From: pdavies@alchemy.chem.utoronto.ca (Paul Davies)
Subject: pierce faq 1/4
Organization: University of Toronto Chemistry Department
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 00:13:54 GMT

**** PIERCE FAQ PART 1 OF 4 ****
This is the piercing side of the rec.arts.bodyart FAQ.  The other 'half'
of the FAQ covers tattooing and branding and whatever else comes up.  

WHAT THIS FILE CONTAINS:

The first article is the text of a pamphlet I wrote to introduce people to
body piercing.  It's pretty concise (it had to fit onto an 8.5" x 11"
piece of paper) but it covers the basics for a novice.

Second is a very good posting by Harry Ugol about his tongue piercing
which covers healing (which is applicable to all mouth piercings).

Third is a list of body piercers and places to get jewelry (it would be
very nice if others would contribute to this list; thanks to those that
have). 

Fourth is the text from the Body Art catalog (from the UK) which is quite
long and quite good.  This was provided by Pekka from Finland.

You might notice some inconsistencies in this text which is more a result
of the inexact nature of piercing than of anything else.  Everyone has a
different experience with piercing and there are no hard and fast rules.
The best advice is be sensible, keep it clean, and have fun.  If anything
is wrong in this FAQ please let me know.  The knowledge contained in this
FAQ is group knowledge.  I certainly don't know everything (not even close
:), so please let me know if I'm wrong.  

Any time I disagree with something but felt it should be left in I have
noted so by enclosing my comments in square braces: [SM a comment].


WHAT IS NEW:

Added some piercers to the list; thats it.

Paul Davies / Synthetic Man
pdavies@alchemy.chem.utoronto.ca


ITEM 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------



                             BODY PIERCING


                              INTRODUCTION

Body piercing is a long practised form of body adornment which is starting
to gain popularity in North America.  This pamphlet is intended to
introduce you to the general practice of piercing, some of the motivations
for piercing, the different piercings commonly practised, and the jewelry
worn in piercings.


                            PIERCING TYPES

There is no wrong place for a piercing but it has been shown over the
years that certain parts of the body can be pierced well and others that
cannot.  The general rule is, if it sticks out then put your needle
through it.  Flat surfaces cannot easily be pierced because the piercing
has a tendency to heal out.


                      PIERCINGS FOR MEN AND WOMEN

Nipple   This is a very popular piercing among both men and women and it
is very often a first body piercing.  Although nipples can take a long
time to heal they are worth the effort because the nipple usually becomes
more sensitive: a new erogenous zone for many people.

Navel   The navel is one of the most difficult piercings to heal; tending
to take a long time and often healing out.  It's best to have a deep navel
for this one.  This piercing takes a lot of dedication and clothing must
be selected so that nothing rubs up against it for the first few weeks (no
tight jeans!).

Nostril and Septum   The nostril has become a fairly common place to
pierce in some communities in North America; while in the East, most
notably India, it is as common as ear piercing.   Piercing of the septum
(the piece of cartilage that separates the two nostrils) is very common in
many parts of Africa and Polynesia yet it is rarely seen in North America.
Normally it is the small flap of skin at the end of the cartilage that is
pierced and not the cartilage itself.

Lip and Tongue  Tongue and lip piercings require a special healing regimen
but other than that are no different than other piercings.  Both are much
more functional than one would think (especially when it comes to oral
sex!)

Eyebrow  The eyebrow and the bridge of the nose can both be pierced with
little difficulty.  Eyebrow piercings are not terribly common (even among
piercing enthusiasts) which is probably a good reason to get one!

Ear   Ear piercing is something that most people are familiar and
comfortable with.  Although this piercing is the most socially accepted,
it is one of the least functional piercings and is done only for
adornment.


                        MALE PIERCINGS

Ampallang and Apadravya   The ampallang and the apadravya are piercings of
the glans of the penis (the head).  The ampallang runs horizontally above
the urethra and has origins in Borneo.  The apadravya, which is mentioned
in the Kama Sutra, is a vertical piercing through the glans, or sometimes
through the shaft of the penis just behind the glans.  Both piercings
provide extra stimulation during intercourse (so much so that women in
Borneo used to refuse to have sex with men that weren't pierced!)

Dydoe   The dydoe is a piercing through the ridge of the glans, usually
done on the side of the head and often in pairs.  This piercing was
originally done by Jewish men who wished to enhance their sexual pleasure
(which they thought had been diminished by circumcision).

Foreskin   The piercing of the foreskin is relatively straight-forward
and heals quickly.  Foreskin piercings were used in ancient Rome as a
means of ensuring chastity (and still by some people today!)

Frenum   The frenum is a piercing through the skin of the penis, on the
underside just behind the glans.  Often a large ring that circles the
penis under the ridge of the glans is worn through this piercing. This
provides stimulation to both partners during intercourse and acts much
like a cock ring.

Prince Albert   This piercing consists of a ring which goes through the
urethra and out behind the glans.  It is supposedly named after Prince
Albert, the consort of Queen Victoria.  The ring that is worn in this
piercing was used in Victorian days to secure the penis to one side of the
very tight-fitting pants that were fashionable at the time.

Guiche   Originating in the islands of the South Pacific, the guiche is a
piercing of the web of flesh that runs between the anus and the scrotum.
A weight is often suspended from a guiche.  This is not an easy piercing
to heal and takes considerable care.

Hafada  The hafada is a piercing on the side of the scrotal sac originally
done by Arab boys as a rite of passage.  Originally, the piercing was
probably done through the scrotum, which is not recommended.  Today, only
the outer skin of the sac is pierced.


