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Piercing FAQ
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Why is body piercing more expensive than having your ears pierced?
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Will nipple piercing affect breast feeding & what about my navel if I get pregnant?
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Does piercing interfere with your energy meridians or pressure points?
Piercing
Aftercare FAQ
There
are great many questions which people have about piercing and there are many
misconceptions and horror stories also. All the information presented, comes
from extensive medical research.
Yes,
but the pain is minimal if performed by an experienced Body Piercer. Most
people’s reaction immediately after it’s done is " I thought it would
hurt more than that!" or " It hurts more to have your ear
pierced!" The sensation of being pierced is similar to being pinched, you
feel a sharp sensation for a second or two than it’s over!
There
may be some initial sensitivity for the first 2-3 days, more so with any
piercing of a mucous membrane area like tongues, lips and genital due them being
highly vascularized (high blood supply) areas which naturally swell when
pierced.
Normally
the bleeding is very minimal provided you are not taking aspirin or alcohol,
which thin the blood. With nipple and navel piercings, we cover the wound with a
sterile bandage protecting the wound for the first 4-5 hours until antibodies
move in to protect the wound from infection.
How
long does the piercing take?
The
whole process usually takes about 10 minutes, most of which is to prepare the
instruments and supplies and for the ice to work. The actual piercing takes only
1 second and it causes a very small sharp pain, equivalent to getting a needle
from a doctor.
What
should I do before I go in for a piercing?
It
helps if you have an early night the day before, if you do go out try not to
drink too much, it can make you nauseous after a piercing and increases
bleeding. Have something to eat approximately 1 hour before the piercing.
Drinking a 250ml bottle of Gatorade or Lucozade, or eating something sweet (cake
or chocolate) beforehand will help you feel better.
What
should I do after I’ve had the piercing?
If
you are getting pierced during lunch or you’re in a hurry, it’s important
that you set enough time aside afterwards for a rest, sit down in a café and
relax for 10-15 minutes. Have a drink, preferably juice or a soft drink, sugar
will bring the glucose in your blood back up and make you feel better. You may
also have something sweet like cake or chocolate (not too much though!). If
you’re not feeling well it may probably be a good idea to get a friend to
drive you home. However, in general 99% of people are fine within a few minutes,
its only people that work themselves up who ending up feeling unwell.
How
long will it take to heal?
The
Navel is the longest piercing to heal, this is because movement and constrictive
clothing knock it around, and it generally takes 3-4 months to heal. Other
piercings heal quicker, but most piercings (even ears) take a minimum of 6 weeks
to heal. The time it takes to heal depends on the individual and is affected by
a variety of factors. Smoking, Obesity, Diabetes, Poor health, Poor Diet, and
Age can all make it harder for a piercing to heal. If you’re worried about
these factors see us for a consultation.
Wearing
tight clothes, touching the piercing with dirty hands, contact with bodily
fluids, rough treatment, using inappropriate cleaning agents i.e. Dettol,
Methylated Spirits, Listerine, Tea Tree Oil, or Betadine, will all hamper the
healing process. Following the instructions in the care sheet carefully will
minimize problems and dramatically reducing the healing time.
Why
is Body Piercing more expensive than having you’re ears pierced?
The
Ear Piercing Gun requires no training, experience or skill to use. It is
dangerous if used to pierce anything but the Ear lobes. Body piercing must be
done using Aseptic or "Sterile" technique, this is a medical method
devised to reduce the chance of infection and transmission of deadly pathogens
i.e. AIDS and Hepatitis.
Aseptic
technique requires that the piercing be performed in a purpose-built enclosed
room. The piercing must be performed using sterilized instruments, sterile
supplies, sterile gloves, specific jewelry and the wound should be covered after
with a sterile bandage. All these things cost money, but they are
imperative to minimize health hazards.
Body
Piercing is a highly skilled operation, the person doing the piercing needs to
have a full understanding of Aseptic or "Sterile" technique, the
appropriate type of jewelry for each individual piercing, the proper placement
and understand how to solve any complications which might arise.
So
the reason it’s more expensive is that you’re paying for the highest
standards of Jewelry, hygiene and experience. You wouldn’t get your car
painted by a mechanic, or your engine fixed by a Panel Beater, so why trust
someone who’s not experienced with your body. Your Health is your most
important asset, see a Professional who specializes in Body Piercing.
Why
can’t you use Sleepers or earrings for body piercing?
Sleepers
and earrings are designed for ear lobes, they aren’t even good to put in your
ear until they are healed. Sleepers are very thin and can cause migration if
they are used for body piercing, this acts just like an old fashioned
cheese-cutter. The thin jewelry tears at the flesh like a wire and cuts through
the flesh like cheese causing the piercing to migrate or grow out, this will
cause inflammation and eventually infection.
