From: pdavies@alchemy.chem.utoronto.ca (Paul Davies)
Subject: Pierceing FAQ 1 of 1
Organization: University of Toronto Chemistry Department
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 13:50:40 GMT

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:

Nothing, I haven't added anthing in quite a while, there is some stuff
to add, and hopefully I will do it soon.



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!).

ITEM 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------

Harry Ugol writes:

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

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

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

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

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

Harry Ugol
harryu@warpten.EBay.sun.com

ITEM 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is a list of piercers/piercing suppliers:

In the United States:

	Body Manipulations
	245 Fillmore
	San Francisco, CA 94117
	(415) 621-0408

	Gauntlet (retail)
	2377 Market St.
	San Francisco, CA 94114
	(415) 431-3133
	fax (415) 431-3170
	
	Gauntlet (retail)
	8720 Santa Monica Blvd.
	Los Angeles, CA 90069
	(213) 657-6677
	fax (213) 657-4657
	
	Gauntlet (mail order)
	1201 Old County Rd., Unit 3
	Belmont, CA 94002
	(415) 592-9715
	fax (415) 592-1986
	
	Gauntlet (retail)
	144 Fifth Ave (at 19th Street), Second Floor
	New York, NY
	(212) 229-0180

	Guilty and Innocent Productions
	613 W. Briar (new address)
	Chicago IL 60613
	(312) 404-5838
	appts. only, no walk-ins, they make their own jewelry


        Forbidden Fruit
        512 Neches
        Austin, TX  78701
        (512)478-8358

        Europa Bookstore
        at Dobie Mall
        2021 Guadalupe St.
        Austin, TX  78705
        Voice: (512)476-0423
        Fax:   (512)479-0912	
	

	Lamar Van Dyke at Tattoo You
	1017 East Pike St. Seattle
	206 324 6443
	All types of body piercing

	VyVynn Lazonga of Dermagraphics
	also does limited pierces 
        94 Pike Place, Seattle 
        206 622 1535
	
		

	Don Tullous
	(916)485-5033
        Sacramento, CA
    On the back of his business card is a list of piercings he does, and
all of the ones in the FAQ (with the exception of Clitoral and Clitoral
Hood) are included. He seems to be by appointment only...


Attitudes
1017 S.W. Morrison
Studio 312,
Portland, OR. 97205
(503) 224-0050

Ahna was friendly and businesslike, and the studio was clean and hygenic,  
complete with autoclave, sterile areas for jewelry, rubber gloves and so on.


Erik Dakota at Anubis Warpus
803 Pacific Ave. 
Santa Cruz, CA 95064 
(408) 423-3208

he brands as well, never gotten a branding from him though.



Albino Rhino is Iowa City's newest and largest piercing emporium, one
small, overheated room in a low-rent upstairs mall, the Hall Mall, on
the College Street Pedestrian Plaza.  It is run as a down-the-hall
annex from Moon Mistique (a slightly new-age bookstore/boutique).
The staff is Paul Valerio, their chief piercer, Lisa (Random) Hospidarsky,
assistant to Paul and co-owner of the shop, and Mark Chapin, nose and ear
man.  The decor is black, with silver handcuffs hanging from a wood grid
cieling.  They've got an examining table, appropriate for the job.

In the few minutes spare time I spent there, I only talked to Mark Chapin,
he was trained by Paul Valerio, and he doesn't know where Paul learned
the art.

Here's a faxsimile of their business card:

    Random Hospodarsky
                           ALBINO RHINO
       head honcho


    ALBINO RHINO               ART
    Body Piercing             ASCII
    Piercing Supplies         CAN'T
    Alternative Books         DO IT
    114 1/2 E. College #20     ART
    Iowa City, IA  52240
    (319) 337-6761


They can also be reached at (319) 338-5752 (Moon Mistique's number).

Iowa City's other piercer, Shannon Cleveland, no longer works at
King Stingrays.  She works at Beaute' Techniques, 156 Old Capitol Mall
(319) 338-0034.  As usual, she makes a living cutting hair; I haven't
talked to her since she moved, but I suspect that piercing is still
a sideline -- Why waste training from the likes of Raelyn and Mad Jack?



	Skin & Bones
	3603 Parry Ave.
	Dallas, TX  75226
	(214) 826-6647
	
Stacy is the main piercer and owns the body piercing business.  He has
done both my piercings (nipple and PA) and I'm very pleased with them,
both the procedure and results.  He has an apprentice now, as well.

He has a good selection of jewelery and can get anything you want (both my
pieces were custom orders).  He is starting to make his own jewelery, so
the prices should be reasonable.

There is also a Tattoo shop at the same location.  There are 3 or four artists
working out of the shop.  I have seen some work I thought was nice but I don't
know much about tattoos.



In Canada:

Priape
1311 SteCatherine E.
Montreal
(514) 521-8451

Clothing, Gauntlet supplies 
(needles, bead rings, barbells, stirrups).
In middle of gay ghetto, near subway station.
No attitude problem towards straights.


Piercer: Jonny
	 (514) 482-5675
Experienced, recommended by many sources (dancers)
Sells custom made jewelry.
He has business card stating above.
Around 70yrs old I guess.
Does "his work" at your place.



