Traveling With Piercings: How to Adapt
Love piercings and travel? This article is for you! It can be tricky to know the right way to get through the airport smoothly, especially if you're wearing a lot of jewelry. Here's how to handle traveling abroad with one or several piercings.
Will my piercing set off the airport scanner?
The first question that comes to mind when you get to the airport is: "Will my piercings set off the metal detectors at security?" Rest assured, that's very rarely the case. You likely won't need to remove your piercings to get through security. The jewelry most likely to cause an issue tends to be bulkier pieces, like a ring or a necklace. Piercings are generally small and discreet, so you can walk through the gates with confidence, a piercing usually won't set off the alarm. It can happen, but it's rare. If it does, airport security will run a second check with a handheld metal detector that will sound near the piece causing it. If you're still nervous about walking through with your jewelry in, you could always take it out beforehand and put it back in after. If you have a new piercing, you can either discreetly cover it or keep it in. If you do need to remove it, make sure you're prepared to put it back in safely. Traveling with what you need to clean your piercing is essential to help avoid infection or your jewelry being rejected. Bring along gauze pads and physiological saline in case you notice a bit of blood on your skin.
Getting pierced abroad
It's completely understandable to want a souvenir with a bit more impact than a postcard. A piercing carries as much meaning as a tattoo: a permanent reminder of the wonderful memories you made abroad. So you're getting ready to find your next piercer in a foreign country. The process is fairly similar to what you'd do at home. Do some research before heading to the studio, there are good and bad piercers everywhere. You can also ask locals for recommendations to help guide your choice. Make sure the studio's practices are safe. Are the needles sterile? Are the tools clean? Does the place feel trustworthy? Is the piercing jewelry made from a material that's kind to your skin? Remember that it's important to prioritize titanium or gold for your piercing. If you have any doubts about a studio, keep looking!
Piercing culture abroad
Every country has its own culture, and when you travel, you'll need to adapt to certain customs. If you're traveling somewhere less affluent, avoid wearing flashy jewelry, watches, bracelets, or other expensive accessories. Take care of your belongings to avoid theft or being targeted. That's about your own safety, but it's also a matter of respect for the local population. You can always leave personal items at home or at the hotel once you've arrived at the airport. Some customs also aren't especially piercing- or tattoo-friendly. For example, if you visit sacred sites, you'll need to follow dress codes. If you have a lot of piercings on your face or ears, you may be asked to cover them, the same goes for tattoos, for your own safety and out of respect for the country you're visiting.
In the end, traveling with piercings simply calls for a bit of extra research into the customs of your next destination. It's a bit like looking up a restaurant before you go, you do a quick search. Remember that when you travel abroad, you're a guest in that country, and as a guest, you're expected to respect local rules and customs. If locals seem uncomfortable with how you look or act, it's worth adjusting. Leaving a piece of jewelry at home won't ruin your trip. If anything, it'll help you enjoy your stay that much more!
