Body piercer

You would safely pierce people’s faces or bodies so they can so they can wear jewellery and decoration.

You’d use a sterile surgical needle to make the piercings. You’d also need to make sure that the area to be pierced and the jewellery are very clean so the person doesn’t get an infection from the procedure.

Once you’d made the piercing - which will probably be painful for your client - you’d insert different types of jewellery and metal as a decoration, including rings, studs or ear plugs which stretch the earlobe to create a hole.

It’s most common for people to get their ears pierced but a client could also ask for you to pierce their eyebrows, nose, lips, tongue, navel (belly button) or other parts of their body.

You would:

• discuss the type of piercing the client wants and advise on whether it’s suitable for them

• explain the procedure and point out any risks

• advise on suitable types of metal and jewellery

• sterilise the needle, the jewellery and the area of the body which is being pierced

• dispose of the needle, following health and safety guidelines

• show the client how to care for the piercing as it heals, and tell them what to do if there is a problem

You might also train as a tattooist and offer both services together.

Very high standards of cleanliness and constant awareness of the need for hygiene would be important.

• Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) - organisation that accredits an ear-piercing qualification