Piercer Spotlight: VNA's Favorite Piercings and Aftercare Tips

At Ghost Tattoo Studios, we take pride in offering not only high-quality tattoos but also professional piercings from experienced and passionate artists. We asked our talented piercer, VNA, to talk about her favorite piercings to perform, what makes them unique, and how to properly care for them during the healing process.

💎 Favorite Piercings to Perform

“My favorite piercings to do are dermals and industrials,” says VNA. “They both allow for a lot of creativity and individuality. No two are exactly alike, and I love that.”

Dermal piercings are single-point piercings that can be placed almost anywhere on the body, though some areas are better suited than others. She loves doing vampire bites on the neck or placing dermals over tattoos to enhance the design. You can put one in the middle of a flower or even give your tattoo dermal eyes. It’s such a fun way to add dimension to a healed tattoo.

Industrials, on the other hand, are known for their striking appearance and versatility. “You can connect the barbell in many different ways, not just the traditional horizontal look,” says VNA. “I really enjoy doing vertical industrials, and I’d love to do a trident industrial in the future.”

🧴 Aftercare 101: Cleaning & Maintenance

Proper aftercare is key to a smooth healing process. VNA recommends cleaning both dermal and industrial piercings using a sterile wound wash solution.

Spray the solution onto a clean Q-tip and gently clean the piercing, jewelry, and surrounding area. Never use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, ointments, or other harsh wound cleaners unless your piercer specifically tells you to.

Clean your piercing 3–4 times a day for about a year or longer if it’s still sensitive. “Listen to your body,” she emphasizes. “If it’s still painful, red, or has discharge, continue cleaning regularly until it’s fully healed.”

🚫 What to Avoid During Healing

Try to avoid touching your piercings altogether. Even after they’re healed, less touching is always better.

She also recommend being careful when sleeping, showering, or getting dressed, and staying mindful of your new piercing’s location. “It’s all about being gentle and aware of your surroundings,” VNA notes.

⚠️ Irritation vs. Infection: How to Tell the Difference

It’s common for piercings to get irritated during the healing process but that doesn’t always mean it’s infected. “Your body treats a piercing like a metal splinter, so it’ll naturally try to push it out,” she explains.

Irritation often looks like redness, swelling, or a small bump. It can happen from bumping, sleeping on it, touching it, or not following aftercare closely.“98% of the time, what you’re seeing is irritation, not infection,” she clarifies.

However, true infections are much more serious. “You’ll notice significant discoloration, extreme pain, odd-colored pus, and you might even feel sick with chills or a fever. If that happens, contact your piercer or a medical professional immediately.”

💬 What to Do If You Notice Swelling or Redness

“If your piercing feels irritated, keep up with your cleaning routine and reach out to your piercer,” says VNA. “We’re always happy to help you troubleshoot and make sure everything heals properly.”

⏱️ When to Change Your Jewelry

“You can change your dermal tops after about 9 months, and industrial jewelry after around 4–6 months,” VNA recommends. “If you ever have trouble or want to switch to decorative pieces, come see us! For dermals especially, I prefer to help my clients with jewelry changes myself.”

🌟 Top 5 Favorite Piercings

When asked to rank their favorites, she had a hard time choosing but here’s her top five:

1. Dermals

2. Industrials

3. Tragus

4. Anything doubled or tripled

5. (…Honestly?) I love doing all piercings!

Thinking About Your Next Piercing?

Whether you’re dreaming of a unique dermal placement or a bold new industrial design, VNA has you covered. Book your appointment with her at today and get pierced by one of the best.

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