Member Advice on Body Piercing

As you all know I have recently had abit of an image thing going on. I have had some piercings recently and wanted to give some advice on it. I had my first piercing at the age of nine. Of course this was my ears and to most serious piercers is not really considered body piercing. I am going to go through each I have and also what's available from most good piercing shops. Using these shops are tattooists. I have since learned that piercers only do a two day course. One at a hospital for airborne blood diseases and hepatitis, etc. And one day with a piercer in a shop. Don't let this put you off most are good.

Now before we start I have had piercings go wrong so can advise on that also. I recently had a lambret i had to take out because a particular piercer did it in the wrong place it was far to low. It rubbed on my gums and caused a sore. Ok Ok on with what i have.

EARS~
As said not really body piercing but done with a gun after makes with a special pen are put onto the ears. A good piercer will let you look at the markings before they pierce. Ears take around six weeks to heal and should be twisted twice daily with clean hands and ear care solution. Don't push the back to close to the ear my sister had one that went wrong and imbedded in the ear lobe.

NOSE~
Again done with a gun with a rubber attachment. The rubber attachment is placed just inside the nose. You should be marked to have it in the right place. Been told recently that it should sit on the dip in your nose, the curved part. But as everyone's nose is different this is not always possible. Twist only once a day use salt water or earcare solution. It takes around the same time as your ears to heal 6-8 weeks. Do not change the jewellery until completely healed.

NAVEL~
I have had this done three times yes three. The first time i was 20 they mark you after measuring with a special clamp. take the clamp off let you look in the mirror. They then freeze with a freeze spray. Replace the clamp and put the needle through then the jewellery. For this type of piercing and especially if its your first you are advised to have titanium jewellery it heals better. most piercers will have plenty of choice. It can take up to 18 months for a navel piercing to settle down. I ripped my first out on the washing basket (I had a dangly one ooops). I had it redone when my brother worked for the local tattooists it never took it pushed itself out which can happen. Third time not all that long ago three months to be exact and its fine all healed. Healing time does vary gentle cleaning with salt water is advised. Twice daily until healed. whilst healing do not twist and play with the jewellery and remember clean hands when cleaning.

EYEBROW~
I had my eyebrow pierced just a few weeks ago about 6 i think. still not healed to be honest. They again use a clamp but freeze the area whilst holding folded up kitchen roll over the eye. Mark with the pen show you in a mirror. Lay you down on a treatment bed clamp and push through. You can have a bar or a ring depends on personal choice i have a bar in mine with a ball each end. It was not painful at the time but sore after. If you knock it as my kids have it does swell. Can take around 6-12 weeks to heal. Or longer everyone is different cleaning salt water is mostly advised twice daily. Remember again i stress clean hands when touching the piercing.

LAMBRET~
I have also had my lambret twice done here is why. The first time the piercer placed the mark to low on my chin. Me not particularly knowing thought the pierce knows where it goes so agreed. He laid me down on a treatment bed clamp my lip right out and shoved a large needle through the whole. It hurt and was a shock to be honest. They place a 10 bar in the hole incase it swells and while it heals. after when healed this is changed for a 8 or 6 bar depends which suits and which sits closer to the chin. I had to take mine out as it was rubbing on my gums and gave me an ulcer. My god i couldn't eat at all. So after it closed which was overnight a few weeks later i had it done again.

Second time i went to another piercer she sat me down to do it which was better. even she agreed the other was to low down. Same process marked look in the mirror to make sure you are happy. Clamped lip drawn out and a large needle poked up through the clamp. Its now healed after 4 weeks quick i thought and i have changed the bar to a 6 bar. Cleaning after is important with any piercing in the mouth. Listerine is advised after meals if you smoke after a cigarette until it has healed. standard practice is to keep this routine up to keep it free from infection. Clean gently around the piercing with salt water also twice daily. I kept catch it on my teeth when eating and it did take a long time to get used to. Please also be advised it can scrap the enamel off your teeth. Plastic backs are now available.

WHAT TO REMEMBER~

You must remember shop about make sure you are comfortable with the piercer. Rubber gloves should be worn by the piercer. All equipment should be open from a sterilised packet in front of you. Including your jewellery also be advised the clamps should have been sterilised in a sonic cleaner or autoclave. Piercers will show you if you ask. You will be asked to fill in a disclaimer form. You must fill it out and sign it if you are under 18 then you must be accompanied by a parent so they can sign.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST.~

Ears~ Now costs around 5-10 pounds
Eyebrow~ Around 15-20 pounds
Navel~Around 20-30 pounds
Nose~Around 10-15 pounds
Lambret~Around 25-35 pounds
Tougue~Around 30-60 pounds
Madonna~Around 20-30 pounds

Most places vary on price they should give you cleaning fluid but some do charge extra for this.

DO'S AND DON'TS

DO~ Keep it clean, choose jewellery with care, choose your piercer with care, See the equipment opened in front of you. ask the piercer to explain the procedure, See the autoclave.

DON'T~Touch the area with dirty hands, Use cotton wool to clean it the fibres can get inside the piercing and send it funny, Change the jewellery to soon.

OVERALL~

I am happy with the ones i have the madonna will be my last. Do remember tongue piercings need more care. Most piercers now won't do tongues as alot can go wrong. And remember they can be taken out whenever you have had enough not as permanent as a tattoo. when all things considered if you are thinking of having one remember all points above. Hope the advice helps.

Many thanks for reading lou