7 Piercing Myths that have you Misguided

Myths and misconceptions are often associated with things we do not know enough about. Though body piercing is not really something new or novel, there is no shortage of inaccurate information out there with regard to the same.

This is probably because body piercing is still something that is on the fringe of most mainstream cultures. In order to debunk some of the nonsense we hear from those discussing body piercings here in Straya as well as elsewhere, we’re going to elaborate on a few myths!

Myth 1: Eyebrow Piercings Cause Nerve Damage

You may have heard horror stories about eyebrow piercings that resulted in the loss of facial movement due to nerve damage. Again these are nothing but tales. Unless you try to go DIY on your eyebrow piercings or have them done by someone with no experience this will not be the case.

A seasoned piercing professional will know exactly how deep to go when doing the job. In other words, they will never go deep enough to do any kind of nerve damage.

Myth 2: It Is Good to Twist and Turn a New Piercing

You may have heard people say that twisting and turning the jewellery in a new piercing will help prevent it from getting stuck to your ear. This in turn, you may have been told will help with healing and will keep your piercing from getting infected.

This is all wrong. Firstly, metal piercings never stick to your ear. The reason they may feel so is due to temporary swelling and inflammation around the pierced area. Secondly, turning and fiddling with new piercing may delay the healing process and can actually stand to cause infection!

Myth 3: Cartilages Heal Within a Month or Three

Another myth told by those who have never gotten their cartilages pierced or those who do not remember (for whatever reason) what the after-process was like. Though once healed, cartilage piercings are well worth the trouble, the healing process is often one of the longest.

We’re talking no less than six months and on occasion up to a year depending on the number of piercings and placement.

Myth 4: Piercing Guns make life Simpler

If this is so, Coca-Cola is also a great substitute for water. The thing is, it isn’t. Anyone who has any experience with piercing probably also knows how rubbish piercing guns are. Besides being prone to jamming and sticking, they tend to do a whole lot of damage to your ear tissue.

This is in part due to the blunt pointed studs used when gun piercing. Further, gun piercings take longer to heal and are more prone to being irritated and infected.

Myth 5: Tongue Piercings Can’t Be Done on Shorter Tongues

Our tongues like other physical features vary in size and shape. A common myth that goes around among the younger lot looking to get piercings is that piercing a short tongue is next to impossible and should be avoided. 

This is untrue. The myth springs from the fact that piercing a shorter tongue takes a little more skill and a finer touch than working on a large one. That being said, if your piercing professional knows their stuff, the length and size of your tongue really doesn’t matter!

Myth 6: Cleaning Using Alcohol/Hydrogen-Peroxide Is Recommended

Though you may think cleaning a fresh piercing constantly with agents such as medical alcohol as well as those such as hydrogen-peroxide, you could not be more misled.

Though on occasion, using alcohol swabs may be okay, excessive cleaning with either of these agents causes drying and can prevent proper healing and repair. This also leaves you susceptible to infection. Stick with the saline solution product your piercing professional recommends and you should be okay!

Myth 7: MRIs and X-Rays Must Be Avoided

Our last myth on the list is a medical one! People claim that piercings must be removed before getting any kind of X-ray or MRI scan done. In the case of X-Rays, the myths suggest that piercings disrupt and distort the final image. In the case of MRI scans, the idea is that piercings get yanked or ripped away when the procedure begins.

Both these notions are false. Jewellery shows up on your X-ray images and may only cause problems if it’s placed in a position that is obstructing what you were hoping to have checked.

With regard to jewellery being pulled off magnetically during an MRI; most of the jewellery you wear (even metal designs) are non-magnetic. Still, if you feel safer, get a set of retainers or something bioflex for when you go in for an MRI!

Conclusion

That’s seven big ones for you blokes and sheilas. Don’t believe the myths above! Get your piercings done from a reliable professional, buy quality piercing jewellery which is well made and keep up with your aftercare! You’ll be right!

My Body Piercing Jewellery is an online jewellery store offering a versatile range of piercing jewellery and body piercing options to customers looking for quality jewellery online in Australia and New Zealand