Subject: rec.arts.bodyart: Piercing FAQ 3--Getting a New Pierce
Date: 5 May 1995 08:06:18 GMT
Expires: Mon, 05 June 1995 07:00:00 GMT
Summary: This posting contains information about body piercing.
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Archive-name: bodyart/piercing-faq/part3
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The rec.arts.bodyart Piercing FAQ is broken up into 9 parts:
 1--Introduction
 2--Piercings & Jewelry
 3--Getting A New Pierce  <---YOU ARE READING THIS FILE
 4--Professional Piercers
 5--Care Of A New Pierce
 6--Problems And Hazards
 7--Healed Pierces
 8--Misc. Info
 9--Resources List



What's in this section:

 3--Getting A New Pierce
    1. Choosing the right jewelry
    2. What to look for in a piercer
    3. Tools and technique
    4. Methods of sterilization

 1. CHOOSING THE RIGHT JEWELRY------------


Most body piercings are intended to last a lifetime, if properly 
performed and cared for. Occasionally, problems including 
piercing migration or rejection, scar tissue growth, or metal 
allergies may arise. These problems are difficult to predict. 
However, certain tendencies have been noted.

First, the suitability of a particular piercing should be 
discussed with the piercer. Piercings made in flat areas have a 
greater tendency to migrate or reject (grow out). The optimum 
area to be pierced is one in which the entrance and exit holes 
of the piercing are located on parallel surfaces (eg. earlobe). 
For example, a navel piercing is best suited to someone with a 
deep navel and a distinct ridge.

Also, the individual's daily activities should be reviewed. 
Navel piercings can be extremely irritated by tight waistbands; 
the pressure can sometimes contribute to scar tissue build-up. 

Jewelry choice can effect healing as well. Wearing jewelry of 
the proper metal and dimensions is a must, especially during 
healing. Jewelry in surgical stainless steel is most commonly 
used initially. The steel should be 316 in grade, annealed, and 
hand-polished to a highly reflective shine. Few people 
experience allergic reactions to high-quality implant grade 
surgical steel.

Jewelry of a gray and low-luster finish are most likely made of 
steel 304 in grade (higher amount of possible allergy-causing 
alloys), used for surgical instruments and knives, and/or 
tumble-finished. Lower-quality jewelry is lower in price, but 
should be avoided for new piercings.

Jewelry in Niobium and Titanium are also commonly used. Both are 
elemental metals - no allergy-causing alloys are present. The 
wide variety of colors available in these two metals is achieved 
by anodizing - the jewelry is submerged in an electrolyte bath, 
the applied voltage determining the resulting color. The 
anodized layer is thin and can be scratched. Wrap pliers or any 
metal instruments which may scratch the jewelry with surgical 
tape.

Jewelry in gold of at least 14kt is usually recommended for 
healed piercings, unless the wearer has had previous success 
wearing gold initially. Metal allergies to the alloys of gold 
are more than uncommon. To test for metal allergy, tape a nickel 
and a penny to the inside of your elbow for 12 hours. If a rash 
develops, you should choose jewelry carefully. Remember that 
gold can become discolored by certain cleaning products - 
notably, Betadine (povidone iodine), and chemical sterilization 
fluids. 

Platinum, another white metal, is being used for more complicated custom
designs and by a few manufacturers in Europe.  It is a very body-friendly
metal.  Platinum is, however, more costly than surgical steel. 

Sterling silver is not an acceptable metal for healing piercings. Silver
oxidizes (tarnishes) quickly, especially when exposed to cleaning agents
and bodily fluids.  Silver and its alloys can cause extreme irritation which
can lead to infection. Over time, the oxidized layer can be absorbed into
the surrounding tissue and leave a permanent black or gray stain in the
skin. Silver should only be used to accent body jewelry - eg. nipple
shields, captive silver skulls or hearts, silver pend ants. Note that
silver can be discolored very easily by cleaning agents. Silver can be
easily polished with toothpaste. 

