Piercing Guns vs. Piercing Needles: What You Need to Know

Are you thinking about getting a body piercing? With the increasing popularity of this art form, it’s important to choose the right method. The debate between needle piercing and gun piercing is a common one. But which one is better?

In this article, we’ll help you make an informed decision. We’ll start by explaining the differences between these two methods, and then dive into the advantages of needle piercing. By the end of this article, you’ll have all the information you need to choose the best option for your body art adventure.

So if you want to ensure a safe and successful piercing, keep reading to learn why needle piercing is the superior choice.

Needle Piercing: A Gentler Approach

Highlighting the advantages of needle piercing over gun piercing, the technique is key. Needle piercing employs a single-use, sterilized needle for a precise incision, offering greater control over placement and angle, making it a safer choice.

• The Superior Technique

Explaining the advantages of needle piercing over gun piercing primarily focuses on the technique. Needle piercing utilizes a single-use, sterilized needle to make a small incision in the skin. This approach is widely regarded as safer and more precise since it offers greater control over the piercing’s placement and angle.

• Less Pain, More Gain

Nobody likes pain, and that’s one of the reasons why needle piercing is often preferred. The process is generally less painful compared to gun piercing, as the needle is sharp and creates a clean hole with minimal damage to the surrounding tissue. In contrast, gun piercing forces a blunt, often non-sterile piece of jewelry through the skin, causing more trauma and discomfort.

Gun Piercing: The Hidden Risks Exposed

Gun piercing comes with hidden dangers, from increased trauma and tissue damage to inadequate sterilization, limited precision, and inexperienced operators, all contributing to potential complications.

• A Risky Business

While gun piercing might seem like a quick and convenient option, it comes with its fair share of risks. One major concern is the potential for infection, as the gun can harbor bacteria and may not be properly sterilized between uses.

• A Bumpy Road to Recovery

Gun piercings can take longer to heal and are more prone to complications, such as keloids or hypertrophic scarring. The forceful nature of the process can also cause the jewelry to become embedded in the skin, leading to additional discomfort and potential problems down the line.

The Perils of Piercing Guns

Piercing guns may seem like a quick and convenient option for getting a new piercing, but they come with several drawbacks that can lead to potential problems.

@piercedbyphebe Treat your body with kindness. 🤍 #piercing #piercinggun #safepiercing ♬ Blade Runner 2049 – Synthwave Goose

Here are some reasons why piercing guns are considered bad:

• Blunt Force Trauma

Piercing guns use blunt force to push a relatively dull piece of jewelry through the skin or cartilage. This forceful action causes more trauma and damage to the surrounding tissue compared to the clean, precise incision made by a needle.

• Inadequate Sterilization

Piercing guns are often made of plastic and cannot be properly sterilized in an autoclave like professional piercing tools. They are usually only wiped down with alcohol wipes, which is insufficient to remove all bacteria and blood traces. This lack of thorough sterilization can lead to an increased risk of infection.

• Limited Precision and Control

Piercing guns offer less control over the angle and placement of the piercing, which can result in crooked or uneven piercings. In contrast, professional piercers use needles that allow for greater precision, ensuring a properly aligned and aesthetically pleasing result.

• Prolonged Healing and Complications

The trauma inflicted by piercing guns can lead to a longer healing process and a higher risk of complications, such as keloids, hypertrophic scarring, or embedded jewelry. In some cases, these complications may require medical intervention to resolve.

• Inexperienced Operators

Operators who use piercing guns often have limited training, typically only completing a short course before starting work. This is in stark contrast to professional piercers who undergo years of apprenticeship and specialized training. The lack of experience and knowledge can result in improper technique, inadequate aftercare advice, and an increased risk of complications.

The Superiority of Needle Piercing: A Closer Look

Needle piercing offers significant advantages over gun piercing. A sharp, precise tool creates a cleaner incision, resulting in less pain, easier healing, and reduced risk of infection.

• A Sharp and Precise Tool

The piercing needle is a surgical instrument designed specifically for the task at hand. It is hollow, razor-sharp, and far superior to the relatively dull piercing earrings used in a piercing gun. Resembling the needles used in medical procedures and surgeries, the piercing needle creates a clean and precise hole, while the gun violently forces its way through your flesh or cartilage. This neat and clean incision results in less pain, easier healing, and a reduced risk of infection due to fewer hiding spots for bacteria.

• Sterility Matters

Both piercing earrings and needles start off sterile, but when it comes to the piercing gun, that’s where the sterility ends. Piercing guns are only cleaned with alcohol wipes, while professional piercers use an autoclave to sterilize their tools after every use or opt for single-use tools that are safely disposed of in a sharps box. Since most of the piercing gun is made of plastic, it cannot be sterilized in an autoclave, and its numerous crevices around the spring mechanism can harbor bacteria and blood. No matter how thorough the cleaning, a piercing gun can never be completely sterilized.

