Pliers or free hand? I'll explain why I use pliers (almost always) in my studio

Pippo Piercer Artist
May 6
4 min read

When talking about piercings, one of the topics that creates the most curiosity – and sometimes even some debate among colleagues – is the choice between the pliers method and the freehand method, also called free hand .

If you are thinking about getting a piercing (or maybe you already have one), you may have heard this distinction from a friend or read something online. In this article I want to tell you, in a simple but precise way, why I prefer to use tweezers in my studio , what the advantages are, and how the entire sterilization process works to ensure maximum safety.

🔍 Pliers vs Free Hand: What Does It Really Mean?

In simple words:

Forceps : these are sterile instruments (there are various types: alligator clamps, pointed clamps, Pennington clamps, etc.) that are used to delicately block the tissue , holding it still in the exact spot where the puncture will be made.
Free hand : the piercer performs the piercing without locking tools , guiding the needle only with his hands and his own technique.

Both methods are valid if performed by experienced professionals , but I have chosen a very specific path: I use pliers in almost all piercings , except for some particular situations (I'll talk about them later).

✔️ Why I use pliers: all the advantages

🔒 1. Absolute stability

The clamp blocks the fabric exactly where I want to pierce it. No involuntary movements, no “slippage” of the needle. This means greater precision , less margin of error and perfectly symmetrical and controlled piercing.

🧭 2. Perfect angle and depth

Each piercing requires a correct depth and inclination , otherwise it can cause healing problems or rejection. The forceps allow me to perfectly visualize the anatomy, maintaining the most suitable trajectory.

🙌 3. Customer comfort

The forceps may seem like an invasive tool at first glance, but the truth is that it reduces the client's anxiety . Why? Because the piercing time is shortened, the body is still, and everything is done quickly, precisely and almost surgically. And above all: it does not hurt more than the freehand method. In fact, in many cases it hurts less .

🔄 4. Speed and control even after drilling

Once the needle is inserted, having the fabric already blocked also helps me in inserting the jewel, especially if it is a straight or curved bar. The risk of "losing the hole" or having to get my hands on it is drastically reduced.

🔄 When I DON'T Use Tongs (and Why)

While I am a firm believer in the pliers method, I don’t always use them . There are a few exceptions where free hand is the best choice:

Ear piercing , especially helix or conch, when the shape of the auricle does not allow the application of forceps without causing discomfort or obstructing visibility.
Special anatomies , for example on very small navels, lips with thin tissue or intimate piercings.
Complex projects , such as multiple piercings close together, where free hand offers greater freedom of movement in tight spaces.

In these cases, I know exactly how to move even without pliers , but it is a choice made based on the situation, not for fashion or improvisation.

🧼 Pliers = safety: how I sterilize them

One thing I want to make clear: pliers are never “recycled on the fly” from one customer to another , nor are they just “sprayed with disinfectant”. In my studio, each instrument is treated with a precise and rigorous process:

Immediately after use : the tweezers are immersed in a tray with disinfectant enzymatic detergent.
Ultrasonic cleaning : the instruments are placed in a machine that uses high-frequency vibrations to remove every invisible micro-residue.
Rinsing and drying : they are thoroughly rinsed and dried with sterile cloths.
Individual packaging : each forceps is packaged in a sterile bag.
Autoclave sterilization : the bag is placed in an autoclave (medical-surgical device) where it reaches high temperatures and controlled pressure, eliminating any form of bacteria, viruses or fungi.
Storage : The bagged instruments are stored in sterile containers, ready for the next customer.

Each client has completely sterile and dedicated instruments. Always.

🎯 My choice, your result

Using pliers is not a whim or a question of “old school” , but a precise technical choice that allows me to:

Offer you a visually flawless result
Avoid millimetric errors that cause problems in the long term
Guarantee you maximum hygienic safety
Give you a professional, clean, precise experience

🙌 An important final message

Every piercer has his own style, his own preferences, his own techniques. There are very good professionals who work only freehand and do it with exceptional mastery. I have chosen another path , which I feel is mine, which I study every day to perfect, and which allows me to work at my best for every client who trusts me.

For me, piercing is not a “hole with a jewel”. It is a technical and human gesture that requires respect, attention and above all: competence.