
1058/modem
 Anyone interested in the subject, and/or wishes to


Archive-name: bodyart/piercing-faq/part1


posted on
a monthly basis (in the first half of the month) and includes 
information
about everything that might concern piercing. If you would like to 
know
maintained
by Lani Teshima-Miller (teshima@uhunix.uhcc.hawaii.edu). 

 1--Introduction <---YOU ARE READING THIS FILE
 2--Piercings & Jewelry
 3--Getting A New Pierce
 4--Professional Piercers
 5--Care Of A New Pierce
 6--Problems And Hazards
 7--Healed Pierces
 8--Misc. Info
 9--Resource List

WHAT'S NEW IN THE FAQ?

I am still looking for additions to the female and male piercing 
experiences sections. Please feel free to submit a written 
account of your piercing experience (including piercing 
technique, healing time, and what your piercing has contributed 
to your life) to my address. 

All texts written by Anne Greenblatt unless otherwise noted.

Although there is no copyright to the FAQ, it would be 
appreciated if any reprinting or further distribution is 
approved by Anne Greenblatt and the respective authors. 

Please remember that body piercing is an inexact science - the 
information contained in the FAQ is culled from group knowledge 
and experience. Thus, opinions on almost all aspects may vary or 
conflict. Remember that each person's experience is different . 
One aspect of piercing that everyone agrees on - keep it safe 
and keep it clean! 


 1--Introduction

 2--Piercings & Jewelry
 1. Suggested Metals For Body Piercings
 2. Jewelry Sizes
 2a. Gauges And Equivalents
 3. Jewelry Designs
 4. Piercing Types And Their Suggested Jewelry
 4a. Female Genital Piercings
 4b. Male Genital Piercings

 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

 4--Professional Piercers
 1. United States
 2. Canada
 3. Beyond North America
 4. European Professional Piercers Association

 5--Care Of A New Pierce
 1. Cleaning Agents 
 2. Healing Ointments 
 3. Treating Facial Piercings
 3. Treating Mouth-Related Piercings
 4. Treating Body Piercings
 5. Treating Genital Piercings
 6. Care Instructions From Elayne Binnie
 6a. Lips, Labret And Cheek Piercings
 6b. Body piercings
 6c. Ear Lobe, Ear Cartilage, Tragus, Conch, Nostril, 
 Septum and Eyebrows
 6d. Tongue Piercings

 6--Problems And Hazards
 1. Keloid Scars
 2. Methods Of Treating Keloids

 7--Healed Pierces
 1. Changing Jewelry
 2. Stretching Piercings
 3. Piercing Adornments
 4. Bdsm Play, And Chasity
 5. Play Piercing
 6. Hiding And Retaining Piercings
 7. Piercings and Surgery

 8--Misc. Info
 1. Piercings And Surgery
 2. History Of The Nipple Piercing
 3. Personal experiences
 3a. Tongue Pierce
 3b. Labret Piercing
 3c. Hand Web Piercing
 3d. Eyelet Piercings
 3e. Nipple Piercing
 3f. Triangle Piercing

 9--Resources List
 1. Books and Magazines
 2. Videos


Anne Greenblatt "Ardvark"



--
 * Ardvark *
 Anne Greenblatt
 > Piercing Exquisite <
 *

 

holonet
1058/modem
 Anyone interested in the subject, and/or wishes to


Archive-name: bodyart/piercing-faq/part2


 1--Introduction
 2--Piercings & Jewelry <---YOU ARE READING THIS FILE
 3--Getting A New Pierce
 4--Professional Piercers
 5--Care Of A New Pierce
 6--Problems And Hazards
 7--Healed Pierces
 8--Misc. Info
 9--Resource List

What's in this section:

 2--Piercings & Jewelry
 1. Suggested Metals For Body Piercings
 2. Jewelry Sizes
 2a. Gauges And Equivalents
 3. Jewelry Designs
 4. Piercing Types And Their Suggested Jewelry
 4a. Female Genital Piercings
 4b. Male Genital Piercings


 1. SUGGESTED METALS FOR BODY PIERCINGS-------------

To heal a body piercing successfully, the jewelry worn must be 
of suitable material and design. The more inert the material, 
the less the chance of metal allergy. The following are the 
recommended metals used for body piercing jewelry, in 
alphabetical order:

*Acrylic*
 Used where a more flexible piece of jewelry is desired.

*Gold*
 Solid gold of at least 14 karat. Gold-plated or gold-filled 
 jewelry is not acceptable, as plating can eventually rub away 
 or flake.

*Niobium*
 An elemental metal, strong yet flexible, the wide array of 
 colors achieved through anodizing, not dyeing.

*Surgical Stainless Steel*
 The highest quality and most suitable body jewelry developed 
 thus far is made of 316 L or LVM Surgical Stainless Steel. The
 jewelry should be polished to a reflective shine and free from 
pitting
 and rough edges and should be annealed to be somewhat flexible and 
to resist
 metal fatigue.

*Titanium*
 An elemental metal similar to Niobium, also available in a 
 range of colors through anodizing.

 2. JEWELRY SIZES----------------------

For most piercings, rings facilitate easier cleaning and allow 
for swelling.

For piercings made in flatter areas of the body (ie. where the 
entrance and exit holes are not through parallel planes), the 
straighter the section of jewelry that passes through the 
piercing the less likely the piercing is to migrate or "grow 
out." Thus, the basic guideline for sizing jewelry is to allow 
the inside diameter of the ring to be at least 1/16" to 1/8" 
wider than the length of the piercing.

Jewelry is measured by gauge (thickness) and inside diameter in 
the case of rings or length from ball to ball in the case of 
studs. The higher the gauge number, the thinner the jewelry. 

When getting pierced, the needle and jewelry must be of the same 
gauge; thus it is important to stay within the same gauge 
system. If mixing gauges cannot be avoided, a needle of a 
thicker gauge than that of the jewelry should be used.

Most jewelry manufactured in the US is gauged according to the 
Brown & Sharpe system. Note that Silver Anchor uses its own 
gauge system. Jewelry from the UK and Europe are manufactured by 
metric gauge.


