Piercing gun or needle piercing during pregnancy

If pregnant and head strong about having a piercing done or if you are unsure if you will fall pregnant within two to twelve months of having a piercing done, consideration should be given whether to have the piercing done by gun or needle.

A major concern in piercing is sterilisation to prevent cross-contamination and infection. Plastic piercing guns cannot be sterilised by autoclave sterilising equipment, and wiping off body fluid with alcohol or an antiseptic is not sufficient to remove blood-borne disease. When a piercer touches the gun and touches the skin of the client having the piercing, contamination occurs.

There is also higher risk of trauma to skin tissue with use of a piercing gun, and because of the way the gun suctions the jewellery to the skin wound, healing is impeded with increased chance of bacterial infection. Moving the jewellery to “air the wound” exacerbates likelihood of infection.

Piercings, if not done properly, can affect the blood circulation and nerves. Professional piercers are trained in how to insert a piercing needle, and often those using piercing guns lack the such training required. A sharp disposable needle is far less painful and hygienically safe than a piercing gun that can also malfunction and cause injury.

Sleeping during Pregnancy:

• Piercing and Pregnancy
• Health risks of piercing while pregnant
• Physical pregnancy changes and piercing risks
• Piercing decisions, healing and infection when pregnant
• Body piercings and the birth process

• What to tell the piercer if pregnant
• Some piercing studio guidelines for pregnant women
• Piercing gun or needle piercing during pregnancy
• Piercing products for pregnancy
• Body piercings and UK legalities