Whether you’re looking for an answer to a specific question, doubting a piercing choice, or aiming to become a professional piercer — here you’ll find reliable information in one central place.
Healing & Recovery
Healing is rarely linear. Redness, swelling, or mild irritation can be normal — but not always.
In these articles you’ll learn what to expect during recovery, and when you should take action.
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Is your piercing still red after three weeks? Read what’s normal during healing and when redness can be a warning sign.
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Not sure whether it’s an infection or “just” irritation? Learn how to spot the difference and when to intervene.
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Some symptoms require a professional assessment. Read here when it’s wise to seek medical help for piercing issues. (When should you see your GP?)
Pain & Anxiety
How painful is a piercing really? Why does pain differ per person? And what happens in your body when you’re stressed or tense?
How painful is a piercing?
Wondering how much a piercing actually hurts? Read how pain perception differs per placement and per person:
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/hoe-pijnlijk-is-een-piercing-waarom-die-vraag-zeld/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Fear of needles
Do you have needle anxiety or tension before your appointment? Discover what happens in your body and how to reduce that fear:
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/waarom-mensen-bang-zijn-voor-naalden/
Stress and its impact on healing
Did you know stress can affect healing? Read how your body responds to tension and recovery:
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/waarom-meditatie-kan-helpen-bij-het-genezen-van-je/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Hormonal cycle & pain sensitivity
Your cycle can influence pain and sensitivity. Read how hormonal shifts can change your piercing experience:
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/het-lichaam-in-cyclus-waarom-dezelfde-piercing-nie/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Preventing fainting
Afraid you might faint during a piercing? Practical tips to stay stable and relaxed:
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/waarom-vallen-mensen-flauw-bij-piercings-en-tatoea/
Intimate Piercings
Professional and safe information about sensitive areas, healing, and intimacy.
Intimacy and piercings often raise questions — here you’ll find safe, practical answers that actually help:
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/seks-intimiteit-en-piercings-een-medische-en-prakt/
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When can you be intimate again?
Not sure when it’s safe to have sex after an intimate piercing? Read what’s safe during healing. -
Does sensitivity change permanently?
Many people wonder if sensitivity changes for good. Discover what’s realistic — and what isn’t. -
Safety during healing
What’s safe during the healing period, and what increases the risk of complications? Read the medical and practical explanation here. -
Risk of tearing or damage
Can an intimate piercing tear or get damaged? Here’s when extra caution matters. -
Pregnancy and intimate piercings
What should you know about pregnancy and intimate piercings? Read the professional explanation here.
Aftercare & Hygiene
Correct aftercare largely determines the success of your piercing.
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How to clean a piercing correctly
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/het-reinigen-en-onderhouden-van-piercings-tips-voo/ -
Sea salt or professional aftercare products?
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/moderne-piercing-aftercare-wat-werkt-echt/ -
Sports and swimming during healing
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/hoe-bescherm-je-je-piercing-tijdens-sporten/ -
What you should absolutely NOT do (healing phase / mistakes list)
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/de-10-meest-gemaakte-fouten-bij-piercing-nazorg-en/ -
When can you change your jewelry?
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/welke-piercing-geneest-het-snelst-en-wanneer-mag-j/
Materials & Jewelry
Choosing the right material is essential for safe healing.
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Titanium vs surgical steel (safest choice for a new piercing)
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/populaire-materialen-voor-piercings-wat-past-het-b/ -
What does “implant grade” mean? (ASTM/F136 explained)
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/piercingmaterialen-uitgelegd-titanium-goud-staal-e/
(extra deep-dive positioning) https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/hoe-kies-je-echt-veilige-piercingsieraden/ -
Nickel-free materials (nickel allergy / sensitive skin)
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/heb-je-een-nikkelallergie-geen-zorgen-je-kunt-nog/ -
Is gold always safe? (when yes/no for first placement)
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/hoe-kies-je-echt-veilige-piercingsieraden/ -
Push-in / threadless systems explained (how it works + pros/cons)
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/alles-over-threadless-piercings-zonder-schroefdraa/
Medical Situations
In some situations, extra caution is needed.
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Piercings and diabetes
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/mag-je-een-piercing-tijdens-zwangerschap-diabetes/ -
Blood thinners and piercings (in the same medical hub blog)
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/mag-je-een-piercing-tijdens-zwangerschap-diabetes/ -
MRI / medical procedures / surgery
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/kan-ik-een-piercing-met-allergieen-medicatie-opera/ -
Chemotherapy (also in the same medical hub blog)
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/mag-je-een-piercing-tijdens-zwangerschap-diabetes/ -
Allergies and metal sensitivity (material choices)
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/heb-je-een-nikkelallergie-geen-zorgen-je-kunt-nog/
(broader hub: allergies/medication/surgery/MRI in one)
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/kan-ik-een-piercing-met-allergieen-medicatie-opera/
Anatomy & Professional Placement
Not every piercing suits every anatomy. Experience and correct placement make the difference.
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When should a piercer say “no”? (hub page)
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/alles-over-piercings-tattoo-en-professionele-oplei/ -
Anatomical limitations (why not every body/ear can do everything)
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/the-anatomy-behind-beauty-waarom-jouw-oor-micro-ar/
(extra option) https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/wat-jouw-oor-jou-kan-leren-de-verborgen-logica-ach/ -
Recognizing rejection (migration / thinning skin)
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/wordt-jouw-piercing-afgestoten-herken-de-eerste-te/ -
Preventing a piercing from pulling crooked (pressure / sleeping / jewelry choice)
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/scheef-gegroeide-piercing-wat-nu/ -
Why your piercer’s experience matters (skills, intake, risk management)
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/hoe-vertrouw-je-op-je-piercer-de-vragen-die-je-moe/
(shorter “professional checklist”)
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/hoe-herken-je-een-professionele-piercer/
Multiple Piercings & Lifestyle
Practical questions about work, travel, and everyday life.
