Body Piercing!

Body piercing usually refers to the piercing of a part of the human body for the purpose of wearing jewelry in the opening created. Body piercing is a form of body modification. The word "Piercing" can refer to the act or practice of body piercing, or to a specific pierced opening in the body.

Some people practice piercing for religious or other cultural reasons, while many individuals, particularly in the modern West, choose to be pierced for spiritual, ornamental, or sexual reasons.

Body Piercing In ancient times

Evidence suggests that body piercing (including ear 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 'tzi the Iceman, which was found in an Italian glacier. This mummy had an ear piercing 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. In Exodus 32, Aaron makes the golden calf from melted earrings. Deuteronomy 15:12-17 dictates ear piercing as a mark of slavery. 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 jewelry in their ears, noses, and lower lips, and such decorations continue to be popular amongst indigenous peoples in these regions.

Body Piercing folklore

Many contemporary authors and body piercing enthusiasts have made attempts to explain the history or development of body piercing in Western Culture, prior to its contemporary practice. In Dreamtime by Hans Peter Duerr, he claims that nipple piercing became popular in 14th century Europe. There is evidence, both anecdotal and photographic, that nipple piercing was practiced in Europe during the late 19th century and in the early 20th century, but it was not considered to be a common practice. It is sometimes claimed that Roman centurions practiced nipple piercing and that soldiers attached their capes to the piercings. This is not true. Their capes were attached to the breast plate of their armor. This particular myth owes its popularity to Doug Malloy, an American piercing pioneer who published pamphlets in the late 1970's promoting his highly fanciful histories of body piercing.

Body Piercing today

Body Piercing Modern history and societal attitudes

Ear piercing has existed continuously since ancient times, including throughout the 20th century in the Western world. 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. Ear piercing, of either or both ears, has always been practiced by men in many non-Western cultures. 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.

Less conventional forms of body piercing have also existed continuously for as long as ear piercing, but generally not in Western cultures. For example, women in India routinely practice nostril piercing, and have done so for centuries.

In the 1970s, body piercing gained popularity in the gay BDSM subculture because of various reasons. In 1975, Jim Ward opened The Gauntlet, America's first storefront body piercing operation, in Los Angeles.

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.

Body piercing Female Pierced through the following

Lobe (Ear), Septum (Nose), Labret (Lips)

Body Piercing Personal attitudes

Attitudes towards piercing vary. Some regard the practice of piercing or of being pierced as spiritual, sometimes embracing the term "modern primitive", while others deride this view as insulting, as cultural appropriation, or as trendy. Some see the practice as a form of artistic or self-expression. Others choose to be pierced as a form of sexual expression, or to increase sexual sensitivity. For some people, piercing is part of an S-M lifestyle or relationship, or is incorporated into S-M play.

Some people choose to be pierced for symbolic reasons. For example, some survivors of sexual abuse have said that they experience piercing as allowing them to retake control over their own bodies. Some people choose to be pierced to symbolize certain relationships. For gay men, piercing has historically been viewed as a form of public self-identification or "coming out". However, the current popularity of piercing among many different groups has diluted much of its specific cultural identification and symbolism.

While some people consider body modification to be a sign of non-conformity, others deride body piercing as trendy, but this isn't always the case. This can at times lead to prejudice or cognitive bias against those with piercings or visible signs of past piercings.

Contemporary Piercing procedure

Immediate disposal of used needles into a sharps container is standard practice.Permanent body piercings (as opposed to play piercings) are performed by creating an opening in the body using a sharp object through the area to be pierced. This can either be done by cutting an opening using a needle (usually a hollow medical needle) or scalpel or by removing tissue, either with a scalpel or a dermal punch.

Contemporary body piercing studios generally take numerous precautions to protect the health of the person being pierced and the piercer. Tools and jewelry are sterilised in autoclaves and non-autoclavable surfaces are cleaned with sterilising agents on a regular basis and between clients. Sterile, single use gloves are worn by the piercer to protect both the piercer and the client. Commonly, a piercer will use multiple pairs of gloves per client, often one pair for each step of setup to avoid cross contamination. For example, after a piercer has cleaned the area to be pierced on a client, he may change gloves to avoid recontaminating the area with the gloves he used to clean it.