Jewelry of the proper dimentions (gauge and diameter) is also a must.  Too
thin a gauge and one runs the risk of the piercing being torn or ripped
completely through if the jewelry gets caught or pulled.  Also, with most
piercings, too thin a gauge and the body will reject the jewelry.  Too
thick and heavy a gauge can be just as problematic - the effect of gravity
on eyebrow, nipple, and navel piercings with too-heavy jewelry can cause
the piercing to migrate downwards.  Too small a diameter and the piercing
will be problematic to heal and will at least migrate, if not be rejected
completely.  Too large a diameter and the jewelry will constantly be in
the way, causing irritation to the piercing with too much contact or movement.


 2. WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A PIERCER------------

The best way to judge a piercer is to look at his/her work. If 
possible, talk to customers about their experience. If this is 
not possible, ask to see a portfolio, specifically photographs 
of the piercing you are interested in. The facility should be 
clean, orderly, and well-lit. Instruments should be sterile. 
Needle and jewelry should remain in sterilization packets or 
sterilization fluid until they are to be used. Gloves, needle, 
cork, towels, cotton swabs, gauze pads, and other disposable 
items should all be new.

The area to be pierced should be thoroughly disinfected with 
iodine solution (Betadine) or washed with Hibiclens. The piercer 
should review technique, possible complications (ie. likelihood 
of piercing rejection or "growing out"), and aftercare (both 
oral and written instructions) before doing the piercing.

Inform the piercer of any medical conditions which may be 
exacerbated by the piercing procedure. The piercer should 
require your signature and proof of age on a detailed waiver 
form. This form serves to protect both you and the piercer. Most 
piercers require that you be 18 or over. If you are under 18, 
some piercers may perform the piercing with parental consent 
and/or presence during the piercing.

The piercer should answer any questions fully before and after 
the piercing is performed. You should feel comfortable and at 
ease, and not rushed. Most piercers have topical anesthetics 
(xylocaine or lidocaine solutions, in viscous or ointment form) 
available for Prince Albert and Clitoral piercings. Topical 
anesthetics require a few minutes to be absorbed. Topicals have 
little effect on areas oth er than mucous membranes. Topical 
anesthetics require a physician's prescription in the US. 
Injectable anesthetics are only available from a practicing 
physician in the US. 


 3. TOOLS AND TECHNIQUE------------

The piercing gun is not recommended for piercing. It is intended 
to be used on ear lobes only. Even so, the studs installed are 
of one length and too short to accommodate swelling and are very 
difficult to clean thoroughly once installed, as the butterfly 
clip backing can become clogged with discharge and dirt.

The action of the piercing gun is far more traumatic than the 
piercing needle procedure - the studs are considerably duller 
than a single-use needle, thus literally tearing a hole through 
the tissue, whereas the needle slices a clean hole the gauge of 
the jewelry to be installed. A cleanly made hole is especially 
important in the case of cartilage piercings, notably upper ear 
and nostril piercings, which many jewelry outlets fitted with 
piercing guns are performing. Above all, most department store 
or mall piercers do not adequately sterilize the gun itself nor 
the area to be pierced. Most are supplied merely with a box of 
gloves and a bottle of rubbing alcohol.

The needles used for piercing are hollow, beveled and sharpened 
similar to the hypodermic needles used by medical professionals. 
Piercing needles are available in single-beveled, double-beveled 
("super sharp"), and dermal-punch styles. Most are about 2 
inches in length. Most piercers in Europe use needles designed 
for intravenous drips, which are fitted with a plastic sheath 
that is threaded through the piercing, needle removed, and 
jewelry fitted into the plastic sheath and pulled through. 

Needles should only be used once, and disposed of via hospital 
incinerator or disposal company. Aside from cleanliness 
concerns, needles are dulled after one use.

Most piercers use forceps to clamp the area to be pierced. 
Forceps commonly used are the Pennington (triangular head) and 
the Foerster (oval head). Often, the serations on the head of 
the forceps are sharp and should be filed down to prevent 
irritation. The forceps should be clamped using the tension of a 
rubber band wrapped around the handles. Clamping the forceps 
using the teeth on the handles is extremely uncomfortable and 
can cause bruising.