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Getting multiple piercings at once
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/service/veelgestelde-vragen-meerdere-piercings-and-combine/
(alternative blog) https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/wil-je-graag-meerdere-oor-piercings-tegelijk-laten/ -
Work and visibility
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/piercings-en-professionele-omgevingen-wat-is-accep/
(extra: “hiding at work”) https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/12-piercings-die-je-kan-verbergen-op-de-werkvloer/ -
Traveling with piercings
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/het-onderhouden-van-piercings-tijdens-het-reizen-t/
(extra: flying) https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/vliegen-met-een-nieuwe-piercing-5-dingen-die-je-m/
(extra: holiday/summer) https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/piercing-op-vakantie-alles-wat-je-moet-weten-voor/ -
Sleeping without pressure on your piercing
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/slapen-met-een-nieuwe-piercing-tips-voor-een-goede/
Tattoo & Body Art
Besides piercings, we also offer professional tattoo services.
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Tattoo aftercare (step-by-step / downloads)
Aftercare instructions (NL tattoo aftercare PDF + audio + comic)
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/service/download/ -
Tattoo aftercare (comic + PDF)
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/tattoo-nazorginstructies-stripverhaal/ -
Practical aftercare steps (wash, dry, ointment, what to avoid)
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/laat-geen-tatoeage-zetten/ -
Hygiene & safety for tattoo
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/basis-tattoo-cursus/ -
First tattoo (what to expect?) — 10 most asked questions
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/de-10-meest-gestelde-vragen-over-tatoeages/ -
Preparation + what you’ll experience (checklist-style)
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/15-dingen-om-te-onthouden-wanneer-je-een-piercing/ -
When is a tattoo safe? (timing/circumstances)
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/laat-geen-tatoeage-zetten/ -
Timing around sun/holidays (when not smart to plan)
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/je-tattoo-beschermen-tijdens-je-vakantie-dos-en-do/
Professional Training – PiercingCursus
Want to become a professional piercer?
Discover our recognized training program via PiercingCursus.
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Training calendar (current dates)
https://piercingcursus.com/opleiding-agenda/ -
What you learn / course overview
https://piercingcursus.com/
(extra training landing page)
https://piercingcursus.com/piercing-opleiding/ -
Hygiene & legislation
https://piercingcursus.com/waarom-piercingcursus-het-meest-ervaren-en-vertrouwde-piercinginstituut-van-nederland-is/ -
Practical training
https://piercingcursus.com/piercing-opleiding/ -
Certification + CPI (VAT-free & recognized)
https://piercingcursus.com/
Podcast & Education
Listen to our educational podcast where we go deeper into healing, pain, psychology, and real-life studio experience.
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Piercing problems explained (redness, bumps, recurring irritation)
https://www.youtube.com/@PiercingsWorksAmsterdam -
Intimate piercings discussed (safety, sensitivity, healing)
https://www.youtube.com/@PiercingsWorksAmsterdam -
Anxiety & psychology (needle fear, stress, pain perception)
https://www.youtube.com/@PiercingsWorksAmsterdam -
Real studio cases (normal reactions vs real complications)
https://www.youtube.com/@PiercingsWorksAmsterdam
(Blog News / General)
Looking stylish is one thing — a well-healing piercing requires attention. Here’s how to keep that balance:
https://www.piercingsworks.com/nl/blogs/blog-news/je-draagt-designer-kleding-maar-je-piercing-komt-v/
Our authority
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22+ years of experience
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Located in the center of Amsterdam
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1,800+ genuine reviews
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Own Piercing Academy
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Online Piercing Museum
This knowledge guide is continuously expanded and updated based on real practice and professional standards.
Frequently asked questions about piercings
1. How long does it take for a piercing to heal?
Healing time depends on placement. Ear piercings often take around 6–12 weeks, while cartilage, navel, or intimate piercings can take several months. Healing is rarely linear.
2. Is redness after a few weeks normal?
Mild redness can be normal during recovery. Persistent swelling, throbbing pain, or worsening symptoms are signals to improve aftercare or consult a professional.
3. What’s the difference between irritation and infection?
Irritation is often caused by friction, pressure, or incorrect care. An infection usually involves increasing pain, swelling, and possibly fever. If in doubt, professional advice is smart.
4. When can I change my jewelry?
Only change jewelry once the piercing is fully healed and stable. Changing too early can disrupt healing.
5. Which materials are safest for a new piercing?
Implant grade titanium is widely considered one of the safest materials for first placement because it’s nickel-free and biocompatible.
6. Can I work out or swim during healing?
Working out is usually possible if you avoid excess pressure or friction. Swimming in public pools or the sea is not recommended in the early healing phase.
7. Is it safe to get a piercing with medical conditions?
With conditions like diabetes, blood thinners, or chemotherapy, extra caution is required. Always consult a doctor and an experienced piercer.
8. What should I do if my piercing isn’t healing well?
First, check your aftercare and avoid unnecessary touching. Ongoing issues can point to wrong jewelry length, pressure, or anatomical tension.
