How to Get a Tattoo off Your Body

There are few ways of getting a tattoo off your skin, but none of them are easy, pleasant or simple….

Fade Away Methods:

Fade away methods are the newest development in Tattoo Removal. This method normally involves a series of creams/rubs that are absorbed into the skin. The series, used in combination, causes a reaction that breaks down the components of the ink, which the body then disposes. This procedure essentially speeds up your body's natural process of ridding your body of a foreign object –in this case it is ink. With time the tattoo becomes lighter and lighter, thus the tattoo “fades away.”
This perhaps is the cheapest and least painful removal method. This is the only method that does not have a risk of scarring. However, it is does take some patience. Results are not seen overnight

Surgical Methods:

Most surgeons caution patients that complete tattoo removal is not possible. Few surgeons guarantee complete removal. Beware if they do! This might be your first sign warning sign.

How effective the removal technique is depends on size, location, age of tattoo, colours and type of ink used.

Also be aware of the possible side effects - scarring and pain

Those are:

Laser: The Laser technique is the penetration and break up of the ink articles that were injected into your skin. Much like the Fade Away Method, the ink particles that are broken up by the laser are carried away by the body's natural systems and are disposed as bodily waste.
This removal method involves the use of several types of laser or intense pulsed light therapy. Which types are used all depends on the colour of ink used in the tattoo. Laser has improved somewhat over the past couple of years. It used to take an average of 2 years to remove a tattoo, and even then the process was not fully guaranteed. Although modern lasers and light systems can remove a tattoo in a little less time, this process is entirely dependent upon the laser type, number of sessions and the patient's body. At lease several treatments are necessary, even today. This procedure is performed under a topical anesthetic or with none at all. This is one of the more expensive methods used today.

Cryosurgery: This method involves freezing area of tattoo area prior to its removal.The removal technique often used is dermabrasion (This method involves removing all of the skin and the ink of the tattoo. A sanding instrument is used to "sand off" surface and middle layers of the skin. The tattoo is "sanded" with a rotary abrasive instrument in order to remove all of the skin. Bleeding is likely to occur. This procedure is performed under local anesthetic or local and oral/IV sedation. The price for Dermabrasion can range from $1000 to several thousands of dollars depending on the extent of the area treated.)

Excision: The tattooed area is cut out of your skin, and the surrounding skin is sutured together. This method leaves a scar. Only a small tattoo or a small section of a tattoo can be excised at a time. A larger tattoo may require several treatments and a skin graft. If it is a large tattoo skin from another part of the body might be needed

My name is Adriana and I’m the creator and developer of Wirlyhome label. I’m jewellery and clothing designer, I’ve been working in the fashion industry for the last 9 years of my life, I went to fashion school in Canada, where I lived for 10 years, and 8 of those long years I worked as a fashion designer, illustrator and forecaster. I came back to Brazil last year to open my label Wirlyhome, and now after almost 1 year of hard work the label is finally picking up and we are getting some recognition.

Body Piercing Basics

My dad has been a body piercer for over 30 years, and although I never followed him into the profession, I have picked up a thing or two. It never ceases to amaze me how many people do not know the basics of maintaining their piercings. The most surprising question I hear asked over and over is “how long to I have to clean it?”.

It’s really one of those questions that makes you stop and think why this person wants to be pierced. That doubt in you mind is confirmed by the look of shock on their face when to they’ll need to continue cleaning it at least once a day, more so in the first few weeks.

Cleaning Tips

When you first get a major piercing (like a belly ring), you will notice that a gooey substance will leak from the ‘wound’ for the first few weeks. This is nothing to be concerned about as it is just body fat that the body is expelling from the area until the wound is healed. You will need to clean this fat off the piercing on a regular basis to prevent infection. This body fat tends to dry hard, do not move the ring or barbell around too much when this occurs, as it will tear the healing flesh around the ring/barbell.

The best way to clean your new piercing is boil a kettle and place the hot water in a bowl. Dissolve some salt into this water and allow to cool. When the salt-water mix becomes cool enough to touch (but still warm) dip a cotton tip into the water and then gently start to clean the ring/barbell and surrounding skin. Be prepared to use a number of cotton tips, as you need to avoid ‘double dipping’ the tip. In addition, you will need to use a fresh cotton tip when cleaning opposite side (i.e. a different tip for both the top and bottom of your tongue). This is to stop the spread of germs or possible infection. You will need to clean fresh piercings several times a day.

If the ‘gooey’ substance does dry onto the ring/barbell and you are unable to get it off with just the warm salt water, try having a hot shower first – this will soften the hard substance making it easier to clean.

Please Note: Avoid using things like mentho or other alcohol-based substances to clean your piercings. These substances will tighten the skin (effectively closing the wound) and trap the excess body fat and waste in the piercing, which can lead to infection.

Once the piercing has established itself, it usually will not discharge any substance, meaning that the wound has fully healed. When fully healed, you should clean your piercing at least once a day. You can do this while in the shower, just give it a quick clean to get off excess sweat and dirt.

How can you tell if the piercing is infected?

The first sign of infection is generally a redness to the flesh around the piercing, and the wound continuing to discharge well after the recommended healing time (times vary depending on what you get done and the technique the piercer uses – you should be informed on healing times when you get the piercing). The area around the piercing will generally be painful. An infection can occur at any time, so you need to keep an eye on your piercing and keep it clean. If in doubt, go back to your piercer (or if not available your doctor) and get them to check it out. Infections can be very serious and may need to be tended to on a medical level – do not be afraid to enquire or ask for a professional opinion.

Body Piercing Aftercare and Healing

Body piercing & Body piercing jewelry since ancient times.

History of Body Piercing

Introduction

Evidence suggests that body piercing has been practiced by
peoples all over the world from ancient times. Mummified
bodies with piercings have been discovered, including the
oldest mummified body discovered to date, that of Ötzi the
Iceman, which was found in an Austrian glacier. This mummy
had an ear ring 7–11 mm in diameter.

Nose piercing and ear piercing are mentioned in the Bible.
In Genesis 24:22 Abraham's servant gave a nose ring and
bracelets to Rebekah, wife of his son Isaac. Nose piercing
has been common in India since the 16th century. Tongue
piercing was popular with the elite of Aztec and Maya
civilization, though it was carried out as part of a blood
ritual and such piercings were not intended to be permanent.
Ancient Mesoamericans wore body jewelry in their ears,
noses, and lower lips, and such decorations continue to be
popular amongst indigenous peoples in these regions.

Modern history

However, in many cultures within the United States, it
became a relative rarity from the 1920s until the 1960s. At
that time, it regained popularity among American women, and
was eventually adopted by men in the hippie and gay
communities, and later the punk subculture, they used most
body jewelry. By the 1980s, male ear piercing had become
somewhat common in the United States, although men usually
only pierced one of their ears. Today, single and multiple
piercing of either or both ears is extremely common among
Western women, and fairly common among men.

Body piercing is returning to the mainstream of modern
Western cultures as attitudes and values change. Piercings
that don't conform to cultural norms -- for example, facial
piercings or ear piercings for men -- can still be
considered inappropriate.

