to longer healing times, infection risks, health issues, and scarring, not to mention the aesthetic aspect, which is also important here.
A piercing gun looks sharp, but it’s not. The tip is flat, so more pressure is required to break through the skin.
Piercing with such a blunt tool crushes the tissue rather than piercing it.
Often, clients ask me to fix crooked holes made at a jewelry store, which is often done without gloves or proper hygiene. It greatly increases the risk of infection.
Common Issues with Piercing Guns
I frequently encounter cases where the jewelry is completely absorbed into the ear from one or both sides. Why does this happen?
The earring is often too short for some earlobes and most cartilage. Note: It’s best to never use a gun on cartilage piercing!
Tight jewelry leaves no room for proper cleaning, which can increase the risk of infection. A standard practice is to insert a slightly bigger piercing to support the healing process. There must be enough room for aftercare and in case of swelling.
The “butterfly clasp” with an open space is a perfect place for bacteria to gather.
During healing, your body produces cellular discharge and other substances to aid the process. If the jewelry isn’t right, these substances can become trapped around or inside the piercing, creating a potential health risk.
Low-quality materials of the gun as well as the piercing jewelry, can cause irritation or an allergic reaction.
Often, piercing guns cannot be fully sterilized, increasing the risk of bacterial transfer and infection.
The piercing gun (left) has a blunt tip, while the venipuncture needle (right) is razor-sharp and effectively pierces through the skin, creating a smooth hole.
So, How Does It Compare To The Needle?
The Benefits of Piercing with a Needle
A needle is a single-use, sterile instrument. It is sharp and cuts tissue precisely, minimizing damage and reducing the risk of scarring and inflammation. The needle allows for a more controlled and less traumatic piercing.
This is also a plus from an aesthetic perspective, as the piercer can place the piercing exactly where it was marked and agreed upon beforehand.
The needle allows for the use of more appropriate jewelry, with the correct size and shape for a fresh piercing. This provides enough room for initial swelling and for thorough cleaning of the piercing.
Is The Studio Licensed For The Needle?
If you’re getting a piercing in the Netherlands, check if the studio you’ve chosen is licensed by GGD for needle procedures. You can do this by entering the studio’s name in the database at this link: Find your studio | Safe Tattooing and Piercing.
At Piercing Bay, we follow the latest guidelines and continuously expand our knowledge of safe and professional piercings. If you'd like to visit our studio in Utrecht, make an appointment here.
Sources:
Association of Professional Piercers (APP)
Healthline
Safepiercing.org
ASTM International
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Elayne Angel “The Piercing Bible”
