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Piercing FAQ

AN INTRODUCTION TO SAFE BODY PIERCING

From Body Art Catalog

When considering any type of piercing you must be convinced that you really want it (or them) and you must be prepared to be patient during the healing time and look after the new piercings by keeping them clean and not misusing them in any way. In the case of nipple piercings, even the slight pressure of articles worn in an inside jacket pocket can cause irritation to delay the healing on the side where the pocket is. A navel piercing can be delayed in its healing if waistbands or belts are irritating it; even spending long periods sitting bent over will make the healing time longer.

So, any piercing anywhere will heal better and quicker if it is treated with care and consideration. A piercing is a small open wound and as such it is subject to infection while it is healing. Your piercer should give you information on the care of your new piercings, but certain general rules apply:

Before touching your new piercings, always wash your hands thoroughly. Don't fiddle with your new piercings unnecessarily, it will only slow down the healing process. ln the early stages, when a certain amount of liquid is seeping from the wound and forming a scab-like crust, be careful not to accidentally push any of that crust into the piercing as it can scratch and damage the new skin which is forming. The crust should be removed once or twice a day, either by soaking in the bath or shower (a small amount of antiseptic in the bath will do no harm) or by dissolving it away using a solution made up of one measure of '20 volume' hydrogen peroxide (available from any chemist or pharmacy and one measure of sterile water. Apply this solution very gently using a cotton bud. As only a very small amount is used, either mix a teaspoonful at a time or keep a larger amount sealed in a plastic container. This hydrogen peroxide solution should only be used for a week or two at the most, as overuse can damage the new skin as it is forming. A more gentle form of treatment, which many people find just as effective, is to bathe the piercings in a very dilute salt solution, using approximately one teaspoon of salt to a litre of distilled or boiled water. The selection of a piercer to do the piercings you want can be a problem: Obviously you want a person who you can entrust with your body and who is patient, sympathetic and observes strict cleanliness. 'Word of mouth' is probably the most common way of finding a good piercer, but just one successful piercing experienced by the individual making that recommendation may have been a lucky fluke. Contact with one of the piercing clubs will help to put you in touch with a reliable piercer but you should still check that person s expertise for yourself by asking the questions listed here. Correct answers will not guarantee a successful piercing, but they should help in your assessment of a potential piercer.

Q) Are you registered with the Local Health Authority?

A) Yes.

[SM. Not likely in North America]

Q) What form of sterilization do you use?

A) An autoclave.

It is important to sterilize all instruments and jewelry which might have been in contact with blood or other body fluids. 'Sterilizing' liquids, for example those used to clean babies' bottles, cannot kill organisms such as those causing hepatitis or AlDS but heat can. This is why dentists, beauty therapists, chiropodists and tattoo artists, for example, use autoclaves to sterilize all their instruments.

[SM. Many piercers use a pressure cooker instead of an (expensive) autoclave. If you don't like this ask him/her to use a new (sterile) needle.]

Q) What kind of piercing instrument do you use?

A) For most piercings, a special hollow piercing needle of the same gauge as the jewelry being installed is the only suitable instrument. Disposable ear piercing guns are very good for ear lobes and some people's nostrils, but they are completely un- suitable for most other piercings. This is because they install a very fine, short sleeper with a butterfly clip to hold it in place. There are stories of nipples being pierced successfully with these guns, but in most cases the sleeper is too tight and therefore starts to work its way out by cutting through the flesh like a cheese wire. This can result in a nipple being almost cut in two by the action of the sleeper being pushed towards the surface, just as the body rejects a splinter or other foreign body.

[SM. The only other place one might use a gun is the tragus. The really bad thing about guns is that they pierce with a stud. Studs are very bad when it comes to healing a new piercing. *Always* use a ring with a new piercing].

Q) What form of anaesthetic do you use?

A) Some people feel that an anaesthetic is unnecessary and interferes with the experience of being pierced. Others find it impossible to con-template a piercing without the assurance that it will be painless. Injectable anesthetics ensure that the area to be pierced will be completely numb, but it can seem absurd to use a needle to inject an anaesthetic to prevent you feeling the needle doing the piercing. In addition, in Britain at least injectable anesthetics can only be applied by qualified medical practitioners.

Analgesic liquids, sprays or ointments are normally used to anaesthetize mucus membrane areas, such as the inside of the mouth, inside of the nose, penis, clitoris, clitoris hood and inner labia. These are very safe and effective but can take a long time to take effect as they are absorbed through the skin. On other areas the most commonly used anaesthetic is ethyl chloride spray, which freezes the tissue, but great care must be taken as too much can cause frostbite. It is therefore very important that only skilled operators should use ethyl chloride. The main advantages of anesthetics are that pain is minimized, the piercee is less nervous and he or she is therefore less prone to flinching while the piercing is in progress. Nevertheless, the administration of and recovery from all types of anaesthetic is uncomfortable. This should be borne in mind when contemplating any piercing. [SM. A bit of ice is sometimes a safe and easy way to reduce the pain of a piercing] Basically, there is no completely painless method of piercing but different people interpret pain in different ways, and just because one person says that their piercing hurt dreadfully it does not necessarily mean that you will find it very painful at all. If you decide that you do not want the piercing after it has been done, the ring or barbell can quite easily be removed. It will heal up remark- ably quickly and usually any small mark or scar will very soon disappear completely.

If, however, a piercing is actually rejected by your body - in other words the piercing moves towards the surface of the skin as it heals (and this can happen with some people and some piercings) - then you will be left with a scar, which will become less noticeable as time passes. If rejection seems to be happening, discuss it with your piercer as he or she will want to know and will probably be able to suggest ways of improving the situation. Often a change of jewelry will put things right, but sometimes the only course of action is to remove the jewelry as soon as possible and allow the piercing to heal over. If a person who has had a piercing reject decides to try again and have the same piercing re-done, the second time it may well behave perfectly unless, of course there was some fault in the original piercing technique, placement or jewelry which is repeated when the piercing is tried once more.

People are different and their bodies behave differently. Some people have no trouble at all, no matter how many piercings they end up with, while others find that their piercings take a very long time to heal. If you do find that you are having problems with a piercing and it seems to have an infection or won't heal up, you should re-contact your piercer and explain your problem. If the piercer cannot deal with it, then it is always wise to consult a doctor. Piercings which have been kept clean very rarely become infected, but it can happen, particularly if you are run down or ill (for example with influenza) but a short course of suitable antibiotics can generally clear up any infection within a few days. If you are unwilling to ask your usual doctor, then your piercer might be able to put you in touch with a sympathetic doctor. In cases of infection, simply removing the jewelry may cause more problems than it solves because the external part will heal over very quickly, thus cutting off the outlet for any matter that may have formed inside. The jewelry itself, providing that it has been sterilized (if previously used and thoroughly cleaned, is very rarely the source of an infection.

Some people, however, are allergic to the metals used in 9 carat gold jewelry (pure gold is too soft to hold its shape properly and even 18 carat gold cannot hold a fine screw thread properly). Most people have no problems with the high-quality gold used in body jewelry, even in new piercings, but surgical quality stainless steel is particularly inert and is the safest possible option for a new piercing.

In general, sleepers, ball closure rings and barbells are the most suitable pieces of jewelry for new piercings. The great advantage of ball closure rings over other types of rings is that it is difficult for them to come open by accident. It is almost impossible to open ball closure rings of 2.5mm gauge or thicker without a pair of circlip pliers: This makes them particularly suitable for genital piercings. Barbells are in general very secure, but care must be taken when tightening the balls: Do this with dry, un-greasy fingers - a ball which has not been securely fastened can easily come loose and drop off.

It is unwise to change the jewelry before the piercing is fully healed. Until a piercing is well established, changing jewelry should be done with care so that the newly healed piercing will not be damaged. The gentlest way of doing this is to push out the old piece of jewelry with the new jewelry, keeping them in contact all the time to prevent the piercing closing up. If this follow through' method cannot be used and a somewhat blunt ended barbell is to be inserted, then a tapered rod with an indentation in the blunt end into which the barbell can be located will make the insertion much easier. In addition, lubrication using a mildly antiseptic ointment such as Savlon will help the jewelry to slide into place easily.

Some piercings behave better when newly done by using a thinner gauge than would be used for other piercings, but you must take your piercer's advice on this matter. Remember that, once healed, a piercing can always be gently enlarged to take whatever gauge jewelry the wearer wants.

Enlargement to a thicker gauge can be done using tapered rings or by coating sleepers or other jewelry with increasingly thick coats of clear nail varnish. Two similar sets of jewelry are necessary for this method: The set of jewelry not being worn is painted with one even coat of nail varnish and allowed to dry for at least 12 hours. The coated jewelry then replaces the jewelry being worn and the pieces which have been removed are then painted with 2 coats of nail varnish and allowed to dry for at least 24 hours. Using this method, and replacing the jewelry no more than once or twice a week, a piercing can be very slowly enlarged. As the coats of nail varnish get thicker, the drying time must be lengthened accordingly so that all the solvents in the varnish can evaporate before it is introduced into the piercing.

[SM. The use of teflon tape is also very good for this purpose as teflon is completely inert and the tape has no hard edges. Using the tape allows the same piece of jewelry to be used to engage the piercing]

Body jewelry does not need to be removed for sex - quite the reverse. If left in place it greatly enhances sexual activity and, if the correct jewelry is worn, will not be in any way harmful to either partner. However, common sense must always be exercised and body jewelry and Publications Limited cannot take responsibility for any accident, injury, illness or inconvenience resulting from any use of body jewelry.

FEMALE GENITAL PIERCINGS

INNER LABIA
Healing time 1-2 weeks.
Probably the most popular of all female genital piercings . Rings pierced through the inner labia heal very quickly and after a com-paratively short time the jewelry can be removed for long periods without causing the piercings to heal over. Labia piercings should not be made too close to the outer edge of the labia, otherwise the thin web of flesh may be too weak. Usually, for comfort and hy-giene, these piercings are done through the upper (front) part of the labia. They can, of course, be done all the way down but the lower ones can be uncomfortable while walking, particularly while healing. Rings are best in a new piercing but barbells can be worn in healed labia piercings. However, care should be taken to ensure that the barbell balls are fully tightened so that they cannot be loosened by the action of walking.

