How Is a Piercing Done? The Studio Process Step by Step
“How is a piercing done?” is the biggest unknown for anyone thinking about their first piercing. Often the uncertainty is more stressful than the procedure itself. In this guide we walk you through every step in order, from the moment you enter a piercing studio until you leave: what you will be asked, which materials are used, what happens at the moment of piercing and what to expect afterwards. That way you feel prepared and can check with your own eyes whether the studio you visit works properly.
How Is a Piercing Done? The Studio Process in 8 Steps
| Step | What happens? | What you should check |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Consultation | The spot, your ear or facial anatomy and your expectations are discussed. | Does the piercer tell you whether your anatomy suits that piercing? |
| 2. ID and consent | Age is checked and an information form is filled in. | Is parental consent required for under-18s? |
| 3. Jewelry selection | The type, size and material of the first piece of jewelry are chosen. | Is the jewelry suitable for a fresh piercing and long enough to allow for swelling? |
| 4. Hygiene | Hands are cleaned, fresh gloves are put on and the work area is prepared. | Are the gloves changed in front of you? |
| 5. Skin cleansing | The area is cleaned with antiseptic. | Is the skin cleaned before marking? |
| 6. Marking | Entry and exit points are marked with a pen. | Did you look in the mirror and approve it? |
| 7. Piercing and jewelry | The needle package is opened, the piercing is done and the jewelry is passed through the channel. | Was the needle package opened in front of you? |
| 8. Aftercare briefing | Cleaning, sleeping and the check-up appointment are explained. | Were you given written aftercare instructions? |
1. Consultation: which piercing, which spot?
A good piercing starts before the needle. The piercer looks at the area and assesses whether your anatomy suits the piercing you want. For example, a rook or daith needs a well-defined fold in that part of the ear, and a snug needs a cartilage ridge that is wide enough. How the new piercing will combine with your existing piercings is also planned at this stage. If you haven’t decided yet, where to get your ears pierced and piercing styles pages to learn more.
2. ID, age and health questions
The studio will ask to see your ID. If you are under 18, you need parental consent and a parent must be with you during the procedure; we explain the details in our piercing for minors and parental consent article. The piercer will also ask whether you have a known metal allergy, take blood thinners, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have an active skin problem in the area. These questions are not a formality; the jewelry material is chosen, or the procedure postponed, based on your answers.
3. Choosing the first piece of jewelry
The first piece of jewelry stays in the piercing throughout healing, so it is chosen carefully. For cartilage and facial piercings a straight bar (labret or barbell) is usually preferred; rings move around and can prolong healing. The bar is chosen slightly longer to leave room for swelling in the first days and is shortened once the swelling goes down. Our standard jewelry is surgical steel; titanium jewelry is optional. For jewelry types, see piercing jewellery types and for sizes, see gauge and length guide — our articles cover both.
4–5. Hygiene and skin cleansing
The piercer cleans their hands and puts on fresh gloves. The work surface is cleaned, and reusable tools are prepared sterilised in an autoclave. The area to be pierced is then cleaned with an antiseptic solution. A piercer who touches a dirty surface, a phone or a door handle should change gloves; you have every right to watch for this. To learn what to look for, see our studio hygiene page and the studio selection checklist you can find them.
6. Marking and approval
The piercer marks the needle’s entry and exit points on the skin with a skin-safe pen. At this point you will be asked to look in the mirror and approve the placement. For piercings where you want symmetry (such as double lobes, Monroe or smiley), both sides are measured together. If anything about the placement doesn’t feel right, say so now; the mark can be wiped off and redone, but not once the hole is made.
7. The moment of piercing: how does the needle work?
The package of a sterile, single-use, hollow piercing needle is opened in front of you. The piercer usually asks you to take a deep breath and passes the needle in one smooth motion as you breathe out. The hollow needle creates a clean channel without crushing the tissue; the jewelry is inserted into the same channel right behind the needle, and the needle is removed. The piercing itself takes a few seconds. You will feel a short, sharp sting, followed by warmth and throbbing in the area; how strong it feels depends on the spot and the person. For a detailed comparison, see how much does a piercing hurt article.