While some people consider body modification with Body
Jewelry to be a sign of non-conformity, others deride body
piercing as trendy. This can at times lead to prejudice or
cognitive bias against those with piercings or visible signs
of past piercings.

Extreme Body Modification: Implants

Implants:

the reason that I choose to start talking about implants is very simple, in my point of view they are the beginners in EBM, or using a better choice of words, they are the least invasive of the 3 base techniques.
I found so many types of implants and all of them are very interesting, So I decided to write about:

Eye ball jewellery

Magnetic Implants

3d implants

Eye ball jewellery is probably one of the newest techniques of the all EBM. It was developed by ophthalmologic experts, it is an ocular Surgery that adds a decorative platinum implant inserted under a thin membrane in the eye, which holds the implant in place. Since the membrane is clear, the implant can be seen clearly against the white of the eye. There are not many shapes of ornaments offered yet, and it is a very new procedure that for now can only be done officially in Holland, the cost is around U$ 1200.So far the doctors could not find a side effect to it, what does not mean that there aren’t any. In the U.S. some States committees already approved a bill to ban it; the procedure goes more or less like the following:

• The eye is anesthetized with routine eye-drop anaesthesia medication.

• The eye is decontaminated and draped with routine techniques used in ocular surgery.

• An intra conjunctival bleb is created by injection of BSS in the most superficial conjunctive layer. The bleb may be positioned adjacent to the temporal limbus.

• With conjunctive scissors, the bleb is opened and a superficial intra conjunctival tunnel is made.

• The tunnel is checked to determine if it is wide enough to accommodate the implant.

• The device is inserted into the tunnel up to the desired final position of the implant.

• With a sponge, all excess BSS is removed from the implantation area.

• At the end of the procedure, antibiotic drops are applied onto the eye.

• Postoperative management includes antibiotic eye drops for 1-2 week(s).

• The procedure takes about 15 minutes.

So far Doctors could not find any side effect or complications caused by the implant, and hopefully they won’t find any. So keep in mind, there are very few people authorized to do this procedure, and so far it can only be realised in Holland, and even so only 2 clinics are fully authorized to do so.

Magnetic Implants:

What are they? They are small magnet implanted under your skin with the purpose to enhance your senses as if it was the acquisition of the so famous sixth sense, how it happens, by moving in response to an electromagnetic field and transferring this as sensation to the surrounding nerves.

We can divide the magnetic implants into 4 types:

Sensory: The one that supposed to give you the sixth sense

Sexual: Where the magnets are placed inside the most sensitive area or the genitalia of a couple, male and female have to get the implant, it supposed to enhance the feeling of the body parts while in movement against each other, they can also be placed in the lips.

Symbolic: is implanted but a couple to create a magnetic bond as the two people hold hands, as there are not real proves that a couple can really exchange energy thru this technique, we can take it as more discrete kind of wedding rings.

Functional: Probably not a very comfortable matter, but if you get larger magnets you would be able to pick up things such as screws and some other items, with the magnets commonly used you can’t pick up more than a paper clips, the up side of having such small magnets is that they wont affect your credit cards, hard drives, monitors, and so on.

To get the implant is also quite simple:

Small incision in the tip of the finger and opening a pocket

Create a tinny pocket to add the magnetic pellet (the magnets are about a third the size of a grain of rice)

Do the suture and bandage the finger tips (the procedure takes about half an hour to do 5 fingers)

The first few days the sensation is not very pleasant but after a week and the stitches taken off the pain goes away and in the period between 1 to 4 weeks you can start to enjoy the magnetic field moving feeling, and the benefit of this EBM is that the scars are almost invisible and if what I read is true, the feeling is quite interesting.

Because this procedure is bran new the side effects are not known yet, but the biocompatibility of neodymium, but it is considered a generally toxic irritant and moderately poisonous with documented adverse effects. In order to keep the magnet from coming in contact with the skin, it has to be coated with a sheath of biocompatible silicone, there is always the risk of “peeled” the silicone off of the magnet, if it happens the compromised magnet should be replaced by removed and replaced by a new one.

This procedure is so very new that not even all the BM specialists are doing it; some are waiting for it to get a bit safer and better developed. Because so far risks are unknown, but once that the coating of the magnet problem is solved it will probably turn into a huge trend among people. But if you are one of those that want to get all of it first, please wait until it is proved safe.

3d implants: It is the act of placing an object under the skin to create a design on the skin’s surface, it is actually a very simple technique, an incision is made, and the implant that can be made out of many materials (titanium, soft or solid silicon, Teflon and steel, the steel variety sometimes can cause an infection, there is also the option of natural bone tissue) is inserted, you are stitched up and ready to go. Simple….the after care apparently is simpler than the after care of a piercing. To get a 3D implant you can choose many areas of the body, forehead (the intern horns, third eye and the external horns), you can place spikes on your head, beads on your arms, legs, chest and many but many more, if you are a guy you can get your penis beaded (pearling), in many different ways.

Some of the risks of the implants are:

-Tissue Resorption: erosion of the tissue by rubbing or pressure applied against the body. Implant can bury itself into the muscles wearing down the body's natural defences; this risk can happen especially with hard materials such as Teflon and stain less steel so if you want to get it done try to use softer materials such as silicone and choose safer places to add the implants.

-Implant Rejection: Is when the implants put enough pressure on the skin above them, that it actually manage to do enough damage to surrounding tissue that the skin above the implant dies and the implant becomes exposed ,once this process begins there's not lot that can be done about it other than removing the implant.

-Pressure on Nerve and Muscle: When an implant is placed on top of muscle, nerves, or blood vessels, it has the potential to interfere with their functioning. To minimize the risk you have to be sure to tell the 3D artist if you are experiencing anything that can be related to it, this way the artist can change the positioning or the placement of the implant without harm you, in some cases the procedure has to be postponed or aborted. You should also strongly consider research about the kind of implant that you will get and the location of it so you can do it safely.
There are also many other possible risks that can be associated with implants such as:

Keloids, Implant surface contamination, Implant Biocompatibility, Implant Finishing, Lidocaine Toxicity, Anaesthetic allergy, Sub dermal Shifting, Mod before Client, Needle allergy, Adrenalin Excitement, Impact damage, Hypertrophy scarring, Abscess, Boils, Cancer, Blood loss, Shock, Bloodborne Pathogens

Ok that is all for now guys, next week I will be writing about Surgical modification……And I can promise to you all that it will be a very, but a very interesting article….Until them, go have fun and enjoy life…
Yes, I’m really trying to fix my karma thing……we never know what can happen tomorrow…..

How to Get a Tattoo of Your Body

There are few ways of getting a tattoo off your skin, but none of them are easy, pleasant or simple….