OUTER LABIA
Healing time 4-6 weeks.
Again, outer labia piercings are best done in the top (front) half of the labia, though it is possible to pierce all the way down their length. Healing time is longer than for the inner labia because of the greater thickness of the tissue. Barbells are the most suitable jewelry, particularly during healing, as they tend to move around less than rings while walking, etc. As with inner labia, jewelry can be removed if required and the piercing itself is not really obvious unless it is actually being looked for.

(ARD: The amount of inner or outer labia present varies greatly with the individual. The inner labia is of more tender skin, usually connected to the prepuce, or clitoral hood, in a "V" formation. The outer labia is the flaps covering the entire genital region. It looks and feels like the rest of the body's skin, with pubic hair growth. Usually, one or the other is pierced.)

CLITORIS HOOD or PREPUCE
Healing time 1-6 weeks.
Providing that the hood of the clitoris is reasonably well developed it can be pierced horizontally or vertically, either with a barbell or a ring. Women with particularly plump upper thighs can find the vertical piercing much more comfortable than the horizontal, which may have a tendency to twist. This piercing tends to be sexually stimulating and causes little inconvenience while healing. However, the presence of jewelry in both a clitoris piercing (see below) and a clitoris hood piercing may cause discomfort by nipping the flesh in between the two pieces of jewelry.

(ARD: A vertical hood piercing is best done with a needle acceptor tube inserted between the hood and the clitoris. The vertical piercing stimulates the clitoris directly - the jewelry is in constant contact with the clitoris. The horizontal piercing stimulates the clitoris more indirectly - the jewelry rests on top of the hood; with a bead ring, the bead is usually placed to rest on the tip of the clitoris hood.)

CLITORIS
Healing time 2-8 weeks.
This is a particularly erotically stimulating piercing which heals fairly quickly. Some women have reported that they were unable to orgasm during intercourse until they wore a clitoris ring. However, due to variations in anatomy, clitoris piercing is not suitable for every woman. Some clitorises, even when not erect, are hidden under the clitoris hood and jewelry through a clitoris piercing can be placed under permanent tension by pressure from the clitoris hood. In addition to being extremely painful, this pressure will usually cause the piercing to move towards the surface and eventually be rejected. Some professional piercers will not perform clitoris piercings because of these possible complications. The most suit-able jewelry for a horizontal clitoris piercing is usually a small ball closure ring of around 9mm internal diameter. A small barbell can also be worn although this is more common in vertical piercing.

MALE GENITAL PIERCINGS

PRINCE ALBERT
Healing time 2-3 weeks.
Probably the most popular of all the male genital piercings. Said to have originated during the 19th century as a means of securing the penis to the leg, thus avoiding too visible a bulge when wearing tight trousers. Success rate of this piercing is virtually 100%. Once healed, after a period of about six months the ring can be removed for several days without the piercing contracting too much for re-inserting the ring. This is a very pleasurable piercing for both partners. Perhaps the only disadvantage is that one's 'aim' while urinating tends to be a bit off course due to the presence of the ring in the urethra. [SM One has to learn to sit down all the time, a certain amount of 'urinal' justice for women] A ring, or a version of a ring is the only practical jewelry for this piercing. A barbell is impractical because both ends cannot be held to tighten up the ball ends of the barbell unless it is long enough to have both balls outside the glans, but this can be uncomfortable due to the rod passing through the piercing diagonally. I have never heard of any cases of a Prince Albert ring - provided that it is a strong ball closure ring- causing any problems with either condoms or caps.

FRENUM
Healing time 3-5 weeks.
Probably European in origin. This is a simple but effective piercing of the loose piece of flesh beneath the penis head. A small ring, or barbell can be worn, or a larger ring which goes through the piercing and encircles the glans fitting snugly in the groove behind the glans when the penis is flaccid.

AMPALLANG
Healing time 8-10 weeks
Again, a pleasurable piercing for both partners. Said to have originated in Borneo. This horizontal piercing through the glans of the penis behaves better, heals faster and is stronger if the barbell passes through the urethra. The urine of the wearer (so long as he is healthy) is sterile to him and thus is regularly cleansing the piercing. If the piercing passes through the urethra, it is in fact two piercings but done as one, thus the healing is faster. A very enjoyable piercing for both partners. Provided the removable ball-end of the barbell is well tightened, no damage should be caused to either condoms or caps. If the wearer of an ampallang has a foreskin it should be worn retracted during the healing period. If the foreskin is worn down over the ampallang a) air cannot get to the piercing and b) the pressure of the foreskin often pushes the bar at an angle and can cause discomfort and can also cause the piercing to heal at an angle. It is not advisable to remove the barbell before at least a year, and then not for long. The piercing will contract very quickly making the replacement of the barbell very difficult, if not impossible. A slim, gently tapered insertion rod as a lead-in to the barbell can be very useful to those who may need to remove and reinsert the ampallang barbell from time to time. If the jewelry, is removed before healing is complete. the piercing will begin to heal almost immediately leaving, when healed, only a very small and almost invisible indentation in the surface of the glans.

APADRAVYA
Healing time 8-10 weeks.
This piercing is mentioned in the Kama Sutra and is vertical through the glans. As the barbell passes through the urethra, it is difficult to carry out this piercing accurately unless the entry point is made through an existing Prince Albert piercing. A barbell is most usually worn through this piercing: A ring would need to be of very large diameter. This piercing behaves very much like the ampallang and the advice about the ampallang concerning the fore-skin applies in this case as well, as does the advice about the removal of the jewelry.

(ARD: The placing of both the Ampallang and the Apadravya is ex- tremely important. The piercer must be sure to avoid piercing the cavernosum, the tissue surrounding the urethra which expands with blood flow to create an erection.)

DYDOE
Healing time 5-7 weeks.
Dydoe piercings are usually done as a pair - one on either side of the glans, through the edge of the glans. These are primarily for circumcised men and are said to return sensations which may be lost with the foreskin. Unless the ridge of the glans is well developed, these piercings tend to be a bit weak where they emerge at their higher point. On an uncircumcised penis these piercings can migrate during healing due to pressure from the foreskin. Barbells with small balls seem best for these piercings, certainly while healing, but some men prefer small rings through their dydoes.

REVERSE PRINCE ALBERT
Healing time 6-8 weeks.
This piercing is in fact a 'half' apadravya and has the advantage of being less 'rigid' than the apadravya as a ring is used instead of a barbell. This piercing combines well with a Prince Albert, the two rings overlapping in the urethra without discomfort. As with all these genital piercings, if proper jewelry is worn, there should be no damage to either condoms or caps.

(ARD: This piercing enters the urethra and exits through the top of the glans.)

FORESKIN
Healing time 5-6 weeks.
Used in ancient Rome on male slaves to enforce chastity. The foreskin is usually pierced on each side. While healing, one ring is worn in each piercing. Once healed, a single ring or barbell can pass through both piercings. Depending on the preferences of the wearer, several piercings can be made through the foreskin al-though, because swelling can result for a few days after piercing, it is not really advisable to have more than two done at a time. A ring or a short barbell worn through each piercing in no way hinders the retraction of the foreskin. Foreskin piercings can be enlarged fairly easily if done gradually and with patience.

HAFADA
Healing time 6-10 weeks.
This scrotal sac piercing is said to have originated in Arabia, where a ring is inserted through the left side of the scrotum when a youth achieves manhood. A ring is more practical than a barbell during healing, but once healed either ring or barbell is equally effective. The piercing is most successful when done through a forward fold of skin as there is less chance of it being rejected. These days it is usual to have a piercing on each side of the scrotum rather than just one. Several hafadas can be worn, inclu-ding piercings done through the central 'seam' of the scrotum but it is not advisable to have too many of these piercings done at the same time because this tends to delay healing. Some piercers prefer not to perform scrotal piercings on the grounds that puncturing the scrotum can create a passage for air or water, which might carry bacteria, to enter the abdominal cavity, although we have not heard of any case of a person having problems of this nature.

[SM It really is not a good idea to pierce right through the sac; to be safe, Hafada piercings should only be through the skin]

PUBIC
Healing time 6-8 weeks.
Visually a pleasing piercing but can be slow to heal and can also be rejected during healing, particularly if the pubic area tends to be a little fatty. A ring is best in this piercing but, once healed, a barbell can be worn if preferred. A pubic piercing stands more chance of success if placed very slightly above the base of the penis where it joins the body.

GUICHE
Healing time 6-8 weeks
Said to be a fairly common piercing for the male natives of the South Pacific. The positioning of this piercing, through the ridge of skin between the anus and the back of the scrotum, makes it inappropriate for men with certain jobs or hobbies, such as cycling, horse riding, motor-cycling, etc. Usually a ring is worn through a guiche piercing which can be very arousing if gently tugged or stroked. A little 'nagging' may be experienced during healing, but any discomfort can be minimized by wearing a pad of tissue over it. Once healed, this piercing does not cause any discomfort - quite the opposite in fact.

OTHER PIERCINGS

NAVEL
Healing time 8-10 weeks.
Usually the ridge of skin directly above the navel is pierced, although this depends upon the construction of the individual's navel. A ring, or even better a curved barbell, is preferable to a straight barbell, especially during healing but many people have no problems wearing a straight barbell once healing is completed. This can be a particularly difficult piercing to heal as it can easily get irritated by belts and waist bands or even by sitting or bending. Anyone unwilling to stop wearing tightly waisted clothing during the healing period should probably not consider trying this piercing as pressure from clothing can cause it to move, be rejected or migrate towards the surface of the skin. Once healed, it is no trouble and can be very decorative.

