Are Piercing Guns Safe? What Professional Piercers Want You to Know
If you're thinking about getting pierced, especially something simple like an earlobe, you might be tempted to walk into a mall kiosk or chain jewelry store. But here's the thing: a lot of those places still use piercing guns and there's a reason professional piercers don't.
At Cherry Bomb Studio, we're all about safety, precision, and clean vibes. So let's break down why piercing guns aren't the move and why needle piercings by a trained professional are a way better choice.
Why Are Piercing Guns Still Used?
Piercing guns are popular in retail settings cause they seem fast, convenient, and non-threatening. But just because something is common doesn't mean it's safe. The Association of Professional Piercers (APP) and most reputable studios strongly advise against using them.
The Problem with Sterilization
One of the biggest issues with piercing guns is that they're usually made of plastic, which means they can't be properly sterilized in an autoclave. Even if the part that touches your skin gets wiped down, that doesn't eliminate the risk of cross-contamination.
That's a serious problem when you consider the potential to transmit bloodborne pathogens like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or even staph infections.
Trauma to the Tissue
Unlike a piercing needle, which slices cleanly through the skin, a piercing gun blasts a blunt stud through your tissue using force. That's not precision it's blunt trauma.
This crush injury can cause:
Increased swelling
Longer healing times
Higher risk of infection
More pain overall
And if that doesn't already sound bad enough, the damage is even worse in cartilage piercings, which are more rigid and fragile than soft earlobes.
Jewelry Quality and Design
The jewelry used in most piercing guns is not designed for healing. It often has butterfly backs that trap bacteria, making infections more likely. And it's usually made from lower-grade metals that aren't implant-grade, which can trigger allergic reactions or skin irritation.
In contrast, needle piercers use jewelry made from surgical steel, titanium, or gold, designed specifically for healing and biocompatibility.
Accuracy and Placement
Piercing guns don't allow for precise placement. That might not seem like a big deal until your piercing ends up crooked or heals poorly because it was angled wrong from the start. A trained piercer will mark your piercing, make adjustments for anatomy, and use a sterile needle to do it cleanly and accurately.
Cartilage? Absolutely Not.
Let's be real: if someone tries to pierce your cartilage with a gun, walk away immediately.
Cartilage can shatter under the pressure of a gun, leading to severe pain, disfigurement, and permanent damage. We've seen it. It's not worth it. Piercing guns should never be used for cartilage, no matter how "experienced" the person claims to be.
What the Professionals Say
The APP (Association of Professional Piercers) has been saying it for years piercing guns are not safe. Reputable studios like ours only use sterile, single-use needles and follow strict hygiene protocols for every client.
TL;DR – Are Piercing Guns Safe?
No. They're not.
If you care about safe healing, reducing risk of infection, getting clean placement, and not traumatizing your body, go to a professional piercer who uses needles. Your body will thank you.
Ready for a Professional Piercing?
Come see us at Cherry Bomb Studio. We'll walk you through everything, use only the safest methods and materials, and make sure your piercing experience is as sick as the jewelry you leave with.