'Her ear was shattered' - home piercings leading to deformities, says expert
Professional piercers are warning against the use of at-home piercing kits and guns, which can cause permanent scarring and ear deformities. Experts are calling for stricter regulations or a total ban on these DIY kits.
Why it matters
The rise of accessible, low-cost DIY medical-adjacent procedures poses a significant public health risk that is increasingly burdening emergency services.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, At home piercing kits can be purchased online for as little as £1.50 on a variety of online websites
"Her ear is completely shattered, it's tilting forward and there's nothing that can be done about it."
Lucy Quinn from Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, says she has seen injuries caused by piercing guns become increasingly common in the four years since she became a professional piercer.
Among the worst are ones people have performed on themselves with at-home piercing kits and piercing guns bought online, she said.
"We're seeing people with really bad scarring or deformities," said Quinn.
A wound care expert said some people are visiting A&E units to have embedded piercings removed.
The UK Association of Professional Piercers (UKAPP) has called for at-home kits and piercing guns to be abolished.
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