Most professional studios will only pierce with stainless steel or titanium jewelry. Some use one or the other exclusively. Piercers who use titanium exclusively will note that even stainless steel can sometimes contain too much nickel to be safe for some people to wear in a piercing. Jewelry made of pure platinum as well as 14k and 18k gold is not considered safe for piercing, but is often used for decorative jewelry when the piercing has healed. However, many piercers also claim that some alloys of 14k gold contain too much copper, silver or other alloy metals, opting for at least 18k for any jewelry piece.

Decorative jewelry bought at retail stores is often highly discouraged by piercers, as much of it contains components that can be irritating or even toxic. Even some jewelry that is claimed to be titanium is often composed of cheaper metals such as nickel and iron. Silver in any use or form is also highly discouraged due to the threat of argyria and possible carcinogenic effects of various silver compounds.

Much like tattoos, it is often much better to avoid bargains and low prices, and instead opt for reasonably expensive jewelry and procedures.

Body Piercing Standard Needle Method

The standard method in the United States involves making an opening using a hollow medical needle. The needle is inserted into the body part being pierced, but not all the way through. While still in the body, the initial jewelry to be worn in the piercing is pushed through the opening, following the back of the needle. Piercing using hollow medical needles does not actually remove any flesh, the method cuts a slit and holds it open in the shape of the cross section of the needle, in this case, a circle. In this method, the needle is the same gauge or larger than the initial jewelry to be worn. Piercings that penetrate cartilage are often pierced one or two gauges larger than the jewelry, to reduce pressure on the healing piercing, allowing for a fistula to properly form.

Body Piercing Indwelling Cannula Method

Many European (and other) piercers use a needle containing a cannula (hollow plastic tube placed at the end of the needle, also see catheter). Procedure is identical to the standard method, only that the initial jewelry is inserted into the back of the cannula and the cannula and the jewelry are then pulled through the piercing. This method reduces the chance of the jewelry slipping during the insertion procedure, and also protects the fresh piercing from possible irritation from external threading (if used) during initial insertion.

Body Piercing Pierce and Taper

Similar to the standard method, this is a more advanced technique, sometimes used to pierce where large gauge initial jewelry is desired. In this method, after the needle is inserted and the opening is created, a tapered steel bar (usually one gauge larger than that of the needle at the large end) is inserted instead of initial jewelry. Then the jewelry is pushed through the opening, following the tapered bar. The success of this method is dependent on the elasticity of the skin in the area being pierced, the skill of the piercer and the type of piercing being done.

Body Piercing Scalpelling

In this method, a medical scalpel is used to cut a slit, allowing for the insertion of large gauge jewelry. This method is often used in the creation of large gauge ear piercings. Scalpelling can also be used to correct an improper placement on piercings, an example of this would be cutting existing large gauge ear piercings to match symmetrically. If the jewelry is removed from a scalpelled piercing the fistula may not shrink or close over time and unwanted piercings may have to be surgically repaired. Scalpelling is most commonly used on earlobes, but can be used anywhere where large gauge piercings are desired.

Body Piercing Dermal Punching

In this method, a dermal punch is used to remove a circular area of tissue, into which jewelry is placed. This method is usually used to remove both skin and cartilage in upper ear piercings, where cartilage must be removed to relieve pressure on the piercing to ensure proper healing and long term viability of the piercing. Like scalpelled piercings, the healed fistulas created or enlarged using a dermal punch will usually not shrink over time.

Body Piercing guns

Piercing guns are commonly used in retail settings to perform ear piercings. These gun-shaped devices are designed for piercing the earlobe only; they are not marketed or designed for use on any part of the body other than the earlobe. piercing the upper ear (through cartilage) with piercing gun often results in longer healing times, and possible increased discomfort.

