Piercing Techniques
what's the difference?

Cannula body piercing

The cannula body piercing technique in it's standard form is by far the most popular body piercing method used.

A cannula/catheter needle has a flexible plastic sleeve covering all but the sharp tip. The needle is inserted into the skin and withdrawn immediately, leaving only the plastic sleeve in place. The jewellery is then inserted into the sleeve and then withdrawn in the initial direction the piercing was made leaving the jewellery in place.

Here at 'The Academy - body piercing school of excellence' we have adopted a new method of cannula body piercing to teach our students. This is known as our no bleed body piercing technique. People who practice the no bleed body piercing technique do so for the following reasons.

1. As the needle is removed instantly, any danger of "needle stick" is reduced.
2. It is believed that a piercing that does not bleed has a much less chance of any infection and promotes a much faster healing time.
3. A much cleaner piercing.
4. One of the most popular fears of a client is blood. The lack of blood in this method promotes customer loyalty.
5. This method of body piercing is more familiar to local authorities.
6. The Cannula piercing method is easier to learn.

Learn no bleed cannula body piercing

Blade body piercing

The blade piercing technique is mainly used in the united states. Known simply as a needle it is not covered with a plastic sleeve around the shaft. The jewellery is inserted into the end of the needle and is inserted to the skin in one move. In the UK it is common to use a insertion pin to guide the jewellery though allowing the piercing artist to use the same size gauge for the needle and the jewellery. People who practice the blade piercing technique do so for a number of reasons

1. They believe that as the piercing is done with one less step it causes less trauma to the skin and less discomfort to client being pierced.
2. It is believed that using a blade to pierce promotes a faster healing time to the new piercing.
3. The body piercing artist promotes this method as a new method in the UK to give them a unique edge over any competitor.

Note: In some countries it is against the law for a body piercing artist to use a blade (needle) for a cosmetic body piercing as they are classed as a medical device.

Learn blade body piercing

Needlestick?

Needlestick can happen to even the most advanced body piercing artist. There are 2 main types of needlestick.

1. This is where the body piercing artist accidently pokes him/her self with the needle after piercing the client, exposing themselves to blood bourne pathogens such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS, just to name a few. Body piercing artists who practice the blade body piercing technique are most at risk of this as the needle is not disposed of until the piercing jewellery is in place. This is such a concern in the United States that 'The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention' (CDC) estimates that 62 to 88 percent of sharps injuries can be prevented simply by using safer medical devices and created the "Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act" (US only). The act is not relevant outside the US but should be noted.
2. This is where the body piercing artist performs an intricate piercing and sometimes pokes the client on the other side of the piercing causing further discomfort to the client. Though not as dangerous as the first type of needlestick, it should be taken very seriously and not overlooked.