See all questions on one page
Before any piercing
- It will be done with a sterile, single-use needle by a trained person, not a gun.
- The place looks clean, and they open a new sealed needle in front of me.
- No one in the family tends to form thick raised scars (keloids), or I have asked a doctor first.
Ear
- I am piercing the earlobe, or I know the upper ear cartilage needs extra care.
- The first stud is titanium, surgical steel or gold, with a flat back and a long enough post.
- I will not wear heavy jhumkas until it has fully healed.
Nose
- The first stud is titanium or gold with a flat back (not a loose screw-back pin).
- A septum piercing will go through the soft 'sweet spot', not the cartilage.
- I will check the pin back is secure before sleeping.
Tongue
- It will be placed in the centre of the tongue.
- A long starter barbell for the first weeks, while it swells.
- Ice chips, salt-water rinses after meals and soft food in the first week.
- I will not click the barbell against my teeth.
Aftercare (all piercings)
- Saline twice a day, with washed hands.
- No twisting, and no turmeric, oil or toothpaste on it.
Red flags
- Upper ear, nose tip or septum red, hot, swollen or very painful.
- A nose-pin back is lost inside the nose.
- Tongue swelling with trouble breathing or swallowing (emergency).
- Pus, fever, heavy bleeding or spreading redness.
What your ticks may mean
A sterile needle, simple flat-back or starter jewellery and gentle saline aftercare are the safest route. Piercing guns crush tissue and are risky on cartilage, which heals poorly. A loose nose-pin back can be breathed in or swallowed.
See a doctor the same day if
You ticked a red flag. An infected ear or nose cartilage needs prompt treatment, because a delay can permanently change its shape. Tongue swelling with breathing or swallowing trouble needs emergency care straight away.