How to choose your piercer: the truly important criteria

Rédigé par : Naald Piercing | Dernière mise à jour : 19 Jun 26
Updated: June 19, 2026
Written by: Jean-Philippe
Reviewed by: Chloé, professional piercer

Choosing the right piercer means protecting your body before thinking about the jewelry

In the studio, we regularly see clients come in with ears, noses, or cartilage damaged by a piercing done too quickly, in the wrong place, with unsuitable jewelry, or under poor conditions. Very often, the problem stems from an act performed in a jewelry store, at home, or by someone who thought they "knew how to do it." However, a piercing is not just a simple hole: it is an act that penetrates the skin and requires a true professional.

Choosing your piercer should never come down to "who is the cheapest?" or "who can take me the soonest?". A piercing is an act that goes through the skin or cartilage. It requires hygiene, precision, appropriate equipment, quality jewelry, and genuine follow-up after placement.

A good piercer doesn't just make a hole. They check your anatomy, explain the risks, choose suitable jewelry, work in a clean environment, adhere to hygiene rules, and remain available if your piercing needs a check-up.

In this guide, you will discover the concrete criteria for recognizing a good piercer, the questions to ask before making an appointment, the warning signs to look out for, and why the choice of initial jewelry is as important as the act itself.

Do you already have a healed piercing and are looking for reliable jewelry?
After validation from your piercer, prioritize a safe material, appropriate size, and a clean finish. Discover our selection of ASTM F-136 titanium piercing jewelry.

In 20 seconds

  • A good piercer must have completed hygiene and sanitation training and work in a clean studio.
  • They must explain the procedure, risks, aftercare, and the jewelry used.
  • They evaluate your anatomy before piercing and may refuse a piercing if they deem it unsuitable.
  • Equipment must be sterile, single-use when necessary, and opened in front of you.
  • The initial jewelry must be suitable for healing: reliable material, correct size, smooth surface.
  • A very low price, a piercing gun, lack of follow-up, or a professional annoyed by your questions are bad signs.

Table of Contents

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Why is choosing your piercer so important?

A well-done piercing can heal smoothly and become a piece of jewelry you wear for a long time. Conversely, poor placement, unsuitable jewelry, lack of hygiene, or no follow-up can lead to irritation, pain, infection, rejection, migration, or scars.

The choice of piercer therefore impacts several points:

  • the safety of the procedure;
  • the precision of placement;
  • adaptation to your anatomy;
  • the quality of the initial jewelry;
  • clarity of aftercare instructions;
  • quality of follow-up in case of doubt;
  • the final aesthetic result.

A good professional may also tell you no. If your anatomy is not suitable, if the area is irritated, if the requested jewelry is not appropriate, or if the piercing is likely to heal poorly, a refusal can be a true sign of professionalism.

To delve deeper into this point, consult our article: why a piercer might refuse a piercing.

Criteria to check before choosing a piercer

Before booking, take a few minutes to check the essential elements. A good piercer should inspire confidence even before the piercing is done.

Criterion What you should observe Good sign
Hygiene Clean studio, dedicated room, disinfected surfaces, carefully prepared equipment. The professional explains their protocol without being annoyed.
Training Hygiene and sanitation training, declared activity, up-to-date knowledge. The piercer can clearly discuss risks and aftercare with you.
Anatomy Checking the area before piercing. They adapt or refuse if your anatomy is not suitable.
Jewelry Indicated material, adapted size, smooth surface, reliable system. The jewelry is chosen for healing, not just for looks.
Follow-up Check-up, advice, jewelry change, availability in case of doubt. The studio remains available after the appointment.
Price Clear pricing: procedure, jewelry, aftercare, follow-up, eventual change. You know exactly what you are paying for.

Hygiene, sterilization, and equipment: what to look for

Hygiene is not a bonus. It's fundamental. Piercing penetrates the skin: equipment, hands, surfaces, and jewelry must be handled with care.

