If I had a dollar for every time we heard, “But my friend said I should just…” I'd be a very rich person.
Week Three of our March series is all about busting the myths that refuse to die. These are the things clients genuinely believe and the quiet internal sigh every professional piercer does before gently explaining the truth.
Whether you’re healing a new piercing, thinking about getting one, or training to become a professional, this is the stuff that actually matters.
Let’s clear the air.
Myth #1: Ice Will Numb Your Piercing
Fact: Ice only numbs temporarily and it can damage tissue.
Yes, ice reduces sensation because that’s how cold works. But applying ice directly to a fresh piercing can:
- Restrict blood flow
- Slow healing
- Irritate surrounding tissue
- Cause cold damage if used incorrectly
If you’re worried about pain during a piercing, a professional technique, correct placement, and calm breathing make far more difference than an ice cube ever will.
Pain is brief but healing is long-term and for a successfully piercing we focus on protecting the healing process.
Myth #2: Spinning the Jewellery Speeds Up Healing
Fact: It delays healing.
This myth has been around for decades, and apparently the logic people believe is:
"if I keep it moving, it won’t get stuck.”
Here’s what actually happens when you twist jewellery in a fresh piercing:
- You tear healing tissue.
- You reintroduce bacteria.
- You create irritation.
- You extend healing time.
A piercing heals from the outside in and the inside out simultaneously. Spinning jewellery disrupts that delicate repair process, therefore the hands off approach is best practice. Always.
Myth #3: Tea Tree Oil Fixes Infections
Fact: It can seriously irritate your skin.
Tea tree oil has antimicrobial properties but it’s also extremely strong.
On a fresh piercing, it can:
- Burn tissue
- Dry out the area
- Cause contact dermatitis
- Create irritation bumps
Most people using tea tree oil aren’t even dealing with infections, they’re dealing with irritation of some sort and irritation + harsh oil = worse irritation.
Stick to sterile saline. Keep it consistent and simple. Healing isn’t about throwing every product at it.
Myth #4: All Piercings Should Bleed a Little
Fact: Minimal bleeding is normal — heavy bleeding is not.
Some piercings may produce a small amount of blood during the procedure, hat’s normal but excessive bleeding is not a sign of “doing it properly.”
Professional piercers:
- Understand anatomy
- Avoid major blood vessels
- Use correct placement techniques
- Apply proper pressure control
If a piercing gushes blood, that’s not a badge of honour, choosing the right piercer will prove precision reduces trauma.
Myth #5: Piercings Are Only for Young People
Fact: Anyone can get pierced safely at almost any adult age.
I’ve pierced:
- 18-year-olds getting their first nostril
- 40-year-olds adding cartilage
- 60-year-olds getting lobes re-pierced
- 70+ clients celebrating milestones
Age doesn’t determine suitability, instead think more health status, anatomy and proper aftercare do.
Piercing isn’t a trend reserved for teenagers, it’s personal expression and there’s no age limit on that.
Myth #6: Cheap Jewellery Is Fine If It Looks Nice
Fact: It can cause irritation, allergies, and delayed healing.
This one causes more complications than almost anything else.
Low-quality jewellery can:
- Contain nickel
- Have poor polish finishes
- Shed plating
- Trap bacteria in micro-scratches
- Trigger allergic reactions
Professional studios use:
- Implant-grade titanium
- Implant-grade steel
- Solid gold (nickel-safe)
High-quality jewellery isn’t about luxury. It’s about biocompatibility.
Your body doesn’t care how pretty something looks. It cares what it’s made of.
Myth #7: You Can’t Shower for Days After a Piercing
Fact: Gentle cleaning is key and showers are fine.
If anything PLEASE shower! In fact, gentle water flow can help rinse away debris and soften crust build-up.
What you should avoid:
- Direct high-pressure spray
- Heavily fragranced body wash on the area
- Aggressive scrubbing
Clean gently.
Pat dry.
Keep it simple.
Avoiding showers entirely? That creates more problems than it solves.
Myth #8: Piercings Are Purely Cosmetic
Fact: Anatomy and healing habits matter more than aesthetics.
A piercing isn’t just decoration, there are multiple aspects of body piercing that need to be thought over.
Professional piercers consider:
- Tissue thickness
- Blood supply
- Angle of insertion
- Lifestyle factors
- Jewellery weight
- Healing capacity
Two people can request the same piercing and require completely different approaches.
When you train professionally, you learn that anatomy dictates possibility - not your wants, needs and not Pinterest.
Healing success depends on:
- Placement precision
- Jewellery choice
- Client compliance
- Aftercare
Cosmetic? Yes.
But biological first, the aim is to heal for long term.
Myth #9: Swelling Always Means Infection
Fact: Mild swelling is part of the healing process.
Swelling is your body’s inflammatory response. It’s normal.
Especially within:
- The first 48–72 hours
- Cartilage piercings
- Areas with less blood supply
Signs swelling is normal:
- It gradually reduces
- It’s not accompanied by severe pain
- There’s no spreading redness
- Discharge remains light/clear
Swelling alone doesn’t equal infection and the issue that arises from this is that the panic often leads to over-treatment — which in turn creates irritation.
Myth #10: Cartilage Piercings Always Get Infected
Fact: Proper technique and aftercare prevent most complications.
Cartilage piercings get blamed a lot, longer healing, often a lot of discomfort around them and sometimes infections.
But infections are usually linked to:
- Poor placement
- Incorrect jewellery length
- Sleeping on the piercing / extenal presures
- Hair
- Early jewellery changes
- Inconsistent aftercare
Cartilage has less blood supply, which means slower healing — not guaranteed infection.
With correct:
- Sterile technique
- Implant-grade jewellery
- Proper downsizing
- Client education
Cartilage piercings heal beautifully.
Blaming the anatomy isn’t accurate, the focus on the processes of care are what matters.
Why I am here busting the Myths
Here’s the reality, most piercing problems don’t start in the studio.
They start with:
- Misinformation
- DIY advice
- Social media hacks
- “My cousin said…”
Education is the difference between:
- A smooth healing journey
- And months of frustration
This is exactly why professional training goes beyond just technique.
Understanding:
- Infection control
- Tissue response
- Aftercare science
- Jewellery materials
- Client communication
Is what builds competent, confident piercers and most importantly it’s also what builds trust with clients.
If You’re a Client Reading This…
Ask questions.
Don’t rely on trends or random advice online.
Your piercer wants you to heal well, not struggle silently because TikTok said to drown it in tea tree oil.
If You’re an Aspiring Piercer…
This industry needs more educated professionals.
The difference between a hobbyist and a professional is knowledge depth.
March is our busiest month for training because so many people realise they want to do this properly, with real infection control standards and structured education.
Piercing isn’t guesswork- It’s anatomy, hygiene, precision and responsibility.
The more myths we bust, the better outcomes everyone gets.
Piercings are safe, expressive and empowering when done correctly and treated with the love and care they deserve. Otherwise they’re frustrating and stressful when handled carelessly.
So next time someone says,
“Just put tea tree oil on it,”
You’ll know better.
Happy Piercing
Jaz Anna
