Choosing A Piercer

Anybody can undertake a piercing. Many people pierce themselves, others rely on friends.

Hairdressers, beauty salons, piercing studios and tattooists are subject to regulations governing issues such as hand-washing facilities. They are also subject to inspections by local Health Departments.

Medical practitioners are subject to rigorous regulation. In the State of New South Wales, Australia for example, the Medical Board stipulates that medical practitioners conducting a body piercing must wear a face mask, gloves and plastic apron.

There are some simple questions you should ask yourself when at a piercing studio:

• Are the premises clean and tidy?
• Is your piercer sober?
• Is the room restricted to piercing one person at a time?

You are entitled to ask the piercer:

• For documentary proof of relevant Health Department registration
• Are single-use needles used for all piercings?
• Is all re-usable equipment autoclaved before use?

You also have a responsibility to your piercer:

• To truthfully answer any questions about your age and health.
• To consider telling your piercer if you carry a transmissible blood born virus such as Hepatitis or HIV. This will enable your piercer to take additional precautions to prevent transmission to the piercer during piercing.