Fade Away Methods:

Fade away methods are the newest development in Tattoo Removal. This method normally involves a series of creams/rubs that are absorbed into the skin. The series, used in combination, causes a reaction that breaks down the components of the ink, which the body then disposes. This procedure essentially speeds up your body's natural process of ridding your body of a foreign object –in this case it is ink. With time the tattoo becomes lighter and lighter, thus the tattoo “fades away.”
This perhaps is the cheapest and least painful removal method. This is the only method that does not have a risk of scarring. However, it is does take some patience. Results are not seen overnight

Surgical Methods:

Most surgeons caution patients that complete tattoo removal is not possible. Few surgeons guarantee complete removal. Beware if they do! This might be your first sign warning sign.

How effective the removal technique is depends on size, location, age of tattoo, colours and type of ink used.

Also be aware of the possible side effects - scarring and pain

Those are:

Laser: The Laser technique is the penetration and break up of the ink articles that were injected into your skin. Much like the Fade Away Method, the ink particles that are broken up by the laser are carried away by the body's natural systems and are disposed as bodily waste.
This removal method involves the use of several types of laser or intense pulsed light therapy. Which types are used all depends on the colour of ink used in the tattoo. Laser has improved somewhat over the past couple of years. It used to take an average of 2 years to remove a tattoo, and even then the process was not fully guaranteed. Although modern lasers and light systems can remove a tattoo in a little less time, this process is entirely dependent upon the laser type, number of sessions and the patient's body. At lease several treatments are necessary, even today. This procedure is performed under a topical anesthetic or with none at all. This is one of the more expensive methods used today.

Cryosurgery: This method involves freezing area of tattoo area prior to its removal.The removal technique often used is dermabrasion (This method involves removing all of the skin and the ink of the tattoo. A sanding instrument is used to "sand off" surface and middle layers of the skin. The tattoo is "sanded" with a rotary abrasive instrument in order to remove all of the skin. Bleeding is likely to occur. This procedure is performed under local anesthetic or local and oral/IV sedation. The price for Dermabrasion can range from $1000 to several thousands of dollars depending on the extent of the area treated.)

Excision: The tattooed area is cut out of your skin, and the surrounding skin is sutured together. This method leaves a scar. Only a small tattoo or a small section of a tattoo can be excised at a time. A larger tattoo may require several treatments and a skin graft. If it is a large tattoo skin from another part of the body might be needed

Extreme Body Modification

I have been keeping as busy as I can to do not have to write this article…..

I’m not a huge fan of scarification; even so I will try to keep it as neutral as I can….

You can basically divide the scarification process in 2:

1) Branding (scarification through burns, from heat and others; the definition of the world branding is literally:

-an identifying mark burned on livestock with a branding iron.

-mark with a branding iron; disgrace, condemn

-Mark of ownership of an animal

-Product identification

There are basically 2 types of branding, “strike” (is when the artist take a piece of metal and repeatedly burn the skin over a drawing) and “cautery” (is when the artist uses a cautery pen to burn the image on the person’s skin).

2) Cuttings (fine scarification using a thin blade, and to this process you can add colour using tattoo ink, sometimes it can include the removal of skin patches).

Ok, now you know the difference between branding and cutting…….

Let me share a bit more with you:

If you decide to choose cutting the procedure will be more or less like:

- topical anaesthetic is first applied to the skin

- the design is drawn with ink onto the desired area

- The artist then traces the design’s outline with a scalpel on your skin, you do not have to worry at this point, it will be a fairly shallow cut.

- After the out line the artist will apply more anaesthetic and wrap your skin for few minutes (not because he thinks that you are a wimp), but it helps the blood diversion, and make easier to work.

- Depending on the size and the amount of work involved the process can take something like 4 hours of: cutting, anaesthetic applying, wrapping and waiting until the volume of blood decrease.

If your choice is branding, the process is more or less like marking cattle (did you ever see it on TV and thought ,” poor animal”, ok so we are speaking the same language here; anyways the procedure goes more or less like so:

- You choose the image that you want (try to keep in mind that after burning the human tissue tents to expand quite a bit, and as the name say, you will be inflicting a third degree burn on your skin).

- try to stick with simple designs, you should know that the results vary quite a bit, and no artist can predict for sure how thick or thin the scar will be, it depends on each one of us healing process. Simpler the design easier is to predict the results that you will get.

- Try to choose a flat are of your body, preferably away from bones and vital organs

- The looks of the scar depend also of the how long the blade will be in contact with the skin, the artist should never apply pressure to it, in order to get a heavier scar the artist have to keep the blade in touch with your skin for longer.

No, you want a very elaborated image, sure, no problem at all, I actually agree with you, once you are doing something at this level do it well……but those designs have to be very well panned on paper and after well shaped on the metal blade, the shapes should be between 1 to 3 inches long, so the iron can retain the heat long enough to make a clean and even strikes. Is a good idea to have the artist to place the blades on your skin to check if all the surface of the blade is in contact with your skin evenly.

Before starting the process you should ask the artist to test the blades, just to be sure that is all ok, and you wont have problems with metal distortion, caused by an uneven distribution of heat thru the metal or by the metal to be to thin or to small. The artist should test the blades on a piece of metal to find out the perfect balance between heat and pressure, so he won’t have to perform the tests on you!!!! Is not really the best of the options use your body as test piece.

The artist should have at least one assistant to hold on to the propane torch.

One last thing, before you start with your scarification:

The area that you will get it done has to be extra clean….not only the area but the surroundings as well (I know that it sounds like stating the obvious, remember at this moment you are nice and comfy reading this article, but if you decide to go under the scarification process you be under some pressure and forgetting small things can cause a large impact after)

The interesting part of the scarification process is that the healing process is a huge part of how your scar will look after. No one can guarantee 100% how your scar will look after healing, but you should really try to avoid getting it infected.

How? Not that simple….

First be sure that you got it done in a clean and professional place, do not think that because scarification was used by primitive tribes and cults, that you can get it done by your sisters friend that is a famous dominatrix….look for places that are experienced, have a portfolio with works previously done and also try to find an artist that will explain to you all the process in a way that you feel really comfortable about what you are doing.

If your choice was the cutting scarification:

The caring process will include tons of cleaning, meaning after around 6 hours you will have to remove the bandage, and wash the place with cool water and soap, rinse it and gently pat dry it. You will need to do it 2 or 3 times daily, for the first 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the type of the scarification and the place that you got it done; it usually takes between 6 to 8 weeks for the primary healing and few months for you to get the true final result.

There is also something called agitation of the scarification, it is used to intensify the looks of your scar, if you want it to have a larger amount of scar tissue on it or not. The cute part of this process is that the most used method of doing it is doing something that your mother probably told you do not do your whole life, picking at the scabs that will form…The other way is a bit more, how can I put it, intense, you will have to rub the area with a soft toothbrush dipped in hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol……..and if you really are up to it, you can do them both first picking the scab and after brushing it, lovely, just keep in mind that you have to do it gently………being rough or over picking it can damage the looks of the final image…..by the way, only do the agitation after few days that you got it done, do not rush things, please……..and also feel free to call the artist if you have any question, I’m sure that he wont think that you are an idiot if you do not know exactly what to do and how to do.