NIPPLES
Healing time rather variable, usually about 8 weeks but can be much longer.
Nipples are usually pierced horizontally, but they can also be pierced vertically or even diagonally. Vertical piercings sometimes tend to 'walk' a little while healing and can end up being slightly diagonal. Care in the placement of nipple piercings is very important, particularly when both are being pierced. Some nipples have a tendency to twist as they become erect, so before a piercing is made it is worth checking the positioning both when the nipples are cold/erect and when they are warm/relaxed. It is important that the piercing is made through the center of the nipple. A horizontal piercing made above the center of the nipple will cause the nipple to droop under the weight of the jewelry, while a piercing made below the center of the nipple will cause the nip-ple to point upwards. Normally the piercing is made at the base of the nipple where it joins the areola. Sometimes male nipples, if very small, are pierced slightly below (behind) the actual nipple if it is felt that otherwise the piercing may be too close to the surface of the skin and could therefore reject, but this is mainly an aesthetic decision. The build up of new tissue around the piercing usually causes the nipple to increase in size and further piercings can then be made behind the original one if desired. Female nipples can (but do not always) take longer to heal than male nipples, probably because of hormone induced changes which are part of the menstrual cycle. (ARD: It has been suggested that women have their nipples pierced just before the onset of menstruation.) There should be no problems with breast feeding following nipple piercings: Some women keep jewelry in their nipple piercings throughout breast feeding, others remove their jewelry and, al-though some find that their well established nipple piercings accept jewelry easily after a period of breast feeding, others find that their piercings have healed up completely after only a few weeks of breast feeding. It is not advisable to have nipple piercings immediately before or during pregnancy, or while lactating. For both men and women, nipple piercings improve erotic sensitivity and the newly pierced nipple should be no more than a little tender for the first few days after piercing. Nipples tend to behave better and heal a little quicker if a straight sleeper bar is used while healing takes place. Sometimes a ring can be painful and/or cause the piercing to descend a little or become distorted because of the movement and curve of the ring while healing takes place . When selecting rings to be worn in healed nipple piercings, choose those with an internal diameter approximately equal to (or greater than) twice the length of the piercings. Problems could be caused by wearing, for example, rings of less than 19mm internal diameter in a piercing 12mm long. There are some people, both male and female, who have trouble with the healing of their nipple piercings and find that the piercings continue weeping for a long time: Very often a change of treatment to look after them will bring about their healing. Those individuals who have particular problems with the healing of their nipple piercings should probably avoid rings completely and stick to straight barbells, with or without U-shaped stirrups.

NOSTRIL
Healing time 6-8 weeks.
A stud or short barbell is usually worn in this piercing, but a ring can also be used. Healing is improved if the piercing is made slightly larger than gauge of the jewelry to be fitted. It is un-wise to remove the jewelry too soon as the piercing tends to 'shrink' very quickly, thus making it difficult to re-insert jewelry without discomfort. Special Indian nostril studs (which have a spiral shaft instead of a back to hold them in place) can be used but they can be difficult to put on and remove.

[SM Not after a bit of practice]

EAR
Healing time for the lobe, 4-6 weeks. Other parts of the ear usually take longer to heal.
The ear lobe, the most usual part of the ear to be pierced, generally behaves well and heals quickly with either a ring or a bar-bell. Other parts of the ear which have cartilage between the two layers of skin, including the ear rim and tragus (the lump in the middle of the front part of the ear), behave much better during healing if the piercing is made of a slightly larger gauge than the jewelry. The skin each side of the cartilage shrinks to fit the jewelry while the piercing through the cartilage remains as it was when first pierced. Some piercers prefer to use a dermal punch which removes a small core of cartilage from the piercing so that the skin can form a tube of scar and tissue around the jewelry more easily. Too many piercings done at the same time are not advisable; this tends to be uncomfortable and the healing generally takes considerably longer.

SEPTUM
Healing time 4-5 weeks.
This piercing in the central part of the nose is done through the thin web of skin beneath the central nasal cartilage. Either a 'U' shaped sleeper (worn with the 'U' shape upwards) or a very short plastic stud is worn during the healing period. The new piercing in the septum is not visible . Once the piercing is healed either a ring or a tusk shaped barbell, which are in no way uncomfortable, can be worn.

LABRET
Healing time 5-6 weeks.
This piercing, through the middle of the lower lip (usually about 1 3mm/ 1/" beneath the red part of the lip) occurs frequently among the people of certain South American tribes, in Kenya, Zambezi and Northern Cameroon and can have a symbolic meaning. The ornamentation of the mouth may stress the importance of 'speaking' in one society rather than 'hearing'. Some tribes enlarge the labret so that a huge plug or disk can be worn. When first pierced, a plastic stud with a disc on the inside and a very small plastic bead on the outside is probably the most suitable sleeper to use. The lip may swell slightly for a day or two and the tiny bead can be moved outward to accommodate any swelling. This is not an 'uncomfortable' piercing while healing but it is difficult to get used to: There is a tendency to fiddle with the inside back of the sleeper with the tongue. Once healed, a stud with a flat disk back and a screw-on front is worn. It is important that the stud is exactly the right length . Too short and the back tends to sink into the soft flesh inside the lip; too long and it can catch on the teeth. This piercing, if no jewelry is worn, does leave a visible mark just as an ear lobe piercing does: This should be considered, particularly by women. In men with beards there is no problem: The piercing is invisible if no jewelry is worn. For men who shave it is advisable to shave as close to the stud as possible during healing. Once healed, the stud can be removed for shaving.

OTHER PIERCINGS

People have at various times tried a number of other piercings - including eyebrows, tongues, lips, ankles, between fingers, etc.- but these are relatively untried and should be treated with great caution. Many people are happy to experiment with piercings which they do no intend or expect to be permanent. Some people have ex- perimented with surface skin piercings, for example on the neck or upper arms: These piercings can be moderately successful on the older person whose skin has become slack and lost its elasticity, but they will migrate towards the surface and soon be rejected by a younger body with more elastic skin. Just because you have read about a piercing does not mean that it is desirable: It may just be someone's fantasy. Even if you have been able to discuss an un-usual piercing with someone who has it, and they have experienced no problems, you cannot be sure that they are not either more willing to bear discomfort than you might be or that they will not experience problems in the future. In general, common sense and the recommendations of your piercer should be given greatest weight when you are considering any body piercing.

We would like to thank Mr. Sebastian for his help in the prepara- tion of the information above. Every care has been taken to ensure that this information is as comprehensive and accurate as possible. However, it has been compiled from the experiences of individuals, and no two people react in the same way. It is vital that anyone contemplating being pierced should take the advice of their professional piercer and/or doctor.

SUGGESTED JEWELRY FOR BODY PIERCINGS

EAR

Lobe : Initial jewelry - studs or sleepers installed with piercing gun; captive bead rings, seamless rings, bead rings, circular barbells (gauge of jewelry depends on gauge of piercing needle used). Usually, the ear lobe is the least sensitive piercing, in terms of metals which can be worn after healing. Lobe piercings can be stretched quite easily. The stretching process should, however, be a gradual one. Eyelets can be worn to maintain a stretched piercing.

Cartilage : Should be pierced using a needle a gauge larger than the jewelry to be worn (eg. 20 gauge bead ring, 19 gauge needle) to allow for new tissue to form around the inside of the pierce and for easier cleaning.

This piercing can be done with a gun - however, the stud installed can be too short for the piercing, and both sides of the stud are collection sites for bacteria. An ear cartilage piercing should be treated as a body piercing - the only suitable metals being gold, surgical steel, and niobium. Some people may encounter no irritation from sterling and other metals, if worn for a short period of time. Cartilage piercings should not be stretched more than a gauge larger.

Tragus : The prominence of cartilage in front of the opening of the ear canal. Ear cartilage suggestions follow here.

NOSE

Nostril : Initial jewelry - captive bead rings, bead rings in gold, surgical steel or niobium; 20 to 18 gauge, 5/16" to 1/2" inside diameter.

As with ear cartilage piercings, nostril piercings should be done with a piercing needle a gauge larger than that of the jewelry to be worn. After the piercing has healed, nostril screws and nostril nails can be worn.

Septum: Initial jewelry - captive bead rings, bead rings, circular barbells; 20 to 10 gauge, 3/8" to 1/2" inside diameter.

The piercing should pass through the thin layer of tissue between the septum cartilage and the flesh. This piercing can be stretched after healing to accommodate eyelets.

EYEBROW

Bead rings, seamless rings, miniature barbell studs; gold, surgical steel, niobium; 20 to 16 gauge, 3/8" to 7/16" inside diameter, 7/16" post length (barbells).

BETWEEN THE EYES (NIEBUHR)

Barbell studs or L-Bars; 14 - 12 gauge; 3/8" to 1/2", depending on the length of the piercing.

LIP

Bead rings, seamless rings, barbell studs, labret studs; gold and surgical steel; 20 to 14 gauge, 3/8" to 1/2" inside diameter and post length.

The Labret piercing is usually made about 1/2" below the middle of the lower lip. A labret stud should be used to heal the piercing, and a ring can be worn after healing. A thinner gauge may have a tendency to tear the inside of the lip, especially on new piercings.

CHEEK

Labret studs; gold and surgical steel; 14 gauge. Labret studs are barbells with a flat backing disc instead of a fixed ball.

TONGUE

Barbell studs; gold and surgical steel; 14 to 10 gauge. The initial stud should be 1/4" to 5/16" longer than the tongue at its thickest.

NAVEL

Captive bead rings, bead rings, seamless rings, circular barbells, "L" bars; gold, surgical steel, niobium; 14 to 12 gauge; 1/2" to 5/8" inside diameter; 3/8" to 1/2" for "L" bars. The upper rim of the navel is usually pierced, unless the lower is more prominent.

NIPPLES

Initial jewelry - Captive bead rings, bead rings, seamless rings, circular barbells; gold, surgical steel, niobium; 14 to 12 gauge; men - 1/2" inside diameter or larger, women - 5/8" inside diameter or larger.

The inside diameter of the ring should be at least 1/8" wider than the length of the piercing, especially in initial jewelry. Barbells can be worn after the piercing is healed.

For heavy play (chains, pendants, weights, etc.) captive bead rings smaller than 14 gauge should not be worn, as the bead may pop off. Also, the larger the gauge, the less likely the jewelry is to tear the piercing.

FEMALE GENITAL PIERCINGS

Outer Labia, or Labia Majora
Captive bead rings, bead rings, seamless rings, circular barbells; gold, surgical steel, niobium; 14 to 12 gauge for initial jewelry; 1/2" inside diameter or larger. The inside diameter of the ring should be at least 1/4" wider than the length of the piercing.

Labia piercings can be stretched considerably after healing. For infibulation or heavy play (ie. chains, pendants, weights), captive bead rings smaller than 14 gauge should not be worn, as the bead may pop off. Also, the larger the gauge, the less likely the jewel-ry is to tear the piercing.

