Definition of Piercing

Piercing is actually a word that has two meanings. Piercing, which takes its origin from the English word “pierce” is the name given to the earring that is attached to the cartilage area of ​​​​the ear. The perforation process itself is also called piercing.

What are piercings? Does the production process differ from standard earrings?

Piercings are produced with a special screw back mechanism, unlike push back earring backings. With their smooth surface, our piercings do not contain indentations or protrusions, preventing irritation and the formation of bacteria in the ear.

Another important feature that distinguishes a piercing from an earring is that the backings are in the form of a bar. Depending on the anatomy of your ear, different bar lengths such as 4,5,6,8 and 10 mm can be chosen. If it is a new piercing, the healing process is taken into account and therefore, an 8mm bar is utilized so that the earlobe or cartilage can breathe comfortably against possible swelling. After the area is completely healed, our piercing specialist may shorten the bar size if necessary.

Moreover, both our piercings and the rest of our designs are all nickel-free, making them safe and anti-allergenic.

Are there any fees for the piercing service?

The usual cost is between 5KD and 15KD, depending on the area pierced.

Are piercings only applied to the cartilage area of the ear?

The wonderful thing about piercings is that they can be placed on any part of your ear. The choice is yours!

Once you arrive at our store, our professional piercers help guide you in selecting the appropriate location for your piercing. Our piercing specialist will pierce the preferred area, whether it is the cartilage or the earlobe.

Do you pierce other parts of the body other than ears?

We only perform ear piercings. For now ;)

Is there an age limit to the piercing service?

We are happy to pierce anyone over the age of 7. However, for anyone below the age of 18, we will require the presence of a legal guardian to proceed with the service.

Do you pierce with a design that does not belong to Kismet by Milka?

We only pierce with our own designs.

Can I get pierced if I have a rash or sunburn?

If you have a rash, burn, broken skin, or sunburn in the piercing area, you must wait until the skin has healed before you can get pierced.

Can I be pierced if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?

We do not pierce pregnant or breastfeeding clients, as any infection that could occur within the parent’s piercing can be transferred to the child.

How do you create a hygienic environment?

Your preferred piercing/earring is sterilized under UV light for about 5 minutes in a special sterilizer. The disposable materials used during the piercing process are disinfected. The needle used is a packaged, single-use angiocath needle. The ear itself is sterilized, providing us a clean area to work with.

After the piercing is done, the ear is cleaned once more, and then the piercing/earring in the sterilizer is attached to the pierced area.

Considering the possibility of rubbing, bumping, and snagging after the procedure, we hand out our customers a piercing after-care manual that explains the necessary instructions. Additionally, we also advise on the after-care products they will have to purchase to ensure the area is clean while speeding up the healing process.

Do you numb the area that is going to get pierced?

Since it is a momentary process, we do not use anesthetics. The usage of local anesthetics is known to considerably slow down the healing process of the ear.

How long does it take for a piercing to heal?

The healing process may vary from person to person. After the piercing is done, it is important to not lie on your piercing, to keep it clean, and not to touch your ear. Otherwise, there may be a risk of infection, which will slow down the healing process. The recovery time of ears pierced with an angiocath needle is much faster than those pierced with a gun.

We also recommend you follow the after-care instructions shared in the leaflet at the end of your piercing experience, as well as the products recommended by our expert.

How do I care for my new piercing?

Clean your piercing until it is fully healed, which can take several months depending on the placement and your body. To clean, apply a pre-soaked saline wipe or sterile saline spray on non-woven sterile gauze and use a gentle compress for five minutes, morning and evening. Do this no more than twice a day. Moisture can lead to bacteria, so we recommend drying the area well with sterile non-woven gauze or using the cold setting on a hairdryer.

Can I get any help from your team after my piercing procedure?

Helping you is our top priority. Our piercing experts stay in touch with you to follow the post-procedure stages.

What is a piercing checkup?