A clean studio is not enough

A "pretty" or well-decorated place is not necessarily a properly organized one. Focus on the piercing room, equipment preparation, cleanliness of surfaces, the professional's actions, and how sterile items are handled.

Good signs

  • the piercer washes or disinfects their hands before the procedure;
  • they wear appropriate gloves;
  • sterile equipment is opened in front of you;
  • needles are single-use;
  • surfaces are clean and disinfected;
  • sharps waste is disposed of in a suitable collector;
  • the initial jewelry is sterilized or prepared according to a clear protocol;
  • the professional explains the steps without minimizing the risks.

Naald precision: sterile equipment is prepared after the consent form is signed. For comfort, needles are not left visible before the procedure, so as not to intimidate more sensitive clients. They can naturally be shown upon request once the piercing is done.

The piercing gun: beware of its limitations

For a body piercing or cartilage piercing, the piercing gun is not the preferred method. It can traumatize tissues, lack precision, and raise hygiene concerns depending on the equipment used.

For an ear piercing, especially outside the lobe, it's better to choose a professional who works with an adapted, precise, and sterile method. If you're hesitant between a jewelry store and a piercer, read our article: where to get your ears pierced: piercer or jewelry store?.

Good practice: a serious professional will never reproach you for asking questions about hygiene, sterilization, or the equipment used.

The initial jewelry: a criterion too often overlooked

The first piece of jewelry is crucial. It must support healing, allow for swelling if necessary, remain stable, not compress tissues, and be made of a suitable material.

A piece of jewelry that is too short, too long, too heavy, poorly polished, or made of an unknown material can complicate healing, even if the piercing act was performed correctly.

What a good piercer should be able to explain to you

  • the material of the jewelry;
  • the chosen thickness and length;
  • why this jewelry is suitable for your anatomy;
  • if a downsize will be necessary;
  • when to change the jewelry;
  • which jewelry to avoid during healing.

At Naald, we prefer ASTM F-136 titanium for its lightness, excellent tolerance, and everyday comfort. For a healed piercing, or after validation from your piercer, you can discover our collection of ASTM F-136 titanium piercing jewelry.

Is your piercing healed and you're looking for reliable jewelry?

Rings, labrets, barbells, straight bars, ear jewelry, nose, navel, or nipple: choose a comfortable and suitable material.

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The right questions to ask a piercer

A good professional answers clearly. They should not make you feel "annoying" for wanting to understand what will be done to your body.

Before making an appointment

  • Have you completed hygiene and sanitation training?
  • How long have you been performing this piercing?
  • Do you check anatomy before confirming the project?
  • What jewelry do you use for the initial piercing?
  • Is the jewelry included in the advertised price?
  • Do you provide follow-up after piercing?
  • What should I do if the piercing swells, bleeds, or gets irritated?

On the day of the appointment

  • Why did you choose this placement?
  • Is this area suitable for my anatomy?
  • What is the approximate healing time?
  • When should I come back for a check-up or jewelry change?
  • What actions should I avoid during healing?
  • What signs should alert me?

If you want to review the rules after placement, consult our guide: piercing healing, the rules to follow.

Warning signs: when is it better to leave?

Certain signs should make you think. Even if the price is attractive or the appointment is quick, it's better to postpone than take an unnecessary risk.

Bad signs

  • the professional refuses to answer your questions;
  • the price is unclear or changes at the last minute;
  • the studio seems dirty or disorganized;
  • the jewelry used does not have a clearly indicated material;
  • the piercer does not check your anatomy;
  • they accept all piercings without discussion;
  • they minimize risks or promise "worry-free" healing;
  • they pressure you to choose quickly;
  • they recommend aggressive or outdated aftercare;
  • they use a piercing gun;
  • they provide no follow-up after the piercing.

Your instinct also counts. If you don't feel listened to, respected, or reassured, you have the right to leave. A piercing can wait.

Customer reviews, portfolio, and prices: how to interpret them?