Ear
piercing studs are unsuitable for Body Piercing because they are too short too
accommodate any swelling, so they can become embedded and cause inflammation and
infection. The butterfly clips on the back have small crevices that are hard too
clean properly, bacteria can feed on the exudate from the wound and can infect
the wound.
What
sort of jewelry should I use for body piercing?
All
piercings above the neck must be a minimum of 1mm and below the neck must be
1.6mm. Piercing jewelry must be made of Platinum, Palladium, 316L Grade
Stainless Steel, or 24ct & 18ct Gold. Silver should never be used as
it oxidizes in the wound and can cause allergic reactions. Surgical Steel rings
must be highly polished and must have been passivated, which is an acid cleaning
process. Gemstone or plastic beads are not suitable because they have cracks and
pitting which can harbor bacteria, only metal beads like Surgical Steel, Gold
and colored Niobium are hygienic enough for use in body piercing jewelry.
Is
piercing dangerous, can I get HIV or Hepatitis?
Yes!
Piercing can be dangerous if performed by inadequately trained operators. There
is a very high incidence of Hepatitis in Melbourne and this can re easily
transmitted if proper procedures aren’t followed. One Tribe follows the
principles of Aseptic or "Sterile" technique, this is the exact method
used for surgical operations and provides the most minimal chance of infection.
Will
sweat and exercise affect the piercing?
Yes,
sweat affects the Ph balance of the skin and acts like acid on a wound. If you
sweat a lot at work, exercise a lot, or the weather is hot or humid, you must
wash regularly. If you have a manual job it’s best to try and rinse the
piercing with clean water once or twice a day at work. If you’re exercising
you must be careful not to knock the piercing, even after it’s healed. You can
tear the piercing slightly and if it’s not cleaned properly it can lead to
infection. You must wear clean clothes after getting home from work or exercise,
dirty clothes increase the chance of infection.
What
about swimming in the ocean, the pool or a spa?
Salt
water is very good for healing, unfortunately due to pollution the sea in
certain areas may contain microorganisms, which may cause infections. Swimming
in the ocean is OK as long as you clean the wound properly afterwards with the
cleaning solution provided. Try to avoid public pools as they are full of
bacteria, freshwater lakes and streams are fine though. If you need to go
diving, swimming in a pool or the ocean you can wear a waterproof bandage "Tegaderm"
which will protect the wound. The most important thing though is to clean
the piercing after any bathing with antibacterial soap.
When
can I change or remove the jewelry?
The
piercing goes through several stages of healing. During the initial healing
period, the scar tissue is quite weak (30% strength of normal skin). If you
remove the jewelry the hole will close up and if you try to take the jewelry in
and out to hide the piercing, you will damage the wound causing inflammation and
most probably an infection.
Once
the healing phase is completed the maturation phase begins, the scar must mature
until it has full strength (app. 80% at 2 months). Removing the jewelry during
this phase will cause the hole to close up, but not as quickly as before. The
jewelry may be taken out and the hole re-opened with a special taper pin.
Once
the wound is fully healed you may change the jewelry as often as you wish, no
pain is involved, and it’s just like changing an earring. If you have a Ball
Closure Ring you will have to purchase a pair of Circlip Pliers (available at
any hardware store) to open and close the ring. Navel Jewels undo just like a
Nut and Bolt and you can change these as easily as your earrings.
Will
Nipple piercing affect breastfeeding & what about my Navel if I get
pregnant?
Breastfeeding
is not affected by nipple piercing, however, your nipples may become very tender
during pregnancy and you may have to remove the jewellery. If you leave the
jewellery in you can wear barbells that allow the infant to still breastfeed or
circular barbells, which are easily taken in and out to feed the baby. The
easiest option is removal of the jewellery and replacement after breastfeeding
is over or wearing barbells with small balls to enable the child to feed easily.
The
navel usually pops out during pregnancy, you can either remove the ring and
replace it later, or insert a larger ring and replace it with a smaller one once
your stomach goes back to normal.
What
are the most popular piercings?
The Navel (Belly Button) is by far the most popular, mainly for women; it’s unusual, sexy and gives you another place to wear jewellery! Tongue piercing is the new craze, why? Because it heals in 2 weeks and it’s fantastic for sex! Nipple piercing is the 3rd most popular, it looks sexy and makes your nipple very sensitive.
What
effect do piercings have during sex?
A
great many of the places to be pierced are erogenous zones (even the ears
slightly), piercings enhance sex by providing a greater degree of stimulation,
tongue and nipple piercings are very popular because of the extra stimulation
they provide. Contrary to what you would expect, genital piercings aren't very
painful and heal very quickly usually 2-3 weeks. Genital piercings are very
effective for sex, why else would you let someone put a needle through your
genitals?
