Myths About Body Piercings

Body piercings have been around for a long time - nose piercings have been traced back as far as 1500 BC, and lip and tongue piercings were found in African and American tribal cultures. Fast forward to the present day, and body piercings continue to be popular worldwide. Chances are, if you don’t have a single piercing on your body, you know someone who does. However, even though more and more people continue to adorn their body with jewelry, there are a lot of myths surrounding the practice. Often spread through the internet or word-of-mouth, it’s time to set the record straight so you know what to look for when screening the top piercing shops on google.

1. Dermal piercings must be surgically removed

A dermal piercing gives the illusion of a gemstone or flat disc floating on your skin - there is no exit point like traditional piercings. Before you get a dermal piercing, you need to do your research to find a skilled body piercer. Surface piercing requires the creation of a pocket underneath your skin that houses the base of the jewelry. If all you do is search for the piercing shops near me on your smartphone to find the closest one, you might end up with an unskilled technician who will tell you that you need a medical professional to remove the base. This is false. The skilled piercer who inserted the jewelry uses the same method to remove it. There is no surgical procedure needed!

2. Body piercings are temporary

Body piercings may be temporary in the sense that you can remove the jewelry, but that doesn’t necessarily mean your skin is left in the same condition. Just like a surface piercing, if you visit the first piercer who pops up during your “piercing shops near me” search, you might end up with a visible scar. This could be because the piercer uses a gun instead of a needle and damages your cartilage, or because they do not properly sterilize their equipment and you end up with a skin infection. But even a piercing done by a great piercer can leave a scar, bump, depression, or hole. It really depends on the location, size, and quality of your jewelry—as well as your skin type. A nose piercing may not leave an extremely visible mark once removed, but cheek piercings are actual body modifications which change your body forever. Learn more about how long it takes for a piercing to close here.

3. MRI machines rip out piercings

If you have binge-watched any medical television series, you might believe the myth that an MRI will rip out your piercings. While an MRI is a powerful magnet, it cannot rip metal objects through your flesh and skin. But an MRI can cause your active body piercings to hurt because of vibrations. When you are searching for “piercing shops near me” online, be sure that you also read about the quality of their jewelry or their relationships with reputable dealers. High-quality jewelry, mostly made from solid gold or high-quality titanium, will be okay during an MRI because they are not as magnetic as materials like nickel or iron—which are usually found in lower-end jewelry.