Here's the breakdown:
* What they might carry:
* Fake gauges (ear tapers or plugs that don't actually stretch the ear).
* Nose rings, belly rings, and other jewelry that *resembles* body piercing jewelry.
* Earrings for pierced earlobes.
* What you should be cautious about:
* Materials: The jewelry in beauty supply stores is often made of cheap metals (nickel, alloys) that can cause allergic reactions, irritation, and infections, especially in new or healing piercings.
* Sterility: Body piercing jewelry needs to be sterile when initially inserted. Beauty supply store jewelry is not sterile.
* Quality/Threading: The threading and polishing on cheap jewelry can be rough, causing trauma to the piercing channel.
Where to buy real, safe body piercing jewelry:
* Professional Piercing Studios: This is the *best* and recommended option. They use high-quality, implant-grade materials (surgical stainless steel, titanium, niobium, gold that is at least 14k), sterile equipment, and offer professional advice.
* Reputable Online Retailers: Some online stores specialize in body jewelry and offer high-quality materials. Do your research and check reviews to ensure they are a legitimate and reliable source.
In conclusion, while you might find items that look like body piercing jewelry at a beauty supply store, it's highly recommended to purchase your jewelry from a professional piercer or a reputable online retailer specializing in body jewelry. This will help ensure that you're using safe, high-quality materials that are suitable for piercings and minimize the risk of complications.