First Piercing? Here’s Exactly What To Expect

Thinking about getting your first piercing in Paignton but not quite sure what actually happens when you arrive?

Maybe you're wondering whether it will hurt, whether you'll get to choose the placement, what jewellery you'll have or what happens if you suddenly get nervous.

Don't worry. You don't need to be a piercing expert before you book.

At The Nail Fairy, I'll talk you through everything from the moment you arrive, check that your chosen piercing is suitable for your anatomy and make sure you're happy with the placement before we go anywhere near a needle.

So, if you're considering your first piercing in Paignton or Torbay, here's exactly what you can expect.

Your first piercing appointment at a glance

If you've never had a piercing before, here's the process in six simple steps:

1. Book your piercing

Choose your piercing and complete your consent form online before your appointment.

2. Talk everything through

We'll discuss your chosen piercing, look at your anatomy and talk about placement.

3. Agree on the placement

I'll mark the area and you'll be able to check the placement in the mirror before we continue.

4. Clean, mark and confirm

I'll prepare the area and make sure you're happy with the placement.

5. Needle, jewellery and done

The piercing is carried out using a sterile, single-use needle before your implant-grade jewellery is inserted.

6. Aftercare

I'll clean the area, explain your aftercare and give you written advice to take home.

Before your piercing appointment

There are a few things to sort before you arrive.

When you book your appointment, you'll choose the piercing you'd like to have and complete your consent form online beforehand.

I also always recommend eating before your appointment.

It sounds simple, but turning up having had something to eat and with plenty of time to spare can make the whole experience feel much more comfortable.

And if you're nervous? Tell me.

You can ask as many questions as you like before we get started.

Your consultation and anatomy check

Your appointment starts with a consultation.

We'll talk about the piercing you've chosen, check your anatomy and discuss where you'd like the piercing to sit.

This is an important part of the process because not every piercing is suitable for every person or every anatomy.

I'll assess the area and talk you through what I think will work.

If your anatomy isn't suitable for the piercing you've chosen, I won't simply pierce it anyway. We'll discuss your options and, where appropriate, look at an alternative placement or piercing.

Your safety comes first.

You'll see the placement before I pierce

Once we've discussed everything, I'll mark the proposed placement.

You'll then get to have a proper look in the mirror.

This is your chance to check that you're happy with exactly where the piercing will sit.

Want it slightly higher?

A little further over?

Not quite sure?

That's completely fine.

We'll take the time to get the placement right before anything happens.

I want you to feel confident about where your piercing is going, rather than feeling like you've got to agree because you've already booked.

Thinking about booking your first piercing? You can see the available piercing services and book your appointment through my piercing services in Paignton page.

What actually happens during the piercing?

When you're happy with the placement, we can move on to the piercing itself.

The process is nice and simple:

Clean → mark → confirm → needle → jewellery → done.

I use sterile, single-use needles for my piercings rather than piercing guns.

The needle is opened for your appointment and isn't reused.

Once the piercing has been made, your sterile, implant-grade jewellery is inserted and you're done.

The actual piercing is usually over very quickly.

Does getting your first piercing hurt?

This is probably one of the biggest questions people have before their first piercing.

The honest answer?

It varies from person to person and from piercing to piercing.

For most people, I'd describe it as a quick pinch with some pressure.

That's not to say everyone experiences it in exactly the same way. Everyone has a different pain threshold and different piercings can feel different.

The good news is that the actual piercing itself is only a very small part of your appointment.

We'll have already talked everything through, checked your anatomy, agreed on the placement and made sure you're ready before we get to that point.

What jewellery will I get?

I use sterile, implant-grade jewellery for new piercings.

The jewellery used for a fresh piercing needs to be appropriate for the piercing and its healing process, so your first piece isn't necessarily the time to go for every elaborate jewellery style you've saved on Pinterest.

But that doesn't mean you can't change things up later.

If there's a particular style or piece of jewellery you've fallen in love with, we can discuss whether it's suitable and, if it isn't appropriate as initial jewellery, look at changing it once your piercing is ready.

What happens after the piercing?

Once your piercing is complete, I'll clean the area and talk you through your aftercare.

You'll receive written aftercare information to take home, so you don't have to rely on remembering everything I tell you during your appointment.

I'll explain how to clean your piercing, how to look after it while it heals and what you should avoid.

For ear and facial piercings, my aftercare guidance recommends cleaning twice a day and using clean hands before touching the piercing. It also covers avoiding picking at crusting and taking care when drying the area.

Your piercing can look and feel a little different as it heals, so don't panic if it isn't perfectly settled immediately.

Healing takes time, and looking after your piercing properly is an important part of getting the result you want.

I'll also give you written aftercare advice to take home, so you don't have to remember everything from your appointment.

Want a more detailed guide to looking after your new piercing? My full guide to piercing aftercare is coming soon.

Not sure which piercing to get first?

If you're choosing between different piercings, we can talk through your ideas during your consultation and check whether your chosen piercing is suitable for your anatomy.

