Find out about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines, and Mayo Clinic patient and visitor updates.

Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations.

Piercings might be more common than ever, but don't take piercing lightly. Know the risks and understand basic safety precautions and aftercare steps.

Ears. Lips. Bellybuttons. Eyebrows. Piercings are popular, especially among adolescents and young adults. But piercings can cause complications. Find out how certain safety precautions, the placement of your piercing and how well you care for it can affect your risk of infection and proper healing.

A piercing is the creation of an opening in a part of the body for the insertion of jewelry. It's rarely done with a numbing agent (anesthetic).

Any type of piercing poses a risk of complications, including:

You might need medication or other treatment if you develop an allergic reaction, infection or other skin problem near the piercing.

Before you get a piercing, think carefully about it. Consider the location of the piercing and whether you'll be able to conceal the piercing if necessary — such as at work.

If you're unsure about the piercing or worry that you might regret it someday, consider waiting. Don't let yourself be pressured into getting a piercing, and don't get a piercing if you're under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

If you're sure you want to get a piercing, talk to friends who have them. Find out if they have suggestions or regrets.

To make sure your piercing is done safely, ask these questions:

Who does the piercings? Don't attempt to pierce yourself or allow an untrained friend to do the piercing. Go to a reputable piercing studio where employees are properly trained.

Regulation requirements and licensing standards vary from state to state. Check with your city, county or state health department for information on local licensing and regulations.

The skin around a new piercing might be swollen, red and tender for a few days. It might bleed slightly. If the swelling, redness and bleeding last longer than a few days, contact your doctor. Prompt treatment can help prevent potentially serious complications.

To prevent infection and encourage healing:

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press.

Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Notice of Privacy Practices Notice of Nondiscrimination Manage Cookies

A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.