Why You Don't Want Your Piercing Numbing
Do you numb piercings?
We get asked on an almost daily basis if we numb your piercings before we perfom them, and the answer is simple, no...we don't. We don't numb any piercings prior to performing them. We understand that for some people that would mean they choose to go to an alternative studio, who will numb their piercings, as we are sure they think it will make the whole thing less painful, and much easier...it's numb, right?
But it's not that simple, we know from personal experience that topical numbing often doesn't remove the pain element of having a piercing performed. What does reduce pain is going to a piercer who understands how to use the tools they have, how to use a needle in the correct manner (that's right, there is a wrong way to use them!), and one who is using the correct style of jewellery...internally threaded jewellery will hurt a lot less than externally threaded jewellery to insert into a new piercing!
It's also good to note that numbing usually slows us down! We all work hard to be really good at our jobs, which means we can usually do a piercing really quickly, which helps minimuise discomfort, but when numbing spray is applied the skin toughens up and makes the actual piercing much slower than it needs to be, and that's not fun for either of us!
That's fine, but I'm still nervous...numbing will help me through!
The other reason we don't offer numbing is because it's dangerous for us to do so! 'Freezing' numbing sprays can cause chemical burns to the area, which are going to hurt a lot more, and be a lot harder to heal than a piercing. They can also cause allergic reactions, which often need to be treated immediately by a doctor, which your piercer is not. (Well, yours might be...but it's unlikely isn't it?) Most piercers are not prepared to be able to deal with a severe allergic reaction on site, and do you know if you're allergic to the chemicals in numbing sprays? 'cos I don't!
Your health is not worth the risk!
If you are really nervous we can talk you through everything before you come in, while you are here, and throughout the piercing, and if you really feel like you can't do it, that's fine too! We won't ever pressure you into having anything you don't want.
Can I put numbing cream on at home, then?
We'd really prefer that you didn't do that, for all the reasons above, and also because we don't know what you have applied, we don't know what's in it, or where you have got it from...therefore we don't know if it's safe!
But I've always had my piercings numbed and I've always been fine!
Here at Pierce Of Art we aren't going to take the risk with your health, what if this time you're not? It's really not worth putting yourself at risk for the sake of a piercing...and you can do it without numbing! Promise!
We Aren't Making This Up
We follow guidance from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, and they advise that numbing is not to be applied by a piercer or tattooist prior to receiving a treatment; this doccument can be found here:
Tattooing & Body Piercing Guidance Tool Kit
We have also come to this opinion through years of experience, seeing how bodies react, and through speaking with multiple other industry professionals.
Our priority at all times is you, keeping you safe and for your piercing to heal well, and quickly!
We get asked on an almost daily basis if we numb your piercings before we perfom them, and the answer is simple, no...we don't. We don't numb any piercings prior to performing them. We understand that for some people that would mean they choose to go to an alternative studio, who will numb their piercings, as we are sure they think it will make the whole thing less painful, and much easier...it's numb, right?
But it's not that simple, we know from personal experience that topical numbing often doesn't remove the pain element of having a piercing performed. What does reduce pain is going to a piercer who understands how to use the tools they have, how to use a needle in the correct manner (that's right, there is a wrong way to use them!), and one who is using the correct style of jewellery...internally threaded jewellery will hurt a lot less than externally threaded jewellery to insert into a new piercing!
It's also good to note that numbing usually slows us down! We all work hard to be really good at our jobs, which means we can usually do a piercing really quickly, which helps minimuise discomfort, but when numbing spray is applied the skin toughens up and makes the actual piercing much slower than it needs to be, and that's not fun for either of us!
That's fine, but I'm still nervous...numbing will help me through!
The other reason we don't offer numbing is because it's dangerous for us to do so! 'Freezing' numbing sprays can cause chemical burns to the area, which are going to hurt a lot more, and be a lot harder to heal than a piercing. They can also cause allergic reactions, which often need to be treated immediately by a doctor, which your piercer is not. (Well, yours might be...but it's unlikely isn't it?) Most piercers are not prepared to be able to deal with a severe allergic reaction on site, and do you know if you're allergic to the chemicals in numbing sprays? 'cos I don't!
Your health is not worth the risk!
If you are really nervous we can talk you through everything before you come in, while you are here, and throughout the piercing, and if you really feel like you can't do it, that's fine too! We won't ever pressure you into having anything you don't want.
Can I put numbing cream on at home, then?
We'd really prefer that you didn't do that, for all the reasons above, and also because we don't know what you have applied, we don't know what's in it, or where you have got it from...therefore we don't know if it's safe!
But I've always had my piercings numbed and I've always been fine!
Here at Pierce Of Art we aren't going to take the risk with your health, what if this time you're not? It's really not worth putting yourself at risk for the sake of a piercing...and you can do it without numbing! Promise!
We Aren't Making This Up
We follow guidance from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, and they advise that numbing is not to be applied by a piercer or tattooist prior to receiving a treatment; this doccument can be found here:
Tattooing & Body Piercing Guidance Tool Kit
We have also come to this opinion through years of experience, seeing how bodies react, and through speaking with multiple other industry professionals.
Our priority at all times is you, keeping you safe and for your piercing to heal well, and quickly!
This post sheds light on something many people don’t consider—numbing isn’t always the best idea. I appreciated the honest insight! Aftercare is key, and I always rely on a piercing aftercare spray to help the healing process go smoothly.
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