                        FEMALE PIERCINGS

Labia   Both inner and outer labia can be pierced; inner labia are
generally less painful and heal faster.  Both sets can be used for
bondage, including closing off the vagina with rings or locks;  weights
can be used to stretch labia piercings so that they become loops.

Clitoris And Clitoris Hood   The piercing of the clitoris is not common
and a bit controversial.  Some say that it is risky to pierce something
with such a great concentration of nerve endings but others (particularly
those with them) say that they are the greatest thing on earth.  The
piercing of the small flap of skin that covers the clit is more widely
practised (this piercing is sometimes called a Queen Kristina).  Both
piercings provide a great deal of stimulation to the clitoris (sometimes
too much!).

Fourchette  The fourchette is similar to the guiche for men and is of
modern origins.  The entry point is between the anus and end of the 
vagina, the exit point is through the vaginal wall.  Healing time is approx.
3 months.  Supposed to be best with a horseshoe type ring with balls at both
ends.



                           JEWELRY

While there is a great deal of jewelry made for pierced ears, it is
generally not suitable for body piercings.  This is because that jewelry
for pierced ears is made from thin wires which can tear a piercing fairly
easily if the jewelry catches on something.  It is therefore necessary for
body piercing jewelry to be made from thicker wires.  Because body
piercing is not all that popular, it is not very easy to get proper
jewelry.  There are a couple of places in the city, mail order from the
States, or jewelry can be custom-made.  All of these sources are expensive
for one reason: the jewelry is handmade in small amounts for enthusiasts,
by enthusiasts.  You have to want to get pierced enough to pay the high
price for jewelry.

Jewelry for body piercing is a bit different than most jewelry that you've
probably seen before.  The workhorse of the piercing trade is the bead
ring.  This is a simple ring that is bent open for insertion and bent
closed afterwards.  The break in the ring is held closed by a bead.
Sometimes a straight piece of jewelry is more suitable than a ring and a
barbell is used.  A barbell is a rod with a bead at each end, one of which
screws off to allow insertion.  Although the barbell and bead ring are the
most common pieces of body jewelry, there are many others; some are
variants on the bead ring or barbell, others are unique designs that fill
the need of some specific piercing.  Some examples are the captive bead
ring which is very similar to the bead ring except that the bead is not
actually attached to the ring but is held in place by the two ends of the
ring (some people really swear by these); the nipple retainer, which is
essentially a barbell except that instead of balls, it is encircled by a
fine wire, is very comfortable for women to wear under bras; the circular
barbell is a barbell that has been bent into a ring with a small gap
between the two ends, this provides the function of a ring with the ease
of removal of a barbell.

The size of the piece of jewelry you select is a function of your
preference and of the functionality of the piercing.  The thickness of
body jewelry is often measured in the gauge (ga) system (which works
backwards, higher the gauge the thinner the wire).  For most piercings 14
gauge is a very good starting point but if you want to do some serious
play with a piercing then moving up to 10 or 12 gauge is recommended.  For
those that want to know 14ga = 0.064" = 1.6mm, 12ga = 0.081" = 2.1mm, and
10ga = 0.102" = 2.6mm.

No matter what form a piece of jewelry might take, there is one thing that
is certain: the jewelry should be made from either gold, niobium  or
stainless steel.  There are very few materials that do not cause a
negative reaction when in contact with a wound.  Gold, niobium and
stainless steel are the only appropriate materials to make piercing
jewelry from.  This rule can be broken somewhat after a piercing has fully
healed, and jewelry from other metals may be okay (but it really depends
on the individual's body's tolerance for various metals).  The choice of
either gold, steel or niobium for a new piercing is a personal one but
steel or niobium is the choice of many for economic reasons: steel and
niobium jewelry are about one-third the price of gold.  Niobium has an
additional feature in that it comes in a rainbow of colours.


                       GETTING PIERCED

"Ow!  That must've really hurt."  That's what everyone says the first time
they see a body piercing.  Getting a body piercing does hurt, but probably
not nearly as much as you think it will.  If the person who does your
piercing is reasonably skilled it will be over before you even know it;
most piercings take less than a second.

The piercing procedure is simple: everything is sterilized including the
area to be pierced, the area to be pierced is clamped if possible, the
needle and jewelry are lubricated, and the needle is inserted followed by
the jewelry.  The piercing is done.

Many people do their piercings themselves.  This can be a very intense
experience but it is not impossible.  If you want to do your own piercing
try and find out as much as you can and try and keep everything as clean
and sterile as possible.  It is best to use the right equipment, so get
your needles, clamps, and jewelry from a piercing supplier.  If you are
unsure then don't do it yourself; piercing shouldn't be taken too lightly.

In a class to themselves are those that participate in 'play piercings'.
Play piercings are piercings done with thin needles just for the
sensation. A good source of needles for play piercings are acupuncture
needles or syringe needles.  Some piercing suppliers also carry play
piercing needles.



                             HEALING
			     
The piercing will take anywhere from a week to months to heal and during
this time it is very important to look after it properly.  The first three
days, the piercing should be washed with plain soap and water at least
three times a day and Polysporin (an antibiotic ointment) should be
applied.  After that, just soap and water, three times a day, is
necessary.  Soaking the piercing in a hot bath (without perfumes or oils)
is the best thing.  If the piercing becomes infected, hydrogen peroxide or
alcohol can be used to clean it (but only if it becomes infected).  It is
important to keep the new piercing clean and so oral contact is
discouraged and the use of a condom for penis piercings is advised.  If
the piercing becomes really infected (with swelling and significant pus
discharge) for more than a week then go and see a doctor (serious!).

**** END OF PART 1 OF 4 ****