You choose the branding:

You also will have a large amount of after caring to do, such as:
At the studio still the artist should put an anti-bacteria cream on it, cover it up with a sterile pad and get it held in place by surgical tape.
You will probably have to apply the anti-bacterial cream for 3 days, and after that you will have to clean the place around 3 times a day with hydrogen peroxide, you can stop covering the brand after 3 days that you got it done.

In the case of branding, you will have to keep in mind what your mother always told you, do not pick the scabs!!!!!!!!!!!!! And after every shower clean it with hydrogen peroxide. Brands take an average of 3 to 12 weeks to heal (just reminding you: branding is a 3 degree burn on your skin), so please do not forget to be gentle and very careful while cleaning it.

Just a small note here:

I did try to be as neutral as possible while writing this article…….I’m sorry if I could not….I never got a scarification so I’m giving you the view of a person that researched and wondered for few weeks about the subject…If you have any comments to add please do so…

What is TOO Extreme for Body Modification?

So what is extreme body modification, or hardcore body modification? There really is no answer for that, as it’s really up to each person. But assuming we’re dealing with an average Joe, most people consider hardcore body modification to be lots of facial piercings, tattoos on their heads or faces, and even the new craze of tongue splitting (yes, people split their tongues for complete aesthetic purposes).

Now, if you walk to something that’s a little bit deeper in the body modification scene, that’s nothing! Hardcore body modification to them would be splitting the head of your penis, suspending yourself from a single hook in your chest, or doing what’s known as skin peeling (where long strips or shapes of skin are sliced off).

If you go even deeper, the more hardcore body modifications would be amputation or nullification (from the removal of part of a finger, to an entire arm). The obvious question that most people would have after reading this is, “Why?” And the answer is simple. It’s because they wanted to! That’s it! That’s the beauty of each and every one of us having our own lives, we get to do what we want with it. For the same reason someone wouldn’t get a tattoo, another person would. These are basic civil liberties that every human has been with for thousands of years and will always have.

Top 10 Questions about Body Piercing

Body piercing has grown so much in popularity in recent years that it has become almost mainstream, with more and more people sporting navel rings and multiple ear rings. Facial piercings, surface piercings and lots of others to choose from can make things confusing. If you don’t know what to expect when you decide to get a piercing, it can be even more intimidating. Here are some of the top questions people have about body piercing.

1. I want to get a body piercing. How much will it cost?

The cost of a body piercing varies depending on several factors, including where you’re located, how close to a major city you are, and what kind of piercing you’re having done. Generally the more difficult the piercing, the higher the cost. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for as well, so don’t depend entirely upon cost to choose your piercer. If a piercer is charging significantly under the market cost in your area, he may be cutting corners in areas he shouldn’t, such as sterilization and other safety procedures.

On average, the cost of piercings fall somewhere in these ranges:

• Ears (lobes, cartilage, etc.).....anywhere from $25-$50
• Navel...................................$45-$55
• Tongue.................................$45-$55
• Labret..................................$50-$60
• Eyebrow................................$40-$50
• Nipple...................................$45-$55
• Nostril..................................$45-$55
• Genital..................................$75-$100

2. Does it hurt?

In simple terms, yes. Does it hurt much? Most people will tell you, “No, not really.” It’s usually more like a pinching or popping sensation than anything. The sensation of pain is relative—some people feel it more than others. The adrenalin rush of the piercing usually means the pain in minimal.

After the initial pain when the needle goes through the piercing, you may feel some dull pain or an aching sensation for a few hours, which can be relieved with an over the counter pain reliever. One piercing that does hurt a bit more than others is the tongue piercing, which will swell and be sensitive for a few days. Ice chips and popsicles will help soothe the pain of this kind of new piercing.

3. How long does it take a body piercing to heal?

The healing time for a body piercing varies depending upon what you’ve had pierced. Some parts of the body heal more quickly than others. For instance, if you pierce your earlobes, you can expect them to heal within two months and be ready for jewelry other than the original piercing jewelry.

The belly button is in an area that heals slowly, however, because it’s right where the body twists and turns, which slows the healing process. It also doesn’t get as much air circulation because it is covered much of the time. It can take up to six months or even a year for a belly button piercing to heal completely.

Some general healing times are:

• Ear lobes..........6-8 weeks
• Cartilage...........4-8 months
• Eyebrow...........6-8 weeks
• Nostril..............3-4 months
• Septum.............6-8 months
• Labret..............2-3 months
• Tongue.............4-6 weeks
• Nipple..............4-6 months
• Navel...............5 months-1 year
• Genitals............6 weeks-6 months

The better you care for a body piercing, the more quickly it will heal, so be sure to discuss the proper care of your piercing with the piercing professional who does your body piercing to ensure a quick, clean piercing and you will heal in the least amount of time possible.

4. How can I tell if a piercing is infected, or it’s just normal healing stuff?

All body piercings will have some drainage during the first several days. This is because you have basically given your body a puncture wound, and your body will bleed for a while, and then have drainage of some fluids as it heals. These fluids are actually good for you, as they keep the area moist and clean and will wash away some of the dirt and germs that might otherwise stay in the area.

Bleeding should stop within a few hours or the first day and be only small amounts. Often it will look watery. Drainage will be mostly a clear, watery discharge, although it can sometimes be somewhat white in color. The drainage will form “crusties” around the jewelry that can be washed off with warm, soapy water when you clean your piercing each day.

A piercing is infected when the discharge is either green or yellow. Also, if the area becomes swollen or inflamed again after the initial swelling has subsided. Any time you see green or yellow pus or discharge; you should see a doctor and get appropriate medical treatment. It won’t necessarily mean you have to remove your piercing; you may simply have to take a course of antibiotics. If the area becomes red and inflamed with red streaks radiating out from the area, see a doctor right away.

5. What should I look for in a good body piercing studio?

A good body piercing studio must first and foremost be clean, clean, and clean! The most common cause of infection is piercings is simple exposure to germs, so look for a piercing parlor that is very strict about its cleanliness and sterilization procedures. They should have a separate room where nothing else is done but piercings.

They should always have an operational autoclave, which is a wet steam sterilization unit that is to be used to clean and sterilize all tools and equipment used during piercing. They should also pierce only with single-use, disposable needles that are pre-wrapped. Ask them if this is what they use, and insist that the needles not be opened until they are actually ready to do your piercing so that you can confirm they are sterile-wrapped.

Look for experience and qualifications. Have all the piercers been through an apprenticeship program? If so, for how long did they train and where? Also make sure they are licensed to operate a piercing studio by their state’s department of health. In most states this is now mandatory. Also check the date to make sure it isn’t expired. Finally, look for a certificate of membership in a professional society such as the Association of Professional Piercers, an organization that supports safe and professional piercing practices and offers extensive ongoing training.

6. Why can’t I just pierce myself?

You can pierce yourself, but it’s not really a good idea. It’s simply too hard to keep the area in your own home (or wherever you happen to be) clean and sterile enough. You also may have trouble lining up and placing a piercing squarely where you want it, and if you lose your nerve half-way through the piercing, you’re stuck with it half done.

