You don’t need to train your staff on how to reprocess tools or how to use clamps, cannulas or blade needles, or anything surrounding bevel theory. The ease of operation, the greater variety of stud designs (different materials, jewels, settings, and shapes), and the relative painlessness of the piercing, and the absence of a sudden "snap" facilitated by such instruments is likely to have contributed to the widespread increase in popularity in ear piercing since the late 20th century, and in trends such as multiple piercing, piercing among both sexes and in younger children, and the abandonment of the perception of ear piercing as an ordeal. They believe that, since it is quicker and easier to acquire a gun piercing than a manicure, gun piercing must be inherently risk-free.

It is not an abrupt blunt object passing through the skin with the same force on every ear no matter the texture of tissue involved. The tip is thinner than the end of the pole where the earring will be sitting after the piercing vs with a hollow needle, once the opening is made it will be the same width as the pole of the earring (Figure 4). If I was going myself for another lobe, I'd just run into Claire's because it's cheaper, I heal well and I know what I'm doing. Jewelry that fits too closely also increases the risk of infection because it does not allow for thorough cleaning.On the note of infection, it is important to keep in mind that the needles are used on the client then disposed of immediately. This can result in deformity and collapse of structural ear tissue, requiring antibiotic therapy and extensive reconstructive surgery to correct. Although this paper compared guns and cannula needles, it still proves that blade needles are the best in terms of reducing trauma to the tissue. I have had personal experience of this with my first ever lobe piercings which were done many years ago with a gun – It is not fun. Ear-piercing studs can be too short or wrongly shaped for the tissue, especially for oral piercings, and can lead to problems with "embedding" in which the wound effectively heals over it.

A good professional piercing apprenticeship usually lasts between 12 and 18 months — you wouldn't even attempt a piercing for at least the first six months," explains Joyce. The first night I slept no problem, the second night I did have a bit of trouble as I must admit they were a bit sore. And this is important because sterilization kills all "viable microorganisms," while disinfection simply "reduces the number of viable microorganisms," according to the Duke University and Medical Center. Not only this, but the transmission of bloodborne infections such as Hepatitis have been noted as a risk when reusing piercing guns, (Tweeten et al, 1998.It is the position of the Association of Professional Piercers that only sterile disposable equipment is suitable for body piercing, and that only materials which are certified as safe for internal implant should be placed in inside a fresh or unhealed piercing. As an adult I like the funky and bold unapologetic style of tattoo/ piercing places but I question how reassuring all the skull tattoo images on the walls can be for a nervous child. This recent paper discusses a case in which a scaffold piercing was performed using a piercing gun, and a Pseudomona aeruginosa infection was confirmed by the hospital after 48 hours.

However, there is a technique in piercing that does this, and it is utilized in some ear piercings such as the conch with a specific dermal punch instrument (Figure 3). For other body piercings, the gauge of the studs used by piercing guns is too narrow and can lead to tearing and other trauma that expose the body to infection and can cause permanent scarring. The other benefits of a piercing gun are only felt by the owner of the establishment, who can increase their profit margins by using untrained staff and cheap guns to make money. Never had any issues, no pain as there are barely any nerve endings and feeling there at the age and it heals beautifully. The other obvious pro for any business owner is that the piercing gun can be used with minimal training.Infection can occur if hands and earrings are not cleaned before touching the piercings, certainly for at least the first 6 months. After wiping my ear lobes down with the alcohol wipes and prepping where I wanted the holes I started to panic, so I decided to pour myself a large vodka and come back in half an hour. Some operators report that the earring adapter that holds the jewelry will often not release the earring, requiring its removal with pliers. Only operators with adequate knowledge and training on how to operate a piercing gun can use them on a client. The paper goes on to note that a much better method of piercing might involve a highly sharp needle that was the same diameter as the jewellery that is inserted thereafter.

The studs are slightly thicker, 16- gauge, and are made of surgical steel, 24 karat gold-plated steel, 14-karat gold, or titanium. The quick process ensures a minimal level of discomfort for the individual undergoing the procedure. How often such gun malfunction occurs has not been documented by manufacturers, but some gun operators report that it is frequent. This makes the piercing somewhat less painful, and lessens trauma to the skin and tissue, but may still cause more trauma compared to hollow needles used by professional body piercers. I see a huge amount of social media posts from parents asking for recommendations for good, safe and hygienic places to go for ear piercing for children.

The fact that any item is reused between clients without proper reprocessing is a cause for intense concern. Last name * Please enter a Last Name Please enter a valid Last Name, the maximum length is 50 characters. I didn’t even look at the stud colour so I do think I’d prefer the clear or silver as this one is a darkish green. Aside from the healthcare side of training, the physical skill of piercing cannot be taught with a piercing gun. What we mean by this is that the jewellery has no room for swelling, which means that the chances of the tissue swelling over the jewellery and embedding within it is all too high, (Muntz et al, 1990.