Piercing

Piercing: how to choose a piercer and jewellery, and compare prices

Updated 21 October 2026

Safety first, price second

A pierced ear or nose is a small wound that takes weeks to heal. So the first question to ask a piercer is how the tools are sterilised. The needle should be single-use, sterile and opened in front of you, and the piercer should wear gloves. Piercing cartilage with a piercing gun is not recommended: the sudden impact damages the tissue, while a needle makes a clean hole. A gun is sometimes used for the earlobe, but a needle is more reliable there too.

For a child, look for a piercer with experience with small children and medical training, not just a fast one. If your child has allergies or skin problems, check with a doctor first.

The jewellery is half the result

Starter jewellery should be made of implant-grade materials: implant-grade titanium, niobium or high-karat gold. Nickel alloys and cheap costume jewellery can cause irritation. For cartilage, a longer bar is usually fitted to allow for swelling, then swapped for a shorter one after healing. A ring or stud suits the lobe, while a labret or a clicker ring suits the helix once healed. Ask whether the jewellery is included in the price, because some offers are "piercing separately, earring separately".

What to put in your request

• piercing place — lobe, helix, tragus, nose, navel, tongue;
• number of piercings;
• jewellery — your own or the piercer's, and the material, for example titanium;
• method — needle or a gun;
• who it is for — an adult or a child, with the age;
• date and time;
• area of the city;
• piercer's experience — medical training, a portfolio of healed piercings;
• budget, if you want to share it.

Example: “I need a helix piercing, 2 piercings with a titanium earring, by needle, not a gun. Adelaide, Saturday at 12:00. A piercer with a portfolio of healed piercings. Budget up to A$26 with jewellery.”

How to compare offers

• What the price includes: the piercing, jewellery, antiseptic, aftercare.
• What material the jewellery is, and whether it comes with a certificate or marking.
• Whether there is a check-up after the piercing and a jewellery change after a few weeks.
• Photos of healed work and reviews, not just a promotional price.

Also ask how to care for it at home: usually rinsing with a saline solution and not touching it with dirty hands. If you get strong redness, pain or discharge, see a doctor.

How it works on BlaBlaPrice

You write one request and don't have to visit studios one by one. Piercers reply in the chat with a price, a date and a list of jewellery. The platform shows the best-value offer first, with reviews beside each. Piercers see their place among the others and often improve their terms. Your phone number stays hidden until you choose a piercer. Read more on the “How it works” page.

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