If you do it at home, you’ll probably do it on an impulse, which will mean you won’t have the right tools. Piercing needles are incredibly sharp in order to reduce the pain and make a good, clean cut. No matter how sharp that sewing needle is at home, it’s not as sharp as a piercing needle, so it will hurt more, bleed more, and may not heal as cleanly.

7. What should I clean my piercing with?

Today most professional piercers agree that the best way to clean a fresh piercing is with a mild antibacterial soap. These should not contain perfumes or dyes, which can irritate a piercing and lead to discomfort or an allergic reaction. There are a few on the market that are specifically designed for body piercings, including Provon® and Satin®.

After cleaning, you should follow up with a sea salt water soak. Sea salt is available at natural health stores, piercing and tattoo studios and a variety of other stores. The sea salt solution helps soothe the area and draw impurities out of the wound to promote faster healing. H2Ocean is an excellent pre-mixed sea salt solution that can be sprayed on for ease of use. It’s highly recommended by many professional piercers and is convenient especially if you’re traveling or on the go.

8. What kind of jewelry should a piercing be done with?

A body piercing is, in the simplest terms, a puncture wound, so you want to use a high quality metal that won’t react with your body chemistry to create an allergic reaction or contaminate the open wound.

Never use cheap or base metals to get a body piercing. The best metals to use are titanium or surgical steel, both or which are essentially inert and won’t react with your body. In some cases, you can use high quality gold, but even this sometimes creates a reaction because of the nickel content, so do be cautious.

Once a piercing is completely healed, you have more leeway on what you can use, but if you are at all nickel sensitive, you will probably always have to stick with surgical steel and titanium for your body piercings, unless you are using alternatives such as glass, which is completely non-reactive and safe for nearly everyone.

9. What causes migration? Is it the same as rejection?

Rejection is a more severe form of migration. Migration is when a body piercing begins to move through the flesh because the body is trying to force it out of the skin and get rid of it. In some cases, the body only partially succeeds, and the piercing “migrates” so that it ends up being crooked or misaligned.

When the body completely forces a piercing out of the body, it is called a “rejection,” because the body has completely rejected the piece of jewelry, basically “spitting it out.” This is because any piercing jewelry is a foreign object that the body sees as an invader to be gotten rid of, especially if the piercing is poorly done so that the jewelry aggravates the skin tissues.

10. What if I want to become a professional piercer?

Behave responsibly. Visit a few piercing parlors that you know are top quality and ask about internship programs and other options. Order some videos that take you through the introductory steps of piercing and educate you on the process of proper preparation and sterilization. Many of the larger piercing websites offer these video series’ at a reasonable cost.

You should also take courses in first aid in blood borne pathogens and other illnesses that are commonly transmitted by needles. Many of these courses are offered through community colleges or local hospital extensions. The most important thing is to be fully trained and completely experienced in all manner of piercing before setting yourself up as a piercer on your own—both for your own legal protection and the safety and well-being of those who come to you for body piercing.

The Association of Professional Piercers (www.safepiercing.org) is an excellent source of information on how to get started as a professional piercer.

In Conclusion

Body piercing and wearing body jewelry should be an informed choice, not a snap decision. If you have been thinking about getting a body piercing, talk to others who have done the same and get their feedback. Ask them if they are happy with the results and for their suggestions on good piercing studios. Ask yourself if you’re ready for the commitment to proper care and the expense of a body piercing.

Remember that a body piercing is a form of body modification that will affect how others perceive you. Obviously, this is part of the appeal for most people. However, the reactions will be mixed, and you should keep in mind that while some people will love it, others will not. So think through the consequences of body piercing thoroughly before you proceed. Then, if you decide its right for you—follow the tips above for a safe, attractive body piercing you’ll be proud to wear!

What are the Real Risks of Body Piercing? -- Advice for Parents and Teens

Are you or your teenager considering a body piercing? Is it difficult to see eye-to-eye on this subject, or are you just not sure what the real risks of body piercing are? Sometimes it’s hard to separate the facts from the myths surrounding body modification. When that happens, it can make it even harder for parents and teenagers to come to an agreement on whether a body piercing is an acceptable form of self-expression.

First, you should understand that the risks of body piercing are very real. There are genuine problems that can and do arise, and these shouldn’t be ignored. On the other hand, by taking certain precautions and taking proper care of your piercings, you can minimize your chance of having a problem and greatly increase the chances that you will be one of the millions of people who will end up with a healthy, normal piercing.

What are the health risks of body piercing?

• Infection. Without proper care, infection can lead to scarring and even blood poisoning. Infections of piercings are unattractive and can be very dangerous.
• Allergic Reaction. Some people are sensitive to certain metals and only discover this when they are pierced and have a severe reaction to the jewelry. The rash, swelling, and difficulty breathing can lead to shock and hospitalization.
• Nerve Damage. If a piercing isn’t placed carefully, it can be pushed through a nerve, severing it and making the surrounding area permanently deadened to any feeling.
• Excessive Bleeding. This is just what it sounds like. If you get pierced and happen to hit a large blood vessel, you could have difficulty stopping the bleeding and may end up in the emergency room getting it cauterized. Not pretty.
• Risk of Cross-Contamination. You may become cross-contaminated by Hepatitis, the HIV virus, or another blood-borne pathogen is you are pierced by improperly sterilized needles.
• Keloids. These are toughened knots of scar tissue that look like cysts at the base of a piercing that sometimes form for no reason at the site of a piercing.
• Can’t donate blood. Is it important for you to be a blood donor? Is there someone in your family who is ill and may need blood donations in the near future? Don’t get pierced. You cannot donate blood for one year after getting pierced –- no exceptions.
• Dental Risks. There are several problems that can arise from oral piercings, including chipped teeth, worn tooth enamel, damage to the gums and jaw line from wear, and even aspiration (inhaling) of a loose piece of jewelry into the lungs. Infection and swelling of the tongue is also a possibility, and is very unpleasant.

Are there other body piercing risks?

It depends on what you consider a risk. There are certainly things you should consider that you could call potential drawbacks to getting pierced. Among these are:

• Pain. How much of a weenie are you? If you can’t tolerate pain, you may be risking suffering more than you like for your vanity. Some piercings hardly hurt at all, others can be pretty rough for a few weeks.
• Cost. Do you have the money to pay not only for the piercing and jewelry, but for the aftercare products, such as Provon® or Satin® and H2Ocean®?
• Commitment. You are putting yourself at risk if you can’t clean your piercing every day, twice a day. Period. End of discussion. And you have to do your sea salt soaks or H2Ocean® treatments without fail.
• Judgment of Others. Let’s get real. You may not want to hear this one, but face it; others may judge you based on your piercings, so really think this one through. Will it bother you if others stare as though they are afraid of you? Do you want to have to explain yourself or remove your piercing for job interviews? Will you feel badly if your piercing upsets your grandparents or family friends?

