Anaesthetics

Anaesthetics

Pain-free body art

Some types of piercing hurt more than others, and this will also depend on your own personal pain tolerance. It’s rare for them to be totally pain-free, as piercers don’t usually offer anaesthetics, which may be used only by trained experts such as doctors and dentists. Some employ ice sprays and anaesthetic ointments, but many piercers advise against these.

ice sprays make the tissue contract, but this also makes the skin harder to pierce. They should also not be used in eyebrow piercings, or near your nose, mouth, or ears, as they can cause internal damage.

Anaesthetic ointments also involve similar risks, and are not widely used in piercing studios, not least because it takes an hour or two for them to become effective.