Customer reviews

Google, Instagram, or Facebook reviews can indicate a trend: welcome, gentleness, pedagogy, hygiene, follow-up, quality of results. Don't rely on a single isolated review, but look for repetitions.

If several people mention the same positive point: gentleness, attentiveness, follow-up, cleanliness; it's encouraging. If several reviews mention lack of hygiene, no response, or poor care, be cautious.

The portfolio

A portfolio allows you to see the piercer's style, the precision of placements, and consistency with anatomies. Look to see if the piercings seem well-placed, well-aligned, and adapted to the ears, noses, navels, or lips presented.

For technical piercings, such as industrial, daith, rook, surface, or navel, the portfolio is particularly useful. It shows if the professional knows how to adapt their technique to each morphology.

The price

A clear price is a good sign. You should know what is included: procedure, jewelry, sterilization, follow-up, eventual change, healing check.

A very cheap piercing may hide low-quality jewelry, lack of follow-up, or less rigorous working conditions. Conversely, a high price should be explained: high-end jewelry, included follow-up, expertise, equipment, technical placement.

To remember: prices can be compared, but safety should not be negotiated. If the budget does not allow for choosing a serious professional, it's better to wait.

Should you choose a piercer near you?

A nearby piercer can be practical for follow-up, check-ups, downsizing, or a jewelry change. But proximity should never be your only criterion.

It's better to drive a few extra miles for a serious professional than to choose the closest studio if you have doubts about hygiene, jewelry, or follow-up.

The right compromise

  • choose an accessible piercer for follow-up;
  • check reviews and the portfolio;
  • contact the studio before booking;
  • ask your questions;
  • visit the studio if possible;
  • do not choose based solely on distance or price.

To go further

FAQ: How to choose your piercer?

How to know if a piercer is reputable?

A reputable piercer works in a clean studio, explains their protocol, uses sterile equipment, checks your anatomy, chooses appropriate jewelry, gives clear aftercare instructions, and remains available after the piercing.

What training should a piercer have?

In France, piercing professionals must have completed training in hygiene and sanitation rules and operate within a declared framework. This training does not replace technical experience, but it forms an essential health basis.

Is it a bad sign if a piercer refuses my piercing?

No, not necessarily. A refusal can be a sign of professionalism if your anatomy is not suitable, if the area is irritated, if the requested jewelry is not appropriate, or if the risk of rejection is too high.

Should you choose your piercer based on Google reviews?

Reviews can help, but they are not enough. Look at the general trend, photos, quality of responses, portfolio, price transparency, and how the studio answers your questions.

Should a good piercer follow up after the piercing?

Yes, follow-up is important. A good piercer should be able to answer your questions, check the piercing's progress, adjust jewelry if necessary, and refer you to a doctor if signs suggest an infection.

What jewelry should be used for a first piercing?

The jewelry must be adapted to the area, your anatomy, and the healing process. It must be made of a reliable material, have a smooth surface, a consistent size, and a secure fastening system. ASTM F-136 titanium is a very good option for many piercings.

Is the lowest price a good idea?

Not necessarily. A very low price can hide low-quality jewelry, little follow-up, or less rigorous conditions. It's better to choose a clear and justified price than a low but vague rate.

Can you visit a studio before getting pierced?

Yes, and it's even a good idea. You can observe the welcome, cleanliness, organization, ask your questions, and see if you feel confident.

Conclusion

Choosing your piercer is not just about finding someone who knows how to pierce. It's about choosing a professional capable of protecting your health, respecting your anatomy, placing suitable jewelry, and supporting you during healing.

Take the time to compare, ask questions, check hygiene, portfolio, initial jewelry, prices, and follow-up. A good piercer won't rush you: they will inform you, reassure you, and sometimes say no if the project is not viable.

Once your piercing has healed, or when your piercer approves the jewelry change, you can choose a comfortable and durable piece from our collection of ASTM F-136 titanium piercing jewelry.

Sources

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