 2a. Gauges and Equivalents

Brown and Sharpe (used by most American manufacturers)
------------------------------------------------------
 gauge inches millimeters 
 -----------------------------------
 20 0.032 0.813 
 18 0.040 1.024 
 16 0.051 1.290 
 14 0.064 1.629 
 12 0.081 2.052 
 10 0.102 2.588 
 8 0.128 3.264 
 6 0.162 4.111 
 4 0.204 5.189 
 2 0.257 6.543 
 0 0.324 8.230 
 00 0.364 9.246 

Silver Anchor
------------------------------------------------------
 gauge inches millimeters 
 ----------------------------------------
 20 1/32 = 0.03125
 16 3/64 = 0.046875 1.19
 14 1/16 = 0.0625 1.59
 12 3/32 = 0.09375 2.38
 8 1/8 = 0.125 3.18
 6 5/32 = 0.15625 3.97
 4 3/16 = 0.1875 4.76
 2 1/4 = 0.25 6.35
 0 5/16 = 0.3125 7.94



 3. JEWELRY DESIGNS--------------

*Captive Bead Ring*

The basic ring design is the captive bead ring, or ball closure 
ring. The bead is not attached to the ring--the tension of the 
ring holds the bead "captive." With thinner gauges and larger 
diameter rings, finger strength may be all that is necessary to 
remove the bead. Otherwise, ring expanding pliers are used to 
release the bead.

Rings can be fitted with a wide assortment of beads: Cubes, 
skulls, hearts, coils, and tubes in steel, gold and niobium and 
beads in semi-precious stones are just a few of the options. In 
the case of gemstones, malachite and lapis should not be used 
with genital piercings, as urine can break down the stone and 
release copper. Also, gold and sterling can be discolored by 
cleaning products, most notably Betadine, and chemical 
sterilization liquids.

*Bead Ring*

Another basic ring design is the bead ring. The bead is soldered 
to one end of the ring with a hole drilled into the other side 
of the bead to receive the other end of the ring. The 
disadvantage to the bead ring is that it must be twisted 
sideways to open and close, which can eventually cause metal 
fatigue, especially in the case of gold. Bead rings are best 
used for more permanent wear.

*Seamless Rings*

"Seamless" rings are rings in which the ends are flat and 
matched up as closely as possible. Inserting these rings into a 
new piercing can be very difficult, and closing the rings 
sometimes next to impossible.

*Circular Barbells*

Circular barbells are useful for those anticipating changing 
jewelry often. In the larger gauges circular barbells can be 
heavy.

Barbells and other studs are available with various designs of 
threading:

 Internally threaded studs: The bar is threaded internally, and 
 there is no risk of the threads damaging or getting caught 
 on the inside of the piercing. When inserted initially, a 
 guide wire or taper inserted into the needle and the bar 
 will maintain the connection between needle and jewelry for 
 easier insertion.

 Externally threaded studs: The threads are exposed and can 
 irritate the piercing. With some externally threaded studs, 
 the threaded section can be inserted into the end of the 
 needle. Otherwise, the threads can be dipped in hot wax to 
 minimize friction.

More unique jewelry designs intended for healed piercings are 
available from various manufacturers - septum tusks, labret and 
nostril spikes, jeweled rings, nipple retainers, nipple 
stretchers, nipple shields, teardrop rings, nipple spreaders, 
octagonal rings, Prince Albert "Bangers" and urethra tubes...for 
more information on these and many more designs please see the 
FAQ Address List for a listing of jewelry manufacturers. 


 4. PIERCING TYPES AND THEIR SUGGESTED JEWELRY----------

The following contains brief descriptions of each piercing and 
suggested jewelry, as well as references to publications 
available detailing the history and origin of specific 
piercings. 

*Ear Lobe*

Usually, the ear lobe is the least sensitive piercing, in terms 
of metals that can be worn after healing. Lobe piercings can be 
stretched quite easily. The stretching process should, however, 
be a gradual one. Eyelets can be worn to maintain a stretched 
piercing.

Ear lobe piercings heal better and faster if a ring is the 
initial jewelry. Sleeper studs installed with a piercing gun are 
collection sites for bacteria and are difficult to clean. 
Piercing studs tear a hole into the ear tissue whereas piercing 
needles cut a clean hole. Also, the cleanliness of the piercing 
gun method is questionable.

Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings, barbells, 
circular barbells (in the case of larger gauges, circular 
barbells may not be best initially, as the weight of the jewelry 
may prolong healing and be uncomfortable); 3/8" to 1/2" in 
diameter.

*Cartilage*

Should be pierced using a needle one gauge larger than the 
jewelry to be worn (e.g. 20 gauge bead ring, 19 gauge needle) to 
allow for new tissue to form around the inside of the pierce and 
for easier cleaning.

This piercing is often done with a gun; however, the stud 
installed can be too short for the piercing, and both sides of 
the stud are collection sites for bacteria. An ear cartilage 
piercing should be treated as a body piercing.

Some people may encounter no irritation from sterling and other 
metals, if worn for a short period of time. Cartilage piercings 
should not be stretched more than a gauge larger. Cartilage 
piercings have a tendency to develop Keloid scar tissue in some 
people. Thus, it is best not to make multiple piercings too 
close together in one session. 

 Tragus: The prominence of cartilage in front of the opening of 
 the ear canal. Ear cartilage suggestions follow here. Care 
 must be taken when cleaning this and other interior 
 cartilage piercings such as the Rook, Doth, and Conch - 
 cleaning solutions must not be allowed to drip into the ear 
 canal, as this could lead to permanent loss of hearing. 

Of the interior ear cartilage piercings, the Daith is usually the most
successful, as it is not subject to pressure from sleeping and 
irritation
from daily activities. Rook piercings are more prone to rejection.

Provided by Shannon Larrat ( glider@io.org): 
 
 
 _,------------._
 ,-' 6 `-. 
 ,' ,------------._ \ 1 is the rook (topmost inner
 -' | 4 `. ` fold of the ear shell)
 6 , '--._ | |
 ,' ` `1 \ \ 2 is a tragus (that 
triangle)
 | ` `-. | |
 `-. . | | 3 is a daith (through the 
fold of
 `-._ 4` | | cartilage tissue just above
 ,-----. 3_ `-- | | the ear opening)
 `-. `---. | |
 2 | 4 ,' ; 4 is a conch piercing 
 ,' ,--' ,' 
 ,-' 4 4,-' ,' 
 | ___ ,--' ,' 
 `------' 5 ;
 5 / 5 is a lobe piercing
 -. 5 5 _,' 6 is a helix piercing
 `. ,'
 ` _.--'
 ` ----'
 
*Nostril*

Nostril Screws are the optimum jewelry choice for those wishing 
the look of a stud. They feature a small curved "tail" at a 
right angle to the stud that holds the jewelry in place without 
the need for a clasp on the inside of the nose. Because nostril 
screws are more difficult to clean and may not accommodate 
swelling associated with a fresh piercing , it is recommended 
that the piercing be well-healed before a screw is worn.

Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings in 20 to 14 
gauge, 3/8" to 1/2" inside diameter. As with ear cartilage 
piercings, nostril piercings should be done with a piercing 
needle a gauge larger than that of the jewelry to be worn. 

