Piercing Guns
Professional piercing requires sterile tools, safe jewelry, and proper technique.
Piercing guns and devices are commonly marketed as a quick and easy way to pierce ears, but they present significant concerns regarding sterilization, tissue damage, jewelry quality, and overall safety. The CPPA does not support the use of reusable piercing guns and devices or unsafe piercing systems for body piercing procedures. Professional body piercing should only be performed using sterile, single-use equipment and implant-safe jewelry appropriate for healing tissue.
Safer piercing starts with safer tools.
Professional piercers use sterile single-use needles, properly fitted jewelry, and techniques designed to reduce unnecessary tissue trauma.
The CPPA does not support the use of reusable piercing guns and devices or unsafe piercing systems for body piercing procedures.
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Professional body piercing should only be performed using sterile, single-use equipment and implant-safe jewelry appropriate for healing tissue.
Why Piercing Guns are a Concern
Inadequate Sterilization
Many reusable piercing guns cannot be properly sterilized using medically recognized sterilization methods such as steam autoclaving.
Even when surfaces are wiped with antiseptic solutions, internal components may still contain:
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Blood particles
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Bodily fluids
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Bacteria
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Bloodborne pathogens
During use, microscopic blood particles can become airborne and contaminate the inside of the device.
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This creates potential cross-contamination risks between clients.
Piercing Guns Cause Tissue Damage
Blunt Force Trauma
Piercing gun jewelry is relatively dull compared to professional piercing needles. Instead of creating a clean opening, the jewelry is forcibly pushed through the tissue using pressure from a spring-loaded or hand-pressure mechanism.
This can cause:
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Excess swelling
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Tissue tearing
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Increased pain
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Scar tissue formation
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Longer healing times
Medical literature commonly refers to this type of injury as blunt force trauma.
Cartilage Risks
Using piercing guns on cartilage is especially concerning. Cartilage has reduced blood flow compared to soft tissue, making healing slower and complications more difficult to manage.
Gun piercing cartilage may increase the risk of:
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Shattered cartilage
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Severe swelling
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Permanent scarring
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Auricular chondritis
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Structural ear deformities
Professional piercers do not recommend piercing cartilage with piercing guns.
Butterfly Back Earrings Trap Bacteria
Most piercing gun jewelry uses “butterfly back” earrings that can trap:
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Bodily fluids
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Dead skin cells
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Crusting
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Bacteria
This buildup can make cleaning more difficult and increase irritation during healing.
The Jewelry is Not Designed for Healing
One Size Does Not Fit Everyone
Professional piercing jewelry is selected based on:
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Anatomy
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Tissue thickness
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Swelling
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Piercing placement
Piercing gun earrings are typically one standard length, which may:
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Compress tissue
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Restrict circulation
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Increase swelling
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Become embedded in the skin
Improper jewelry fit can significantly complicate healing.
Jewelry Quality Matters
Professional body piercing jewelry is typically made from implant-grade materials specifically intended for long-term wear inside the human body. Recommended materials may include:
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Niobium
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Glass
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Implant-grade titanium
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Implant-grade steel
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Solid gold
Many piercing gun earrings are not manufactured using implant-grade materials and may contain alloys more likely to cause irritation or sensitivity.
Professional Piercing Vs Piercing Guns
What about “Hand Pressure” or “Cartridge” Systems?
Some modern piercing systems market themselves as safer alternatives to traditional spring-loaded guns. While some designs may reduce certain contamination concerns, they still generally:
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Use blunt jewelry
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Cause unnecessary tissue trauma
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Use jewelry not optimized for healing
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Lack the precision and flexibility of professional needle piercing
Professional Piercing
Sterile single-use needles
Implant-grade jewelry
Jewelry fitted to anatomy
Less tissue trauma
Professional sterilization procedures
Designed for body piercing
Piercing Guns
Reusable devices
Often unknown or non-implant materials
Standardized jewelry sizes
Blunt force trauma
Limited sterilization capability
Originally intended for basic earlobe piercing
The CPPA continues to recommend sterile needle piercing performed by qualified professionals.
Professional Piercing Standards
Should Include:
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Sterile single-use needles
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Implant-safe jewelry
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Proper anatomy assessment
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Professional aftercare guidance
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Appropriate jewelry sizing
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Safe sterilization procedures
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Ongoing education and training
Informed Consent Matters
Many people receive piercing gun piercings without fully understanding the risks, limitations, or differences between professional piercing and gun piercing.
Education allows clients to make more informed decisions about their health and body.
Choosing a Professional Piercer
If you are considering a piercing:
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Research your piercer carefully
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Ask questions about sterilization and jewelry
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Avoid establishments using piercing guns
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Look for studios committed to safer piercing practices and continuing education
CPPA Position Statement
Statement of Safety
The Canadian Professional Piercers Association (CPPA) supports the use of sterile single-use equipment and implant-safe jewelry for body piercing procedures.
The CPPA does not support the use of reusable piercing guns or unsafe piercing methods that may place clients at unnecessary risk.
Disclaimer
This page is intended for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Portions of this educational information were adapted from publicly available resources and professional industry educational materials, including educational materials from professional piercing organizations and published medical literature.
Educational Sources & References
This educational content was developed using publicly available educational materials from:
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Association of Professional Piercers (APP)
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Australian Professional Piercers Association (AUPP)
Additional information referenced published medical literature regarding tissue trauma, jewelry safety, auricular chondritis, and complications associated with piercing guns.
Selected References
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More DR, Seidel JS, Bryan PA. Ear-piercing techniques as a cause of auricular chondritis. Pediatric Emergency Care. 1999;15(3):189–192.
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Muntz HR, Pa-C DJ, Asher BF. Embedded earrings: a complication of the ear-piercing gun. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. 1990;19(1):73–76.
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Margulis A, Bauer BS, Alizadeh K. Ear reconstruction after auricular chondritis secondary to ear piercing. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2003;111(2):891–897.
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Fischer T, Fregert S, Gruvberger B, Rystedt I. Nickel release from ear piercing kits and earrings. Contact Dermatitis. 1984;10(1):39–41.
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Cicchetti S, Skillman J, Gault DT. Piercing the upper ear: a simple infection, a difficult reconstruction. British Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2002;55(3):194–197.