Okay, we’ve looked at the risks of body piercing, and you (or your teenager) are still certain that a piercing is a “must have.” How do you prevent all of those scary possibilities we mentioned in our list of health risks? By doing your homework! A good piercing with a low risk of infection or other complications is the result of choosing a good, professional piercer and having the piercing done in the proper environment.

What should you look for in a piercing parlor that will reduce the risks of body piercing?

First impressions count! When you walk in the door, scan the waiting area. Is it clean, neat and professional looking? If the front of the shop isn’t clean, it’s a sure thing that they can’t keep the back area clean. If you first impression makes you wary, turn around and walk out the door.

Credentials

Check to make sure they are licensed by the local board of health to operate as a piercing studio, and make sure their license hasn’t expired. Also look for membership in a recognized group such as the Association of Professional Piercers (APP), which sets high standards for membership and requires extensive training. An APP certification will indicate that the piercers have taken classes and been through a rigorous apprenticeship program.

Helpful, Knowledgeable Staff

Ask questions, and lots of them. If the employees don’t know the answers and are more like sales clerks pushing jewelry than anything, you should be wary. They may have a high turn-over of staff for some reason; this is also a red flag. If, however, they can answer your piercing questions and give you good, clear advice, then they have been well-trained by someone with experience.

The one exception may be if the studio is very large and they have a few sales people who only work the front counters. If this is the case and you begin asking questions, they should answer honestly that they are salespeople, and be willing to refer you to a piercer or apprentice who can discuss your concerns with you. There should always be a piercer on location at the studio or parlor when it is open –- always.

Printed information

Ask to see the aftercare information they provide to individuals getting pierced. If you hear, “Oh, your piercer will explain all that to you,” insist on seeing the printed version before getting pierced. If they don’t have printed, step-by-step instructions, walk away. It is too easy to forget what you need to do, forget the name of the product you should be using, etc. if you don’t have printed instructions. If they aren’t willing to spend the money to print the instructions for their clients, who knows where else they might be cutting corners!

Read through the aftercare instructions and see if they are current with the prevailing standards. A good way to evaluate this is by checking them against what you see on sites such as BME, Tribalectic and APP. If the piercing literature still recommends using alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, for instance, to clean your piercing, then the studio is not keeping up with the current research in body piercing care and may cause you unnecessary suffering and longer healing times.

The rules are there for a reason

If you’re a teenager and they don’t ask for I.D. or tell you to come back with a parent or guardian, do not thank your lucky stars. Leave! The law says your parent has to be present, and any studio that bends or breaks the rules on one issue will do the same on others.

In other words, if they are willing to “ignore” one rule to grab your money, they will ignore others to turn a higher profit. They may decide that the expense of an autoclave is unnecessary, or that reusing piercing needles is a great way to save some money. You are a minor and have little or no protection without your parents present, and they know this –- that’s why they do it -- to take advantage of you, pure and simple. If you are going to get pierced, make sure you take a parent or guardian with you for your own safety. If they’ve been cool enough to get this far with you, they’ll survive going to a piercing parlor, trust me.

The rest of the place

We’ve made it past the waiting room and decided that the piercing parlor seems okay so far; they have current credentials and health certificates, their aftercare instructions look good, and they had Dad sign a consent form. Are we ready to go? Not yet. You still need to check a few more things. Don’t be afraid to interrogate them about the piercing room and the sterilization process itself. These are two of the most important things to consider.

Ask these questions before ever getting pierced:

• Do you sterilize your tools in an autoclave? May I see your most recent spore test results? If they don’t do spore testing at least once a month, don’t get pierced there. Spore testing is the only way to know if an autoclave is effectively sterilizing the equipment, and autoclave sterilization is the only method approved by the Association of Professional Piercers.
• How long have you been piercing, and how did you learn? Body piercing is complex, and any piercer who is a professional will gladly explain where he learned and from whom. It takes quite a while to learn what types of jewelry and needles are best for each piercing and to learn how to place the piercings optimally. If a piercer seems defensive or less than forthcoming, be hesitant to let him touch you with a needle.
• May I see the room where you’ll be doing the piercing, and can I watch you set up? Check out the area where the piercings are done. Do they wipe down the area before and after every piercing? Do they maintain a clean, dust free environment at all times? When setting up, make sure that the sterilized instruments are put on a tray and not touched except with washed, gloved hands. Make sure the piercer uses gloves for the entire piercing and changes them frequently.
• What type of piercing needles do you use? There is only one correct answer: Single-use, pre-sterilized, disposable needles. These should not be opened except in your presence at the time of the piercing. If they use a piercing gun for any piercing, leave immediately. No body piercing should ever be done with a piercing gun, which causes bruising, trauma and excessive tearing and bleeding.

“I’ve chosen the parlor and piercer and I got a really cool body piercing. Now what?”

AFTERCARE!!! There is nothing as crucial to addressing the risks of body piercing as properly following the guidelines for piercing aftercare. Since you’ve chosen a reliable, professional piercer, you will have a set of aftercare instructions that will tell you what to do to properly care for your piercings.

Do not skip a day because you are too tired, too busy, or because you “forget.” Aftercare is literally preventative care –- you are taking care of your piercing in order to prevent an infection and to enable the wound to heal properly. While following your aftercare instructions, watch for signs of trouble so that you can address them early on before they turn into real problems.

Signs of a potential problem that you should bring to the attention of your parents (if you are a minor) or your piercer are:

• Discharge that is green or yellow from the piercing
• Splitting, oozing or cracking and bleeding of a piercing more than a week old
• Swelling and redness after the first few days
• Pain and redness or red streaks radiating out from the piercing
• Migration (movement of the piercing) up through the layers of skin
• Difficulty breathing and swelling of the tongue within hours of a piercing, especially an oral piercing
• A rash or hives soon after a piercing
• A lump or bump forming at the base of the piercing

In some cases, you will need to see a doctor; in others your piercer will be able to advise you on the proper steps to alleviate the situation. The important thing is to catch any small problems before they turn into big ones. If you follow your aftercare instructions and monitor your piercing carefully, you can minimize the risks of body piercing so that you can enjoy your new body piercing completely!

Body Piercing Aftercare and Healing Essentials

The most important thing to keep in mind after your body piercing has been performed is that you have essentially just sustained an open wound, and you should be caring for it exactly like you would a surgical wound or injury. That is, with the same kind of care, cleanliness and attention that you would to a serious injury to make sure that you don’t scar or get an infection. There are two different types of body piercings to consider: non-oral and oral.

Non-oral body piercing aftercare

Keeping your piercing clean can’t be stressed too much! It just can’t. Twice a day, every day, without fail. No excuses. Use a mild antibacterial soap that doesn’t have fragrances in it, such as Provon® Antimicrobial Lotion Soap or Satin® Therapeutic Skin Cleanser, both of which are approved by the Association of Professional Piercers (APP). The best place to clean your piercing is usually in the shower, where the warm water will help you loosen and remove those crusties around the base of your jewelry. Use a cotton swab or a Kleenex to remove these, and then throw the swab or Kleenex away. Never use a washcloth –- these things are breeding grounds for germs and bacteria! The same for bath towels after your shower!

