Eat/Drink: Always eat a meal at least two hours before heading in to get pierced! Do not drink a bunch of caffeine or energy drinks before coming in! It will thin your blood and make it harder to sit still. Medication: Pain relievers/ swelling reducers are best saved for after the piercing.
Products like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) have anti-inflammatory properties to help reduce swelling and accompanying pain.
Take Mild Painkillers in Advance
Some piercers also recommend that you take certain mild over-the-counter painkillers before getting your piercing done. These pain killers can help numb the pain during the procedure, and knowing that it isn't going to pain much, will keep your nerves calm.
Before your piercing, please make sure you have something to eat – a full meal is ideal but even a chocolate bar or fizzy drink at the bare minimum. This will ensure your blood sugar levels are at their best, minimising any risk of fainting. It is important that you are feeling good in yourself before your piercing.
It will thin your blood and make it harder to sit still. Medication: Pain relievers/ swelling reducers are best saved for after the piercing. If you are on any regular medications, you might consider asking your doctor ahead of time.
Stretch. Pre-piercing stress or anxiety affects your body, restricting blood flow and causing muscle tension. Taking a moment to stretch out your body can release tension and allow you to physically relax. By removing the physical symptoms of piercing anxiety you can reduce your stress overall.
What We Recommend. Products like Emla are generally effective for reducing the pain and discomfort. It is available in a tube of cream or in individual patches, applied by peeling off the back and adhering it the area you wish to numb.
There is actually scientific reasoning behind this practice, because breathing more slowly and deeply from your stomach signals your nervous system to calm down.
Take anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce pain and swelling. These include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve).
Along with the nostrils and belly button, the earlobes are the safest and most common body part to be pierced. The flesh of the earlobe heals well when the area is cleaned regularly and the piercing is done at the proper angle.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory products such as Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.) may help minimize swelling. Some tenderness or discomfort in the area of a new piercing is not unusual. You may feel stinging, burning, aching or other unpleasant sensations off and on for several days or longer.
Using a numbing cream ahead of your next piercing appointment can help ease discomfort.
However, generally, piercings shouldn't be too painful. Cartilage is often more painful than a lobe piercing, but the pain doesn't last long – I would describe it as a hot sensation, your ears feel hot like they've been pinched! With proper aftercare, pain shouldn't be a problem.
For internal membrane skin such as tongues, inside of lips for tongue piercings, use Xylocaine, as it's long lasting a available on various auction websites. If you have any issues with a lidocaine based anesthetic, then just inform the body piercer.
Clove Oil
Clove oil is an old remedy to numb the nerves. The oil contains the chemical compound eugenol, which is a natural anesthetic.
Some professionals may prefer if you don't use a numbing cream, so we recommend having a conversation with your piercer before your appointment. Numbing creams are for external use only, and you should only use one as directed.
Curist Numbing Relief contains lidocaine 5%, which is the strongest OTC lidocaine cream available at the highest percentage.
The following are potential side effects: Pain - The piercing can be painful and takes longer to heal than more common ear piercings (about four months to a year).
It's normal to be a bit nervous before getting a piercing done – I'd be a little worried if you weren't – but there are some things you can do to help calm the nerves and reduce the sensation of the piercing.
Standard Lobe Piercing
Therefore, it should not be surprising that it ranks low on the pain scale – the general rating seems to be 3/10. A standard lobe piercing can hurt for a moment or just feel like a pinch when the needle goes through.
The most attractive spot for a piercing is the belly button. The least attractive is a tie between the nose and the nether regions.
Uncommon piercings may be more costly due to the fragile nature of the procedures. A few more uncommon piercings are eyeball piercings, dermal piercings (pictured to the left), corset piercings, some genital piercings, uvula piercings, bridge piercings, and anti-eyebrow piercings (the latter two are pictured above).
In general, tattoos tend to hurt more than piercings because the needles used for tattoos are larger and go deeper into the skin than the needles used for piercings. However, everyone experiences pain differently, so there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to how much pain you'll feel from a tattoo or piercing.