Inner Labia, or Labia Minora
Captive bead rings, bead rings, seamless rings, circular barbells; gold, surgical steel, niobium; 14 to 12 gauge for initial jewelry; 1/2" inside diameter or larger.

The amount of inner labia present varies with the individual - some women may have flaps of tissue an inch or so wide, while others may have the barest, thinnest inner labia, too thin to hold jewelry.

Prepuce, or Clitoral Hood
Horizontal Piercing - Captive bead rings or bead rings; gold, surgical steel, niobium; 16 to 14 gauge; 3/8" to 5/8" inside diameter, depending on the depth of the piercing. The inside diameter should be at least 1/16" larger than the length of the piercing.

If a circular barbell is chosen, the piercing should be placed so that the clitoris is not pinched between the balls.

Vertical Piercing - same as above; pinching of the clitoris is not a consideration when choosing a circular barbell.

Vertical piercings are best done using an insertion tube, inserted between the hood and the clitoris.

The vertical hood piercing stimulates the clitoris directly - the jewelry is in constant contact with the clitoris.

The horizontal piercing stimulates the clitoris more indirectly - the bead is placed to rest on the tip of the hood.

Some women have reported undue irritation and apparent desensiti- zation of the clitoris from the vertical piercing, if the hood is too tight around the ring and the clitoris.

Clitoral Triangle Piercing
This piercing is made through the tissue beneath the shaft of the clitoris. The area to be pierced can be felt as a triangular shape beneath the shaft when the area is pinched with the fingers. Once again, not every woman suited for this piercing.

Bead rings or captive bead rings; 14 to 12 gauge; 1/2" to 5/8" inside diameter.

Clitoris
Bead rings, mini- or dydoe barbells, barbell studs; 18 to 14 gauge; gold or surgical steel; bead rings 3/8" to 1/2" inside diameter; barbell studs 3/8" to 1/2" post length.

To be successfully pierced, the clitoris should be at least 1/4" wide and loosely hooded. If the hood is too tight, the piercing will most likely migrate out or be continuously irritated by the pressure of the hood. The bead ring works best in a clitoris that is exposed.

MALE GENITAL PIERCINGS

Prince Albert and Reverse Prince Albert
Captive bead rings, bead rings, circular barbells, seamless rings; gold, surgical steel, niobium; 14 gauge or larger; 5/8" inside diameter or larger, depending on the depth of the piercing.

This piercing is performed with the aid of a needle-receptor tube or a cotton-swab inserted into the urethra to "receive" the needle tip.

Ampallang and Apadravya
Barbells; gold or surgical steel; 14 to 10 gauge; The length of the barbell must be determined by measuring the penis while it is erect, using calipers.

Dydoe
Mini- or dydoe barbell studs; gold or surgical steel; 16 or 14 gauge; at least 3/8" post length.

Foreskin
Captive bead rings, bead rings, circular barbells, seamless rings; gold, surgical steel, or niobium; 14 to 12 gauge during healing -the larger the gauge, the less likely the jewelry will tear the piercing, especially with heavy play and infibulation. 1/2" inside diameter or larger.

Hafada or Scrotal
Captive bead rings, bead rings, seamless rings, circular barbells; gold, surgical steel, or niobium; 14 to 12 gauge during healing; 1/2" diameter or larger;

Of the male genital piercings, this piercing is probably one of the most difficult to heal.

Guiche
Captive bead rings, bead rings, circular barbells; gold, surgical steel, or niobium; 12 gauge; 5/8" inside diameter - the inside diameter of the ring should be at least 1/8" larger than the length of the piercing. Attaching weights to this piercing is said to be extremely stimulating.

Pubic
Captive bead rings, bead rings, seamless rings, circular barbells; gold, surgical steel, or niobium; 14 to 10 gauge; 5/8" diameter or larger - the inside diameter of the ring should be at least 1/8" larger than the length of the piercing.

BROWN AND SHARPE GAUGES (from the Gauntlet catalog)

==============================
gauge inches millimeters
------------------------------
20    0.032  0.813
18    0.040  1.024
16    0.051  1.290
14    0.064  1.629
12    0.081  2.052
10    0.102  2.588
 8    0.128  3.264
 6    0.162  4.111
 4    0.204  5.189
 2    0.257  6.543
 0    0.324  8.230
00    0.364  9.246

CLEANING METHODS AND AFTERCARE

Cleaning Agents and Healing Ointments

Recommended general cleaning agents include Hibiclens, which should be diluted one part Hibiclens to three parts water, Betadine or a solution of Povidone-Iodine, Betadine soaps and skin cleansers, and solutions of benzalkonium-chloride. All of these cleaning agents kill infection-causing bacteria. Remember that what works the best for one person may not work for you. If you experience an adverse reaction to a particular product - itching, redness, irritation- switch to another product. In the case of an extreme allergic reaction, contact a physician.

Hydrogen peroxide should never be used - the peroxide acts to break down the newly formed tissue. Isopropyl Alcohol is not an adequate disinfectant by itself. Bezalkonium chloride solutions containing alcohol are fine.

Healing ointments include Betadine ointment, anti-bacterial oint- ments containing any combination of bacitracin zinc, Neomycin, and Polymyxin-B. Some people are allergic to bacitracin zinc. It is advised that use of anti-bacterial ointments be limited to the first week to ten days.

Vitamin E applications - such as the gel inside vitamin E gel caps - aid healing as well, and can be used as long as desired. The application of vitamin E may also decrease the development of scar tissue around the piercing.

Facial Piercings Facial piercings - ear, eyebrow, nose - piercings are best cleaned with betadine or an ear care solution or gel containing benzalkonium chloride. The cleaning agent should be used twice a day. Any crusty formation around the piercing and on the jewelry should first be softened and removed with a cotton swab dipped in warm water or warm salt water. the cleaning agent should be applied and rotated through the piercing. During the first week to ten days, an antibiotic ointment should be applied to the piercing after cleaning and rotated through. Any excess ointment should be removed with a cotton swab.

Vitamin E can also be applied, especially in the case of dry skin. Make-up, foundations, and powders should be avoided during the healing process. When using hair spray, cover your piercings with your hand or a tissue.

Never use Hibiclens solutions on facial piercings. Hibiclens can cause blindness and hearing loss if it gets into your eyes and ears.

Mouth-related Piercings

Tongue piercings should be cleaned with Gly-oxide or PerOxyl 2, cleansing antiseptics for the mouth containing carbamide peroxide (10%), twice a day and after meals. Listerine diluted 50% should be used as a mouth rinse after eating or drinking anything other than water. Rinse for at least one minute.

Mouth related piercings - lip, labret, cheek - should be cleaned on the inside as described for tongue piercings. The outside piercing should be cleaned following the instructions for facial piercings. Warm salt water rinses are also recommended for faster healing.

Body Piercings

Recommended cleaning agents include Hibiclens (diluted one part Hibiclens to three parts water), Betadine or Povidone solution or soap, and low-pH liquid soaps or cleaning products. Avoid using deodorant or moisturizing soaps on your piercings. Any crusty se- cretion around the piercing or on the jewelry should be removed with a cotton swab and warm water prior to cleaning. The cleaning agent should be rotated through the piercing and allowed to soak for three minutes. The piercing should be rinsed well to remove any residues.

After thoroughly cleaning and rinsing the piercing, anti- bacterial ointment should be applied and rotated through the piercing. Remove any excess ointment with a cotton swab.

Vitamin E can also be applied to the piercing, especially in the case of dry skin, which is common with nipple piercings.

Warm salt water soaks work wonders to remove crusty deposits and secretions during healing, and decrease the healing time as well.

Genital Piercings

Genital piercings should be cleaned following the instructions for body piercings. However, the cleaning products may irritate the urethra in both men and women and the vagina in the case of women. Urinate after cleaning to flush out any residues in the urethral opening. Women should take care not to let any cleaning agent enter the vagina, as yeast infections may result from the depletion of bacteria.

Genital piercings should be cleaned after intercourse as well. Use of a condom is recommended during the healing period, and oral contact should be avoided. Also, certain lubricants and spermicides may irritate piercings.

CARE INSTRUCTIONS according to Elayne "Angel" Binnie

The following care instructions are approved for reprinting through rec.arts.bodyart by Elayne "Angel" Binnie (former manager of Gauntlet Los Angeles), Rings of Desire, Inc., 1128 Decatur Street, 2nd floor (above Boomerang), New Orleans, LA 70116, phone (504) 524-6147. Any form of distribution of these care instructions must be accompanied by this paragraph, and must remain intact within each section. You may contact her if you have any questions about these care instructions.

Care Instructions For: Lips, Labret and Cheek Piercings

Healing time: 6 to 8 weeks

Cleaning solutions:

--For inside the mouth: Listerine or other antibacterial mouthwash and Gly-Oxide or Peroxyl (available in the oral medications section of any pharmacy).

--For the outside surface: Ear Care Antiseptic, or Bactine diluted 50/50 with water.

Instructions:

1. Rinse mouth for 60 seconds with Listerine after anything goes in your mouth other than water or ice. This includes coffee, tea, soft drinks, all food, smoking or eating utensils. If you are not ingesting very often, rinse 12 to 24 times daily. Keep a small bottle of Listerine with you so that you can rinse often.

2. Twice daily, rinse for two to three minutes with Gly- Oxide. Do not omit this step! This foams inside your mouth, so you might want to rinse with water or Listerine afterwards.

3. Keep dirty hands, fingernails, pens, etc. out of your mouth.

4. Refrain from oral sexual contact during the 4 to 6 weeks of initial healing. This includes French (wet) kissing as well as oral sex, even if you are in a monogamous relationship.

5. With clean hands, check twice daily to make sure the ends of your labret stud are on tightly (if applicable). To clean hands, use antibacterial soap (i.e., Liquid Dial).

6. Do not play with the piercing for the first 4 to 6 weeks beyond the necessary movement for speaking and eating. This can cause complications, such as the formation of scar tissue.

7. Twice daily, use a cotton swab (Q-Tip) saturated with Ear Care Antiseptic solution to remove any crusty blood plasma formation from the exterior of the piercing and jewelry.