Does
piercing interfere with your energy meridians or pressure points?
No, Acupuncture Shiatsu or Acupressure all work by
stimulating pressure points and re-aligning the energy meridians of the body.
However, if you cut your leg off and it's sewn back on the meridians still work
because the body realizes it’s a wound and re-routes the energy accordingly. A
piercing is a wound and therefore it doesn't affect the flow of energy.
What if I want a more unusual piercing?
As piercing has become more popular, people try to out do
each other with unusual piercings. Most piercings have a long history among
tribal peoples, these people found out through a long period of trial and error
which piercings work and which don't. Some people will see a piercing in a
magazine and wish to get it, however, they don't understand all the hard work
that is required to get these piercings healed, just because a piercing is done
in an unusual spot doesn't mean that it's healed.
Why can't I clean with alcohol?
Isopropyl (Rubbing) Alcohol
Alcohol is not nearly as effective in its
antibacterial properties as the solutions that we usually suggest. Alcohol
can also cause undue dryness in your new piercing and is too harsh to use on
unhealed piercings.
Why can't I clean with Hydrogen Peroxide?
Hydrogen Peroxide
Everyone is familiar with the bubbling action of hydrogen peroxide, and many
equate its visible activity with superior cleansing properties. In a sense
this is true. However, hydrogen peroxide actually cleans TOO well,
destroying everything it touches, including those very delicate new skin cells
that you want to protect in order to heal your piercing!
Why can't I clean with Iodine Solutions?
Iodine-Based Solutions
Betadine used to be the aftercare product of choice
when I started out, but we now know that there are much more effective solutions
which have fewer negative side effects. Although we still use Beatadine as
a pre-piercing skin prep, I don't suggest using it for aftercare for a number of
reasons. First, Providone-Iodine solutions (like hydrogen peroxide)
destroy the new skin cells that you are trying to generate, prolonging your
healing time. Second, these solutions seem to encourage yeast infections
in women who use them for cleaning genital piercings. Also, a large enough
number of my customers have reported sensitivity to these solutions that I would
rather everyone used a milder alternative.
Should I use an Antibiotic Ointment?
Should you use an antibiotic ointment on a
daily basis for cleaning your piercing? The answer to that question is
absolutely not.
Antibiotic Ointments do not "clean" piercings. You must use an
antibacterial soap, or solution to clean your piercing and jewelry. It is very
important to remove dirt and the dried, solid material which collects around
your piercing.
Antibiotic ointments are not effective indefinitely. Bacteria reproduce
at an amazing rate, and, therefore, have the capacity to adapt resistance to
antibiotics is a relatively short time. If you are using antibiotics on a daily
basis, you increase the risk that when you actually need them (if you get an
infection), they won't be as effective, if at all.
Antibiotic ointments are petroleum-based and prevent oxygen from
circulating through the skin and tissue in and around your new piercing. Oxygen
is essential for effective healing.
How Do I Know I Have An Infection?
Many people who think that they had an infection, but are really just
experiencing the normal consequences of a new piercing. If you are experiencing
an infection you will notice most or all of the following:
Unusual Swelling. A small amount of swelling of the general area around
your new piercing is to be expected. Highly localized swelling, which appears to
be the result of the accumulation of body fluids under the skin, may be
symptomatic of an infection.
Profuse Discharge. A small amount of discharge is typical of most
piercings. It will generally be colorless and minimal. A large amount of
discharge which persists longer that a 24 hours, or which is dark or green in
appearance may indicate an infection.
Extreme Discomfort. Yeah, its going to be sore for a few days, but if it
is unbearably painful and you have any of the other symptoms you may be
experiencing an infection.
Heat. The area around your piercing will feel hot to the touch if you are
developing an infection.
Discoloration. While it is normal for you to have a little bit of redness
around a new piercing, darkening (to a purple-ish shade) of the tissue around
the piercing may indicate a problem.
What Do I Do About An Infection?
If you think that you are experiencing an infection, the first thing you should
do is contact your piercer and have them look at the piercing. You may also want
to see a doctor about the problem. Both of these solutions can be problematic,
though. An unscrupulous piercer may spend less time helping you remedy the
situation than he/she does trying to deflect "blame" from himself. An
unsympathetic doctor may be judgemental and simply suggest taking the jewelry
out, which may not be the best idea.
