Body piercer
Safely pierce a person's face or body so they can wear jewellery and decoration and get the look they want.
About the job
What it's like
You would safely pierce people’s faces or bodies so they can so they can wear jewellery and decoration.
You’d use a sterile surgical needle to make the piercings. You’d also need to make sure that the area to be pierced and the jewellery are very clean so the person doesn’t get an infection from the procedure.
Once you’d made the piercing - which will probably be painful for your client - you’d insert different types of jewellery and metal as a decoration, including rings, studs or ear plugs which stretch the earlobe to create a hole.
It’s most common for people to get their ears pierced but a client could also ask for you to pierce their eyebrows, nose, lips, tongue, navel (belly button) or other parts of their body.
You would:
discuss the type of piercing the client wants and advise on whether it’s suitable for them
explain the procedure and point out any risks
advise on suitable types of metal and jewellery
sterilise the needle, the jewellery and the area of the body which is being pierced
dispose of the needle, following health and safety guidelines
show the client how to care for the piercing as it heals, and tell them what to do if there is a problem
You might also train as a tattooist and offer both services together.
Very high standards of cleanliness and constant awareness of the need for hygiene would be important.
Hours
You'll usually work five or six days a week, often including weekends. You may work in the evening if your studio offers late-night opening.
Environment
You'll be based in a studio or salon, which could be part of a beauty salon. You could also work as an ear piercer in a jewellery shop.
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Meta skills
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- creative
- observation
- respecting
- verbal communication
- attention to detail
- concentrating
- taking responsibility
- reliable
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Getting in
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Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Art and Design
Human Biology
Science
You do not need formal qualifications to get into this job.
It's helpful to have qualifications that demonstrate experience of customer service skills such as Skills for Work Retailing (SCQF 5) or Beauty (SCQF 6).
You can also gain qualifications while in work, such as the Scottish Vocational Qualification in Beauty Therapy (SVQ 2) or City & Guilds Award in Beauty Therapy (QCF level 2) which include modules in earlobe piercing or you can do an individual Award/Certificate in Ear Piercing (QCF level 2), accredited by VTCT or ITEC training.
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