The forceps should be positioned so that the entrance and exit 
marks are positioned at the same place within the openings. Some 
piercers use sterilized, disposable cork to back all clamped 
piercings. Others prefer to use cork only on areas of more 
elasticity (i.e., inner labia, scrotum). The cork is also used 
for freehand (unclamped) piercings such as the ear lobe. Keep in 
mind that different piercers employ different techniques.

Method of jewelry insertion depends on the jewelry. In the case 
of rings, the convex end of the ring will fit against the flat 
hollow end of the needle. Unless a larger-gauged needle is used, 
the ring will not actually fit inside the needle. When inserting 
rings, contact between the needle and ring must be maintained, 
or the piercing could be "lost."

Externally threaded barbells and Labret studs will fit into the 
end of the needle if the threaded portion is thinner than the 
gauge of the jewelry. Otherwise, the threads should be dipped in 
melted candlewax for easier insertion and to prevent them from 
getting caught on the inside of the piercing.

Internally threaded barbells are best inserted using a thin 
insertion taper or wire, one end inserted into the barbell, the 
other end inserted into the needle, which prevents the needle 
and barbell from slipping apart. Any pliers used to tighten or 
expand rings should be wrapped in surgical tape to prevent the 
jewelry from being scratched.


 4. METHODS OF STERILIZATION------------

Proper sterilization of all instruments and jewelry used during 
piercing is a must. Improper sterilization or lack thereof can 
result in infection of the piercing and the spread of infectious 
bacteria and disease-causing viruses.

The most complete and reliable method of sterilization is the 
steam or chemical process "autoclave." Autoclave sterilization 
is used by medical professionals and meets federal standards of 
sterilization. The autoclave uses heat and pressure, and in some 
instances a chemical bath to kill bacteria and viruses.

Instruments to be sterilized are placed in sterilization bags 
which are then sealed with indicator tape. Both the bag and the 
tape are marked with indicator strips which change color to 
indicate complete sterilization. Pressure cookers may also be 
used to sterilize tools and jewelry. Items should be "cooked" 
for at least 30 minutes at 15-20 pounds pressure (270-300 
degrees F).

Boiling is not a suitable method of sterilization.

Cold sterilization fluids, such as Control III and Wavicide, 
should be used in conjunction with steam sterilization. Every 
instrument should be able to be sterilized.

Piercing needles usually arrive from the manufacturer or 
supplier pre-sterilized by autoclave, in sealed autoclave bags. 
Piercing needles should never be used more than once. Aside from 
cleanliness concerns, needles are noticibly dulled from a single 
use. Pennington forceps, used to clamp the area to be pierced, 
are professional medical supply stock, suitable for 
sterilization techniques used by medical professionals. They can 
be soaked in sterilization fluid and steam autoclaved. Insertion 
tapers (of niobium or surgical stainless steel) can be cleaned 
by the same method.

Other tools made specifically for piercing such as needle 
pushers are manufactured to be safe for sterilization by 
autoclave. Pliers used to open and close rings present certain 
challenges to sterilization. These tools are usually not of the 
high-grade steel used for forceps and jewelry, thus subject to 
corrossion. These tools should be dried thoroughly after 
sterilization, by a heat oven if possible. Any rubber or plastic 
coating on the handles can easily be removed by slicing 
legthwise with a utility knife. All surgical stainless steel 
professional body jewelry can be safely sterilized by steam or 
chemical means. Niobium and gold jewelry may be discolored by 
certain chemicals such as chlorine solutions. These pieces are 
best sterilized by steam or heat methods. 





--
                              * Ardvark *
                            Anne Greenblatt
               Piercing FAQ Manager for rec.arts.bodyart
          > Proprietor of Piercing Exquisite, Richmond, VA <
                NEW ADDRESS - ardvark@richmond.infi.net