Cleanse the post or ring with the solution, and gently move the jewelry to work the solution onto the inside of the piercing.

Hints and tips:

--Swelling of the lip is normal during initial healing. This can be reduced by sucking gently on clean ice, especially during the first few days (shaved or chipped ice, or small cubes are easiest). Cold foods (ice cream and frozen yogurt) are soothing.

--Leave the initial jewelry in for at least 6 to 8 weeks before changing it. Allow something to remain in the piercing at all times for 6 to 9 months or longer. You may find that even after years, your piercing may shrink or close. If you like it, leave something in it.

Care Instructions for Body Piercings

Healing time dependent on location of pierce

Cleaning solutions: --Betadine (or other 10% Povidone Iodine). Note: Do not use Betadine on gold jewelry, as it will tarnish.

--Hibiclens diluted 50/50 with water. Note: Pre-diluting Hibiclens in a clean empty container is most convenient.

Instructions:

Body piercings need to be cleaned twice daily during the entire healing period. Most people clean in the morning and at night in the shower.

1. This is most important: Do not touch healing piercings with dirty hands!!! Prior to your twice-daily cleanings, wash hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap (i.e., Liquid Dial) and hot water. As an extra precaution, you can wear disposable latex or vinyl gloves.

2. After washing your hands, remove any crusty formation from the piercing and jewelry. The formation comes from a secretion of blood plasma, which is normal. Removal of this crust is best accomplished by rinsing or soaking. A clean cup of warm water can be sealed over the area to soak directly, for a few minutes. If any stubborn crust remains, use a cotton swab (Q-Tip) moistened with warm water to gently scrub away any foreign matter. Never pick with fingernails or fingers!

Note: As long as the piercing secretes this liquid that forms the crust, the piercing is still healing, and cleaning procedures should be continued.

3. Pour a small handful of the cleaning solution into your clean palm and apply it gently to the piercing and its surrounding area. Hibiclens will suds lightly, while Betadine will not. Cleanse the jewelry and rotate the ring back and forth several times to work the solution into the piercing from each opening.

4. Allow the solution to remain in the piercing to clean for 3 to 5 minutes.

5. Under running water, carefully rinse the area and rotate the jewelry back and forth to completely remove the cleaning solution from inside the piercing. Your piercing will likely get irritated if you don't get all the solution out, so rinse thoroughly.

6. Finally, pat dry with tissues or other clean, disposable paper products. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria, so keep them away from healing piercings.

Hints and tips:

--Leave your initial jewelry in during the entire healing period.

--If you like your piercing, leave jewelry in at all times. Body piercings can shrink and/or close very quickly, even after years.

--Avoid oral contact or rough play, as well as contact from others' bodily fluids during healing. If you have a genital piercing, you must use latex barriers (condoms, dental dams) to prevent such contact even if you are in a monogamous relationship.

--Make sure your bedding is clean. Change your sheets often while your piercing is healing.

--Threaded jewelry (barbells, circular barbells, etc.) should be checked twice daily to make sure the ends are screwed on tight.

--To accelerate healing, take a multi-vitamin/mineral supplement with zinc (i.e., Vicon-C).

--After the first week of healing, use a mild salt-water solution of 1/2 tsp to 1 cup of warm water for your pre-soak, instead of plain water. --You can use salt water several more times a day to accelerate healing. Soak for a few minutes, rinse, then pat dry with dispos- able paper products. Do not rotate jewelry with salt water -- that should only be done with twice-daily with your cleaning solution.

--Many doctors have no training or experience with piercings, and may offer poor advice. In the event that you do get an infection, the jewelry should be left in the piercing to allow drainage of pus. If the jewelry is removed, the holes can close and result in an abscess. Feel free to contact us for suggestions on treating infected piercings.

Care Instructions for pierces of Ear Lobe, Ear Cartilage, Tragus, Conch, Nostril, Septum and Eyebrows

Healing time
Septum, lobe: 4 to 6 weeks
Eyebrow: 6 to 8 weeks
Nostril, Cartilage, Tragus, Conch: 2 to 3 months

Cleaning solutions:

--Ear Care: Antiseptic or Bactine diluted 75/25 with water. Note: Do not use Hibiclens for ear pierces, as this could lead to deafness!

Instructions:

Piercings must be cleaned 2 to 3 times daily during the entire healing period, although over-cleaning can be irritating.

1. This is most important: Do not touch healing piercings with dirty hands!!! Prior to your twice-daily cleanings, wash hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap (i.e., Liquid Dial) and hot water. As an extra precaution, you can wear disposable latex or vinyl gloves.

2. Saturate fresh cotton swabs (Q-Tips) with the cleaning solution, and use the swab to gently scrub any crusty formation from the jewelry and its surrounding area. This is a normal secretion of blood plasma, and will continue to appear during healing.

3. Use a fresh swab to apply the cleaning solution to the jewelry, and gently rotate the ring to slide the solution onto the inside of the piercing. Use a different swab for each piercing surface. Never dip a used swab into the bottle.

4. At the end of your bath or shower, run clear water over the piercing and jewelry to remove any soap or shampoo residue. This will also help loosen up the crust. Don't use cloth towels to dry the area. Use tissues or other clean, disposable paper products. It's a good idea to clean after your shower.

5. Clean your telephone receiver inside and out with Lysol or other disinfectant. Avoid contact with your piercing to any public telephone.

6. Make sure your bedding is clean, particularly your pillow case.

7. Leave the jewelry in the piercing without changing it for the entire initial healing time (see above). For several months after the initial healing time, do not try to leave the piercing empty, as the hole can shrink or close. If you like your piercing, leave jewelry in it to avoid any problems.

8. In the event that the piercing secretes a thick pus discharge instead of the more liquid blood plasma, you may wish to see a physician for evaluation and possible antibiotic treatment. If you do have an infection however, do not remove the jewelry as this may worsen your problem.

Topical antibiotic ointments should not be used for more than a few days as they prevent air circulation to the piercing, which is important for healing.

Care Instructions for Tongue Piercings

Healing time: 4 to 6 weeks

Cleaning solutions:

-- Listerine or other antibacterial mouthwash and Gly-Oxide or Peroxyl (available in the oral medications section of any phar- macy).

Instructions:

1. Rinse mouth for 60 seconds with Listerine after anything goes in your mouth other than water or ice. This includes coffee, tea, soft drinks, all food, smoking or eating utensils. If you are not ingesting very often, rinse 12 to 24 times daily. Keep a small bottle of Listerine with you so that you can rinse often.

2. Twice daily, rinse for two to three minutes with Gly-Oxide. Do not omit this step! This foams inside your mouth, so you might want to rinse with water or Listerine afterwards.

3. Keep dirty hands, fingernails, pens, etc. out of your mouth.

4. Refrain from oral sexual contact during the 4 to 6 weeks of initial healing. This includes French (wet) kissing as well as oral sex, even if you are in a monogamous relationship.

5. With clean hands, check twice daily to make sure the balls on your barbell are on tightly (if applicable). To clean hands, use antibacterial soap (i.e., Liquid Dial).

6. Do not play with the piercing for the first 4 to 6 weeks beyond the necessary movement for speaking and eating. This can cause complications, such as the formation of scar tissue.

Hints and tips:

-- Swelling of the tongue is normal during initial healing. This can be reduced by sucking gently on clean ice, especially during the first few days (shaved or chipped ice, or small cubes are easiest). Cold foods (ice cream and frozen yogurt) are soothing.

-- It is common for the tongue to feel uncoordinated for a while after your piercing. This will pass.

-- If you remember to keep your tongue level in your mouth while eating, the jewelry will not come in contact with your teeth.

-- Plaque can form on tongue jewelry (particularly the bottom ball of a barbell). Scrub with a toothbrush (gently during healing). After the tongue is healed, rinse mouth with Plax or other anti-plaque product.

-- All healing piercings secrete blood plasma. In other areas of the body, this dries and forms a crust. Inside the mouth however, it doesn't have a chance to dry. Do not be alarmed if you see a secretion coming from the piercing, this is very likely the liquid blood plasma, and a normal part of healing.

-- If you like it, leave something in it. Even after an extended period, the hole may shrink or close if you take the jewelry out.

METHODS OF STERILIZATION

Proper sterilization of all instruments and jewelry used during piercing is a must. Improper sterilization or lack thereof can result in infection of the piercing and the spread of infectious bacteria and disease-causing viruses.

The most complete and reliable method of sterilization is the steam or chemical process autoclave. Autoclave sterilization is used by medical professionals and meets federal standards of sterilization. the autoclave uses heat and pressure and in some instances a chemi-cal bath to kill bacteria and viruses. Instruments to be sterilized are placed in sterilization bags which are then sealed with indicator tape. Both the bag and the tape are marked with indicator strips which change color to indicate complete sterilization.

Pressure cookers may also be used to sterilize tools and jewelry. Items should be "cooked" for at least 30 minutes at 15 - 20 pounds pressure (270 - 300 degrees F).

Boiling is not a suitable method of sterilization.

Every instrument should be able to be sterilized. Piercing needles usually arrive from the manufacturer or supplier pre- sterilized by autoclave, in sealed autoclave bags. Piercing needles should never be used more than once. Aside from cleanliness concerns, needles are noticeably dulled from a singly use.

Pennington forceps, used to clamp the area to be pierced, are professional medical supply stock, suitable for sterilization techniques used by medical professionals. They can be soaked in sterilization fluid and steam autoclaved. Insertion tapers (of niobium or surgical steel) can be cleaned by the same method. Other tools made specifically for piercing such as needle pushers are manufactured to be safe for sterilization by autoclave.

Pliers used to open and close rings present certain challenges to sterilization. These tools are usually not of the high-grade steel used for forceps and jewelry, thus subject to corrosion. These tools should be dried thoroughly after sterilization, by heat oven if possible. Any rubber or plastic coating on the handles can easily be removed by slicing lengthwise with a utility knife.

All surgical steel professional body jewelry can be safely steri- lized by steam or chemical means. Niobium and gold jewelry may be affected by certain chemicals such as chlorine solutions. These pieces are best sterilized by steam or heat methods.

