There is a wide variety of supplies and equipment needed in proper body piercing. Some of the best places to find supplies and equipment are from medical suppliers, tattoo suppliers and of course, body jewelry supply. There are fewer body piercing suppliers than medical and tattoo, but wholesale body jewelry supply are becoming very popular.
Autoclave
An autoclave is used to sterilize stainless steel equipment. The autoclave is one of the most important, and the most expensive, pieces of equipment a piercer will need. Autoclaves resemble small ovens, use heat and pressure to sterilize equipment and generally cost between $1,500 to $3,000.
Instruments
All of the instruments or hand tools that will be used should be made of stainless steel so they may be autoclaved.
Ring Opening Pliers
Ring opening pliers are used to open a captive ball or segmented ring without causing damage to the jewelry. Finger cots should be used for sanitary reasons. Many ring opening pliers may not be autoclavable. Look for stainless steel ones or use a strong germicide to sterilize between use.
Ring Closing Pliers
These pliers are very much similar to the above pliers but instead are used to close rings without damage.
Ring Holding Pliers
Ring holding pliers hold the ring without damaging the jewelry. They may be helpful to keep the jewelry still while you put the ball back into the jewelry. Generally they must be sterilized but they do have stainless steel options.
This wheel simply measures the gauge ofjewelry. Since they are usually made of plastic or some other non-autoclavable material, sterilization with a germicide is used.
Piercing Needles
These needles should be tri-beveled, single use needles. There are different styles such as cannula needles but the same stated before should always apply to whatever style you use.
Forceps
Forceps are one of the most important tools of the actual piercing process. Forceps securely hold the skin and help guide the needle for proper placement. They come in a huge variety of styles such as curved, straight, triangular or oval heads as well as slotted heads. Almost all but disposable ones are autoclavable.
Needle Receiving Tube
There are different styles of tubes designed for different piercings. These are especially suited for piercings that are in hard to reach places .They come in glass or stainless steel, the latter being autoclavable.
Equipment and Storage Supplies
Keeping your counters and work area clean and organized means that you’ll need storage for your supplies. Most supplies should be kept in cabinets. After using your tools they should be placed in glass or metal containers until sterilized. Needles should be placed in a biohazard sharps box promptly after use.
The jewelry you choose is dependent on the piercing but all new piercings should have sterilized jewelry in them. You may save money by buying factory direct stainless steel jewelry, autoclaving and packaging them yourself for your clients.