It can also be worth thinking about:

• the look you're going for

• where you'd like the jewellery to sit

• how visible you'd like the piercing to be

• your day-to-day lifestyle

• whether the area is likely to be knocked or irritated

• the type of jewellery you'd eventually like to wear

Your anatomy comes first, though, so a piercing that looks perfect in a photo may not necessarily be the right placement for your individual anatomy.

That's why the consultation is such an important part of your first piercing appointment.

If you're thinking about an ear piercing but aren't sure which placement is right for you, keep an eye out for my upcoming ear piercing guide, covering popular placements including helix, conch, rook and tragus.

What if I'm really nervous?

You wouldn't be the first person to feel nervous about getting a piercing.

You might be excited about the result but still feel a bit anxious about the actual needle.

That's completely normal.

The most important thing to remember is that you're in control.

You can ask questions.

You can take your time.

You can ask to see the needle.

You can check the placement in the mirror.

And you can tell me you're nervous.

I won't rush you through the appointment.

I'll explain what's happening and make sure you're happy before we continue.

If you decide you don't want to go ahead, that's your choice too.

Why I use sterile, single-use needles

I use sterile, single-use needles for my piercing services rather than piercing guns.

The needle is single-use and sterile, and the jewellery used for your new piercing is sterile and implant grade.

I also don't offer gun piercing, including for cartilage.

For me, appropriate sterile equipment, good hygiene and careful preparation are all part of providing a professional piercing service.

What age can you get a piercing at The Nail Fairy?

Piercing	Minimum age
Ear piercings	5+
Nose piercings	16+
Naval piercings	16+
Tongue piercings	16+
Eyebrow piercings	16+
Lip piercings	16+
Skin dermals	18+
Nipple piercings	18+

These are The Nail Fairy's own age requirements, so they shouldn't be taken as the legal minimum for piercing everywhere.

If you're unsure whether you're old enough for the piercing you'd like, just get in touch before booking and I'll be happy to clarify.

What should a new piercing look like while it heals?

A fresh piercing is, well... fresh!

It's normal for a new piercing to be a little tender or sensitive while it settles. You may also notice some redness, swelling, itching or crusting during the healing process.

Try not to panic every time you notice something different.

The healing process isn't always completely linear, and different piercings can behave differently.

This is why your aftercare information is so important. Follow the advice you've been given and avoid unnecessarily touching, moving or picking at your jewellery.

If you're concerned that your piercing may be infected or something doesn't seem right, seek appropriate medical advice.

Wondering how long you'll need to wait before your piercing is fully healed? I'll cover how long piercings take to heal in a separate guide.

Getting your first piercing in Paignton

Getting your first piercing doesn't need to be intimidating.

At The Nail Fairy, I'm based inside Southern Strands Hair Co. on Torquay Road in Paignton, and I welcome clients from across Torbay, including Torquay and Brixham.

From choosing your piercing and completing your consent form, through to the consultation, placement check, piercing and aftercare, I'll talk you through the process so you know what's happening at every stage.

And remember, you don't have to know everything before you book.

That's what I'm here for.

You can see the piercings I offer, find out more about the appointment and check availability on my piercing services page.

If you're looking for a professional piercing service in Paignton, with clients visiting from across Torbay including Torquay and Brixham, you can book your piercing with The Nail Fairy through Fresha.

Frequently asked questions

Does getting your first piercing hurt?

Everyone experiences piercing differently, but I'd describe the sensation as a quick pinch with some pressure. The actual piercing is very quick, although the sensation will vary depending on the person and the piercing.

What should I do before my first piercing?

Eat beforehand, complete your consent form online before your appointment and give yourself plenty of time to arrive without rushing. If you're nervous, let me know when you arrive so we can take things at your pace.

Do piercing guns hurt more than needles?

Everyone experiences piercing differently, so there's no simple answer based purely on pain. I use sterile, single-use needles rather than piercing guns as part of my piercing practice.

Can I see where the piercing will go first?

Absolutely. We'll discuss the placement, I'll mark the area and you'll be able to check it in the mirror before I pierce you. You need to be happy with the placement before we continue.

What jewellery is used for a new piercing?

I use sterile, implant-grade jewellery for new piercings. If you'd prefer a different jewellery style, we can discuss whether it's suitable for a fresh piercing or whether it would be better saved for a future jewellery change.

What should I do after getting a piercing?

I'll clean the piercing and talk you through your aftercare before you leave. You'll also receive written aftercare information to take home, including advice on cleaning and caring for your new piercing while it heals.

What age can I get a piercing at The Nail Fairy?

My minimum ages are 5+ for ear piercings, 16+ for nose, navel and tongue piercings, and 18+ for dermal and nipple piercings.

Can I book my first piercing with The Nail Fairy?

Yes! Choose your piercing when booking and complete your consent form online beforehand. When you arrive, we'll discuss the piercing, check your anatomy, agree on the placement and make sure you're happy before we go ahead.

Can I change my mind about my piercing?

Absolutely. I'll make sure you're happy with the piercing and placement before we continue. If you decide you're not comfortable going ahead, you can say so. I'd much rather you feel confident about your decision than feel pressured to continue.