If you have been considering getting a new piercing, you have probably wondered whether to choose a studio that uses a piercing needle or one that uses a gun. Both methods are common, but they differ significantly in terms of safety, pain, and the overall experience. Let's look at their characteristics so you can make an informed choice.
Piercing Gun
A piercing gun is a device that forces the jewelry through the skin with pressure. At first, this may seem like a quick and convenient solution, but in reality, there are many risks associated with gun piercing.
Since the jewelry is pushed through the tissue rather than cut cleanly, blunt force trauma occurs, which can lead to more pain, swelling, scarring, and longer healing times. In the case of cartilage, it can even cause cartilage breakage and infection, which is painful and slow to heal.
Limited jewelry selection
Gun jewelry is often made from unsuitable materials, and its shape is not intended for fresh piercings, which increases the risk of complications.
Poor healing
The shape of gun jewelry prevents natural healing and can lead to embedded jewelry or other complications.
Sterilization issues
Piercing guns cannot be fully sterilized, which increases the risk of infection.
Lack of training
Guns are often used by staff with little knowledge of hygiene or of the risks associated with piercing guns.
For these reasons, gun piercing is considered an outdated and risky method that puts your health in serious danger. Professional studios instead use sterile, single-use needles that cut tissue cleanly, cause less trauma, and allow faster and safer healing.
Piercing Needle
The piercing needle is the professional and preferred method today. A sterile, single-use hollow needle is used to cut the tissue cleanly. This is not a suture needle, but a tool designed specifically for piercings.
The needle creates a smooth, precise channel with clean edges, allowing faster healing, less pain, and a more aesthetic result compared to the uneven hole created by a piercing gun. During healing, the body forms a thin and even layer of scar tissue inside the channel, which makes it strong and allows easy jewelry changes later.
With needle piercing, the jewelry size can be chosen according to the location, and extra space can be left for swelling so the jewelry does not become too tight during healing. Suitable initial jewelry includes implant-grade titanium, 14k–18k gold, or other certified biocompatible materials.
Needle piercing is suitable for nearly all body areas and ensures maximum sterility, safety, and faster healing compared to piercing with a gun.
Sterile needles
We use only single-use, sterile needles that ensure a clean and precise piercing.
Clean working environment
All surfaces are cleaned and disinfected, and all tools are sterilized after each client to minimize the risk of infection.
Safe materials
For first piercings, we use implant-grade titanium or 14k–18k gold, which are safe for the skin and suitable for long-term wear.
Trained personnel
Our staff is thoroughly trained in aseptic and antiseptic techniques, as well as proper sterilization of instruments, ensuring maximum safety.
Safety and hygiene are essential in piercing. The law requires sterility, safety, and competence. In our view, piercing guns do not meet these standards and can pose a serious health risk. That is why we choose the safe and professional method of using sterile needles and high-quality implant-grade jewelry, so your piercing is safe, less painful, and fully compliant with the law.
This principle is also supported by the Association of Professional Piercers (APP), a non-profit organization uniting professional body piercers and promoting reliable health and safety information to piercers, healthcare workers, legislators, and the public. The APP’s mission is to advance safe, sterile, and professional piercing practices worldwide.
Safety and hygiene are essential in piercing. The law requires sterility, safety, and competence. In our view, piercing guns do not meet these standards and can pose a serious health risk. That is why we choose the safe and professional method of using sterile needles and high-quality implant-grade jewelry, so your piercing is safe, less painful, and fully compliant with the law.