Does it hurt?
_ This is
usually the first question that people ask. The answer is
yes. Having needles pierce your
skin *does* hurt. But what you *really* want to know is,
"How MUCH does it hurt and can I handle it?"
It's not nearly as bad as what
you might imagine. You will be amazed at how quickly your body
releases endorphins (pain killers) which dulls the pain
significantly.
The piercing process is so brief that the worst part is the preceding mental anxiety and fear. The pain is completely relative to the individual and their pain threshold, however, the pain incurred during a piercing is nothing that the average person can't handle.
Remember, you are volunteering for the experience. The amount of pain will depend on your psychological attitude.
Note: Do not drink alcohol or take illegal drugs for pain relief purposes prior to your piercing session. Both aspirin and alcohol thin your blood and promote excessive bleeding. Aspirin also decreases the clotting of blood, which will slow down your healing as well.
The piercing process is so brief that the worst part is the preceding mental anxiety and fear. The pain is completely relative to the individual and their pain threshold, however, the pain incurred during a piercing is nothing that the average person can't handle.
Remember, you are volunteering for the experience. The amount of pain will depend on your psychological attitude.
Note: Do not drink alcohol or take illegal drugs for pain relief purposes prior to your piercing session. Both aspirin and alcohol thin your blood and promote excessive bleeding. Aspirin also decreases the clotting of blood, which will slow down your healing as well.
How much does it cost?
The cost of a body piercing varies depending on the location of the body
being pierced, the type of piercing and the individual piercer. Some piercers offer discounts for multiple piercings, repeat customers or groups. Simply call us or swing by our studio for more information. I'm sure you will be happy with what we tell you.
Why do I want a piercing?
People get piercings for different reasons. Is it to please your partner?
Is it because you want to belong to a group that has piercings? Do you identify with a certain subculture known for piercings? Do you want to show your independence,
individuality or uniqueness? These are all valid reasons,
and why many people get piercings. Unlike tattoos, piercings are not permanent. You don't have to worry as much about what you will look like in 5, 10, or even 20 years. However if you remove your piercing, they could leave small scars where it used to be. To understand the “piercing psychology” you have to remember that it’s just - and foremost - an adornment.
What kind of piercing do I want?
One of the main things to consider when choosing where to get a piercing is that it is not permanent. Secondly, do you want a piercing you can hide (such as a navel piercing) or something a little more obvious (such as earrings). Most women (and a lot of men) have earrings and earrings are generally accepted by most professions. However, the more abstract piercings (such as nose rings, lip rings, and eyebrow rings) are not generally accepted by most professions. Keep that in mind when getting your piercing and you might want to do a little research prior.
How should I act in the chair?
_ Once you're
in that chair, what can you expect? Most likely, the artist
will begin the process of preparing for your work. Once you and the artist agree upon the type and location of the piercing, the
artist will then begin putting the supplies out.
At this time, you will probably try to look cool by looking around the studio walls or occasionally looking to see what your artist is doing. Your artist might have a radio playing, which will help distract you a little.
At this point, it is best for you to try and relax. You can ask most artists some questions during this time to help distract you and pass the time. You're probably somewhat nervous, but excited at the same time because you're actually going to get a real piercing! Whether you realize it or not, your body is going through quite an adrenalin rush. Try to remain calm and not too anxious. Your hyped-up condition and your anxiety about the anticipated pain of your experience by themselves may trigger a fainting spell. It will help if you are not there on an empty stomach. Get a bite to eat about an hour or two before you go in for your session. Having hard candy or some juice on hand during the session is also recommended.
The most painful part of the process will pass in a couple of minutes, after which the area will feel abuzz with a dull pain and warmth. Just try to relax and breathe deeply. Enjoy the one-of-a-kind experience that you just felt. Oftentimes, you end up clenching your jaws, grinding your teeth or grasping the chair with your white-knuckled hands. But once you pass the first couple of minutes, you'll feel silly for having worried about it so much.
At this time, you will probably try to look cool by looking around the studio walls or occasionally looking to see what your artist is doing. Your artist might have a radio playing, which will help distract you a little.
At this point, it is best for you to try and relax. You can ask most artists some questions during this time to help distract you and pass the time. You're probably somewhat nervous, but excited at the same time because you're actually going to get a real piercing! Whether you realize it or not, your body is going through quite an adrenalin rush. Try to remain calm and not too anxious. Your hyped-up condition and your anxiety about the anticipated pain of your experience by themselves may trigger a fainting spell. It will help if you are not there on an empty stomach. Get a bite to eat about an hour or two before you go in for your session. Having hard candy or some juice on hand during the session is also recommended.
The most painful part of the process will pass in a couple of minutes, after which the area will feel abuzz with a dull pain and warmth. Just try to relax and breathe deeply. Enjoy the one-of-a-kind experience that you just felt. Oftentimes, you end up clenching your jaws, grinding your teeth or grasping the chair with your white-knuckled hands. But once you pass the first couple of minutes, you'll feel silly for having worried about it so much.
Where on my body can I get a piercing?
Essentially, you could get a piercing on any body part that is covered by skin. Meaning you can get a piercing basically anywhere. However, listed below are the most common places to get piercings.
Ears: Piercing the ears is still considered to most popular form of piercings. A lot of parents even have their new born child's ears pierced. You can essentially pierce any and all parts of the exterior ear.
Lips: Lip piercings have become more popular in recent years with both males and females.
Tongue: Some people get there tongue pierced solely for cosmetic reasons. Supposedly, others get this area pierced for the purpose of a heightened sexual experience.
Eyebrows: Eyebrow piercings have become more popular in recent years with both males and females.
Nose: Nose piercings are becoming more popular these days, more so with the female crowd.
Nipples: Some people get there nipples pierced solely for cosmetic reasons. Supposedly, others get this area pierced for the purpose of a heightened sexual experience.
Navel: The belly button has become a very popular place for piercings, however it can take 6 months to 2 years to fully heal!
Genitals: People DO get piercings in their genital area. The idea may sound very painful, but it has been said that it wasn't any worse than any other spot. Supposedly, piercings in this area are often for the purpose of a heightened sexual experience.
Ears: Piercing the ears is still considered to most popular form of piercings. A lot of parents even have their new born child's ears pierced. You can essentially pierce any and all parts of the exterior ear.
Lips: Lip piercings have become more popular in recent years with both males and females.
Tongue: Some people get there tongue pierced solely for cosmetic reasons. Supposedly, others get this area pierced for the purpose of a heightened sexual experience.
Eyebrows: Eyebrow piercings have become more popular in recent years with both males and females.
Nose: Nose piercings are becoming more popular these days, more so with the female crowd.
Nipples: Some people get there nipples pierced solely for cosmetic reasons. Supposedly, others get this area pierced for the purpose of a heightened sexual experience.
Navel: The belly button has become a very popular place for piercings, however it can take 6 months to 2 years to fully heal!
Genitals: People DO get piercings in their genital area. The idea may sound very painful, but it has been said that it wasn't any worse than any other spot. Supposedly, piercings in this area are often for the purpose of a heightened sexual experience.
What are the health risks?
_ Body piercing is an invasive procedure with risks. In a 2005 survey
of 10,503 persons over the age of 16 in England, complications were
reported in 31% of piercings, with professional help being necessary in
15.2%. 0.9% had complications serious enough to require hospitalization.
Some risks of note include:
Allergic reaction to the metal in the piercing jewellery, particularly nickel. This risk can be minimized by using high quality jewellery manufactured from Titanium or Niobium or similar inert metals.
Infection, bacterial or viral, particularly from Staphylococcus aureus, group A streptococcus and Pseudomonas spp. Reports at the 16th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in 2006 indicated that bacterial infections are seldom serious, but that between 10–20% of piercings result in local benign bacterial infection. The Mayo Clinic estimates 30%. Risk of infection is greatest among those with congenital heart disease, who have a much higher chance of developing life-threatening infective endocarditis, hemophiliacs and diabetics, as well as those taking Corticosteroids. In 2006, a diabetic woman in Indiana lost a breast due to an infection from a nipple piercing. Viral infections may include hepatitis B, hepatitis C and, potentially, HIV, although as of 2009 there had been no documented cases of HIV caused by piercing. While rare, infection due to piercing of the tongue can be fatal. Higher prevalence of colonization of Candida albicans was reported in young individuals with tongue piercing, in comparison to non-tongue-pierced matched individuals.
Excess scar tissue, including hypertrophic scar and keloid formation. While piercings can be removed, they may leave a hole, mark or scar.
Physical trauma including tearing, friction or bumping of the piercing site, which may cause edema and delay healing. The risks can be minimized by wearing properly sized jewellery and not changing it unnecessarily, by not touching the piercing more than required for aftercare, and by being conscious of environmental factors (such as clothing) that may impact the piercing.
Oral trauma, including recession of gingival tissue and dental fracture and wear. Recession of gingival tissue affects 19% to 68% of subjects with lip and/or intra-oral ornaments. In some cases, the alveolar tooth-bearing bone is also involved, jeopardizing the stability and durability of the teeth in place and requiring a periodontal regeneration surgery. Dental fracture and wear affects 14% to 41% of subjects with lip and/or intra-oral ornaments.
Contemporary body piercing studios generally take numerous precautions to protect the health of the person being pierced and the piercer. Piercers are expected to sanitize the location to be pierced as well as their hands, even though they will often wear gloves during the procedure (and in some areas must, as it is prescribed by law). Quite frequently, these gloves will be changed multiple times, often one pair for each step of setup to avoid cross contamination. For example, after a piercer has cleaned the area to be pierced on a client, the piercer may change gloves to avoid recontaminating the area with the gloves he/she used to clean it. Wearing sterile gloves is required by law for professional piercing procedures in some areas, such as the states of Florida and South Carolina. Tools and jewellery should be sterilized in autoclaves, and non-autoclavable surfaces should be cleaned with disinfectant agents on a regular basis and between clients.
In addition, the Association of Professional Piercers recommends classes in First Aid in blood-borne pathogens as part of professional training.
Allergic reaction to the metal in the piercing jewellery, particularly nickel. This risk can be minimized by using high quality jewellery manufactured from Titanium or Niobium or similar inert metals.
Infection, bacterial or viral, particularly from Staphylococcus aureus, group A streptococcus and Pseudomonas spp. Reports at the 16th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in 2006 indicated that bacterial infections are seldom serious, but that between 10–20% of piercings result in local benign bacterial infection. The Mayo Clinic estimates 30%. Risk of infection is greatest among those with congenital heart disease, who have a much higher chance of developing life-threatening infective endocarditis, hemophiliacs and diabetics, as well as those taking Corticosteroids. In 2006, a diabetic woman in Indiana lost a breast due to an infection from a nipple piercing. Viral infections may include hepatitis B, hepatitis C and, potentially, HIV, although as of 2009 there had been no documented cases of HIV caused by piercing. While rare, infection due to piercing of the tongue can be fatal. Higher prevalence of colonization of Candida albicans was reported in young individuals with tongue piercing, in comparison to non-tongue-pierced matched individuals.
Excess scar tissue, including hypertrophic scar and keloid formation. While piercings can be removed, they may leave a hole, mark or scar.
Physical trauma including tearing, friction or bumping of the piercing site, which may cause edema and delay healing. The risks can be minimized by wearing properly sized jewellery and not changing it unnecessarily, by not touching the piercing more than required for aftercare, and by being conscious of environmental factors (such as clothing) that may impact the piercing.
Oral trauma, including recession of gingival tissue and dental fracture and wear. Recession of gingival tissue affects 19% to 68% of subjects with lip and/or intra-oral ornaments. In some cases, the alveolar tooth-bearing bone is also involved, jeopardizing the stability and durability of the teeth in place and requiring a periodontal regeneration surgery. Dental fracture and wear affects 14% to 41% of subjects with lip and/or intra-oral ornaments.
Contemporary body piercing studios generally take numerous precautions to protect the health of the person being pierced and the piercer. Piercers are expected to sanitize the location to be pierced as well as their hands, even though they will often wear gloves during the procedure (and in some areas must, as it is prescribed by law). Quite frequently, these gloves will be changed multiple times, often one pair for each step of setup to avoid cross contamination. For example, after a piercer has cleaned the area to be pierced on a client, the piercer may change gloves to avoid recontaminating the area with the gloves he/she used to clean it. Wearing sterile gloves is required by law for professional piercing procedures in some areas, such as the states of Florida and South Carolina. Tools and jewellery should be sterilized in autoclaves, and non-autoclavable surfaces should be cleaned with disinfectant agents on a regular basis and between clients.
In addition, the Association of Professional Piercers recommends classes in First Aid in blood-borne pathogens as part of professional training.
Studio Hygiene
_ The properly
equipped tattoo/piercing studio will use biohazard containers for objects that
have come into contact with blood or bodily fluids, sharps containers
for old needles, and an autoclave for sterilizing tools. Certain jurisdictions also require studios by law to have a sink in the work area supplied with both hot and cold water.
Proper hygiene requires a body modification artist to wash his or her hands before starting to prepare a client for piercing, between clients, and at any other time where cross contamination can occur. The use of single use disposable gloves is also mandatory. Also, disposable gloves should be taken off after each stage of piercing. The same gloves should not be used to clean the piercing station, pierce the client, or clean the piercing; the artist should change their disposable gloves at each stage.
Membership in professional organizations, or certificates of appreciation/achievement, generally helps artists to be aware of the latest trends. However, many of the most notable artists do not belong to any association. While specific requirements to become a tattooist/piercer vary between jurisdictions, many mandate only formal training in blood borne pathogens, and cross contamination. The local department of health regulates tattoo studios in many jurisdictions.
Proper hygiene requires a body modification artist to wash his or her hands before starting to prepare a client for piercing, between clients, and at any other time where cross contamination can occur. The use of single use disposable gloves is also mandatory. Also, disposable gloves should be taken off after each stage of piercing. The same gloves should not be used to clean the piercing station, pierce the client, or clean the piercing; the artist should change their disposable gloves at each stage.
Membership in professional organizations, or certificates of appreciation/achievement, generally helps artists to be aware of the latest trends. However, many of the most notable artists do not belong to any association. While specific requirements to become a tattooist/piercer vary between jurisdictions, many mandate only formal training in blood borne pathogens, and cross contamination. The local department of health regulates tattoo studios in many jurisdictions.
Piercing Removal
There are three basic styles of body jewellery and many variations
of those styles. The three styles are a bead ring, captive
bead, and circular barbell/barbell. You should become familiar with the type of jewellery you plan on wearing before receiving your piercing.
Even momentary removal of jewellery from a healing piercing can result in amazingly rapid closure of the piercing, and make reinsertion difficult or impossible. Removal of jewellery in the presence of an infection may result in an abscess. In the event there is a localized, draining infection, quality jewellery should be left in place to allow for passage of matter to the surface.
Everyone with piercings should know how their body jewellery works. You should practice and become familiar with your jewellery before attempting to change it out for a different piece. Finally, if you want to permanently remove your piercing make sure to keep it very clean at all times until it is fully healed. If an infection develops and does not go away, you should consider seeking medical attention.
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Even momentary removal of jewellery from a healing piercing can result in amazingly rapid closure of the piercing, and make reinsertion difficult or impossible. Removal of jewellery in the presence of an infection may result in an abscess. In the event there is a localized, draining infection, quality jewellery should be left in place to allow for passage of matter to the surface.
Everyone with piercings should know how their body jewellery works. You should practice and become familiar with your jewellery before attempting to change it out for a different piece. Finally, if you want to permanently remove your piercing make sure to keep it very clean at all times until it is fully healed. If an infection develops and does not go away, you should consider seeking medical attention.
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