*Septum*

The piercing should pass through the thin layer of tissue 
between the septum cartilage and the flesh. This piercing can be 
stretched after healing to accommodate eyelets.

Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings, circular 
barbells, septum retainers in 20 to 10 gauge, 3/8" to 1/2" 
inside diameter. U-shaped septum retainers are available for 
those who need to hide the piercing. Rings are, however, easier to 
clean
during healing.

*Eyebrow*

The chance of the piercing growing out or migrating may be 
reduced by reshaping the ring into an oval. This piercing is 
usually made vertically, so that the ring encircles the eyebrow. 
Elayne "Angel" Binnie offers a hallmark alternative eyebrow 
piercing, made horizontally just beneath the hairline of the 
eyebrow.

Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings in 18 to 14 
gauge, 3/8" to 7/16" inside diameter; barbells 3/8" to 7/16" 
post length. Rings should be at least 1/16" larger in diameter 
than the length of the piercing.

*Nieburh or Erle*

This piercing is made through the tissue between the eyes (bridge of 
the
nose). This piercing can be both difficult to both perform and heal. 
This
piercing cannot be made too deep but must be deep enough that the 
piercing
does not migrate out/reject.

Initial jewelry: Barbell studs or curved barbells in 14 - 12 
gauge, 3/8" to 5/8" in length, depending on the length of the 
piercing.

*Lip & Labret*

Traditionally, the Labret piercing is usually made about 3/8" to 
1/2" below the middle of the lower lip, through or just above 
the cleft of the chin, although lip piercings can be made 
anywhere along the outside of the lip. A labret stud should be 
used to heal the piercing to avoid tearing, and a ring can be 
worn after healing. A thinner gauge of ring may have a tendency 
to tear the inside of the lip, especially on new piercings.

Labret studs and barbells tend to cause deterioration of the 
inside of the lip and of the gumline; this deterioration is, in 
most cases, minimal, and will only continue until a niche has 
been formed for the ball or disc. Fishtail Labrets were invented 
to counter this problem. Some piercers prefer to angle the Labret
piercing so that the disc/inside ball is above the teeth line. This
placement will avoid gum/lip deterioration, but may present problems
with biting down on the jewelry inadvertantly.Please see Body Play, 
Vol. 2
#4, for a very good feature on the Labret; PFIQ "Pierce with a Pro, 
Part 
19". 

Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings, barbell studs, 
Labret studs (inserted from the inside, a barbell with a disc in 
place of the inside ball), Fishtail Labrets (a stud with a 
"tail" at a right-angle to the stud which has a slight curve to 
follow the curve of the gumline); gold and surgical steel in 18 
to 14 gauge, 3/8" to 1/2" inside diameter and post length. The 
initial stud should be at least 1/16" longer than the width of 
the area to be pierced to accommodate swelling.

*Cheek*

Initial jewelry: Labret studs; gold and surgical steel in 16 - 
10 gauge, usually at least 3/8" in length. Precise measurements 
are necessary to prevent nesting.

*Tongue*

Initial jewelry: Barbell studs; gold and surgical steel in 14 to 
10 gauge. The initial stud should be at least 1/4" to 1/2" 
longer than the tongue at its thickest to accommodate swelling. 
Too short a barbell can lead to "nesting" of the balls. Please 
see PFIQ "Pierce with a Pro, Part 11" and PFIQ #38 for "Pierce 
with a Pro, Part 25: Update". 

If a large frenulum is present (web of tissue which runs lengthwise 
along
the underside of the tongue, usually present in most people to some
degree), the piercing should be made in front of it.

Tongue piercings made through the front and side edges of the tongue 
using
rings have been sudccessful for some people, but for most the presence 
of
a ring impedes eating and speaking. If such a piercing is desired it 
is
important to use an initial ring large enough to allow for swelling 
and to


 

(Continued from last message)
avoid piercing any large blood vessels which may be present.

*Navel*

The upper rim of the navel is usually pierced, unless the lower 
is more prominent. The navel piercing is one of the most 
difficult to heal, but also one of the most popular. Tight 
waistbands, belts, and a high level of activity involving 
bending at the waist can lengthen healing time. This piercing is 
also subject to migrating, rejection, or "growing out."

In most cases, the piercing will remain red and discharge 
considerably during the entirety of the healing process. Occasionally,
a ring of tissue will form around the entrance or exit wound, usually
during the second or third month of healing, most likely due to
irritation from clothing and/or daily activities rather than an
infection. If this occurs, do not overclean. Usually the "growth"
will diminish on its own. Soaking the piercing in warm salt water in
place of a morning or evening cleaning often helps. Please see PFIQ 
"Pierce
with a Pro, Part 18".

Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings, circular 
barbells, curved or "L" bars in 14 to 12 gauge, 3/8" to 5/8" 
inside diameter; 3/8" to 5/8" length for curved barbells.

*Nipples*

Nipple piercings can be made horizontally or vertically. Rings 
are usually the initial jewelry in horizontal piercings. Some 
piercers prefer to install a barbell initially, as this may 
decrease the chance of the piercing migrating downwards due to 
the weight and curve of a ring. If a barbell is to be used, it 
should be at least 1/4" longer than the length of the piercing 
to facilitate thorough cleaning. Barbells of the same length as 
the piercing can be worn after the piercing is healed.

Barbells are used for vertical piercings, as a ring will tend to 
stick out, and, if taped to one side or the other, can cause the 
piercing to migrate diagonally. For heavy play (chains, 
pendants, weights, etc.) captive bead rings smaller than 14 
gauge should not be worn, as the bead may pop off. Also, the 
larger the gauge, the less likely the jewelry is to tear the 
piercing. Please see PFIQ #34 for "Pierce with a Pro, Part 21: 
Female Nipple Update"; PFIQ "Pierce with a Pro, Part 17"; PFIQ 
#40 for "Pierce with a Pro, Part 27: Male Nipple Update". 

Multiple nipple piercings are not uncommon. These can be crisscross
(alternating horizontal and vertical piercings) or all be in the same
direction. Before attempting a second piercing the first piercing 
should
be allowed to completely heal. There should be at least 1/8" of 
tissue
(depth) between the piercings to prevent pressure from the innermost
piercing from causing the outermost piercing to migrate out.

Some women may experience irritation or a delay in healing before and
during their period, or if they are subject to PMS. Water retention
may cause the nerves in the nipple to become pinched against
the jewelry.

Men, on average, have more difficulty with nipple piercings migrating 
or
rejecting. If a nipple is to be repierced after the initial piercing 
has
rejected, the first wound should be allowed to heal completely. If a
large amount of scar tissue is present, it may be advisable to wait at
least 6 months to allow the area to recover. The repierce should be 
made
behind the scar tissue from the initial piercing. Piercing through 
the
scar tissue is usually difficult, painful, and can lead to more scar
tissue growth.

Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings, circular 
barbells in 14 to 12 gauge; men - 1/2" inside diameter or 
larger, women - 5/8" inside diameter or larger. The inside 
diameter of the ring should be at least 1/8" wider than the 
length of the piercing, especially in initial jewelry.

*Handweb*

Most piercers consider this piercing to be rather a novelty. The 
piercing is usually made through the web of skin between the 
thumb and forefinger (it must not intersect the muscle tissue).

Rate of infection is extremely high, due to the exposure to 
bacteria during daily activities. Rate of rejection and 
migration is also high, due to the nature of the tissue and hand 
movements. Please see PFIQ #23 for "Pierce with a Pro, Part 13".

Initial jewelry: Barbells in 14-12 gauge, at least 1/2" in 
length to accommodate swelling.


Part 4a. FEMALE PIERCINGS -------------------------

*Outer Labia, or Labia Majora*

Labia piercings can be stretched considerably after healing. For 
infibulation (chastity) or heavy play (ie. chains, pendants, 
weights), captive bead rings smaller than 14 gauge should not be 
worn, as the bead may pop off. Also, the larger the gauge, the 
less likely the jewelry is to tear the piercing. Please see PFIQ 
"Pierce with a Pro, Part 5". 

Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings, circular 
barbells in 14 to 12 gauge, 1/2" to 5/8" in diameter. The inside 
diameter of the ring should be at least 1/8" wider than the 
length of the piercing.

*Inner Labia, or Labia Minora*

The amount of inner labia present varies with the individual - 
some women may have flaps of tissue an inch or so wide, while 
others may have the barest, thinnest inner labia, too thin to 
hold jewelry. Please see PFIQ #37 for "Pierce with a Pro, Part 
24".

Some women experience tearing or rapid outward migration of the 
piercing
due to the jewelry being pulled during daily activities. Sometimes
switching to short barbells (provided the holes have not stretched so
much that the balls pass through the piercing) will eliminate tearing
or stretching.

Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings, circular barbells in 
14
to 12 gauge, 1/2" to 5/8" in diameter.

*Clitoral Hood, or Prepuce*

Horizontal Piercing: If a circular barbell is chosen, the 
piercing should be placed so that the clitoris is not pinched 
between the balls. The horizontal piercing stimulates the 
clitoris indirectly - the jewelry is positioned so that the bead 
rests on the tip of the clitoris. Please see PFIQ #41 for 
"Pierce with a Pro, Part 28". 

Women with heavy outer labia which cover the hood completely may find 
a
tear-drop shaped ring more suitable, as the tapered end of the ring
prevents it from getting caught between the labia and twisted, causing 
the
piercing to heal crooked or migrate out. 

Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings or bead rings in 16 to 12 gauge, 
3/8"
to 5/8" inside diameter, depending on the depth of the piercing. The
inside diameter should be at least 1/16" wider than the length of the
piercing. 

Vertical Piercing: The vertical hood piercing stimulates the 
clitoris directly - the jewelry is in constant contact with the 
clitoris. Some women have reported undue irritation and apparent 
desensitization of the clitoris from the vertical piercing, if 
the hood is too tight around the ring and the clitoris. Please 
see PFIQ "Pierce with a Pro, Part 22". 

Initial Jewelry: Same as above; barbells, curved barbells in 
16 to 14 gauge, 3/8" to 1/2" long. Vertical piercings are best 
done using an insertion tube, inserted between the hood and 
the clitoris.

*Clitoral Triangle Piercing*

This piercing is made through the tissue beneath the shaft of the 
clitoris
and above the juncture of the inner labia. The area to be pierced can 
be
felt as a triangular shape beneath the shaft when the area is pinched 
with
the fingers. Not every woman is suited for this piercing. Please see 
PFIQ
#37 for a feature article. 

Initial jewelry: Bead rings or captive bead rings in 14 to 12 
gauge, 5/8" to 3/4" inside diameter, with allowance for 
swelling.

*Isabella*

This relatively new piercing documented by Piercing World 
Magazine is the vertical accompaniment to the Triangle piercing. 
It is made beneath the clitoris, entering beneath the clitoris 
and exiting above the hood.

Initial jewelry: Recommended jewelry is a slightly curve d 
barbell, measured to fit the piercing. Flexible nylon barbells 
have been recommended as well.

*Fourchette*

This piercing is a relatively new piercing. It is made through 
the web of tissue at the back rim of the vaginal opening.

Initial jewelry: Rings of at least 12 gauge; better suited 
jewelry may be a curved barbell of 12 gauge, 1/2" - 5/8" in 
length. Please see PFIQ #37 for a feature article. 

*Clitoris* 

Mini- or dydoe barbells, barbell studs in 16 to 14 gauge, 3/8" to 1/2" 
in
length. Captive bead or bead rings in 16 to 14 gauge, 3/8" to 1/2" 
inside
diameter. Barbells are suitable for vertical or horizontal piercings;
rings are suitable only for horizontal piercings. To be successfully
pierced, the clitoris should be at least 1/4" wide and loosely hooded. 
If
the hood is too tight, the piercing will most likely migrate out or be
continuously irritated by the pressure of the hood. The ring works 
best in
a clitoris that is exposed. Please see PFIQ "Pierce with a Pro, Part 
7". 

*Princess Albertina* 

Another relatively new and experimental piercing, this piercing passes
through the back wall of the urethra. In the piercing documented by
Piercing World magazine, a captive bead ring was used. Please see 
Piercing
World #19. 


 4b. MALE GENITAL PIERCINGS----------------

*Frenum*

This piercing is made through the skin layer along the shaft of 
the penis, usually along the underside, about 1/4" from the 
ridge of the glans. A series of frenum piercings - called a 
"Frenum Ladder" - can be made as well. A frenum piercing made at 
the base of the penis has acquired the name "Lorum," short for 
"lower frenum." Please see PFIQ "Pierce with a Pro, Part 20: 
Update"

Initial jewelry: Barbells in 14 to 10 gauge, 1/2" to 5/8" in 
length, determined by measuring the length of the piercing; 
captive bead rings in 14 to 10 gauge, 1/2" to 5/8" in diameter; 
after the piercing is healed, a ring measured to fit around the 
erect penis just behind the ridge of the glans can be worn. 

*Prince Albert & Reverse Prince Albert*

This piercing is performed with the aid of a needle-receptor 
tube or a cotton-swab inserted into the urethra to "receive" the 
needle tip. Please see PFIQ #6 for feature article; PFIQ #39 for 
"Pierce with a Pro, Part 26: Update". 