KELOID SCARS

Keloid scars are raised blister- or pimple-like formations of scar tissue which form in or around a piercing. Keloids may be red, itchy, and inflamed, and may change size over time. Keloids seem to occur most frequently in ear piercings (both lobe and cartilage) and nostril piercings. Labret, nipple, and navel piercings have also been known to be affected. There is no way to predict whether or not a keloid scar will develop in a particular piercing - a first or second lobe piercing may heal perfectly, but the next piercing will flare up into scar tissue. The piercing technique used (piercing gun, hollow piercing needle, or even sewing needle) may or may not make a difference. different people have had different and vast experiences.

Irritation of the piercing during healing, such as changing jewelry before the piercing has fully healed or pulling or tearing of the piercing, may increase the likelihood of scar tissue developing. With cartilage piercings, scar tissue is more likely to form if the ring is too small in diameter for the length of the piercing, or if the stud is too short, which is often the case of sleeper studs with butterfly clip backs installed with a piercing gun.

Bacterial infections can also irritate the piercing enough for a small lump of scar tissue to form.

Methods of Treatment

Removing the jewelry at the first signs of keloid formation and allowing the piercing to heal closed will often get rid of the keloid, or minimize its size.

Existing and healed keloid scars can be removed surgically, under local anesthetic, by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Surgical removal of the scar tissue does not guarantee that more scar tissue will not form.

Scar tissue may also be injected with cortisone or other steroids. A large or deep scar may require more than one session. The cortisone acts to shrink and break down the scar tissue. Possible side effects of cortisone injections are unwanted hair growth, yeast infections, and other steroid- related side effects.

Some people have reported diminished keloids with the application of tea tree oil, available in most health food and organic stores.

Vitamin E, applied during healing, may decrease the formation or chance of formation of scar tissue.

One dermatologist I've spoken to about keloids says that once a keloid begins to form, the presence of the jewelry will continue to irritate the area and the scar tissue will continue to grow until the jewelry is removed. He also said that cortisone or ster-oid injections with the jewelry in place may help shrink the keloid some, but that with jewelry present, the keloid will never completely disappear. Also, the injections tend not to work so well in cartilage layers. His advice is to remove the jewelry. He also said the tendency to form deep scar tissue is hereditary.

UNISEX PIERCING EXPERIENCES

Currently featuring:
Tongue Piercing by Harry Ugol
Labret Piercing by Anne Duvall
Earlobe Eyelet Piercings by Julian Hurt
Hand Web Piercings by Surf

***

TONGUE PIERCING
by Harry Ugol

I got my tongue pierced last June. The piercing itself hurt much less than my other piercings, aside from the fact that it turns out I have a shorter-than-usual tongue which had to be extended so far and for such a long time that I think I sprained it (:-). The rea-son the piercing hurt a lot less is that the tongue is different from most other pierceable body parts; the tongue itself is muscle instead of skin. For one thing that means it has no nerves on the inside and few pain receptors on the surface. The striations in the muscle also make it much easier to physically pierce; the needle tends to slip between them - unlike a regular piercing, this one (when I saw it being done to other people) resembled pushing an embroidery needle through a piece of fabric.

The morning after the piercing my tongue was swollen and *very* tender, both of which are normal (a longer barbell is initially used for tongue piercings; the barbell is replaced with a smaller one once the swelling goes down). "*Very* tender" means it hurt to talk and it HURT to eat; I was not a happy camper that day. But within 24 hours the pain started to diminish (the first time I started playing with the piercing I discovered something very weird: this was the first of my piercings which went through muscle instead of skin. That meant I could literally fuck my tongue (by lodging the barbell against the backsides of my teeth and thrusting my tongue against the barbell), which was a lot of fun and a real mindbender). Within two days I was no longer in serious discomfort.

The healing regimen for a tongue piercing is slightly different than for most other piercings; Neosporin and Hibiclens and Ivory soap and suchlike are not good things to put in your mouth :-). Instead, you use Listerine. A *lot* of Listerine - before the piercing itself and after every meal and toothbrushing. I went through a giant-sized bottle in a week. You also use a substance called Gly-Oxide, which is basically a hydrogen peroxide-like compound dissolved in glycerin, and foams up nicely when you drip it on your tongue. Putting anything fun in your mouth other than food and drink is strictly out; aside from the standard still- healing-piercing infection dangers, cocksucking is no longer a low-HIV-risk activity if you have an open wound in your mouth. That phase lasted 6 weeks, I think, although more conservative estimates call for 2-3 months.

Like the septum piercing, a tongue piercing is not really notice- able if you don't want it to be. It takes a little more self- control - you have to remember not to throw your head way back when you laugh, and not to stick your tongue out for emphasis when talking - but I haven't had any problems with scaring the horses at work. Nor does the piercing get in my way; since the bar was downsized, it's basically a pair of metal balls riding just above and just below the surfaces of my tongue.

Sex with a tongue piercing is a *lot* of fun (male-male sex that is; I'm afraid my biases are wired pretty firmly. Word of mouth, however, says that tongue piercings are even more fun when applied to women than to men).

Harry Ugol
[email protected]


LABRET PIERCING
by Anne Duvall

My first try at a lip piercing was towards the corner of my mouth, just below the edge of my lower lip. We (my piercer friend R.I.P. and myself) used a 19 gauge needle for the piercing, installing a 20 gauge 3/8" diameter surgical steel bead ring. The thin gauge of the ring proved to be a mistake - the second day I noticed the inside of my lip had started to tear upwards. A nasty infection settled in that evening. I drained the piercing as much as I could with hot compresses and removed the ring. The infection cleared with the help of antibiotics. All that's left is a tiny red mark just below the edge of my lip.

My second and existing lip piercing was done with a 14 gauge needle, installing a 16 gauge Labret stud in the center of my lower lip, about a half an inch below the edge of my lip. The labret stud is similar to a barbell. Instead of a ball on the inside of my lip, the stud is backed by a disc about 3/16" in diameter. A ball screws onto the front of the stud. Since the jewelry is inserted from the back, an insertion taper was used in the piercing process. The 14 gauge needle was inserted through the front, then the 16 gauge insertion taper was inserted into the needle, the taper threaded through the piercing, and the jewelry pushed through, pushing out the taper. Before piercing, the outside of my lip was disinfected with betadine and the inside was disinfected with listerine for 5 minutes and numbed with benzocaine (found in Oragel). The entire process was very quick and a lot less painful than many of my other piercings, including nostril and tragus. Aftercare of the labret piercing included cleaning the outside hole with ear care gel containing benzalkonium chloride and applying vitamin E gel. The inside of the piercing was cleaned with Gly-oxide, and I rinsed my mouth with diluted (50%) Listerine after eating and brushing teeth. The piercing healed in about 6 weeks.

There are several designs of Labret studs available. The most common are the disc-backed stud, available from Pleasurable Piercings and Gauntlet. A possible problem with this design is that the disc may, over time and wear, become unsoldered from the post. Another problem some have experienced with the disc is gum erosion, and erosion or "nesting" of the inside of the lip beneath the disc. The second design, manufactured by Silver Anchor, is a stud with a screw on ball in the front, with the stud wrapped around itself into a loose coil at a right angle to the stud. This design is similar to a nostril screw, and eliminates the chance of the disc becoming lost. The third design is the fishtail labret, manufactured by WA Creations. Once again, the stud and back are a continuous piece, the stud flattened out and bent at a right angle, and slightly curved to follow the shape of the gumline. The fishtail style is only available in gold at this time. The other styles are available in surgical stainless steel and gold.


HAND WEB PIERCING
by "Surf"
edited by Anne Duvall

I'm on my second hand web pierce. The first one (Had it done first week in July 1993) lasted about 3/4 months before it grew out. I'm figuring that was because I had it in my right hand, and I am right handed, so the had got a lot of use.

I missed that pierce so much that I had it redone on my left hand in mid-December 1993. It's still with me, and it seems to be healing great.

The first time, I had it done at Gauntlet San Francisco. The piercer marked entrance and exit holes on my hand and positioned the pennington forceps over the marks. The marks were farther back that I had first imagined they would be, but I'd never seen a hand web pierce before, either. Once the forceps were in place, the piercer stretched the skin out a bit and he shone a light through the skin to make sure that nothing of importance was in the bundle of skin as well. He got the needle lubed with an antibiotic salve and butted the needle against the top-side (back of hand side) of my hand web (oh yes - he disinfected the area first with a betadine pad). He held a cork to the bottom (palm side) of the web and quickly pushed the needle through. I don't remember much pain at all, but then again, I had just had my nipple done (my first pierce ever!) minutes before. Anyway, the piercer got my jewelry ready to insert and in a moment he was fastening the ball-end. I have a 12 ga SSS barbell with a 1/2" shaft as my jewelry for the pierce.

The second time around was similar, but there were differences in the technique. I had it redone at Tie Me Down in Milwaukee. The piercer there seemed less experienced, at least with hand-webs, but not so as to scare one off. I forget what he cleaned the area of my hand with, but he soaked the jewelry in Hibiclens to disinfect it. He marked the depth of the pierce noticeably deeper than the first time, but that was fine by me. This piercer didn't use a cork on the exit side, and he pushed the needle through from palm side first. For the jewelry insertion, he mentioned that he wasn't used to Gauntlet's barbells where the ball screws into the shaft, but rather the ones where the shaft screwed into the ball. With that kind he could screw the shaft into the end of the needle for insertion. Because of this, he had problems with insertion and had to guide it in with an insertion taper. Since the taper was larger than the hole, it was a painful little process, but when the jewelry was in, I felt better about the pierce than I had the first time around - I could flatten my hand right away. The first time, it took a few days before I could do that.

The aftercare was pretty much the same both times. I would alter- nate soaking my hand in a solution of hot water and betadine and a hot salt-water solution. Use the betadine soak only if the jewelry isn't gold, though. I would soak about 10 times a day - more if feasible. When the water cooled down, I would reheat it in the microwave and re-soak. I'd keep this up as long as I could. The betadine soaks especially reduced swelling when my hand was acting up. I would try to keep my hand unbandaged as much as possible, but I was wearing them a lot during the first week, and for the first few weeks while I slept. After about 2 weeks, I had an initial healing that would allow me almost normal use of my hand, as long as I watched it and was careful. At first, I would wash the pierce with hibiclens, but am now using an antibacterial soap (easier on the hands and still kills germs). I would still recommend hibiclens on the fresh pierce, though. During the initial healing, I would swab some betadine over the freshly washed or soaked pierce to keep the germs away as long as possible.