	
	Northbound Leather
	19 St. Nicholas St.
	Toronto, Ontario	
	(416) 972-1037
In Germany:

	Baldos Studio
	5500 Trier
	Postfach 2764

	Tel: (0651) 2 83 35 ab 20 Uhr

	Sells jewellery too.

In Holland:

	Tattooing & Piercing Studio
	Kloveniersburgwal 135
	1011 KE Amsterdam

	Tel: 020-257812

	Jan Dehaan
	Box 52
	2150 AB Nieuw-Vennep


In Denmark:

	Ms Hintze's Piercing Clinic
	SM
	Studiestraede 12, st. tv.
	DK-1455 Copenhagen K.

	Tel: 33 32 33 03

	Ms Hintze occasionally visits Finland:
	Call 90-571041/Julle for info.

( Following addresses from Body Art clasified ads ):

In England

	Mick Brew, Medical Practitioner, North East and London by
	arrangement: BM Apex, London WC1 N3XX

	Teena and Simon Body piercing and jewellery 081.533.4083

	The London Piercing Clinic
	tel: (081)653-9517 weekday afternoons or (0860)797-114 all
	hours.

	Piercing by Ossie Newcastle 091.2320.257

	Tattoo Erotique 0582.505839 0836.285105

	Body Art Tattoo
	201 Two Mile Hill Road
	Kingswood
	Bristol
	England

	tel:603923

 
 Wildcat International
 16 Preston St
 Brighton
 BN1 2HN
 +44 273 23758
 
 They have a wide range of stainless steel jewelery available and can get
 almost anything made up.  


In Switzerland:

	Boutique Dana
	Grossackerstr. 5
	CH-9006 St. Gallen

	Tel: 071/25 31 95

	Sells jewellery too.

Jewellery:

In England:

	body jewellery
	Blake House Studios
	Blake End
	Rayne
	Braintree
	Essex
	CM7 8SH

	Catalog #4.5 (overseas #5 or $15) refund w/ order over #25
	
	I had my navel piercing done by Patrick in south London who was
	very good and has his needles cleaned in an autoclave (he is a
	member of The Professional Piercers Association of the United
	Kingdom).  You can phone for an appointment on 081 653 9517
	(clinic) or 0860 797 114 (24hr portable phone). He charges
	25 pounds per piercing, including jewelry.

In Luxembourg

	CREATIVE ART COLLECTION
	23 Avenue Victor-Hugo
	L-1750 Luxembourg

	Catalog #10 ( USA & rest of the world $25 )

	
PS. # is supposed to be a pound sign

In London:

I had my navel piercing done by Patrick in south London who was very good and
has his needles cleaned in an autoclave (he is a member of The Professional 
Piercers Association of the United Kingdom). You can phone for an appointment
on 081 653 9517 (clinic) or 0860 797 114 (24hr portable phone). He charges 
25pounds per piercing, including jewelry.

ITEM 4 -------------------------------------------------------------------

Pekka (ISTO@cc.Helsinki.FI) provides:

AN INTRODUCTION TO SAFE BODY PIERCING

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

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

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

Q) Are you registered with the Local Health Authority? 
A) Yes.
[SM. Not likely in North America]

Q) What form of sterilisation do you use? 
A) An autoclave.

It is important to sterilise all instruments and jewellery which might
have been in contact with blood or other body fluids. 'Sterilising'
liquids, for example those used to clean babies' bottles, cannot kill
organisms such as those causing hepatitis or AlDS but heat can. This is
why dentists, beauty therapists, chiropodists and tattoo artists, for
example, use autoclaves to sterilise all their instruments.
[SM. Many piercers use a pressure cooker instead of an (expensive)
autoclave.  If you don't like this ask him/her to use a new (sterile)
needle.]

Q) What kind of piercing instrument do you use?
A) For most piercings, a special hollow piercing needle of the same gauge
as the jewellery being installed is the only suitable instrument.
Disposable ear piercing guns are very good for ear lobes and some people's
nostrils, but they are completely unsuitable for most other piercings.
This is because they install a very fine, short sleeper with a butterfly
clip to hold it in place. There are stories of nipples being pierced
successfully with these guns, but in most cases the sleeper is too tight
and therefore starts to work its way out by cutting through the flesh like
a cheese wire. This can result in a nipple being almost cut in two by the
action of the sleeper being pushed towards the surface, just as the body
rejects a splinter or other foreign body.
[SM.  The only other place one might use a gun is the tragus.  The really
bad thing about guns is that they pierce with a stud.  Studs are very bad
when it comes to healing a new piercing.  *Always* use a ring with a new
piercing]. 

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FEMALE GENITAL PIERCINGS

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

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

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

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

MALE GENITAL PIERCINGS

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

OTHER PIERCINGS

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

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

NOSTRIL
Healing time 6-8 weeks.
A stud or short barbell is usually worn in this piercing, but a ring can
also be used. Healing is improved if the piercing is made slightly larger
than gauge of the jewellery to be fitted.  It is unwise to remove the
jewellery too soon as the piercing tends to 'shrink' very quickly, thus
making it difficult to re-insert jewellery without discomfort.  Special
Indian nostril studs (which have a spiral shaft instead of a back to hold
them in place) can be used but they can be difficult to put on and remove.
[SM Not after a bit of practice]

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

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

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

OTHER PIERCINGS

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

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

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END OF PIERCE FAQ 

Newsgroups: rec.arts.bodyart