It is possible to have a Prince Albert with an intact foreskin, 
provided
the foreskin is not too tight and that the wearer can retract the 
foreskin
during healing. Another option is to have the bottom edge of the 
foreskin
cut lengthwise to give the piercing "breathing room." This procedure
should be performed by a physician and the foreskin allowed to heal 
before
the piercing is made.

Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings, circular 
or curved barbells in 12 gauge or larger, 5/8" inside diameter or 
larger, 
depending on the depth of the piercing. The diameter of the ring 
is determined by measuring the length between the piercing to 
the bottom edge of the urethra. For curved barbells, measure from the
point of piercing to the top edge of the urethra.

*Ampallang*

The Ampallang is made horizontally through the glans (head). A 
piercing intersecting the urethra (in effect two piercings) 
allows urine to irrigate through the piercings and thus tends to 
heal faster and be stronger than a piercing made above the 
urethra. Please see PFIQ #11 for "Pierce with a Pro, Part 6". 

Initial jewelry: Barbells in 14 to 10 gauge; the length of the 
barbell must be determined by measuring the penis while it is 
erect, using calipers.

*Apadravya*

The Apadravya is made vertically through the glans, and is often 
a continuation of the Prince Albert. Please see PFIQ "Pierce 
with a Pro, Part 16". With both the Ampallang and Apadravya, 
correct positioning is important to avoid intersecting the 
cavernosa, the two channels of tissue which fill with blood 
during an erection. 

Bothe the Ampallang and Apadravya will bleed considerably during the 
first
week, and usually take 6 to 8 months to completely heal.

*Dydoe*

Not every man has enough ridge development for dydoe piercings. 
Healing time can be lengthy, and this piercing can be subject to 
migrating or growing out. Healing time can be lengthy, and this
piercing is prone to migrating or growing out. Please see PFIQ 
"Pierce
with a Pro, Part 8". Dydoe piercings are usually done as a pair, at 
the 
10:00 and 2:00 positions through the ridge of the glans.

Initial jewelry: Mini- or dydoe barbell studs in 16 or 14 gauge, 
at least 3/8" post length.

*Foreskin*

This piercing can be very stimulating as the jewelry rubs 
against the glans during sex. One large-diameter ring can be 
worn through 2 piercings made on either side for infibulation. A 
series of foreskin piercings can be made and barbells worn, 
keeping the foreskin retracted.

Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings, circular 
barbells in 14 to 12 gauge, 1/2" inside diameter or larger. 

*Hafada (Scrotum)*

Of all the male genital piercings, this piercing can be one 
of the most difficult to heal because of the constant contact 
with clothing and lack of ventilation. Piercings can be made 
anywhere on the scrotum, though piercings made through forward 
fold of skin may decrease the likelihood of rejection or 
migration. Care must be taken not to puncture the testicle sac 
itself, which can lead to very serious infection.

Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings, circular 
barbells in 14 to 12 gauge, 1/2" to 5/8" in diameter. 

*Guiche*

This piercing is made at the base of the scrotum, where the 
inseam of a pair of pants is positioned. Attaching weights to 
this piercing is said to be extremely stimulating. This piercing is
particularly prone to migration/rejection. Please see PFIQ #5 for 
"Pierce
with a Pro, Part 3" feature. 

Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings, circular 
barbells in steel (gold and niobium tend to be too flexible to 
maintain ring shape) in 12 gauge, 5/8" inside diameter - the 
inside diameter of the ring should be at least 1/8" larger than 
the length of the piercing. Some men may find a curved barbell 
to be more comfortable than a ring. 

*Pubic*

Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings, circular 
barbells in 14 to 10 gauge, 5/8" diameter or larger - the inside 
diameter of the ring should be at least 1/8" larger than the 
length of the piercing.




--
 * Ardvark *
 Anne Greenblatt
 > Piercing Exquisite <
 *

 

1058/modem
 Anyone interested in the subject, and/or wishes to


Archive-name: bodyart/piercing-faq/part3


 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--Personal Experiences



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. 
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. The alloys of silver (notably 
nickel) can cause extreme irritation which can lead to inf 
ection. 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. 


 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 Exquisite <
 *

 

holonet
1058/modem
 Anyone interested in the subject, and/or wishes to


Archive-name: bodyart/piercing-faq/part4




 1--Introduction
 2--Piercings & Jewelry
 3--Getting A New Pierce
 4--Professional Piercers <---YOU ARE READING THIS FILE
 5--Care Of A New Pierce
 6--Problems And Hazards
 7--Healed Pierces
 8--Misc. Info
 9--Personal Experiences


What's in this section:

 4--Professional Piercers
 1. United States
 2. Canada-
 3. Beyond North America
 4. European Professional Piercers Association


Piercers and piercing jewelry suppliers are noted with an 
asterisk. Please note that when requesting a wholesale price 
list, most manufacturers require proof of business/copy of 
business license.

Comments regarding piercers and manufacturers are based on 
and manufacturers appearing on this list are by no means 
 
Last Revision: 02/06/95


 1. UNITED STATES-----------------------


Professional Organizations
==========================

ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL PIERCERS, 519 Castro Street, Box 120,
 San Francisco, CA 94114
 Non-profit organization started by staff members of Gauntlet, Body
 Manipulations, Nomad, and Raelyn Gallina. Publishes "The Point" 
newsletter
 which includes "cutting edge" information on techniques, products,
 sterilization, and laws that affect the piercing profession. No
 membership is available at this time, as the group is seeking to 
define
 what a membership entails.
 Contact Michaela Grey at the Gauntlet Corporate Offices at (415) 552-
0505,
 ext. 107, or Richard White at eir8cxg@oac.mvs.ucla.edu.

NATIONAL PIERCING ASSOCIATION, PO Box 14345, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
 (805) 549-9346, 1-800-549-4NPA
 A for-profit organization. Membership requirements and prices 
varies from
 individual to piercer to studio.
 [I've been promised more info from various people involved on 
numerous
 occassions, but this is all I have received]


Medical Suppliers, Sterilization
================================

Alfa Medical, 59 Madison Ave., Hampstead, NY 11550
 1-800-762-1586, (516) 773-4339
 Autoclaves and sterilizers repaired, bought, new, reconditioned.
 Full year warrantee.

H & M Service Center, 2900 Courthouse Road, Richmond, VA 23236
 (804) 276-4668
 Autoclaves and sterilizers repaired, bought, reconditioned.
 Full year warrantee on parts and service.

Northbay Bio and Science Inc.
 PO Box 4319, Traverse City, MI 49685
 1-800-289-7786
 Autoclave testing available on a monthly basis for $78.


