How To Prepare For Your Piercing Appointment
It may be easy to think that since you are not actually doing anything per se, you can just rock up to your piercer a little unprepared and as-you-were. While it is of course true that you should feel relaxed and not stress about it, there are a few things you can do to prepare so that the experience will be as pleasant as possible – for everyone involved.
Come rested
Firstly, make sure that you are as rested as possible. While it is a small procedure, it is still an injury to the body, which your nervous system will perceive as minor trauma. When we are suffering from lack of sleep or stress, our bodies become less resilient, already working overtime to look after our immune systems.
If we then add an intense event where our brains perceive us to be in danger of physical harm on top of that, our bodies will have a harder time getting rid of the near-inevitable stress hormone residue lingering after the initial response. You know, the one that makes your heart beat faster as you sit down in the chair.
Eat well
You also want to make sure that you have eaten well before your appointment so that your blood sugar is stable. Low blood sugar can cause you to feel dizzy, which in conjunction with getting a piercing is not a ton of fun. But don’t overload on junk food or heavy and greasy dishes. It is best to feel satiated but not overly full. The latter will cause your digestive system to work overtime and blood to go to your stomach which can make you feel more drowsy and potentially nauseous.
No-brainer personal hygiene
Now, it should go without saying that you do not consume any alcohol before showing up at your piercer. It is also polite to make sure that you have showered and brushed your teeth as close to the appointment as physically feasible, or consider chomping on a breath mint/chewing gum before stepping into the studio.
Come prepared, but don’t fret
While not stressing out about it too much, do be prepared for that it will hurt a bit. Pain is incredibly relative and subjective, and some piercings hurt more than others. Even if you and your friend get piercings in exactly the right spot, your experience may be very different.
The immediate pain subsides really quickly, but do expect some irritation and swelling in the coming days. Some discolouration, itching, white and yellow fluids as well as crusting around the piercing are all part of the healing process, but you do want to be on the lookout for any tell-tale signs of your piercing developing an infection.
Do not forget to bring your id if you need one for potential age restrictions. There are no formal legal restrictions in England and Wales (Scotland requires anyone under 16 to have parental consent). However, studios can impose their own age limits. Don’t forget to enjoy the adventure of the process, and listen very carefully to your experienced piercer’s aftercare instructions.
