Body piercers pierce various parts of the body with a needle or stun gun and then insert different types of jewellery and metals as a form of decoration.

They use different types of jewellery and metal depending on the part of the body they are piercing and the personal choice of the client. Body piercers advise the client on what may or may not be suitable and on aftercare of the affected area.

Many body piercers are also tattooists.

Hours and Environment

You will usually work five or six days a week, often including weekends. You may also work in the evening if your studio offers late-night opening. 

You will work in studios, salons or parlours, some of which may be part of larger beauty salons.

Skills and Interests

To be a body piercer you should:

• have good hand-eye co-ordination and a steady hand
• have high standards of cleanliness and be constantly aware of the need for hygiene
• have a knowledge of health and safety
• have good interpersonal skills to talk to clients and discuss their requirements.

Entry

It is usual for body piercers to train by apprenticeship to a skilled and experienced piercer. You should approach a reputable local registered body piercer for details of possible training opportunities. See the Training section below for more information. 

It will be an advantage if you have previous experience of hygiene and sterilisation work.

Training

The length of your apprenticeship will vary depending on the policy of the studio involved, but it can take from one to three years. 

Your apprenticeship will include learning about:

• sterilisation
• disinfection
• cross-contamination
• the possible dangers to the circulatory and nervous systems
• how to identify when a piercing is not suitable for a client
• other relevant health and safety issues.

You can do short training courses run by private studios throughout the country. However, it is not possible to become a fully trained body piercer by this route and it is recommended by the industry that you do an apprenticeship. This is because of the serious health problems which can be caused by incorrect or unhygienic piercing.

Local Authority bye-laws set down the requirements for cleanliness of piercing premises, registration of the piercer and cleansing of the equipment. These may vary from one council to another, so it is important to check with your local council.

If you are just interested in ear piercing you can do the Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) Level 2 Certificate in Ear Piercing.

You can do the VTCT Level 3 Certificate and Diploma in Body Piercing and Body Art at a limited number of private organisations. You will need to ensure that you have practical training in a studio to be considered fully trained . Contact VTCT for details of the courses -see Further Information below for contact details.

Opportunities

There are opportunities for work in body piercing studios, tattoo studios and beauty therapy parlours throughout the UK. Many body piercers are self-employed.

Annual Income

The amount you earn will depend on your personal talent and ability, the reputation of the studio or parlour and, if you are self-employed, your ability to promote your business. It will also depend on the number of hours you work, the amount of competition in the area and whether you offer tattooing as well as piercing.

As a trainees you may only be paid travelling expenses at some studios, at others you will be paid a salary.

Further information

3rd Floor
Eastleigh House
Upper Market Street
Eastleigh
Hampshire
SO50 9FD
Tel: 023 8068 4500