Which type of piercing suits you best?

Piercings and tattoos can reflect culture, style and self-expression. Body piercings can range from an earlobe stud to rings, barbells and even implants anywhere on the body. If you have an e-girl style, an emo or gothic look, or even a casual style, body piercing might appeal to you. But there is plenty to consider before a needle meets your skin. You'll need to do thorough research and ask yourself some questions before making your final decision.

How to choose the right piercing

There are dozens of different types of piercings: some are easy to hide, some are easy to clean, and others require more care. Healing times vary a lot depending on the placement and your own healing process, so factor that commitment into your decision. Before imagining how great you would look with one or two (or three or four!) piercings, you need to answer a few questions about yourself.

How consistent are your hygiene habits?

This is a time to be very honest with yourself about your daily habits. Do you shower every day, brush and floss your teeth twice a day, and generally keep yourself clean? These habits may help you care for a navel or tongue piercing, but they do not guarantee that it will remain free from infection.

Do you pick a shirt up off the floor and sniff it to check whether it is clean enough to wear that day, or need a reminder to brush your teeth in the morning? An earlobe piercing might be a more manageable choice for you, though it still needs careful aftercare. This is particularly relevant when considering piercings in areas exposed to many bacteria, such as the lip, tongue, navel or genitals. This is not a situation in which to assume you'll always be at your best. Be realistic about your least consistent hygiene habits and make your decisions accordingly.

How to choose the right piercing for your career

This can be difficult to think about, especially as most people do not follow the same career path throughout their lives, but it is an important question. Do you want to be a nursery teacher or a burlesque dancer? A senator or an actor? A mechanic or a writer? Almost any job you can think of may affect, or be affected by, a body piercing. A mechanic might need to choose piercings that will not catch on machinery. A burlesque dancer might find that a navel piercing complements their work. A nursery teacher might consider tongue or navel jewellery because it can be concealed and may be less accessible to children who might pull or catch it. A senator may need a piercing that can be discreetly hidden beneath a suit.

But your career is not the only thing to consider. How might pregnancy affect a navel piercing, for example? If you travel frequently, think about how practical aftercare and follow-up appointments will be while you're away. Think about the different directions your life could reasonably take before deciding which piercings suit you.

How to choose the best piercing for you

After thinking about your future, take a moment to consider your present. What does your daily life look like? Do you sit in a classroom all day or teach kickboxing classes? Are you relatively free of financial commitments, or do you have a mortgage and a car loan? Can you budget for a reputable piercing studio and any follow-up visits? All these factors affect which piercings you might consider and which you might put aside for now. Although spontaneity can be a good thing in some situations, it is always better to think carefully before considering body modifications, whether gothic piercings, tattoos or anything else. A little thought and preparation can make the difference between a piercing you love and one you regret.