I had relatively little swelling of my hand web area after the first week both times I had it done. Even less the second time. Now I would even mistake the thing for being fully healed (even though I know it's not inside)! There is no swelling at all anymore. I put lotion on the area when it gets dry (and believe me, the area gets really dry at times after piercing!). If the area dries out, it can get tender and hurt if bumped, but some lotion takes care of that.

All in all, I love the pierce. It is my favorite of all mine (eyebrow, hand, nipple, navel, PA) because it is so rare, and it looks wicked. From my experience, I feel that a lot of people's reservations about this pierce getting in the way are unwarranted. Sure, there are some instances where it would be in the way, but for normal (whatever that is, right?) use, it's fine! I am in Wis-consin and I'm wearing winter gloves all the time with no problems. I was waterskiing last summer and I could hold the tow line without a problem. Pretty much the only hindrance is the time spent ex-plaining to people that I am not totally insane and that it didn't hurt (nonetheless I love to show it off.... I'm proud of my metal!).

I would expect the true healing time to be 6 months, or a full year just to be sure. The times I mentioned above were my experience only. I've been told I'm a fast healer, so my experiences won't necessarily apply to everyone, but I have had really good experiences with the hand web despite the first one growing out. One last recommendation - however you're handed, don't get that hand pierced. Like I said, when I had my right hand pierced, it grew out primarily because that had went through a lot more use than did my left hand. I just never realized it until I paid that much attention to my hands because of the piercing.


EYELET PIERCINGS
by Julian Hurt
edited by Anne Duvall

Rings large enough to fill large (00 - 4) gauge earlobe piercings tend to be fairly heavy. the weights often are sufficient to automatically cause further stretching of the holes. An alterna- tive to heavy jewelry is o wear light-weight eyelets. Eyelets essentially are stainless surgical steel or gold tubes that have been flared outward on both ends. They are hollow in the center and look like narrow grommets. Pleasurable Piercings carries eyelets from 4 gauge to 00 gauge and Gauntlet lists them from 10 gauge to 00 gauge. Eyelets can be worn as the sole insert in a lobe piercing or with smaller gauge rings inserted inside them (thus allowing light weight rings without allowing the larger holes to grow closed). For illustrations of these two styles see respectively _Modern Primitives_ page 176, and page 3 of _Piercing Fans international Quarterly Number 18_. eyelets occasionally are called "earlets" or even "retainers." Eyelets are very effective visually when combined with additional rings or studs higher on the ear.

Eyelets are sized by the diameter of the tubing at its narrowest point and flare out so that the outer edge of the flare is the next even gauged size. thus the flange of a 4 gauge eyelet flares out about 0.025" and requires a 2 gauge hole. In order to insert an eyelet, one needs a hole the size of the outer flange (2 gauge larger than the eyelet size). After the eyelets are inserted the holes gradually will shrink to fill in towards the size of the eyelet.

The standard method for inserting eyelets is to begin with well- healed piercings and gradually stretch them out. (See the FAQ and the article in _PFIQ number 18_, pages 23-30, for information on various stretching techniques.) When they are stretched to the stated gauge of the desired eyelet they then are stretched using an insertion taper of the next even gauge, and then inserted. The taper temporarily stretches out the hole to accommodate the wider flanges, and then when the eyelet is in place, the tissue shrinks to the original gauge. Gauntlet warns, "CAUTION: To accomplish piercings large enough for eyelets great patience is required. Never push stretching too fast or the earlobe can be torn. When the hole is large enough for an eyelet, facilitate insertion and avoid damage to the earlobe by using a convex insertion taper of the next larger size."

It is also possible to insert eyelets in fresh piercings. Piercing needles are available up to 6 gauge from Pleasurable Piercings. One could pierce to the next size larger than the eyelet (e.g., pierce to a 6 gauge for insertion of an 8 gauge eyelet) but the eyelets would tend to fall out in normal wear. Anecdotal evidence indicates it is fairly routine to stretch fresh piercings to the next gauge with out tearing by using a well-lubricated (with anti-bacterial ointment) insertion tapers inserted fairly rapidly with a strong twisting motion. Then the eyelets can be inserted in standard fashion by following the taper just as one follows a piercing needle with jewelry. The hole will snap back against the narrow part of the eyelet. In at least one case documented in rec.arts.bodyart postings, a person was initially pierced at 6 gauge in both lobes and had them immediately stretched to a 2 gauge using the technique just described with a 2 gauge insertion taper. The piercing was done as an experiment by Wild Bill of Pleasurable Piercings at the request of a piercing-knowledgeable customer. As a precaution intermediate sized jewelry was on hand so that the stretching could be abandoned mid-way if any tearing had occurred. The stretching was only slightly more intense than the 6 gauge piercings which were relatively painless.

When eyelets are the initial insertions in fresh piercings, care is simple. Sensitive Ears is used a number of times daily to irrigate the piercings. In the first few days there may be some swell-ing so that the flanges pop below the surface of the earlobes. As crusting loosens from the cleaning solution, gently po the eyelets so that both flanges are outside the hole. Regardless, once the eyelets are properly placed and loosened by the irrigation, grasp the flanges between thumb and forefinger and gently rotate them in the hole. These care techniques were used with the fresh 6 gauge piercings stretched to 2 gauge described above, and they healed without complication in 4 weeks.

When eyelets are inserted by stretching they generally remain in place during normal daily activity. But when drying ones ears with a towel, cleaning the eyelets, or sleeping they do have a tendency to pop out unexpectedly. They also are small enough to easily be lost down drains. Thus one is advised not to clean them over sinks, not towel in the shower, etc. One way of preventing loss of the eyelets is to insert small rings or wire through them.


RITUAL NIPPLE PIERCING
by Phaedrus
(originally posted to alt.sex.bondage)

I pondered whether or not to crosspost this to rec.arts.bodyart and chose not to. Mainly because I am rather unfamiliar with that group, and there is enough non-vanilla in my post to warrant not posting there. If a reader familiar with r.a.b. feels that this experience would benefit that group, then by all means feel free to repost it there.

All names used herein are used with the consent of the owner of said name. And if you were there and I did not mention you by name, it is only because I forgot to ask you. It is not because I have forgotten you.

Right. Onward.

It's been a full 7 days now, and I -think- I've processed enough to be able to post my piercing experience in a more or less coherent fashion.

I've been wanting a nipple piercing for over a year now. Some of you here back then may recall when I first posted about wanting one. Part of the waiting has been pondering, part because the time was not right.

So the time was right last weekend. Beverly Block had told me that she had been trained in piercing. We had talked about it a little over a year ago, and nothing had been said since. When I saw Bev at a Berkeley lunch on Friday, I asked her if she would do it at a ritual the next night.

After lunch and running amok in a certain storefront in Oakland, we headed across the bay to the Gauntlet. It was wonderful having Bev with me. She got into a professional argument about ring gauges for male nipples with a worker at the Gauntlet. And while Bev conceded the point, it felt good having a knowledgeable advocate with me. I picked out a beautiful gold ring and Bev specified a needle and something with the ominous name of "pusher." At several points, the Gauntlet person discussed technique with Bev. Most delightful.

The next afternoon, I opened the Gauntlet bag and checked out the needle for he first time. I won't say that I came close to backing out, but I will admit that I thought about it.

That night at the ritual, after opening circle, Bev told those present that I was to be pierced next. I wanted people who - wanted- to be there to be present. It may sound strange, but I wanted people to be there because they wanted to be present, not because I wanted them there. I have to ponder that further sometime -- there's something odd there.

Anyway. I noticed that Bev is a little nervous and encircle her biceps to get her attention. We lock gazes, and I tell her to breathe with me. She calms and returns to preparation.

I'm a little nervous, mainly because I do not know what to expect. My first piercing ritual, and I'm the piercee. Figures. I feel as if the ring is -already- in place, and the ritual is only matching realities.

I have my symbols: a length of black ribbon, an amethyst about my neck, a pewter earcuff. I mention to Stella that our symbols are so much a part of us, and she tells me that we -are- our symbols. Once again, dear Stella, dead on target.

It's time, and I lay down on the table clad only in my standard black playparty briefs. People gather about me, and I make it clear at some point that I -want- to be touched. It was at this point that I closed my eyes and did not open them until I looked at the ring in my body.

I concentrate on my breathing and feel the wonderful energy from my friends about me. I could almost sense the boundaries of the safespace that encircled us.

Bev fastens the hemostat on my left nipple and it -HURTS-. Goddam, it hurts. The stub-your-toe kind of hurt. Oh, lovely, the needle isn't even present yet and I'm a'hurting. Oh, well, I think.

The pain from the clamp starts to subside. I'm conscious mainly of my friends touching me. I can't distinguish who is touching me where...all I can feel is being enfolded in love and caring.

Bev tells me to accept the needle into my body, and it flows into me. No sensation of pushing, more like the needle was sucked into me. There is no pain, but rather an intense sensation that I have no name for. There is, however, a ragged edge to this sensation, and I do not allow myself to feel that. Rather, I passed that edge on to my rage that holds the image of my father. Let him feel that ragged edge.

The sensation is an icy clarity similar to that clarity that fol- lows a mind-shaking insight. That's the closest I can come to describing it. I hear a most unusual sound, and realize that I am "screaming." I call it a scream only because I do not know what else to call it. I have never heard a sound like that before. It is not coming from any higher level center of my brain. It feels like it is coming from a deeper, animal part of my physical brain.

Bev asks me if I want to look at the needle, and I tell her no, thank you, I hate needles. This evokes laughter from the circle.

Suddenly a rush starts at my head and travels down my body and I realize that Wolf is out. I feel full of the Power around me, and I hear my body start to growl. A "Yes!" comes from a person over my head, and the circle feels even more together somehow. Since Wolf usually only comes out for self-defense or toppish rather violent lovemaking, I keep an eye on him. The situation is neither and I do not want him loose. He behaves, enjoying the feeling of the power the ritual has evoked.

