Body piercing is considered an alternate culture and it involves inserting jewelery in body parts, cartilage or skin. It is often considered an extreme art form which involves body modifications. Body piercing is an unorganized sector in the job market. It involves enabling individuals to attain their creative aspirations. The body piercer is the artist. If you are a highly individualistic and artistic person and want to take up body piercing as a profession, here is a guide to help you along.
1. Know Your Job Profile
- As a body piercer you would be required to make incisions or penetrations into skin, soft tissue or cartilage of various parts of the body, and insert various jewelery’s or ornaments.
- Adopting safe procedures during the process and following up on progress of healing will be part of your role as a body piercer.
- Keeping instruments and equipment in a sterile state. Keeping a record of spore count.
- Advising clients on health, hygiene and safety aspects of piercing.
- Recommending products for after care.
- Keeping yourself updated on the lasted developments in the field.
2. Qualifications
The body piercing business is unregulated. You do not require any formal qualifications to become a body piercer. However, some states require licensing of either the owner of the establishment or individuals. Licensing may involve examination in the health, hygiene and safety aspects. Irrespective of licensing requirements you should qualify yourself in CPR and First Aid. You should also be thoroughly familiar with allergens, pathogens and post-treatment care.
3. Skills
- As a body piercing artist you will be required to make precise incisions and piercings on delicate areas of the body. For this you will require excellent hand-eye co-ordination.
- You should have an open mind and love alternate culture. Nothing is too outlandish or bizarre in the body piercing industry. Everyone has a right to individual expression.
- Attention to detail is one of the primary skills of an artist. You must know exactly what the client wants. Mistakes could be costly, dangerous and possibly lead to liability issues
- Having the required soft skills is a given. You are dealing with the client on an intimate level, and require to be thoroughly professional.
4. Apprenticeship
It is most important for you to gain experience in the field by seeking an apprenticeship with a studio. This will help you to learn your craft. As an apprentice, you will learn the techniques and nuances of the trade and also make you in contact with the members of this sub-culture. To be accepted as a member, you may have to carryout body modification on yourself, too. You must have belief in your work.
It is however, not easy to get apprenticeship. Ask around, go to the body piercing studios. Most experienced and established body piercers do not like to take on potential rivals. But do not be disappointed. Be persistent and have patience and sooner or later you will become an apprentice. Besides the technical skills of body piercing, you will also pick up valuable inputs on how to run a business.
5. Starting Your Own Business
- Once you have undergone the apprentice training, it is time to set up your own studio. Check for licensing and other statutory requirements and arrange to comply with them.
- Do your networking. Meet people and develop contacts.
- Advertise in the local newspapers or online. Travel magazines are great places.
Body piercing is an exotic and sensitive business. Maintain your ethics and confidentiality of the client. Respect the wishes of the client. All the best in your career as a body piercer.
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