Then, with clean hands, gently cleanse the area with the soap and turn the jewelry so that the soap gets in the piercing and let this sit for a minute or two. After rotating it again, rinse thoroughly with warm, clear water. Make sure you get all of the soap out to prevent irritation. The rinsing is very important, so try to be thorough without irritating the area. It often helps to cup your hands and drizzle water over the area, since the shower stream can be a little too hard to aim directly on the area.

Don’t forget your sea salt soaks

After cleansing, a sea salt soak helps to draw out any piercing infection and impurities while soothing the area and calming any inflammation that may be present. Mix about ¼ teaspoon of sea salt with 8 ounces of warm water. Using a disposable cup, soak your piercing in this for ten minutes the first time, and five minutes each time after that. If your piercing is in a location that makes this difficult, apply the solution with cotton swabs, tissues or some other disposable product that’s soft and clean. Never use a hanky, washcloth or any other item that is going to be reused.

Always pat your piercings dry with cotton balls, cotton swabs or tissues –- don’t rub them, pat them. This reduces irritation and possible tearing of the skin and helps promote healing. Although it seems to be a minor step, keeping your piercings dry is actually an essential part of piercing aftercare because it reduces the opportunities for bacteria to breed (they love a warm, moist place to play).

If you aren’t sure about mixing your sea salt soaks properly or it’s too inconvenient, there’s a new alternative on the market that’s less messy and is portable. H2Ocean® Piercing Aftercare Spray is a pre-mixed sea salt solution containing lysozyme, a natural antibacterial that is gentle to the skin. Simply spray it on the area and allow to drip dry; it’s easy to use because of their patent-pending compressed air delivery system that produces a fine mist. This product is guaranteed to heal navel piercings in only a month and a half if used regularly and is highly recommended by numerous piercing communities like BME and Prick magazine.

H2Ocean® also comes in a portable size for your pocket or purse, which makes piercing aftercare away from home easier. X-pressions Piercing Aftercare Spray is also available for both oral and non-oral body piercings and is a mild antibacterial solution with purified water in a non-aerosol, pump spray with a pleasant, peppermint flavor.

Once a day (not more often, because you’ll be unnecessarily irritating the area), check that the ends of your piercing jewelry are firmly screwed on. But wash your hands with antibacterial soap first.

And now, a few “don’ts”

• Don’t ever put hydrogen peroxide or alcohol on a piercing -- they are too drying and will delay healing.
• Don’t ever use Neosporin on a piercing -- it can actually trap bacteria. Read the label; it actually says, “Not for puncture wounds.” Guess what? A piercing is a puncture wound.
• Don’t ever remove your piercing jewelry before the piercing is completely healed, which may take months or up to a year. If you suspect a piercing infection, see your piercing professional or doctor first.
• Don’t sleep on your piercing until the initial healing phase is over.
• Don’t wear tight clothing over your piercing during the initial healing phase.

Oral piercing aftercare

During the first three to six weeks after an oral piercing, rinse your mouth with an antibacterial agent after every meal to kill bacteria and make sure not tiny food particles aren’t lodged around your piercing just waiting to fester and turn into problems later. There are several excellent products on the market for this, including APP recommended Biotene and Tech2000 Dental Rinse; these have the proper ingredients and have the right potency to get the job done without being too strong.

Don’t bother with mouthwash, because it’s not strong enough to do anything but cover your bad breath, which won’t be much consolation when you have a swollen, tender tongue because of improper aftercare. You can also use a commercial antibacterial rinse, but dilute it so that it isn’t too strong. If your tongue develops a whitish or yellowish look, your mouth rinse is too strong and will slow healing.

Sea salt rinses … ahh!

Mix the familiar warm water solution of 8 ounces water to ¼ teaspoon sea salt and swish this in your mouth for 15-20 seconds after drinking anything other than water and after smoking. It’s not only an aid to healing, but can be very soothing to the pierced area. If your oral piercing is sore or swollen, you can find some relief by allowing crushed ice to melt in your mouth. Popsicles, ice cream and the like also work, but will need to be followed up, like everything else, with a sea salt rinse (or H2Ocean®).

Brush, brush, brush

You can keep your tongue and piercing as clean as you want, but if you don’t brush your teeth well, you’ll still have millions of bacteria in your mouth. Try to brush your teeth three times a day during the first several weeks of healing. Buy a new soft-bristle brush that will be gentle on your piercing. Don’t use a brush that you’ve already used before your piercing, as it will harbor old germs. You should also gently brush the balls on the ends of your piercing jewelry to prevent the natural build-up of plaque on your jewelry.

Oral piercing “don’ts”

• Don’t smoke, chew gum or use snuff or rub during the healing period; these increase the risk of piercing infections astronomically.
• Don’t play with the piercing jewelry or click it against your teeth; this can cause cracking of your tooth enamel.
• Don’t engage in any activities, including kissing, that exchange body fluids during the initial healing period of several weeks.

General tips to improve healing success

Proper piercing aftercare is the primary reason for a successfully healed body modification, but your overall health and how well you take care of yourself is also a contributing factor. If you are run-down or your immune system is compromised, you will not heal as quickly and you will be more prone to infection. For that reason, you should keep in mind a few things whenever you have any kind of piercing in order to help ensure that your piercing aftercare measures are given the best chance of success:

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Eight glasses of day at the very least.
• At least eight hours of sleep a night
• Try to limit the amount of stress in your life
• Vitamin C and Zinc supplements to help speed the healing process
• Lots of fruits and vegetables, and a multi-vitamin if needed
• If the pain bothers you, take Ibuprofen. If you are comfortable, you are less likely to fidget with the piercing.

Signs of trouble

Even with excellent piercing aftercare, there will be some swelling at the site of a piercing for a few days. You’ll also have some clear, watery discharge and perhaps some mild bleeding. The bleeding will usually stop within 24 hours, while the discharge may last for several days or weeks. This is simply drainage of the wound and actually helps prevent piercing infection.

Signs that the piercing is in trouble include:

• Discharge that becomes noticeably thicker and is yellow or green in color. This is a sign or infection and should be checked by a doctor.
• Inflammation that lasts longer than a few days, with redness and irritation. See your piercing professional or doctor.
• Red streaks from the piercing site and a fever, along with body aches. See your doctor.
• Hives, redness, itching and irritation around the piercing, which may signal an allergic reaction to the piercing jewelry. Your piercing professional can try replacing it with an alternative metal.
• Difficulty breathing or wheezing after your piercing, or a feeling that your mouth or throat are swelling closed. Seek emergency attention immediately!

So how long does all this healing take?

If you perform your piercing aftercare properly, your body piercing will heal cleanly and leave you with a beautiful new piercing with no scarring, migration or keloids. The time it takes to achieve this, however, will vary depending upon what kind of piercing it is.

The general timeframes listed below are just for reference. All of these depend upon your individual body’s response, how much stress you are under and a thousand other variables.

