The (w)hole truth about piercings, what you need to know before taking the plunge
Belly rings, tongue rings, brow piercings (the ones you get on your eyebrows) or whichever you might prefer, we're going to help you prepare for your next or first piercing.
POLOKWANE – Piercings have taken over our bodies, even if you don’t fancy one, you must have admired one somewhere.
Belly rings, tongue rings, brow piercings (the ones you get on your eyebrows) or whichever you might prefer, we’re going to help you prepare for your next or first piercing.
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With the help of 23-year-old Michelle Mehale, an upcoming media personality from Polokwane who has enough experience to be called an expert, we are going to jot down a few essential things to do before you take the plunge and get pierced. First of all, she mentions that one should do some research on the type of piercing you want to get and the location of the piercing.
After you have decided on this, including finding out about the prices, getting a safe, clean and hygienic environment is next.
“For me finding a piercing parlour was a bit easy because I used to pass it on my way to school and asked around from people who had been pierced on the service they received.”
Going through a piercing parlour’s customer reviews will also be able to give you an indication of the quality of the work rendered. Michelle says if you know someone who has a piercing, getting a recommendation from them could save you some time. After you know what you want and where to get it, finding out how the process works would best prepare you for this life event.
“Make sure the place is hygienic and that everything is sterilised in your presence.”
Once you have set up your appointment and diarised it, the last step is finding out how to take care of the piercing once it’s done.
“Ask the person who will be doing the piercing as many questions as you can, this is the only way you will have the correct information.”
She says that you should get sanitary wipes to clean the piercing and douse it with lukewarm water with salt, at least three times a day. BONUS also asked Michelle the question we are all dying to ask: How do you deal with piercings in the workplace? Do you take them off during work hours or keep them on? Another important question to ask is what is regarded appropriate for work?
Michelle says if you are in the corporate world it will be a problem just as with tattoo’s, but if you are in a different sector it might not be an issue.
“With me, it is not an issue because I work in the entertainment industry. The best thing to do is to just find out from your employer on the rules for the company.”
