Before a piercing: which information and hygiene rules should you check?

If an existing piercing has an infection that persists, spreads around the jewellery or is accompanied by fever, consult a doctor. Before a new procedure, knowing these signs and obtaining written aftercare instructions is part of preparation: piercings carry a risk of complications.

Discuss the plan with the professional and your usual doctor. Spoken information before piercing must cover pain, infections, jewellery allergies, contraindications related to health or current treatment, as well as healing time and the risk of scarring.

In France, a body-piercing professional must have completed initial training that includes practical work and declared the activity to the regional health agency. Ask for this information before choosing where to have the procedure; it is part of the regulatory framework.

For a minor, written consent from a parent or guardian is necessary after information about risks and precautions. For every client, this information must be displayed in the premises and provided in writing before the procedure. It must be given in a language the person understands.

Except for the ear-piercing gun technique, body piercing requires a room exclusively dedicated to it, surfaces cleaned and disinfected between clients, sterile gloves and sterile, single-use penetrating instruments. A gun used on the auricle or nostril wing is subject to specific hygiene rules.

After the procedure, follow the professional’s written aftercare sheet and wash your hands with soap before each care session. Avoid continually handling the jewellery or picking off scabs. Healing varies by body area, from a few weeks to several months, and needs to be monitored.