We recommend you come in six weeks after your new piercing for a complimentary checkup to ensure your piercing is healing properly and if you were pierced with a stud, to see if you are ready for a downsize.

When should I change my piercing backing?

When a new piercing is placed in your ear, a longer bar (8 mm) is recommended for your ear's comfort. Since the pierced area will swell, the usage of a longer bar will allow the ear more space, helping with the healing. You can easily change your backing with a 4, 5, or 6mm bar by coming to your post-perforation appointment approximately a month after.

Can I go to the gym or go swimming after getting pierced?

It is ok to go to the gym after getting pierced, just remember to follow the aftercare advice outlined by your piercer. We advise waiting six to eight weeks to go swimming after an initial piercing. Avoid swimming in lakes or ponds while your piercing heals, as these bodies of water may contain bacteria that can interfere with the healing process.

How to identify an infected piercing?

It’s fairly easy to identify an infected ear piercing.

Symptoms may include:

• Yellow, puss-like discharge
• Swelling
• Redness
• Ongoing pain or tenderness
• Itching and burning

How to treat the infection at home?

As long as your infection is minor, you may be able to take care of it at home. If you’ve had a cartilage piercing and it seems infected, seek medical treatment immediately. These types of infections are harder to treat and may require oral antibiotics. Significant infections of the cartilage can require hospitalization.

Follow these steps to take care of a minor piercing infection:

• Wash your hands before touching or cleaning your piercing.
• Clean around the piercing with a saltwater rinse three times a day. Use sterile saline (you can find some online) or combine 1/4 tsp. of salt with 8 oz. of distilled water.
• Don’t use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or antibiotic ointments. These can further irritate the skin and slow the healing process.
• Don’t remove the piercing. This can cause the hole to close up and trap the infection.
• Clean the piercing on both sides of your earlobe. Pat the area dry with paper towels. (Other materials may leave behind fibers.) After the infection appears to have cleared, continue this cleaning regimen twice a day until the piercing is totally healed. Remember, an earlobe piercing can take six to eight weeks to heal. Routine care is important during that time.

When do I need to see a doctor?

Usually, a minor infection of an ear piercing can be treated successfully at home. But if any of the following symptoms occur, seek medical attention:

• The earring doesn’t move.
• The earring clasp becomes embedded in your skin.
• The infection doesn’t improve with home treatment within two days.
• You develop a fever.
• The infection, or redness and inflammation, spreads beyond the piercing site.

How soon can I change my jewellery?

Every client heals at a different rate and healing times change based on piercing location. Speak to your piercer about the healing time for your particular piercing, or consult the healing time chart in our piercing guide for a general idea of how long your piercing will take to heal, in order to change it.

How soon can I leave a piercing empty?

For most individuals, Earlobe piercings tend to stay open without jewellery in place after a year or more, while cartilage piercings can take considerably longer. There are no definitive rules for how long it takes for a piercing to stay open, so be cautious and reach out to one of our piercers or stylists if you have questions.

Will the piercing hole close up?

If you remove the piercing/earring before the healing process is complete, the perforated area will begin to heal itself and will quickly close up. As long as you do not remove your earring, the inside of the ear will heal but the hole will remain. Since our cells are constantly renewed, empty holes will close after a short period of time. 

What is the Association of Professional Piercers?

It is an American institution that standardizes the production and application of piercings. The Association of Professional Piercers determines working conditions that will minimize possible complications that may occur after the piercing process. Piercings that are not approved by the Association of Professional Piercers cannot be administered in piercing studios in the United States. Kismet by Milka is the only Turkish jewellery brand that has obtained this certificate. Our products are produced with the patented approval of the Association of Professional Piercers, resulting in a safe piercing process.

Since when do you have your piercing studios?

As of 2019, Kismet by Milka opened its professional piercing studios in Turkey and other locations. As of 2022, we are now in Kuwait.