Q: Hi, I'm new to piercings! Only have my ears pierced from [the mall] but interested in more. What is the process of getting a body piercing at a legit shop? - Kaylee G.

A: When you first walk into a legit shop, the vibe is usually super clean and professional, but also really chill. The first thing they’ll do is have you fill out some paperwork and check your ID, because real shops are super strict about documentation. While you wait, you’ll usually get to browse their jewelry cases. Unlike the mall where it’s mostly mystery metal, pro shops carry high-quality stuff like implant-grade titanium or solid gold. Picking out a pretty piece of jewelry is honestly the best part!

Once you’re called back to a private room, your piercer will start by cleaning the area with a medical-grade scrub to get everything sterile. They’ll use a little marker to show you exactly where the piercing will go, and they’ll have you check the placement in the mirror to make sure you’re 100% obsessed with it before they move forward.

The actual piercing part is way faster than you’d expect. A pro uses a single-use, hollow needle, which is actually way better for your body than a piercing gun. It creates a super clean channel for the jewelry, whereas guns kind of just force a blunt stud through the skin. Your piercer will talk you through your breathing, you’ll feel a quick pinch and some pressure, and then it’s done! They’ll get the jewelry in, clean you up, and give you the full rundown on aftercare. Usually just spraying it with saline and leaving it totally alone. It’s a way more calm and expert experience than being pierced in the middle of a busy mall.

Q: Follow up question... what are the different types of body piercings you can get? - Kaylee G. (again lol)

A: Hi again, Kaylee, back for more! I love it. Honestly, once you get that first "real" one, it’s so easy to start planning a whole list. There are seriously so many options, it can feel a little overwhelming, but it’s helpful to think of them in groups based on where they are.

If you’re looking to stay on the face, you’ve got all the classic nose options like a standard nostril piercing or a septum, which is that cute "bull ring" style in the middle, the best part about a septum is that you can actually flip it up and hide it if you need to! Then you have lip piercings like a labret or a monroe, and even eyebrow piercings if you want something with a bit more of an edgy vibe.

For your ears, since you’ve already done your lobes, you could dive into the world of cartilage. There are tons of spots like the helix (the outer rim), the tragus (that little nub on your ear closest to your face), or a conch, which sits right in the middle of the ear bowl. If you want something that looks really unique, people are doing "curated ears" now where they plan out a bunch of tiny piercings that all flow together nicely.

Beyond that, you’re looking at actual body piercings. Navel (belly button) piercings are a total classic and always look cute, especially in the summer. Then you have things like dermals, which are "surface" piercings that sit flat against your skin almost anywhere, or even tongue and nipple piercings if you're looking for something a bit more hidden. Just keep in mind that every spot has a different "personality" when it comes to healing... some are super chill and others are a bit more of a commitment! You piercer can help you decide which is right for your lifestyle and your piercing goals. Happy piercing!

Disclaimer: Body Candy is only here to give you fun and helpful advice and information when it comes to getting pierced. Always consult a professional piercer to make sure a new piercing is right for you!