• Creating a Sterile Environment

Professional piercers create a sterile field, which is a workspace where everything inside, including the custom work surface, has been sterilized or comes from a freshly opened sterile pack. In contrast, non-professional piercers, such as those at mall kiosks, often only use antibacterial wipes to clean a rolling piercing station and put on latex gloves without proper training. They then expose the earrings to a non-sterile field and load them into a potentially contaminated gun. This significantly increases the risk of infection or complications.

• The Importance of Proper Training

Professional piercers undergo years of apprenticeship and training, attending specialized classes to hone their skills. Their expertise encompasses sterile procedures, bloodborne pathogens, and proper piercing techniques. They are also better equipped to handle emergencies and provide guidance on issues that may arise during the healing process. On the other hand, mall-based piercers only undergo a few weeks of training and lack the same depth of knowledge and experience. A professional piercer will support you throughout the entire process, including follow-up care, and advise you when it’s necessary to consult a doctor.

The Verdict: Needle Piercing is Safer and Better

Needle piercing is unequivocally superior to gun piercing in terms of safety, precision, and overall experience. Trust experienced professionals with the right equipment and training to ensure your health, safety, and satisfaction. Don’t compromise on quality for the sake of saving a few bucks – choose the professional piercer.

• Safer and more hygienic
• Less painful
• More precise and controlled
• Associated with fewer complications and a quicker healing process

@paradise.montreal Say no to piercing guns! #piercing #piercingstudio #piercingsoftiktok #piercinglovers #piercingcheck #piercingvideo #piercingjewelry #piercinggun ♬ streets x kiss it better – sped up – INDRAGERSN

Aspect	Piercing Gun	Needle Piercing
Sterility	Difficult to sterilize, risk of contamination	Easily sterilized, single-use needles
Training	Often minimal, non-standardized	Standardized training, professional piercers
Tissue Damage	Blunt force trauma, more tissue damage	Precise, less tissue damage
Appropriate Jewelry	Limited, may not fit well, difficult to clean	Custom fit, designed for long-term wear
Risk of Infection	Higher due to non-sterile equipment	Lower due to sterile equipment
Healing Time	Longer due to tissue damage, tight jewelry	Faster due to less trauma, proper jewelry
Pain	Often more painful due to blunt force	Generally less painful
Versatility	Limited, mainly for earlobes	Suitable for various body parts
Risk of Complications	Higher risk of scarring, infections, deformities	Lower risk of complications
Professional Environment	Often found in malls, beauty parlors, kiosks	Piercing studios, specialized environments
Regulatory Oversight	Limited, varies by location	More strict regulations, licensure

This comparison chart highlights the differences between piercing guns and needle piercing in terms of sterility, training, tissue damage, appropriate jewelry, risk of infection, healing time, pain, versatility, risk of complications, professional environment, and regulatory oversight. Overall, needle piercing offers a safer and more reliable option for those considering body piercings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is needle piercing more expensive than gun piercing?

While needle piercing might be slightly more expensive upfront, it can save you money in the long run due to fewer complications and a smoother healing process.

Can I get a needle piercing at a jewelry store or mall kiosk?

Professional piercers who specialize in needle piercings typically work in tattoo shops or piercing studios. It’s best to avoid jewelry stores and mall kiosks, as they often use piercing guns and may not follow proper sterilization procedures.

Is there an age requirement for needle piercings?

Age requirements for piercings vary depending on local laws and the discretion of the piercer. Minors may need to provide parental consent before getting a piercing.

Can you pierce your nose with a gun?

It is highly discouraged to pierce your nose with a gun due to the risk of complications, such as improper placement, increased pain, and infection. Always seek a professional piercer who uses a needle for a safer and more precise nose piercing.

How to use an ear piercing gun?

While using an ear piercing gun is not recommended, the general process involves loading a sterilized earring into the gun, marking the desired piercing location, and then applying pressure to the gun’s trigger, forcing the earring through the earlobe. However, it is always better to consult a professional piercer who uses a needle for a safer and more controlled piercing experience.

Does Claire’s use a piercing gun?

Yes, Claire’s typically uses a piercing gun for earlobe piercings. However, due to the risks and drawbacks associated with piercing guns, it is advisable to visit a professional piercer who uses a needle for a safer and more precise piercing.

Are piercing guns safe for earlobes?

While piercing guns are commonly used for earlobe piercings, they are not considered the safest option due to the potential for tissue damage, imprecise placement, and increased risk of infection. A professional piercer using a needle is the safer and preferred choice for any type of body piercing, including earlobes.