Earlobe or Eyebrow: 6 – 8 weeks
Genitals: 4 weeks – 4 months ..
Labret/Lip: 6 – 8 weeks
Navel: 6 – 18 months
Nipple: 3 – 6 months
Nostril: 3 months – 1 year
Septum: 6 – 8 weeks
Tongue: 4 – 6 weeks
Cartilage: 3 months – 1 year....

The History of Body Piercings - Ancient and Fascinating Around the World

Body piercings have seen a resurgence of interest in the last ten to twenty years and are becoming more and more a part of the mainstream Western culture. Take a look at any fashion or entertainment magazine and you’ll see plenty of well-known celebrities with body piercings like navel rings or a labret. You might be surprised to find out that piercing is actually an ancient form of expression that most cultures have practiced at some time or other for thousands of years.

Egyptian body piercings reflected status and love of beauty

The earliest known mummified remains of a human that was pierced is over 5,000 years old. This worthy gentleman had his ears pierced with larger-gauge plugs in his ears, so plugs may be one of the oldest forms of body modification there is! We also know that the Egyptians loved to adorn themselves elaborately, and even restricted certain types of body piercings to the royal family. In fact, only pharaoh himself could have his navel pierced. Any one else who tried to get a belly button ring could be executed. (Tell that to Britney Spears!) Almost every well-to-do Egyptian wore earrings, though, to display their wealth and accent their beauty. Elaborate enameled and gold earrings frequently portrayed items in nature such as lotus blossoms.

Body piercings are also mentioned in the Bible. In the Old Testament it’s obvious that body jewelry is considered a mark of beauty and wealth, especially for Bedouin and nomadic tribes. In many cases, body jewelry was given as a bridal gift or as part of a dowry. It is clear that piercing was a sign of status and attractiveness in Biblical times.

Romans were practical piercers

Romans were very practical people, and for them piercing almost always served a purpose. Roman centurions pierced their nipples not because they liked the way it looked, but to signify their strength and virility. It was a badge of honor that demonstrated the centurion’s dedication to the Roman Empire. As a symbol, it was important and served a specific function, unifying and bonding the army. Even Julius Caesar pierced his nipples to show his strength and his identification with his men.

Genital piercing through the head of the penis was performed on gladiators, who were almost always slaves, for two reasons. A ring through the head of the penis could be used to tie the organ back to the testicles with a length of leather. In gladiatorial combat, this prevented serious injury. With a large enough ring or bar, it also prevented the slave from having sex without the owner’s consent. Since the gladiator was “property,” a stud fee could be charged to another slave owner for the highly prized opportunity to raise the next generation of great fighter.

Making love or war, piercing makes it better

Going across the ocean at around the same time, the Aztecs, Maya and some American Indians practiced tongue piercing as part of their religious rituals. It was thought to bring them closer to their gods and was a type of ritual blood-letting. The Aztec and Maya were warrior tribes, and also practiced septum piercing in order to appear fiercer to their enemies. Nothing looks quite as frightening as an opponent sporting a huge boar tusk thrust through his nose!

This practice was also common among tribes in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Some of the materials commonly used were bone, tusks and feathers. Hundreds of years later, French fur trappers in Washington State discovered American Indian tribes who wore bones through their septum and called them the Nez Perce, meaning “Pierced Noses” in French. It’s interesting that civilizations separated by thousands of miles and even centuries often developed a love for the same kind of body piercings to enhance certain features, isn’t it?

In Central and South America, lip labrets were popular for purely aesthetic reasons – women with pierced lips were considered more attractive. In fact, the holes were often stretched to incredible size as progressively larger wooden plates were inserted to emphasize the lips as much as possible. (Kind of like collagen today). The Aztecs and Maya also sported lip labrets of gold and jade, many of them elaborately carved into mythical or religious figures or sporting gemstones. These were seen as highly attractive and to enhance sexuality.

As the world moved into the dark ages, interest in piercing died down somewhat and the medieval church began to condemn it as sinful. For a few hundred years, Western civilization abandoned the practice. As the Renaissance went into full swing, however, interest in piercing began to pick up again.

A new era and a new interest in body piercings

Sailors became convinced that piercing one ear would improve their long-distance site, and so the site of a sailor with a gold or brass ring became common. Word also spread that should a sailor be washed ashore after a shipwreck, the finder should keep the gold ring in exchange for providing a proper Christian burial. Sailors were both religious and superstitious, so they generally spent a lot for a large gold earring to hedge their bets.

Men became much more fashion-conscious during the Renaissance and Elizabethan eras, and almost any male member of the nobility would have at least one earring, if not more. Large pearl drops and enormous diamond studs were a great way to advertise your wealth and standing in the community. It could also designate royal favor if your earring was a gift from a member of the royal family.

Women, not wanting to be outshone by the men in all their finery, began to wear plunging necklines, with the Queen of Bavaria introducing the most outrageous, which consisted of not much at all above the waist. In order to adorn themselves, women began piercing their nipples to show off their jewelry. Soon they began wearing chains and even strands of pearls draped between the two.

Men and women both discovered that these nipple piercings were also delightful playthings in bed, adding sensitivity to the breasts and giving the men both visual and tactile stimulation. Men began getting pierced purely for pleasure as well. While not entirely mainstream, piercing of the nipples and, occasionally, the genitals, continued to hold interest for members of the upper crust of society in Europe on and off for the next few hundred years.

The next resurgence of interest was, surprisingly, during the Victorian age, which is usually seen as very repressed. Prince Albert, future husband of Queen Victoria, is said to have gotten the penis piercing that is named after him in order wear the tight-fitting trousers so popular at the time. The ring could then be attached to a hook on the inside of one pant leg, tucked safely away between the legs for a neat, trim look. Although we have no record of Victoria’s response to the piercing itself, there is ample evidence she was wildly in love with her husband and almost never left his side after their marriage!

Soon, Victorian men were getting Prince Albert's, frenums and a variety of other piercings purely for the pleasurable sexual effects, and women were doing the same. By the 1890’s, it was almost expected that a woman would have her nipples pierced. In fact, some doctors at the time suggested it improved conditions for breastfeeding, although not all agreed. It was an interesting double standard –- plenty of people were doing it, but no one was talking about it.

Modern-day body piercings

In the last hundred years or so, body piercings in the Western world have mostly been limited to the ears, a standard hold-over from the fact that both men and women wore earrings during Elizabethan times. The Puritan movement did away with men wearing earrings, however, and it didn’t really regain popularity until recently.

Nose rings found new interest when young people (they were called hippies then) from the U.S. began traveling in India extensively looking for enlightenment in the 1960’s. They noticed the nostril rings that most women had been wearing there since the sixteenth century. In India, this was a form of traditional, accepted adornment and was often linked to an earring by a chain. For rebellious teens from America, it was a great form of rebellion.

After bringing nose piercings back to the U.S., the interest in body piercings of all kinds quickly caught on during the 1980’s and 1990’s. Celebrities, sports stars and singers all began sporting a variety of piercings. Soon, high school students and even stay-at-home moms were flashing new body piercings. And the rest, as they say, is history!