piercing questions?

Question

ok I have six piercings and an industrial in my left ear that I got done proffesionally three in my right two of which I did myself
double snake bites I did myself two eyebrow piercings i did myself and a nose ring I got done.

my question is that when I pierce myself I use saftey pins that have been soaked in alcohol and then i put in the bar/ring/stud that has antibiotic ointment on it.

am I at a great risk of infection?
If I were to get a job would they make me close them over or are most places ok with spacers?
getting my septum pierced...Professional or do it myself?


and please don't rant on how I have too many piercings...I get it all the time from my parents and I really don't care.

Answer 1

You don't have to many piercings you silly :)

By piercing yourself with safety pins you are at a huge risk for an infection. Alcohol and antibiotic ointment does not sterilize. An autoclave does. Who knows who used that safety pin previously, or where it has been. It could be lurking with some fun hepatitis, and more then likely has tons of bacteria on it that is ready to infect any cut, scrape or piercing. That and a safety pin is a tiny gauge .. I'm guessing an 18 gauge. The "common" gauge for a piercing is 14 gauge. Getting pierced at such a tiny gauge gives you a great chance of the cheese-cutter effect, rejection, and a great chance of getting the piercing ripped out of your skin. That doesn't sound too pleasant.

Depending on where you live, and where you want to work, your job will more then likely make you take your piercings out. At the place I work at I'm not even allowed to wear retainers. Those are still visible and (I've tried wearing them) they told me to take them out.

Your septum pierced.. it's obviously upto you. I would rather go to a professional to make sure everything is 100% sterile, straight, and it's pierced in the correct spot in your septum.

Answer 2

Whenever you get a piercing that is not done by a professional in a sterilised environment you are at risk of infection.

Safety pins are not designed for piercing, they are not surgical or sharp enough and you are risking damage to the area by forcing a pin through your flesh.

Soaking in alcohol is not the same as autoclave sterilisation, which professionals use, a lot of antibiotic ointments can cause irritation.

Go to a professional for your piercings so you can have it done safely and get professional after care advice.

Your septum is a cartilage area and very difficult to pierce. Cartilage is prone to more problems that other area's, you could cause serious damage.


I am all for piercings and have had plenty myself - I always go professional, even though I have worked in a studio.

Answer 3

You are ALWAYS at a greater risk of infection when you do it yourself, so you really should get your new one done professionally. As far as the working world is concerned, they typically don't like piercings beyond just a few on the ears (you have more than a few) some places might be okay with the spacers, or that new clear soft plastic stuff (can't remember the name of it), but not all will be. It will really just depend on where you work. You can ask about that policy before you even have an interview if you are worried about it.

Answer 4

No reputable piercer will pierce your tongue at 12. MAYBE at 16 with parent consent, or else you will need to wait until you are 18. Your tongue is a muscle, its very sensitive so yes it is pretty painful. You will probably talk with a lisp for a couple weeks, and eating can be a challenge for the first week. Your tongue will be swollen while it heals. There is also the risk of chipping your teeth when you have a piercing, so these are all things to consider. Going to a reputable piercer is very important as they will clean all their equipment with an autoclave and keep a clean work area, as well as give you good advice on care of your piercing.

Answer 5

OK...I won't rant...You're probably not to much at risk of infection doing them yourself as long as you take care of them properly & make certain to clense not only the needle you are using to pierce, but also the area that you are PIERCING. That is very important as well. I would not recommend piercing your septum on your own. THAT could be a major infection waiting to happen. Why take the risk? As for a job...I personally don't find it very professional to see someone working who is covered with piercings. I would definitly take this as a negative if I were the one interviewing you for the job unless it were, of course, in a tattoo parlor or piercing clinic. They just don't look all that good when you have that many. It's a personal decision to do that to your body, but you DID ask.

Answer 6

most places will not accept facial piercings unless its something small and not noticable. Most places will have you cover them up with band aids but if its a professional place of employment they will make you take it out. Any form of an unknownable object that is being pierced on your body well sometimes your body rejects it and your at great risk of getting an infection by using a safety pin. Even if its soaked in alcohol its still not sterile enough to kill the bacteria.

Answer 7

You really should get them all done professionally. Doing it yourself always has a higher risk for infection. It depends where you get a job. A lot of places will want you to take them out while you're working which you shouldn't do until it's fully healed and then some places still probably won't like it if you have bigger holes in your ears. Have a lot of piercings doesn't really come across as perfessional which is what employers are looking for.

Answer 8

yes you are at greater risk of infection if you do it that way and most jobs will make you take them out i have had many piercings over the years down stares and that is a non issues for jobs use sea salt to help clean and a saline insted of the ointment and no do not do your septum by your self hope this helps

Answer 9

Piercings are beautiful!
But, they should ALL be done professionally.
You don't have knowledge of where the nerves are in your face (especially around your nose). You could do some serious damage.
Regarding the spacers: it all depends on the company you work for.
I used plugs for mine at my last job.

Answer 10

I personally think that you should get your septum done professionally done. You wouldn't have to worry that much about infection. Plus, you can hit like a nerve and mess up something.