When is a piercing gun used? A piercing gun is only an option for the lobe. Guns are not used on cartilage, the nose or the face; the blunt tip crushes tissue and can cause healing problems in cartilage. Read the difference between the two methods in piercing gun or needle article.
8. Aftercare briefing and the first hours
After the jewelry is in, a few drops of blood may appear; the piercer cleans them. You then receive aftercare instructions verbally and in writing: clean with saline solution 1–2 times a day, don’t play with or remove the jewelry, stay away from pools and the sea in the first days, and attend your check-up appointment. Find out what happens in the first 48 hours in our the first 48 hours after a piercing article, and how to clean it in our how to clean a new piercing guide.
Preparing before your appointment
- Eat something and drink water beforehand; coming on an empty stomach increases the risk of feeling dizzy.
- Sleep well the night before and don’t drink alcohol before the procedure.
- For an ear piercing, bring a hair tie to keep your hair back; for a facial piercing, come without makeup on the area.
- Bring your ID; if you are under 18, come with a parent.
- Note down your questions: healing time, changing jewelry, sport and sleep.
For the full list, see first piercing preparation checklist article.
Healing and the check-up appointment
Healing time depends on the spot: the lobe usually takes 6–8 weeks, while cartilage areas can take 6–12 months. If the swelling has gone down at the check-up within the first few weeks, the bar is shortened; this is called downsizing. For healing times by area, see our piercing healing times table article. If you notice spreading redness, increasing pain, thick foul-smelling discharge or a fever, see a doctor without delay and don’t remove the jewelry yourself.
The process at Cadde Piercing Studio
At our studio in Ümraniye, every procedure follows these steps: consultation, ID check, jewelry selection, a sterile, single-use hollow needle opened in front of you, and written aftercare instructions. Our standard jewelry is surgical steel. If you choose titanium jewelry for your piercing, titanium jewelry is 350 TL and is added to the piercing price; for example, helix 450 TL + titanium 350 TL = 800 TL. For current prices by area, see our prices page; to book an appointment, book an appointment page.
If you have any questions, message us on WhatsApp or visit our studio at İstiklal Mah. Mithatpaşa Cad. No:7B, Ümraniye Çarşı. We are open Mon–Sat 10:00–20:30 and Sunday 11:00–20:00.
This article is for general information only and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment.
FAQ
How is a piercing done, with a needle or a gun?
Piercings on cartilage, the nose, eyebrows, lips and other facial areas are done with a sterile, single-use, hollow piercing needle; the needle opens a clean channel in the tissue and the jewelry is passed through it. A piercing gun is only an option for the lobe (the soft lower part of the ear); guns are not used on cartilage.
How long does a piercing take?
The piercing itself takes a few seconds. Including consultation, jewelry selection, skin cleansing, marking and the aftercare briefing, the total time at the studio is usually 20–30 minutes for one piercing.
What should I do before getting a piercing?
Eat something, drink plenty of water, sleep well and avoid alcohol beforehand. Wear comfortable clothes that won’t catch on the area; if you are getting a facial piercing, come without makeup on that area. Bring your ID; if you are under 18, come with a parent.
What does getting a piercing feel like?
Most people feel a short, sharp sting at the moment of piercing, followed by warmth and throbbing in the area. How strong it feels depends on the spot and the person; cartilage areas are usually felt more than the lobe.
What should I do right after a piercing?
The piercer explains aftercare verbally and in writing. In the first days, clean the area with saline solution 1–2 times a day, don’t play with or remove the jewelry, and don’t miss your check-up appointment. Mild redness, swelling and clear-yellowish discharge are normal in the first days.
Why is piercing jewelry changed later?
The first piece of jewelry is chosen slightly longer to allow for swelling. Once the swelling goes down, usually within a few weeks, the bar is shortened at the check-up (downsizing). This prevents the jewelry from snagging and the piercing from healing at an angle.
This content is for general information only and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment.