Thursday, October 29, 2009

A Brief History of Body Piercing

Body piercing is truly ancient with the earliest recorded piercing appearing on a frozen mummy found in an Austrian glacier in 1991. The body had several expanded ear piercings measuring between 7mm and 11mm.

Other early mentions of body piercing come from the bible itself especially Genesis 24:22 where nose jewellery (often misquoted as earrings) were given as a gift to Rebekah, wife of Isaac.

Roman soldiers are also said by many to have had their nipples pierced as some sort of right of passage but there is little or no evidence of this. In fact many articles will state that the piercing was used to somehow ‘hold their cloaks in place’. Anyone who has had a nipple piercing will tell you how uncomfortable this would probably be if worn for any length of time and let’s think about it, there would be far better ways to fasten a cloak. The story seemed to originate from pamphlets published by Doug Malloy in the 70’s to help drum up business for his piercing studio. Many of the pamphlets published by him contained inaccurate or fictional information although there is little doubt that he was one of the pioneers of modern day body piercing in the USA.

Many other cultures and civilizations have practiced piercing through the ages including the Aztecs, Mesoamericans and many Middle Eastern and African cultures. Few can have failed to see images from African tribes where lip and lobe stretching using enormous disks is common practice and often considered a sign of great beauty.

Piercing in Europe has been around since at least the 16th century with ear piercing being especially popular during Elizabethan times. More ‘exotic’ piercings grew in popularity during Victorian times. Prince Albert is said to have had his penis pierced to allow attachment so that less movement showed when dressed, although little hard evidence exists to support this. However, he still had one of the most popular male genital piercing named after him – The Prince Albert.

Apart from the ever-popular ear piercings, body piercing then lost popularity until the 1960’s when the hippy cultures and gay community began to take up piercing again. The advent of punk shortly afterwards gave it more mainstream appeal although it never became truly popular until recent years. We are now in the midst of an explosion caused in the main by the popularity of piercing with many of today’s pop icons.

With eyebrow piercing appearing on members of bands such as Take That and other popular musicians quickly following, the public were quick to jump on the bandwagon and a huge boom in facial and the ever-popular belly button piercing resulted. With the plethora of jewellery now available for all piercings to make many look truly stunning there seems to be no slowdown in its popularity in sight.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

A Quick Guide to Body Piercing

If a man with a naval piercing were to come up to you on the street and ask for directions, would you think royalty? You would if you were in Egypt, 5,000 years ago. For only the pharaoh was to wear that sort of piercing. The Egyptians decorated themselves decadently with body piercings and jewelry. For them it was a status symbol. The Romans used body piercing for more practical things. Roman soldiers pierced their nipples to show that they were strong and viral. It turned into a symbol of solidarity for them. Even Caesar saw this as a way to unite his men, and pierced his nipples himself. Gladiators had the head of their penis pierced to make it easier to tie it back against their testicles to prevent injury. Many of the tribes in America would piece their tongues, because the felt that the blood-letting brought them closer to god. Body piercing continues to be popular today, for as many reasons as there are people getting pierced.

Body piercing is a form of body modification in which, one of punctures or cuts the skin in order to place jewelry there. Those punctures can be stretched over time to place larger jewelry. Today's piercings are done for many reasons. With so many big stars sporting body jewelry, body piercings are well on their way to being a fashion phenomenon. Many people use it for self expression. Some people use body piercing in their cultural and spiritual traditions. Others are simple fascinated with the aesthetic and sensual aspects of it. With the wide variety or jewelry types and styles available, there is something for everyone. The jewelry can range from elegant to surreal.

Some of the more popular fashions in body piercing can be as simple as pierced ears. Piercings in the earlobes and in some parts of the ear cartilage are so widely accepted that most employers and school dress codes allow them. Also commonly seen is the naval piercing. Entire clothing lines are now designed to show off the adorned mid-drift.

There are now many types of jewelry available to allow spectacular self- expression and aesthetics. Some of the piercings that are normally easily seen to that end are eyebrow, lip, and nose piercing. Piercings can also be done on the arm, wrist and webbing of the fingers. Piercings can be done in the form of patterns on the back. One of the most elegant designs uses a row of circular rings that vertically runs down both sides of the mid and lower back. A ribbon is then criss-crosses, going through each of the loops, creating a beautiful corset-like appearance.

Some of the more sensual piercings are that of the nipples, and the male and female genitalia. For females the clitoris, hood, inner and outer labia, and triangle can be pierced. Men can be pierced on the tip/head of the penis, at the base of the shaft, and on the scrotum. Piercings in these areas make the nerve endings more sensitive to sensation. This allows for a greater sensation of pleasure.

With all of the new advances that have been made with piercing techniques, jewelry, and equipment sterilization, almost any conceivable body piercing can be accomplished.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Taboo Body Modifications

Extreme body modifications are practiced by few in our community, however some become intrigued by it. Many examples of extreme body modification are scarification, branding, implants, and splitting tongues.

Scarification is preformed by pealing away layers of the skin, and allowing it to heal into the specific design. Some scarifications can be almost as intricate as a tattoo. Although most people who choose to get scarification done, do not get tattooed in the process. However, ink can be applied before the healing process begins allowing it to heal over. This does not usually become as vibrant as the tattoos you often see. There are also the options of waiting until the scar flattens, which can often take between one to two years to complete. After which, you would be able to introduce vibrant colors into the scarred design.

Branding, much like scarification is the removal of skin, allowing scars to form. However, the skin is burned away in designs allowing for a much darker hue of scar. This is by far one of the more painful body modifications, and should not be attempted by the faint of heart.

Implants consist of beads, Teflon that is cut into the size and shape of the design, and spikes for the head. They are surgically placed under the skin to allow for a raised design, or in the case of the spikes a "horned" effect.

Tongue splitting is the separation of the tongue into two halves. This procedure should be done by a certified surgeon. There are four ways that it is preformed, firstly the tie-off where the split is compressed with increasingly tight loops of thread, this process is preformed over a period of days or week. Scalpelled splits are preformed by using a scalpel, or other blade, it is usually followed up by using a cautery tool to control the bleeding. The cautery tool may also be used to preform the cut itself. Your surgeon can also use a surgical laser split the tongue in half, in a relatively bloodless split.

From needles, ink and tattoo machines to body piercing jewelry and equipment, we can provide you with all the info as well as current industy news and new products. Beginning with tattoo autoclaves, it's important to research the types of equipment that are out there and the pros and cons to using each type. Tattoo guns, tattoo products, tubes, tattoo starter set, machines, and power supplies are all key to starting a studio, shop, parlor or business. The guns and machines are usually hand crafted or homemade. As for the inks, it is crucial to carry a wide variety of colors so you as the artists can create rich and unique designs. More information: Tattoo photo gallery.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Body Art And Modification - An Introduction To Suspension

Suspension is one of the most taboo piercing acts. It is in itself, the act of suspending the human body from hooks pierced through the flesh on different parts of the body. There are several different reasons people choose to do a suspension, ranging from adrenaline, spiritual enlightenment, to get over fear. Though there are many more reasons, it usually boils down to a learning experience.

It among other things, are on the more "extreme" side of body modification. It is joined with surgical implantations, and play piercings.

Most often I am asked what it feels like to suspend. It is a burning, and pulling sensation. But, often times meditation takes over the pain receptors allowing someone to delve deep into their inner selves. Suspension allows the body to fall into a state of shock, letting the transition become quicker, and more apparent along with the "floating" feeling, in not being tied to the ground.

Many people show an interest in suspension, however you need to reach a mental readiness, more-so than a physical one. Any form of body modification must be thought out rigorously, you will need to think about the possible risks involved in suspension. Much like any other piercing, if it is done incorrectly there is an infinite risk for infection, and in this case severe tearing of the skin.

There are quite a few styles of suspensions, however the most common are the vertical back suspension (suicide), or the vertical chest suspension (o-kee-pa).

O-kee-pa: is accomplished by placing hooks upon the chest. This by far is one of the most painful , and difficult suspensions. Most risks include difficulty breathing, intense pain in the sternum and armpit areas.

Suicide: is accomplished by placing hooks in the back of the body, hanging vertically. The suspension is refered to "suicide" because the body appears to be hanging by a noose. This is one of the easier suspensions. It allows greater freedom of movement while suspended. The biggest side effect is lower back pain.

Scare crow (vertical chest suspension): This one is accomplished by hooks being placed in the upper back, and in the arms to force them to be held horizontally.

Superman (horizontal face down): Placing hooks in the back of the body, the hooks are often distributed into a larger area of the body. This is by far one of the easier suspensions, most newcomers are able to complete this without many adverse effects. However, most complain about the back of their legs aching afterward.

The aftercare of suspension piercings are the same as normal piercings. It is critical that you follow a strict cleaning schedule or face the conciquences of your actions.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

How Body Piercing Works -- The Ins and Outs of this Cutting Edge Process

Body piercing (defined as any piercing beyond the standard earlobe piercing) has become such a popular form of body modification that between five and ten percent of the population of the United States has indulged in at least one form of it at some time in their lives. In most cases, once a person gets a body piercing, they follow the first one with more. There are lots of considerations; however, for making sure that your body piercing is done safely so that you don’t end up with either an infection or a poorly done piercing that could leave an unsightly scar.

It ain’t ear piercing, honey…

The procedure for a good body piercing isn’t the same is for getting your earlobes pierced. Most earlobe piercings that you see done in a mall or jewelry store involve using a piercing gun that quickly shoots the actual earring post through the earlobe. This may be fine for an area of the body that has soft tissue and is easily pierced, but it isn’t a good idea for other parts of the body for a few reasons.

First, it isn’t as accurate as a needle, so lining it up won’t always work. Just as with any gun, there is a recoil that will make the aim inaccurate. Second, the force of the gun will cause bruising and damage to the skin that isn’t necessary and will slow the healing process. Third, a piercing gun can’t be sterilized completely, so there is a higher risk of infection. The message is clear –- never get a body piercing done with a piercing gun. Always go to a professional who follows procedures approved by the Association of Professional Piercers (APP).

Once you get to the piercing parlor, there are several steps to the body piercing process that will take place to ensure both the success of the piercing and your health and safety. Each of these steps should be followed and nothing skipped.

Getting the preliminaries out of the way

You must be comfortable in the environment and comfortable with your piercer before moving ahead with anything. If he or she attempts to rush you through the procedure without answering your questions or putting you at ease, do not continue. This is a long-term commitment you are making, so it’s up to you if you want to go through with it.

There is paperwork to be filled out, and don’t let a piercing parlor tell you otherwise. A good piercing studio always keeps accurate records to ensure the health and safety of their clients. If there would ever be a question of contamination or some other health hazard, they must be able to contact you. If you are a minor, they must have the signature of your parent or guardian, who must be present at the time of the piercing.

Sterilization –- the only route to safe body piercing

Sterilization is all-important in body piercing –- the piercing area must be sterile, the piercer’s hands must be sterile, the tools used must be sterile, and the piercing needle must be sterile.

A separate area for sterilization should be available in the piercing parlor where a steam heat autoclave is operational. The autoclave is the only approved sterilization device that can sufficiently heat tools such as forceps to a high enough temperature to kill all bacteria. Before beginning any piercing, all tools will be sterilized in an autoclave and laid out carefully on a clean tray. After this, they will not be touched until your piercing begins, and then only by your piercer when he has safely cleaned and gloved his hands, just as a surgeon would.

You can’t be too clean

The piercing chair or table will also be cleaned, usually by being wiped down thoroughly with an antibacterial spray and disposable cloths or paper towels to prevent recontamination. You will not be allowed to enter and prepare for your piercing until the area has been prepped and sterilized.

The needles used for body piercing are sterile and individually packaged, and no reputable piercer will ever use a needle that has already been used once. When you are pierced, the sterile needle’s package should be opened in your presence just before your piercing. The same is true of your starter jewelry -– it should be sealed in sterile packaging and only opened in your presence.

The piercer will wash his hands and wrists with an antibacterial liquid soap and dry them before donning disposable gloves. At this point, he will be ready to begin your piercing.

Prep work means straight piercings and fewer complications

With properly gloved hands, your piercer will first check the area you want pierced to determine if you are really a candidate for the type of body piercing you’re seeking. In some cases, he may tell you that the conditions aren’t appropriate.

For instance, if there is damage to the cartilage or heavy scarring in the area you want pierced. He will also tell you if you have a current cut or skin condition that means you should postpone piercing. If this is the case, in order to protect your health and prevent possible problems down the line, he will not go any farther with the procedure. If everything looks fine, he’ll tell you so and you’ll move on to the next step.

  • He’ll change to a fresh pair of gloves after having handled your skin to examine the area.
  • He will clean the area to be pierced with an antibacterial solution.
  • He will mark the area to be pierced with a sterile, disposable marker.
  • You’ll have the opportunity to check the marking (in a mirror if necessary) before he proceeds to the piercing stage.
  • He will ask you if you are ready for the piercing procedure and allow you a moment to get comfortable.
  • He will arrange his tools at hand and open the sterile package with the piercing needle.

And now, you’re ready for the real deal –- the piercing itself!

