When getting a new piercing, one of the most important decisions is how it’s done. At Amore Enhancements in Oldham, Greater Manchester, we often get asked:

“Do you use a needle or a gun?”

The short answer is: we use sterile, single-use needles only — never guns. This is the safest, cleanest, and most professional method. While some high-street stores in the UK still use guns for ear piercings, qualified piercers know that needle piercings offer far superior results and lower health risks.

In this post, we’ll explore the differences, bust the myths, and explain why needles are the gold standard for safe and hygienic body piercing in the UK.

What’s the Difference Between a Needle and a Gun?

✖️ Piercing Gun (Still used by some UK chemists & retailers):

Spring-loaded device that forces a blunt stud through tissue.

Often used on the high street for earlobe piercings only.

Cannot be properly sterilised due to plastic parts.

Typically uses poor-quality jewellery (e.g. coated or nickel-based).

✔️ Piercing Needle (Used by professionals):

A surgical-grade hollow needle that removes a tiny core of tissue for a clean, precise piercing.

Used by trained UK piercers for all body areas, including cartilage and dermals.

Always sterile, single-use, and disposed of after one client.

Enables the use of implant-grade titanium jewellery.

1. Needle Piercing Causes Less Trauma

Guns tear through tissue using blunt force. This can cause:

Pain and swelling

Tissue damage

Longer healing times

Risk of keloid scarring, especially in African and Asian skin types

Complications with cartilage piercings

A professional needle, however, is:

Sharp and hollow

Minimally invasive

Clean and controlled

Far more comfortable for most clients

This is why even earlobe piercings are safer when performed with a needle.

2. Better Hygiene Standards – No Cross-Contamination

In the UK, professional studios are inspected by local councils and must adhere to infection prevention guidelines. Guns can’t be fully sterilised in an autoclave, so there’s a risk of bloodborne disease transmission (e.g., hepatitis B).

At Amore Enhancements, we use:

Sterile, single-use needles

Disposable tools and covers

Medical-standard sanitation

Clinical waste disposal

Sterile implant-grade titanium jewellery

This is far above what you’d get in a typical shop using a gun.

3. Safer, Higher-Quality Jewellery – No Cheap Metals

Piercing guns typically come with pre-loaded jewellery that contains nickel, a common allergen. Nickel is now restricted in the EU and UK due to high allergic response rates.

We use only:

Grade 23 implant titanium

Suitable for sensitive skin

Compliant with UK and EU safety standards

Lightweight and biocompatible

Available in beautiful finishes, including crystals

4. More Precise Placement

Needles allow for pinpoint accuracy and a range of techniques suited for:

Curated ear projects

Cartilage piercings (e.g. tragus, helix, conch)

Nostril and septum piercings

Dermal anchors

Belly button and nipple piercings

Guns are bulky and often misalign the piercing, leading to:

Crooked or uneven holes

Long-term discomfort

Increased rejection rates

5. Piercing Guns Are NOT Suitable for Cartilage or Body Piercings

Cartilage is not as soft as lobe tissue — it’s firm and doesn’t compress well. Forcing a blunt stud through it (as guns do) can:

Shatter the cartilage

Cause extreme pain and swelling

Lead to cauliflower ear-like deformities

Result in infections that require NHS treatment

Needle piercing avoids this trauma entirely.

📢 Even the NHS advises against using guns for cartilage piercings.

6. Safer Piercing for Babies and Children

Many UK parents mistakenly believe a gun is quicker and safer for their child’s first ear piercing. However, this method can:

Cause fear and distress due to loud noise and impact

Lead to unnecessary pain and poor healing

Use jewellery unsuitable for young children

At Amore Enhancements, we specialise in needle-only baby and child ear piercings, using:

Grade 23 titanium studs with crystal options

Gentle, sterile techniques

A calm, supportive environment

Disposable tools and sterile gloves

First piercing certificates for keepsake

7. Faster, Smoother Healing

Needle piercings:

Allow for proper swelling space with correct jewellery length

Cause less trauma to surrounding tissue

Are less likely to get infected

Heal faster and cleaner when aftercare is followed

Gun piercings often result in:

Irritation from pressure backs

Inflammation from cheap metals

Trapped hair and debris behind fixed studs

8. Real-Life Case Example

“We’ve had several clients come in with misaligned cartilage piercings done at shopping centres using guns. In one case, the client developed an infection and keloid, requiring us to remove the stud and re-pierce correctly with a needle after healing. The second time around, healing was smooth and pain-free — and the piercing looked perfect.”

9. Backed by UK & Global Professional Guidance

The NHS and Association of Professional Piercers (APP) both advise against the use of piercing guns on cartilage or body areas.

UK environmental health inspections support safe practices and high hygiene standards — only possible with single-use, sterile needles.

Choosing a professional piercing studio is not just a style decision — it’s a health and safety decision.

Why Choose Amore Enhancements in Oldham?

We are proud to offer:

Needle-only piercings for babies, children, and adults

Safe and sterile clinical setup

Grade 23 titanium jewellery with beautiful crystal options

Friendly, fully trained piercers

Accredited piercing courses for students

Free aftercare advice and follow-up

Located in Oldham, Greater Manchester – easily accessible from Rochdale, Manchester, and Bury

Book Your Safe Piercing Appointment Today

Choose professionalism, safety, and experience. Whether you’re after a first-time lobe piercing or a curated ear project, we’re here to make your piercing journey as smooth and stylish as possible.

📍 Amore Enhancements, 43 Ripponden Road, Oldham, OL1 4EW