From ears to lips to bellybuttons, piercings are popular. But they also carry risks and can cause complications. Where you get a piercing and how you care for it can help you prevent infection and speed the healing process. Know the risks A piercing is the insertion of jewelry into an opening made in the ear, nose, eyebrow, lip, tongue or other part of the body — usually without anesthetics. Although earlobe piercing is generally less risky than other body piercings, any type of piercing poses a risk of complications, including: Allergic reactions. Some piercing jewelry — particularly pieces made of nickel — can cause allergic reactions. Oral complications. Jewelry worn in tongue piercings can chip and crack your teeth and damage your gums. Tongue swelling after a new piercing can interfere with chewing and swallowing — and sometimes breathing. Skin infections. A skin infection — which might cause redness, pain, swelling or a pus-like discharge — is possible after a piercing. Other skin problems. Piercing can lead to scars and keloids — raised areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue. Bloodborne diseases. If the equipment used to do the piercing is contaminated with infected blood, you can contract various bloodborne diseases — including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, tetanus and HIV. Tearing or trauma. Jewelry can get caught and torn out accidentally, potentially requiring stitches or other repair. Medication or other treatment might be needed if you develop an allergic reaction, infection or other skin problem near the piercing. Make sure you're ready Before you get a piercing, think carefully about it. Consider the location of the piercing and whether you'll be able to conceal the piercing if necessary — such as at work. If you're unsure about the piercing or worry that you might regret it someday, consider waiting. Don't allow yourself to be pressured into getting a piercing, and don't get a piercing if you're under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Insist on safety precautions To make sure your piercing is done safely, ask these questions: Who does the piercings? Don't attempt to pierce yourself or allow an untrained friend to do the piercing. Go to a reputable piercing studio that employs only properly trained employees. Keep in mind that regulation requirements and licensing standards vary from state to state. Check with your city, county or state health department for information on local licensing and regulations. Does the piercer wear gloves? Make sure the piercer washes his or her hands and wears a fresh pair of disposable gloves for each piercing. Does the piercer use proper equipment? For earlobe piercing, piercers often use an ear-piercing gun to quickly push an earring through the earlobe Ultrasonic Scaler. For other body piercings, piercers typically push a needle through a body part and then insert a piece of jewelry into the hole. Make sure the piercer uses only fresh, sterile needles. Does the piercer sterilize nondisposable equipment? Make sure the piercer uses a heat-sterilization machine (autoclave) to sterilize all nondisposable equipment after each piercing. Instruments and supplies that can't be sterilized with an autoclave — including drawer handles, tables and sinks — should be disinfected with a commercial disinfectant or bleach solution after each use. Does the piercer use hypoallergenic jewelry? Look for surgical stainless steel, titanium, niobium, or 14- or 18-karat gold. Take good care of your piercing The skin around a new piercing might be swollen, red and tender for a few days. The site might even bleed slightly. Ask your piercer what to expect and how to care for your piercing micro motors australia. To prevent infection and to encourage healing: Clean oral piercings with mouthwash. If you've had your tongue, lip or cheek pierced, rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash after each meal and before you go to bed. After your piercing, use a new soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid introducing bacteria into your mouth. Once the area has healed, take the piercing out at night and brush it to remove plaque. Clean skin piercings. If you've had your skin pierced, clean the site with soap and water. Be sure to wash your hands before cleaning your piercing site. Avoid swimming. Stay out of pools, hot tubs, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water while your piercing is healing. Don't fiddle with your piercings. Don't touch a new piercing or twist the jewelry unless you're cleaning it. Keep clothing away from the piercing, too dental lab equipment. Excessive rubbing or friction can irritate your skin and delay healing. Keep the jewelry in place. Most piercings heal within about six weeks, but some might take several months or longer to heal. If you want to maintain the piercing, leave the jewelry in place during this time to keep the hole from closing. After the piercing heals, you might see an indentation or hole when you remove the jewelry. If you think your piercing might be infected or you're concerned that your piercing isn't healing properly, contact your doctor. Prompt treatment can help prevent potentially serious complications.