But first, a word about those piercing needles...

Piercing needles are not your average sewing needle or push-pin. Piercing needles are highly specialized and were designed specifically to pierce the flesh while causing the least amount of pain possible. They also help encourage faster and cleaner healing than a regular needle.

These needles also come in a variety of gauges suited for specific types of piercings. For instance, if you are getting a nipple pierced, the piercer will probably not want to use anything smaller than a 12 gauge (the smaller the gauge, the larger the needle), while a lip or nostril could be pierced with a 14 or 16 gauge. Thicker gauges prevent migration in areas prone to this movement of the jewelry, and prevent tear-out of piercings in more delicate flesh.

Piercing needles are made from surgical steel –- the same material that hospital scalpels and lancets are made from. This ensures that they are biocompatible with all skin types and won’t cause an allergic reaction. They are also extremely sharp because they are laser cut with precision edges so that they slice cleanly through the skin without tearing or pulling. The piercing needles are hollow rather than solid so that they actually cut a tiny hole through the skin being pierced rather than punching through the skin.

These hollow needles leave a clean-edged, precise hole in the flesh that will heal relatively quickly, while a regular needle (which is much duller by comparison) actually pushes its way through the skin, tearing and bruising the skin along the way.

This is why a professional piercing needle provides a much less painful piercing with minimal bruising, and is much safer and easier for your body.

The main event –- the body piercing

The basic procedure is the same for most piercings, but all piercers have their own way of handling the process. Some piercers will clamp the area with forceps to stabilize the area before putting the needle through, while others prefer to use a steady hand and their own eyes to guide the needle. If the person being pierced seems like they may flinch, it is more likely the forceps or surgical pliers of some type will be used to steady the area and hold the skin in place. This doesn’t hurt, and is simply to make sure you don’t get a crooked placement.

When the needle is lined up with the marking, the piercer will ask one last time if you are ready, and then quickly push the needle through. Some piercers use a cork as a backing, others don’t. This usually only takes a moment and feels like someone is pinching the skin hard. In most cases, the build-up to the moment is far worse than the actual piercing. Areas that are more sensitive include the genital area and the bridge of the nose.

Starter jewelry needs to be high quality

After the needle is removed, the starter jewelry is immediately put into place. One of the most important things to know about starter jewelry is that it is being put into an open wound, which is what a fresh piercing really is. Obviously, you don’t want your starter jewelry to be something that can cause an allergic reaction or infection.

There are three materials recognized by professional piercers as acceptable for starter jewelry for their high quality, purity and their low incidence of allergic reactions:

  • Surgical Steel
  • Titanium
  • 14K or 18K gold

Other materials are more likely to cause either an allergic reaction, rejection of the piercing by your body, or migration of the piercing.

Starter jewelry is generally a captive bead ring or barbell. The piercer will choose an appropriate size for the area that is slightly larger than what you would normally wear to allow for some swelling, which is normal for the first several days after a new piercing. He will screw the ends onto the new jewelry and make sure it is securely in place.

At this point, the piercer will remove this set of gloves and put on another fresh set, clean the area around the new piercing and examine it one last time. He will let you take a look at your new body jewelry while he explains the aftercare and any potential problems you should watch for. He will also give you a sheet of detailed aftercare instructions to take home with you.

Before you leave, take a few moments to relax either in the piercing room or the waiting room, as sometimes the adrenalin rush and its aftermath can leave you feeling a bit light-headed. Once you feel steady and sure of yourself, it is a good idea to get something like fruit juice to drink or a light snack. Your piercing is done!

What if I want to try body piercing myself?

If you love body modification, you may be considering piercing yourself. It’s really not a good idea for a number of reasons. If you want to try piercing, do it the right way -- become a fully trained, licensed professional. Without the proper training and an understanding of proper sterilization techniques you risk scarring, infection, and permanent damage to the area.

Using makeshift piercing tools like sewing needles is also a great risk because they simply cannot be sterilized properly. Even heating over an open flame (such as a lighter) will not kill all bacteria. The only guaranteed way to kill all germs is with an autoclave or by using packaged, sterile surgical needles. Even then, the entire area and all tools must be sterilized properly.

If you are truly interested in piercing, consider it not as a hobby or a momentary activity but as a career. Becoming an apprentice at a piercing parlor means learning proper technique and learning a trade at the same time, combining your interests with a way to make a living.

