SAFETY FIRST

SCARY FACT: there is no piercing qualification requirement in the UK. Most councils just check the salon’s hygiene levels before handing over a licence. So it’s down to you to check your facts. Here are the things you need to look out for: CLEAN STREAK Is the salon displaying a council-issued hygiene certificate? Is the piercer wearing disposable gloves? Are they eating chips as they create a hole in your ear? You get the idea. NO MORE GUNS

“Piercing guns basically tear a hole in the ear using an earring that’s not sharp enough,” explains piercer-of17-years Rhianna Jones. “Needles are one-use only, because hepatitis B is easily passed on through blood contamination.” TOTALLY TITANIUM Jones refuses to use any metal below implantgrade titanium or 18-carat gold. “The earring should also be no smaller than 1mm and have a flat back to prevent bacteria from entering the healing wound.”