Important - This article provides information on how piercing needles are used and hence, should not be re-created in any manner. Professional body piercers are trained and have experience in the field, and which is why, they are best suited for the job. If you are under the age of 18, seek parental advice before reading this article. In today's world, 7 out of 10 people have body piercings. Although this form of body art has been accepted in the East for centuries, but the West has recently experienced its exploding popularity. Teenagers and 20 something are looking towards getting their ears, noses, eyebrows, tongues, nipples, navels, and other parts of their bodies pierced. With growing popularity, the need to find more advanced piercing methods also arises. Which is why, you will see latest piercing guns being used at various piercing parlors. However, there are professional piercers who still opt for the traditional piercing method of using needles to get the job done. Regardless of what instrument is used, there is going to be a certain level of pain which no one can avoid. But that isn't the main concern of our article at hand. We want to know how the needles are used for piercing. Now let me be absolutely frank here. I do not like or support the idea of anyone purchasing the needles and start experimenting with them on themselves or others. An individual has to be trained properly and should have enough experience before he/she starts piercing themselves or anyone else. So keep this in mind at all times and, if you want to learn how these needles are used for real, do seek professional help. As for the purpose of this article, we are only providing you with the written information. Using Body Piercing Needles There are various sizes of needles available in market and they are all used for particular piercings. As different types of body piercings require a certain size of needle, a professional piercer will select it accordingly. To begin the process, you will have to...

• Purchase only marked needles as the material is same as the ones used in hospital tools. This way, you can ensure that there won't be any infection or an allergic reaction.
• Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and then use hand sanitizer. Hygiene is crucial while piercing any body part as the germs from your hand can come in contact with the pierced skin.
• Pat your hand dry with a clean towel and wear latex gloves as soon as you've washed and sanitized your hands. Also, the area where you are going to hold the procedure also has to be sanitized and hygienic.
• When you open the needle packet, make sure that the needle is hollow as this will help in protecting the skin from any bruises and tissue damage.
• Next, you need to select the right gauge size. Primarily, most piercings can be done with a 14 gauge needle. However, the use of 16 gauge can be required, depending on what you are piercing. (This is where your training and expertise is needed).
• If you purchase pre-sterilized needles, you can skip the step of sterilizing them before use. You might have to sterilize the clamps though.
• Now one of the most important things to keep in mind is to hold the needle as steady as possible. You have to precisely hold the needle close to the skin where the piercing is supposed to be made.
• Hold your hand steady and try to grip the needle tightly. If you have a weak grip or your hand shakes a lot, the process is going to be more painful than it normally would.
• The sharp edge of the needle has to face downward so that the skin is pierced with precision. As you hold the needle, that sharp edge should align your forefinger properly.
• When the needle is pierced through the skin, not the fingers, but your wrist has to turn to find the perfect angle.

With a firm, sure hand, you also decrease the risk of any injury. Also, when the needle is being pushed inside the skin, you have to make sure that your fingers aren't sliding up and down the needle or there's going to be a lot of pain. Without proper training, please do not use these needles on yourself or anyone else. It can be quite dangerous when you don't know what you're supposed to be doing. Just leave the piercings to the professionals, shall we?!