Many professionalbody Piercers discourage the use of these instruments. A major complaint is that ear piercing instruments perform the piercing using a great deal of force with a relatively blunt stud earring. The autoclaving of piercing guns is usually impossible, because certain materials used in their construction would be destroyed if autoclaved. Even though they are occasionally used for other purposes, ear piercing instruments are designed for earlobe piercing only.

Body Piercing Internally threaded jewelry

Internal and external threads illustrated using a common nut and bolt.A number of piercing shops exclusively use jewelry that is internally threaded. That is, the ball-ends of the jewelry screw into the bar, rather than the bar screwing into the ball. Though more expensive and difficult to produce than externally threaded jewelry, Piercers who use internally threaded jewelry advise that since the bar that is being inserted into the skin has no sharp threads on the end, it will not cut or irritate skin, and allows for safer healing.

However, in today's world of body piercing, most manufacturers of quality body jewelry agree that if externally threaded jewelry is going to be used, it must have a tapered end on it so that at the very least, the threads can slip into the back end of the needle, thus protecting the piercees tissue from threading during the initial piercing.

Arguments have arisen that using internally threaded jewelry can be just as, if not more, dangerous for the body on occasion. For example, if one gets one's tongue pierced with an internally threaded barbell and the threading is not properly screwed down by the piercer or becomes loose because of playing with the jewelry, one runs the risk of swallowing a ball. Whereas an externally threaded ball would simply pass through the body because it has nothing protruding from it, an internally threaded ball would scrape the throat, stomach, and intestines with its threads as it passes through. However, this risk is only evident with oral and, rarely, nasal piercings.

The healing process and body Piercing aftercare

A new piercing will be sore, tender or red for several days up to three weeks. Complete healing normally takes several weeks or more. Below are more specific healing time estimates. During this period, care must be taken to avoid infection. Touching--or, for genital and oral piercings, sexual activity--is usually discouraged.

Primary healing usually takes about as long as is listed below; the jewelry should not be removed during this period. The healing time should not be rushed. Very often a piercing that seemed to be healed will start to have problems when it is handled roughly, or exposed to mouth contact or unwashed hands before fully healed.

Full healing starts after primary healing is complete and usually takes about as long as primary healing, during this period the skin thickens and starts to gain elasticity. An additional "toughening up" period takes place after full healing is complete, this "toughening up" period also takes about as long as the primary healing time. During "toughening up" the skin remodels itself developing an internal texture in the fistula tube that replaces the shiny scar like internal surface.

Body Piercing Approximate primary healing times

Body Piercing Head

Beauty mark: 8 10 weeks

Bridge: 8 10 weeks

Cheek/Anti-Eyebrow: 10 12 weeks

Ear cartilage: 2 4 months

Ear lobes: 6 8 weeks

Eyebrow: 6 8 weeks

Lip/Labret: 2 4 weeks

Nostril: 6 12 months

Septum: 6 8 weeks

Tongue: 4 6 weeks

Frenulum: 6 8 weeks

Body Piercing Torso

Female Nipples: 4 6 months

Male Nipples: 2 4 months

Navelp piercing: 6 months

Hand web: 6 9 months

Surface: 6 9 months

Neck: 6 9 months

Female Genital Piercings

Clitoral Hood: 2 6 weeks

Clitoris: 2 4 weeks

Fourchette: 4' 6 weeks

Labia Minora: 2 4 weeks

Labia Majora: 2 6 months

Triangle: 8 10 weeks

Pubic: 10 12 weeks

Male Genital Piercings

Ampallang: 4 8 months

Apadravya: 4 8 months

Dydoe: 8 12 weeks

Frenum: 6 8 weeks

Guiche: 8 10 weeks

Prince Albert: 4 9 weeks

Reverse Prince Albert: 4 6 months

Scrotum: 6 10 weeks

Foreskin: 6 8 weeks

Pubic: 10 12 weeks

Lorum: 10 12 weeks

Over time, after the piercing, the resulting wound is allowed to heal, forming a tunnel of scar tissue called a fistula. When the piercing has fully healed, the initial jewelry may be changed or removed for short periods.