Piercers and Jewelry Suppliers
==============================


Alaska
======

RAE'S STUDIO ELITE, 2807 Turnagain Blvd., Anchorage
 Piercer: Adrianne Wolfe
 Review: Adrianne has been reported to be lacking in experience 
 and technique, and her cleanliness is less than adequate. 
 Please write to Nate Holm at asnjh@orion.alaska.edu for more 
 details of his experience.


Arizona
=======

*HTC*, 3422 W. Wilshire Dr., Suite 18, Phoenix, 85009
 (602)278-1037. Wholesale inquiries welcome.
 Manufacturer of surgical steel captive bead rings and more 
 unusual captive jewelry, such as captive barbed-wire. Custom 
 pieces also available. Net subscribers get 10% off. Mention 
 Steve Feltner sent you (he highly recommends them).

HTC BODY ADORNMENT STUDIO
 3432 W. Wilshire Dr., Ste 4, Phoenix, 85009, (602) 278-1037

*MARK JONES*, (602) 265-4435. Email: mark545@aol.com
 Piercing by appt, Manufacturer of gold and niobium 
 jewelry. Catalog available by request


Arkansas
========

BJL, P.O. Box 9804, Little Rock, 72219-0804
 Carries "Nipple Cuffs," non-piercing nipple jewelry


California
==========

* ANATOMETAL, Blanchard MFG, Santa Cruz, (408) 462-2366, fax (408)
 475-5513
 Manufacturer of surgical stainless steel (316L) and niobium jewelry. 
 Featuring internally-threaded barbells in 16 to 6 ga. with counter-
bored
 balls and captive bead rings in 18 to 8 ga. with counter-bored steel 
beads.
 All jewelry triple-polished by hand and fully annealed. Niobium
 finish extremely smooth. Excellent quality at a very reasonable 
price. 
 Please call for a price list, or write to anatomet@ix.netcom.com.
 
ANUBIS WARPUS, 803 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 95064
 (408) 423-3208. Owned by Incubus Body Jewelry.
 piercers: Laura Henry and Cooper (graduate of the Fakir School of 
 Piercing). 
 Laura is reported by Lizzard (lizzard@netcom.com) to be very 
 professional, apt, and reassuring with an excellent bedside manner.

BODY ADORNMENTS, 1335 Monterey St, San Luis Obispo, 93401 
 (805) 544-8288
 Piercer: Gregorio Goss, with over 4 years' experience

*BODY ADORNMENTS JEWELRY*, 4110 Horizon Ln, Unit B, San Luis 
 Obispo, 93401, 1-800-BDY-JEWL (239-5395), (805) 544-8765 (Phone/Fax)
 Manufacturer of 316 LVM surgical steel, 14 k gold, titanium, and 
 niobium jewelry; custom orders welcome; all jewelry undergoes 3-step 
hand
 polishing and 3-step tumble polishing processes, annealed, and 
chemically
 treated and is certified to be free of rough edges and pits;
 counter-bored steel beads standard with captive bead rings.
 High quality, very reasonably priced. Call or write for a free 
catalog.

BODY MANIPULATIONS, 245 Fillmore, San Francisco, 94117
 (415) 621-0408
 Piercing, branding, and scarification. All services done on a
 walk-in basis; ritual body modification by appointment.
 Manufacturer of basic jewelry designs as well as custom orders.

THE CAGE, 4502 Cass St (& Garnet Ave), Ste F, Pacific Beach
 531-9573
 Piercer: Anthony S. Berry

CLAW, 709 6th Ave, San Diego, (619) 239-3246
 Piercer: Aaron

KEN COYOTE, Santa Cruz, (408) 459-8582
 Trained by Fakir Musafar. Piercing in Santa Cruz and Santa 
 Clara counties by appt.

THE CRYPT ON WASHINGTON, 1515 W Washington, San Diego, 92103
 (619) 692-9499

*DAKOTA STEEL, INC.*, 2827 S Rodeo Gulch Rd, #7, Soquel, 95073
 Phone/Fax (408) 464-7333, Dealer Phone 1-800-995-0595
 WHOLESALE INQUIRIES ONLY. 
 Erik Dakota, formerly of Anubis Warpus. Advanced training by Fakir 
 Musafar (1 of only 2 piercers with such training), and assistant
 instructor of the Fakir School of Professional Body Piercing.
 Piercing, branding, and cutting by appt only. 
 Manufacturer of "Fakir" jewelry and double-bevelled piercing 
needles, 
 jewelry in implant-grade surgical steel; counter-bored steel beads 
 standard with captive bead rings. Wholesale inquiries only. 
Excellent
 quality, mid-range prices.
 
*THE EXOTIC BODY*, 1306 1/2 19th St, Sacramento, 95814
 (916) 447-OUCH, ExBody@ix.netcom.com
 Piercer: Michael Hare, who also specializes in branding and
 scarification. Manufacturer and distributor of surgical steel (316
 L), Niobium and Lucite jewelry and piercing supplies. Very 
reasonable
 prices. 

FAKIR MUSAFAR, Insight Books, P.O. Box 2575, Menlo Park, 94026
 Fakir teaches piercing classes and publishes _Body Play_ 
 magazine, available through this address.

*RAELYN GALLINA*, Box 20034, Oakland, 94620, (510) 655-2855
 Custom piercing and cutting since 1982, more recently branding.
 Manufacturer of 18 k gold jewelry; also carries surgical steel
 jewelry. Highly recommended by several readers; Boy Brent 
 (bcapps@atlas.com) reports that she is compassionate, has an 
excellent
 bedside manner, and is the most focused piercer he has seen; 
piercings he
 has received from her have been well-placed and exceptionally quick 
to heal.
 $2 and legal-size SASE for brochure.

GAUNTLET (retail), 2377 Market St., San Francisco, 94114
 (415) 431-3133, fax (415) 431-3170

GAUNTLET (retail), 870 Huntley Dr, West Hollywood, 90069
 (310) 657-6677, fax (310) 657-4657

*GAUNTLET* (mail order), 2215 Market St, Bx 801, San Fran. 94114, 
 (415) 252-1404, fax 252-1407, 1-800-RINGS-2-U (746-4728)
 Catalog $5, refundable with first order (retail orders only).
 Please include a declaration of 21+ in age.

*GOOD ART COMPANY* (Retail Store) 218 Pier Ave, Santa Monica, 
 90405, (310) 452-7602, (800) 345-7601
 $1 retail catalog. Maker of niobium, titanium, and 316 LVM 
 stainless steel captive bead jewelry and surgical steel 
 larger-gauged hollow tubes and bones.
 Wholesale inquiries welcome.