An apprentice usually trains for at least a year under a licensed, professional piercer learning all aspects of sterilization, piercing and customer service. In many states they are also required to take courses in first aid, blood borne pathogens, anatomy and other Health and Safety standards and practices. You will observe piercings and work with the sterilization process for several months before actually doing any piercings, but when you do pierce you will be doing it properly and professionally. A good place to find out more information is through the Association of Professional Piercers’ website at www.safepiercing.org.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Privacy Policy

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Monday, October 5, 2009

Proper Body Piercing Aftercare

Piercing aftercare should be taken just as seriously as tattoo aftercare. Your piercing is going to need some commitment, if you slack on your aftercare, you can cause serious infection, and the need to remove the jewelry. Most piercers, like tattoo artists will give an aftercare-kit or offer several products for you to purchase.

Most piercers now offer a product called H2Ocean, it is sterile and environmentally safe.
It comes in paste form for tattoo aftercare, and spray form for piercing. The items you will need are as follows:

*H2ocean, or other approved antimicrobial, anti-bacterial liquid soap (Again, do not use Dial, or Neosporin as they can be too harsh)

*Cotton balls, or cotton swabs

*Small disposable cups

*paper towels, or clean towel

When cleaning your piercing, you first should wash your hands thoroughly (2 minutes), NEVER touch your piercing or the jewelry with dirty hands. You then should saturate the piercing area with H2ocean, if you are using soap you should saturate the cotton swab, or ball with warm water. Gently wipe away any dry blood, or plasma that has gathered around the piercing. You should then gently move the piercing in and out to make sure that it is thoroughly cleaned. Rinse the area of any soap, then pat dry with paper towel or a soft, clean towel.

Often times your piercer will tell you to soak your piercing in Sea salt. Place a small amount of sea salt in the bottom of a disposable cup. About ½ a teaspoon. Then, add hot water, as hot as you can possibly stand to the salt. You will want to fill it just over half-full in a 5 oz cup. You will want to invert the cup right over the piercing, and hold it there for five- to six minutes. This procedure usually works well for piercing such as nipple, and navel. If you can't seem to get a good seal around the skin, soak a cotton ball with the H2ocean and hold it there for 5 minutes. Rinse the piercing with warm water, and pat dry. DO NOT USE TABLE SALT!

From needles, ink and tattoo machines to body piercing jewelry and equipment, we can provide you with all the info as well as current industy news and new products. Beginning with tattoo guns, it's important to research the types of equipment that are out there and the pros and cons to using each type. Tattoo power supply, needles, tubes, tattoo starter kits, machines, and inks are all key to starting a studio, shop, parlor or business. The guns and machines are usually hand crafted or homemade. As for the inks, it is crucial to carry a wide variety of colors so you as the artists can create rich and unique designs. More information: Body piercing aftercare.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Basic Body Piercing Equipment Needs

This is a brief guide to the supplies that you will need to preform proper, and sterile piercing.

Autoclave: By far one of the most important items in piercing. The autoclave provides a way for the needles and clamps to be sterilized. Autoclaves are a device that exposes items to steam at high pressure in order to decontaminate the materials and render them sterile. All of the items will need to be wrapped individually and un-wrapped in front of the client.

Needles: A piercing needle is a hollow needle, specifically designed to cut a round, or oval hole through the skin. This provides a subsequent passage for the jewelry.

Slotted navel clamp: The clamp provides a way of stretching the skin, allowing the piercer easier access to the area to be pierced.

Forceps: This instrument is used for grasping, and holding the skin out from the body to allow ease of piercing.

H2Ocean: Is a cleaning solution, used in the sterilization of the surrounding area of the piercing, it is also used in the after-care of the new piercing.

Ring closing pliers: These are used on captive rings, it can be difficult to close the rings on the tiny ball. This item will aid in your piercing. You can find them in large, medium, and small sizes.

Ring opener: Much like the closing of captive rings, it can be difficult to open them the first time they are removed from the sterile pouch. These will aid in opening the captives.

Receiving cork: The cork will help prevent cross-contamination from your client, to you. Placing the cork on the opposite side of the piercing, it will receive the tip of the needle allowing it to be safely handled by the piercer.

Septum forceps: These are forceps specifically designed to aid in nose piercing. It guides the needle away from the skin that is not to be pierced.

H2Ocean Mouthwash: This item is to be used prior to oral piercing, and throughout the healing process.

Jewelry: Of course, this is one of the most important items on a piercers list. It is important to stock a variety of jewelry for your clients to choose from. Chances are, if their experience has been a good one, they will return to get more jewelry and piercing from you at a later date.