View source for Piercing Technique

'''How a piercing is performed.'''

Most body piercings done at professional studios are performed using a hubless hollow [[needle]] followed by jewelry. To simplify, the piercing procedure generally goes as follows ''(note: disinfection procedure is omitted, as this is an overview)'':

* The placement is marked at the entrance and exit points of the piercing.
* In many cases, the skin to be pierced is held by [[clamp]]s, but this is not universal (many piercers prefer a [[freehand piercing]] method). Alternately, for piercings such as a [[rook]], a pair of mosquito [[forceps]] or similar device may be used to support the tissue, and for piercings such as nostrils and [[PA]]s, a [[receiving tube]] may be used to both support the tissue and "catch" the needle.
* The piercing is done with a hollow, hubless needle (no locking mechanism to attach it to a syringe. just a metal tube). For most piercings the [[gauge]] of the [[needle]] (the outer diameter) is the same as the [[Body jewelry|jewelry]], but in [[cartilage]] a larger needle is often used to allow for "breathing room", while in piercings such as PAs, a smaller gauge may be used since the tissue will stretch quickly anyway, and it will reduce bleeding slightly.
* The jewelry is butted up against the back of the needle and is followed through the piercing hole. In some cases a [[taper]] is used behind the needle with the jewelry then following the taper. This allows both a jump in gauge if desired as well as making tricky follow-throughs easier and safer.
* The needle is discarded, leaving only the jewelry in place.

Please note that there are many valid variations on basic piercing technique.


==See Also==
* [[Piercing]]


[[Category: Reference]][[Category: Piercings]]