*HTC*, 3416 E. Broadway Ave., Suite B, Long Beach, 90803
 A second shop to their Arizona headquarters. Manufacturer of 
surgical
 steel jewelry.
 Piercer: Ericka Smicenski
 Higly recommended by Darren Santos (eaeu416@orion.oac.uci.edu).

*INCUBUS*, 325 A River St, Santa Cruz, 95060, (408) 459-8292
 Manufacturer of surgical stainless steel and niobium body jewelry 
 and piercing needles and fetish-design t-shirts by Michael Manning. 
 [Jewelry quality is inadequate - under-polished, no evidence of
 annealing, hematite captive beads are not bored to fit the gauge 
 of the ring. - A. Greenblatt 7/94]

PROFESSIONAL BODY PIERCING BY JACK, (805) 962-0296
 Call for an appt. Wide selection of jewelry available.

*KALAKE KAPTIVE BEAD*, 1021 F St, Sacramento 95814 (914) 447-9443
 Manufacturer of surgical steel and niobium captive bead rings.
 Large selection of niobium colors and beads. Specializing in 
 heavy-gauge niobium. Send SASE for price list and photo. Specify 
retail or 
 wholesale price list. [The rings that I have seen have been 
underpolished
 with a non-bored hematite bead. -A. Greenblatt 11/94]

NOMAD, 1881 Hays (at Ashbury), San Francisco, 94117
 (415) 563-7771
 Piercers: Kristian (formerly of Gauntlet) and Blake (formerly 
 of Body Manipulations), both with 7 years' experience. Blake 
 was featured in the 2/94 issue of _Body Play_; Kristian will 
 be featured in the next issue. Open Mon-Sun, 11am-7pm. Nomad 
 is associated with Fakir. Carries jewelry by Fakir. 
 Periodicals (including _Body Play_) available for sale or 
 reference.

PAISLEY HOUSE HAIR SALON, San Jose, (408) 379-8892
 piercer: Angel
 Piercings done with guns and needles; above waist piercing only.
 Lizzard (lizzard@netcom.com) reports that instruments are soaked in 
 Sidex and scrubbed in bleach, but not autoclaved.

*PRECISION METAL*, 415 S. Bernardo Ave., Ste 207, Sunnyvale, 94086
 Manufacturer of steel and niobium captive bead rings.
 [The rings that I have seen have been misshapen and under-
 polished and not annealed. --A. Greenblatt 8/94].

PRIMEVAL BODY, 4647 Russell Ave, LA 90027, (213) 666-9601
 Piercer: Crystal Cross, formerly of Body Primitives and Red 
 Devil Studios.
 Manufacturer of jewelry in surgical steel, niobium, and gold, as
 well as custom orders. Piercing on a walk-in basis six days a
 week, 12 noon to 7 pm, Friday until 9 pm, closed Wednesday.
 Ritual piercing by appointment.

RED DEVIL STUDIOS, 1149 N. La Brea Ave, West Hollywood, 90038
 (213) 851-0445. Hours: Noon-6pm everyday.
 Piercer: Cliff Cadaver, 3 years' experience

*RINGMASTERS*, P.O. Box 548, Sun Valley, 91353-0548
 Mail-order piercing jewelry and supplies and piercing kits.
 
STAIRCASE TATTOOS, 607 Front Street, Santa Cruz
 (408) 425-7644
 piercer: Sharon Nickle, instructor at Fakir School of Professional
 Body Piercing. Piercing by appointment, Wednesday through Sunday, 
noon to
 late evening. Reported by Lizzard (lizzard@netcom.com) to be very
 knowledgable, reassuring, and employing high standards of 
cleanliness.
 Sharon no longer pierces at Staircase (9/94)

*STREAMLINE SILVER--SCREAM BODY JEWELRY*, 18662 McArthur Blvd., 
 Ste 457, Irvine, 92715, 1-800-548-1262
 Manufacturer of captive jemstone rings. Also carries 
 distinctive sterling nostril screws imported from Nepal.
 Wholesale inquiries only.
 [Jewelry quality is inadequate - under-polished, visible pitting, 
 scratch marks, and hematite captive beads not bored to fit the gauge 
of
 the ring. - A. Greenblatt 7/94]

DON TULLOUS, (916)485-5033, Sacramento, CA
 By appt only. Most piercings available.
 Don has moved to Dallas, TX.

Colorado
========

BODY GRAPHICS, 3925 B E 120th Ave, Mission Trace Shpg Ctr, 
 Thornton, 80233, (303) 254-4473
 Piercer: Zach of Gothic Steel, Thursdays & Saturdays.

BOUND BY DESIGN, 1326 E. Colfax, Denver, (303) 832-9741
 Piercer: PJ; she also does scarring and branding.
 
*GOTHIC STEEL*, PO Box 481171, Denver, 80248, (303) 837-0272
 Handmade surgical steel, Titanium, Niobium jewelry, with 
 tapered ends. Niobium in double polished anodized, blackened. 
 Manufacturer of single-use dermal punches. Piercing by 
 appt in area, and for any type of party or ritual. R
 etail and wholesale mail-order.

PIKE'S PEAK TATTOO, "High Altitude Tattooing & Piercing at its 
 Finest", 519 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Sprgs 80903 (719) 632-6141
 uncbud@rmii.com
 Tattoo Artists / Piercers: Bud and Jim. Carries Gauntlet and local
 manufacturers' supplies in 316LVM SSS, niobium, titanium, 14k gold 
and
 acrylic.
 

Washington, DC
==============

ROSEY CROSS, 3061 M Street NW, Georgetown
 (202) 333-7420
 piercer: Drew Lewis of TMD Enterprises
 Piercing on a walk-in basis Saturday 2-6 and 8-10 pm, Sunday 3-7 pm 
and 
 Wednesday evening by appointment.
* ROSEY CROSS IS CLOSED 12/94 *

TMD ENTERPRISES, Custom Body Piercing By Drew Lewis, appt 
 Only, Pager: (202) 837-0416, Home/Voice Mail: (703) 527-4286, 
 Surgical stainless steel jewelry, fresh needles, reasonable 
 prices. 

LEATHER RACK, 1723 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009, 
 (202) 797-7401
 Piercer: Logger. Logger pierces at the store on Monday evenings
 from 7 to 10pm. Call to schedule an appt at the shop. Other 
 days he works out of his home by appt only. Carries 
 HTC, Gauntlet and Silver Anchor jewelry.

LOGGER, Home/TDD (202) 726-5159

Florida
=======

*BRAVO* Mail Order, P.O. Box 76919, Tampa, 33675-1919,
 (813) 689-1414, fax: 689-3041. Wholesale inquiries welcome. 
 (The pricelist I received was simply Silver Anchors price list with 
 a new name at the top... - A. Greenblatt)

*BRAVO* Retail Store, 333 Falkenburg Rd N, Ste C-307, Tampa, 
 33619, (813) 689-1414
 Piercer: Mike Natali, formerly of Silver Anchor, offers 
 training in body piercing. Their surgical steel jewelry line 
 is extensive and includes many unique pieces, and they can 
 custom-make almost anything. Uses Brown & Sharpe gauges.