I'm so busy watching Wolf that I do not notice Bev taking the needle out or inserting the ring. I do notice that something has happened to disturb Bev, though I haven't a clue what it was. There's some sort of blaming going on, so I pull out the old joke about the blame stage of a project should be the -last-stage of a project and we aren't there yet.

Bev tells me that I can look at the ring now, but before I do I make a Gift to those with me.

I finally open my eyes and look into a small mirror Bev is holding. It is -beautiful-! Just how it is supposed to look. The realities have merged, and that brings me a warm glow of completion.

Ah. The gold ball is lost. That was the disturbance earlier. No matter. Even that occurrence feels perfect to me. I would not change a thing.

The circle slowly dissipates, and Stella stays close to me as I slowly rise up in stages. Very slowly. I stumble about the dungeon for a bit, just to prove to myself that I can, then collapse on a handy bed. People wander by and now and again a friend cuddles and talks with me.

To those of you who shared this wonderful event in my life with me: thank you. I feel a bond with each of you. And, now that I am back in Illinois, I miss you terribly. It's funny, but all I have to do is look at my ring to remember the feelings of being with you in that circle.

And thank you, Beverly. You nor anyone else could have done better.

Postscript: the next day, I got an amethyst bead to replace the gold one that was lost. The ring achieved its proper state much faster because the original bead was lost. I am very pleased.

And btw, my nipple is healing -very- nicely.

Phaedrus


TRIANGLE PIERCING
by Susan

Well...I got mine done by Raelyn Gallina in mid-February. I was expecting a very painful experience; a lot of people had told me it would be much more intense than my clitoral hood piercing. Actually, it wasn't. I don't know if it was my (mostly) lack of nerves this time - the clit hood was my first non-earlobe piercing and I was scared to death - or that I was more psychologically ready for this one or what, but it was not nearly as bad. Bled like crazy, though. I think happy thoughts about blood - keeping the wound clean all that. It was swollen at first, but the swelling went down in about a day. It was a bit interesting to sit and cross my legs for about two days, and then it itched for a day or so. After that, I hardly noticed it except occasionally when I managed to get it twisted a little in sitting or something. At six weeks, I would call it fully healed, and it has been almost no trouble. I cleaned it first twice a day for about a week, then once daily with Triadine (generic Betadine). I am wearing a surgical steel captive bead ring in it.

Actually, I shouldn't say I've hardly noticed it. Rather, I have hardly noticed any *pain* from it. For the first few days it was so intensely *pleasurable* I had trouble concentrating - it was a perfect, intimate touch in *exactly* the right place, if you know what I mean... *grin* Thankfully, that hypersensitivity has faded a bit. But I still have only to think about it to be able to feel like someone has placed one exquisitely delicately finger, just so...my, this is distracting to write...:)

I'm delighted with the piercing, and recommend it highly to everyone who has the right anatomy for it (not every woman has enough flesh for this one, so don't get your heart set on it until you are sure it can be done).

It also goes beautifully with the clit hood piercing, which is also horizontal with a matching ring. They sort of nest around my clit. I am thinking of getting another clit hood piercing above the existing one, so that I will have a set of three rings in a row.

PIERCING PLAY

Changing Jewelry

Once a piercing is healed, jewelry must be changed as desired. It is important to wear jewelry of the same gauge as the original piercing - too small a gauge and the piercing may shrink around the smaller jewelry; too big and the piercing may stretch uncomfortably. With some piercings the jewelry must be of a certain design. Please see Part 2 of the FAQ for reference.

Changing jewelry is most easily achieved by lubricating the piercing and the new piece of jewelry using anti-bacterial oint- ment. The ointment clings to the jewelry and will provide medicating benefits if there is any damage to the piercing. Place a small amount of ointment onto the existing jewelry, using a cotton swab. Rotate the jewelry, thoroughly lubricating the piercing. In the case of captive bead rings and seamless rings, this can be done after opening the ring, which can be challenging if the ring is slippery. The new jewelry should be sterilized or at least soaked in cleaning solution, and ready to be inserted. Slide the existing jewelry through the piercing until the end is flush with the sur-face of the skin. Use the new piece of jewelry to push out the existing jewelry, maintaining contact between the two pieces of jewelry within the piercing. Remove excess ointment with a cotton swab before closing the jewelry. In the case of barbells, tighten the ball(s) with a tissue wrapped around your fingers. Never use pliers to tighten barbells -finger strength should be enough to tighten the balls securely. If pliers are used to close or open rings, wrap the plier tips with surgical tape -this will prevent scratching and marring of the jewelry.

In the case of barbells with external threads, cover the threads with orthodontal wax or dip the threads in hot candle wax to pre- vent the threads from tearing the inside of the piercing. The wax can be removed with rubbing alcohol.

Stretching Piercings

Only well-healed piercings should be stretched. Stretching is not recommended if there is any scar tissue present around the piercing. Piercings should only be stretched a maximum of two gauge sizes (for example, from 14 gauge to 12 gauge) to prevent tearing and irritation. Expect the piercing to be sore for a day or so after stretching. If the piercing does tear or if there are any secretions or crusty formations around the piercing after stretching, treat the piercing with the aftercare products used when the piercing was healing.

Piercings can be stretched using insertion tapers, available from most jewelry suppliers, or knitting needles, which are manufactured in the same Brown and Sharpe gauge system used for piercing jewel-ry. The instrument used to stretch the piercing should be thoroughly cleaned, sterilized if possible. Lubricate the piercing with anti-bacterial ointment with the existing jewelry. Lubricate the tip of the taper with ointment. Insert the taper into the piercing with a twisting motion. You may feel or hear the piercing "pop" as it stretches. Push the taper through until the thickest end is flush with the surface of the skin. Insert the new jewelry follow-ing the instructions above for changing jewelry. Most insertion tapers have a concave end to receive the jewelry.

If you are stretching more than two gauges up and do not wish to purchase intermediate jewelry, you can wear the tapers or insert nylon cord of he same thickness into the piercing, wrapping tape around the ends to prevent it from falling out. Fima clay has been used successfully as intermediate jewelry as well.

Piercings can be stretched using weighted jewelry. Be careful of tearing -too much weight on too thin a gauge can easily tear a piercing. The thinner the gauge, the easier the piercing will tear.

To accommodate eyelets, piercings need to be stretched two gauges larger than the eyelet gauge, in order to accommodate the flanges of the eyelet. Please see Julian Hurt's posting on eyelets in the Unisex Piercing Experiences section for more details.

Cartilage piercings stretch very slowly, if at all.To acquire a large-gauged cartilage piercing, it is usually best to make the initial piercing large using a dermal punch to core out the cartilage.

Piercing Adornments

The bead of captive bead rings can be replaced with sterling skulls, hearts, and other ornaments which have been specially drilled, available through most jewelry suppliers.

Decorative beads from craft stores and other sources can be worn in the captive bead ring as well. With thinner gauges, it may be difficult to find beads which will not slip all the way around the ring.

Decorative beads can also be worn between the balls of circular barbells. this also prevents the jewelry from getting caught on things.

When decorating your piercings, be careful to avoid anything too heavy to avoid unwanted stretching or possible tearing.

Bondage, S/M Play, and Chastity

Heavy bondage play - chains, restraints, and weights - should only be practiced on heavy-gauged jewelry, at least 12 gauge. If any pain is experienced, play should be stopped immediately.

Nipple clamps may be used on pierced nipples, with the jewelry in place, though the clamps should be placed vertically rather than horizontally. Only use nipple clamps on well healed piercings.

Creative chastity restraints can be made using lightweight chain and clasps. For example, labia piercings can be locked together using lightweight padlocks. Be creative but let common sense guide you. With genital piercings, do not wear anything subject to corrosion by urine and other body fluids other than temporarily.

Play Piercing

Play piercing is popular among some S/M circles and is used to experience the heightened sensations of piercing without having to install jewelry. Play piercings should only be made through the surface skin and through the noted piercing locations.

Play piercing needles are available, presterilized, through most jewelry and piercing suppliers. These needles are usually of 22 gauge, designed the same as piercing needles. Hypodermic needles can also be used. Needles used in play piercing should only be used once and should be disposed of via hospital incinerator or placed in a sealed container containing chlorox.

Sterilization methods for piercing should be followed. The area to be pierced should be disinfected with betadine or hibiclens just prior to piercing. The piercer should wear latex gloves. In an established relationship where contact with body fluids is not a concern, the piercer may just wash his/her hands thoroughly with hibiclens or anti-bacterial soap.

After the needle is removed, the area should be treated with betadine or bactine to prevent infection.

Again, let common sense guide you. If you are unsure of an area of the body and what lies beneath the skin, do not pierce!

Hiding and Retaining Piercings

For some of us piercing enthusiasts, work, weddings, and visits with relatives may require us to hide our piercings, temporarily. There are several options, depending on the piercing.

Nostril piercings can be disguised as facial blemishes by coating the ball of a nostril screw with any of a variety of colored nail polish - flesh tones are available to mix and match with your own coloring. Remove the jewelry before applying the nail polish, and let it dry thoroughly. The jewelry may require more than one coat. The nail polish can easily be removed with nail polish remover. Labret studs may also be disguised in this manner.

Nylon ear studs are available from most department stores and earring kiosks. The stud usually has a flat disc and is held in place by a rubber barrel clasp. These studs are intended to replace nor-mal earring studs when the wearer is allergic to metals. These studs can be used to disguise nose and ear piercings using nail polish as described above, and to retain ear and nose piercings during surgery. The only drawback is that the studs are only available in one thickness equivalent to 20 gauge.

Nylon cord - such as fishing line and weed-trimmer line - can be matched fairly well to various gauges. Thicker fishing line works for 18 gauge. Weed-trimmer line, sold in small spools at the hardware store, will work for 16 through 10 gauge, depending on the manufacturer. You may have to do a lot of comparison shopping to find an equal thickness. The packages state the metric thickness of the cord, so you can compare measurements. File the ends smooth with a nail file prior to inserting the cord. The ends can be flat-tened with a hot knife to prevent the cord from falling out, or the ends can be wrapped with tape. For piercing retention during surgery, tape the cord flat against the skin, if possible.

In the case of well healed piercings, hypoallergenic false eyebrow glue can be used to hold the nylon cord in place. The glue can be removed with warm water or rubbing alcohol.

 
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