If body piercing is something you may be considering, please remember to get as much information as you can before you go ahead. Make sure it is the right choice for you.
Reading the information below which contains facts & advice may help you to
understand the procedure a lot better,  improve your knowledge and perception
of body piercing, and therefore help you to make a more informed choice ...
Health Hazards ...
Having a body piercing will hurt because anaesthetic injections are not allowed.
Over-the-counter anaesthetic creams or sprays are also not recommended due to possible side effects.
Remember; most piercings take many months to heal but sometimes due to complications
and/or infection may take a lot longer and some piercings may never completely heal.

Please be aware of the after effects of a body piercing and the potential for serious possible health risks

POTENTIAL HEALTH RISKS FROM BODY PIERCING ARE:

The risk of blood borne infections such as HIV and Hepatitis

Serious Infections, Blood poisoning / Septicaemia

Excessive bleeding due to blood vessels being pierced

Severe swelling and inflamation around the piercing site

Allergic reactions to jewellery metals and / or antiseptics

Piercing of cartilage leading to deformity of that area

Jewellery embedding / migration

Localised infection

Scarring 


Key Points...
If you choose to have a body piercing, the health risks will be minimised
if you go to a reputable/registered piercer who is mindful of the risks involved.

The piercer should discuss with you your medical history prior to the
piercing and based on the information provided, the piercer should have
sufficient knowledge and expertise as to the advice they recommend.

Seek out a piercing practitioner who offers ongoing advice and aftercare
checkups. Some piercers even provide a 24hr help/ contact number.

If you start to feel poorly or have any concerns or worries about your
body piercing then please seek medical advice as soon as possible.
REMEMBER NEVER ATTEMPT TO CARRY A BODY PIERCING OUT YOURSELF!
Good Practice...

When choosing a piercing studio you should look for;

 Pristine clean premises studios etc with a separate area for body piercing

Facilities to allow hands to be washed thoroughly and hygienically

The piercer must wear sterile gloves, these should be replaced several times during the
      procedure. The piercer should also be wearing a disposable apron and clean clothing
      Some piercers dress from head to toe in sterile clothing and footwear this helps enormously
      with keeping the risk of infection at the time of the piercing to an absolute minimum

An autoclave (looks like a pressure cooker) for sterilising jewellery & equipment

Disposable needles out of sterile packets must always be
opened by the piercer who must be wearing sterile gloves

Remember never under any circumstances agree to open packets
and/or handle needles yourself. Your hands are not sterile

Detailed verbal & written aftercare instructions for customers plus
   a follow up appointment must be made before leaving the premises

Specific jewellery must be used for body piercing, not earlobe jewellery or plated metals.
      Metals for body piercing must be high quality,
      e.g. 18 or 22 carat gold, platinum, titanium, niobium or implant grade surgical steel

Appropriate equipment  ear-piercing guns must not be used for piercing
other body parts, as serious damage and/or infection can result

Customer advice notices about the risks & effects of  body piercing
REMEMBER IF IN DOUBT WALK OUT!!
And Finally...
Remember having a body piercing is a permanent decision and you will be left with a hole/scar
on/in your body. This is something you should always give careful consideration to.
Think seriously about the long term implications having a body piercing will mean for you.
If you are already predisposed to any underlying health condition then please seek
medical advise from your GP as a body piercing may not be the right choice for you.

Stay safe and make sure you have Checked it Out! on here first!
Aftercare ...

After care advice specific to your type of piercing must be obtained from the piercer

As most infections occur during the healing period, you should touch
your piercing as little as possible and keep the area clean & dry

If an infection persists or you get an unusual discharge, you must consult your doctor
What is body piercing?

Body piercing is where a hollow needle is pushed through the skin
and underlying tissue, providing a hole through which jewellery is inserted.

Because this procedure involves breaking the skin, there is always a risk of infection and/or injury.
Further information ...

If you are unsure about body piercing, you should discuss the matter with your chosen studio.
The majority of Body Piercers are well informed & willing to offer advice.

Alternatively you can speak to an Environmental Health Officer
or an Infection Control Nurse from your Local Health Authority.
The Law ...

Body piercers have a duty to ensure the health, safety & welfare of all their customers

You may be surprised to know that other than general duties under the
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, there are few specific laws applying to the
practice of body piercing or to the premises/studios where piercings are carried out.

There is still no legal age limit for Body Piercing unlike tattooing,
where strict legislation imposes an age limit of 18.

Piercing male or female genital organs, including breasts on a child
under the age of 16 could be regarded as an indecent assault.
Parents or legal guardians are not permitted to consent to this
type of piercing on behalf of a child under the age of 16.

Certain piercing of the female genitalia may be classed as female circumcision,
which is against the law, even if a customer gives their consent to this type of piercing

Reputable studios should not pierce anybody below the age of 16 years without parent approval

According to Local Police persons under 16 cannot consent to a body piercing
and complaints of this nature could leave the piercer open to prosecution

To help the piercer comply with the law, you should take with you a document
that will prove your age and/or if necessary, a parent or guardian

Piercers who are permitted to pierce ears by the council should have a certificate on display

Most councils offer a registration scheme for Body Piercers, once
signed up they recieve a Code of Practice document and a certificate.
They should follow that councils own specific guidelines on safe practice
This will vary across the country and is not a legally binding document.