Body Piercing Behavior that promotes healing

Revisiting the piercer for an evaluation at any time, if needed

Practicing good hygiene

Following the recommended aftercare guidelines

Taking sufficient supplement tablets Iron, Zinc

Body Piercing Behavior that hinders healing

Contact between the new piercing and another person's skin or bodily fluids

Excessive and unnecessary touching of the piercing, especially with unwashed hands

Failure to take proper aftercare measures

smoking and drinking alcohol (in the case of oral piercings)

Exposure to irritating substances such as cosmetics, perfume, lotion, some topical ointments, etc.

Immersion in chemically-treated pool water, or natural water (i.e. lakes, rivers, streams, and oceans) which contains bacteria, protozoa, and parasites.

Body Piercing Cleaning

Body Piercing Oral Piercings

For tongue, lip, cheek, and labret piercings, it is recommended to rinse the mouth after smoking, eating and drinking (except water). Listerine is too harsh on the piercing and will most likely dry out the piercing, so it is recommended to get a non-alcoholic mouthwash, or a diluted saline solution, such as Biotine, or TECH 2000 or use a diluded Listerine solution (half Listerine, half water). H2Ocean makes an alcohol free mouthwash which has sea salt as an ingredient. Kissing and oral sex are advised against for 4-6 weeks after the piercing, as are excessively hot or spicy foods. Some recommend cold foods such as ice cream bars, slushies, and the like to dull pain. It is generally advised by piercers to use a sea salt rinse (1/8 teaspoon per 8oz of distilled or boiled water); proportionate mixes are marketed and sold by companies such as H2Ocean) or a medical saline rinse, which could be placed in a shot glass and held to the piercing for about 10 minutes, no more than 2 times a day. The solution could also be soaked into a cotton ball and used to gently cleanse the piercing morning and night. Over cleaning is a common cause of irritation and redness in a piercing, as well as inappropriate cleansing agents. Cleaning the piercing 2-3 times a day should be sufficient. Table salt Sodium Chloride is considered to be less natural than sea salt but in equal concentrations table salt may be less irritating than sea salt because table salt may be purer than sea salt. Epsom Salt, diluted in water, is also very effective in the healing process or when signs of a possible infection become visible through swelling and puss. Another technique is sometimes practiced in which a new piercing is left to heal completely on its own without any cleansing, under the philosophy that the body will treat it as any other minor wound. This is commonly called the LITHA method, which stands for "Leave It The Heck Alone." Piercers who use this method compare the healing process to getting stitches to heal up surgical wounds. Since one wants the body to accept the jewelry and create a clean, firm fistula, piercers who use this method advise that any solution or chemical could irritate the piercing and cause rejection and promote scarring and keloids.

Stores such as Hot Topic sell H2Ocean. Claire's markets rinses used in ear and body piercing aftercare that have excess chemicals that only hinder the process. For the most part, Piercers agree that hydrogen peroxide and isopropyl alcohol are effective in sanitation but too strong for fresh piercings and often result in irritated piercings or excess scar tissue.

The debate over what constitutes proper aftercare is belied by the simple fact that a healthy clean piercing that isn't made to become irritated through harsh treatment (of any kind) will almost always heal perfectly; but personal preferences will vary.

Body Piercing Changing of initial jewelry to allow for swelling

For some piercings (in particular tongue piercings) changing the initial jewelry is an essential step. In the case of tongue piercing this is because the initial jewelry is significantly longer than the jewelry for a healed piercing, to allow for swelling.

Body Piercing Discharge on the jewelry

Dried sebum deposit on body jewelry.During the primary healing process, it is normal for a white discharge to be noticeable on the jewellery. Provided there is no pain or swelling, it does not usually signify an infection. This is the body fluid, blood plasma, It can look unsightly, and may be a little difficult to remove as it can set solid very quickly. Another name for such discharge is "lymph" which is a fluid produced by the body's lymph nodes - this tends to be a regular occurrence in the healing of a piercing as well as long as there are no signs of pain or swelling. The photograph is of a ring removed from a healthy nipple piercing after the primary healing period.