Generally, a piercing that has been properly placed and executed in a
clean environment will not become infected if proper aftercare procedures are
followed. Problems occur when people begin to slack off on the aftercare a few
weeks after the piercing is done, but long before it is completely healed. If
you think that you have an infection, I would suggest the following course of
action:
Resume and continue your aftercare procedures religiously. If you are
unsure about procedures for your specific piercing you can find them in our
aftercare section.
DO NOT REMOVE YOUR JEWELRY! When the jewelry is removed from your
piercing, it will begin healing from the outside in. If you have an infection,
this will seal the infected tissue into the body and prevent you from
administering medication directly to the affected area.
Go ahead and use an antibiotic CREAM (rather than a petroleum-based
ointment) for 7-10 days, then quit. Using an antibiotic cream for this amount of
time, combined with good aftercare, should clear up your problem. If this
doesn't do the trick, you should see a doctor immediately.
In any case, if the condition persists for longer than 4 days without
improvement, seek medical advice.
KEEP YOUR DIRTY HANDS OFF OF YOUR NEW PIERCING!!! (I can't stress this
one enough!)
Follow your aftercare religiously!
Talk to your piercer when you have a question or concern, its part of the
service that you have paid for.
Eat well and take vitamins! Your body works better when it is properly
fueled. A daily dose of a good Zinc supplement may decrease your healing time,
too.
Quit smoking. Smoking increases the amount of time your body takes to
repair damaged tissue by as much as 50%.
Avoid heavily chlorinated water.
Don't let other people touch your piercings while they are healing.
Sea Salt Soaks
Approximately 2 weeks after you have received your
new piercing, you may find that warm sea-salt soaks will aid in the healing
process, as well as ward off infection. The purpose of the soak is to relax the
tissue surrounding your piercing, and to draw out excess blood plasma and
material which may collect. You can find EDIBLE SEA SALT (differs from Epsom
salt) at any health food store, or at Whole Foods. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt
to one cup of very warm water. Allow the salt to dissolve, and either create a
vacuum with a small Dixie cup over the piercing, or dangle the piercing in the
water. Allow the piercing to soak for 10 to 15 minutes, up to 4 times a day. If
you can only soak once a day, that’s better than not at all. If the area
becomes chapped or over-dried, discontinue use for a day or two. TRY IT! You
should see definite improvements in your piercing. Also, remember to keep your
hands and anything else coming into contact with your piercing clean!
How
Long Can I Leave My Jewelry Out Before It Starts To Close?
It
really depends on alot of variables as to how long it takes a piercing will take
to shrink to the point that reinsertng jewelry is problematic. In general, the
following factors will tend to decrease the amount of time that you can safely
leave the jewelry out of your piercing:
The newer the piercing, the shorter the time you can safely leave the
jewelry out.
The larger the actual length of the piercing itself, the shorter the time
it can be safely left without jewelry.
The smaller the guage of your jewelry, the shorter the time it can be
left out.
Tongues, labrets and other piercings which tansverse very elastic
tissues, or tissues which move alot can close very quickly.
In general, I would not leave a piercing that I wanted to keep without
jewelry for longer than 24-48 hours. If you do have trouble getting jewelry back
into a piercing, get a piercer to help you as soon as you can. The additional
time it takes you to get to a professional will cause you fewer problems than
trying to force the jewelry into the piercing.
Keloids
A scar is a
mark left in the skin by the healing of a wound or surgical incision in which
the normal functional tissue (skin) is replaced by connective tissue (scar).
Keloids are excessive accumulations of scar tissue beyond what is normally seen
in most people. Keloids are more raised and thickened masses of connective
tissue than scars. Scars and keloids do not usually cause medical problems, but
they are unsightly and unappealing from an aesthetic point of view.
After a large, deep wound has occurred to the skin, both skin cells and
connective tissue cells (fibroblasts) begin multiplying to repair the damage.
The fibroblasts form a framework upon which the skin cells can migrate into and
fill in the wound. It is the balance between the rate of replication of
fibroblasts versus skin cells that is important here. If the fibroblasts
replicate too quickly, they can form a dense network that is not as easily
penetrated by the skin cells and that results in a large scar. If the skin cells
keep up with the fibroblasts, then little scar tissue is formed and the skin has
a more normal appearance after the wound has healed. Scars do not occur in
younger people as often as older people because their skin cells replicate more
quickly and fill in the wound with normal skin tissue.
Treatment
Dermatologists usually suggest cortisone injections or the application of
silicone gels to the affected area. The problem with these approaches is that
the former can be very painful (more so than a piercing) and the latter can take
as long as 12 months to be effective. Both methods can be cost prohibitive.
We have found that a twice daily application of Maximum Strength
Hydrocortisone Cream can effect a reduction in the severity of scars associated
with piercings within about 3-4 months. Your best bet is to have your piercer
look at the scar and advise you on an individual basis.