*LEATHER TIGER*, 1411 7th Avenue, Tampa, 33602, (813) 248-8814,
 (813) 831-6482
 Piercer: Doug Shelton (also a trained nurse); all piercers have 
some
 medical training. Manufacturer of jewelry in surgical stainless 
steel
 (316L), niobium, and other precious metals. 
 Catalog $3.
 (I have found their jewelry quality and customer service to be 
less than 


 

(Continued from last message)
 satisfactory. - A. Greenblatt 9/94) 

*LEATHER TIGER*, 122 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, 32801
 (407) 839-0710
 Open Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 5 pm, 8 pm to midnight.
 All piercers have some medical training. Piercing by appointment 
 and walk-in.

*LEATHER TIGER*, 1412 Bay View Court, Ft. Myers, FL 33901
 (813) 334 4084
 Open Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 5 pm, 8 pm to midnight.
 All piercers have some medical training. Piercing by appointment
 and walk-in.

*SILVER ANCHOR JEWELRY*, 1743 Partridge Blvd., P.O. Box 760, 
 Crystal Springs, 33524-0760, (813)788-0147, fax 782-0180, 
 1-800-848-7464. Catalog $4.00. Wholesale inquiries welcome
 Silver Anchor uses its own gauge system for jewelry and 
 needles, incompatible with the Brown & Sharpe gauge system 
 used by other piercing jewelry manufacturers. Silver Anchor 
 does manufacture very unique pieces, such as urethra tubes for 
 Prince Albert piercings and piercing shackles.
 Silver Anchor no longer offers piercing, but are referring 
 clients to Jack Yount, (813) 783-7377, who has about 3 years' 
 experience in piercing.

TATTOO WORLD, Exotic Body Piercing, 3550 S Federal Hwy, Fort 
 Pierce, 34982, 465-6255

*TOUCAN PRODUCTIONS*, 13 Sugarloaf Road, Summerland Key, 33042,
 (305) 744-0133, fax (305) 744-0228, 1-800-858-1256 Wholesale 
inquiries
 welcome. High quality, reasonable prices. Wide selection styles in 
 yellow and white gold jewelry (14k).

JACK YOUNT, (813) 783-7377
 Jack has about 3 years' experience in piercing.


Georgia
=======

*MODERN BODY / MIND ALTERATIONS*, 1-800-646-0393
 High-quality jewelry distributor by US maufacturers

PIERCING EXPERIENCE, Sacred Heart Tattoo, 483 Moreland Avenue, 
 NE, Little Five Points, Suite 5, penthouse, Atlanta, GA 30307
 (404) 222-0393 or 1-800-646-0393
 piercers: Brian Skellie, Kevin Corella, Dana Booker
 Call for information and appointments. Highly recommended by 
Carrie 
 (epitome@ufcc.ufl.edu) who has received several piercings from 
Brian.

URBAN TRIBE, 1131 Euclid Avenue, Little Five Points, Atlanta, GA
 (404) 365-2407
 piercer: Deann Cooper
 
Illinois
========

*BODY BASICS*, 613 W. Briar, Chicago, 60613, (312)404-5838
 Piercers: Reverend Mad Jack (all piercings), Anna Kaplan 
 (female piercings only) and Hank. By appt only. Hours: 
 Tues-Sat, 2-10 pm., They make their own jewelry. The shop also 
 does tattoos. Catalog $5.00.

BOGART'S CASABLANCA, 502 E. John St., Champaign, IL (217) 328-2668
 Do not perform genital piercings.

CHRIS, (312) 404-6107
 Pierces in his home studio, by appt only. Chris has 
 been piercing for about 12 years.

I'M NO ANGEL PRODUCTIONS, 2606 W. Farmington Rd., Peoria, IL 61604
 (309) 673-4930
 piercer: Wanda Harper, currently apprenticing under Mad Jack of 
Body
 Basics. Wide selection of jewelry. May or may not do genital 
piercings at
 this time. Contact Emily Marymont (emarymon@ux4.cso.uiuc.edu) for
 reference.

MARK OF CAIN TATTOOS, 207 W. Green St., Champaign, IL, (217) 355-9472
 Piercer is self-taught. Does not perform genital piercings.

TRIBAL PIG PIERCINGS, at Lady Hawke Ink, 8609 Giant City Road, 
Carbondale,
 62901
 (618) 529-4809, voice mail 827-4487, ext. 3, PIGTAT2@aol.com
 piercer: "Pig", relatively new to the field, attended a course at
 Fakir's School. Worked as a dialysis technician for 10 years.
 Walk-ins welcome. 3 - 7 pm Wednesday and Thursday; Tuesday, Friday 
and
 Saturday 7 - ?
 Carries Pleasurable Piercings jewelry and supplies. Practices OSHA
 standards for procedures and sterilization.
 
Indiana
=======

BODY ACCENTS, 5420 N. College Ave., (317) 259-1950, Piercing by appt 
only.
 Above the belt piercing only.

FUTURE SHOCK, 6323 Ferguson, Indianapolis, 46220, (317) 251-6957
 and 101 E. Kirkwood, (812) 334-7981. 
 Carries Dakota Steel jewelry.

THE "M" PLAN, 407 S. College Ave., Bloomington, (812) 323-8020
 Tuesday - Sunday, 10am to midnight. Advertised as "professional, 
sterile
 operation; 29 piercings available."

RED RING STUDIOS, 139 1/2 S 5th St, Richmond, 47374
 (317) 966-4667, Located in the lower level of tangles Salon.
 Piercer: J.L. Weatherford, by appt only. Carries Gauntlet, 
 Pleasurable Piercings, & Silver Anchor jewelry/supplies.


Iowa
====

ARBUCKLE'S TATTOO & PIERCING EMPORIUM, 97 1/2 16th Ave SW, Cedar 
 Rapids, 52404, (319) 363-1242

LASTING IMPRESSIONS, 111 Main Street, Ames, (515) 233-2819

MOON MYSTIQUE, 114 1/2 E. College #16, Iowa City, 52240,
 (319) 338-5752 Carries Gauntlet, Hellion House jewelry.
 Appts & walk-ins welcome.

SHANNON CLEVELAND (formerly of King Stingrays), Beaute' 
 Techniques, 156 Old Capitol Mall, (319) 338-0034
 Trained by Raelyn and Mad Jack. This shop may be closed 
 1/27/94


Kentucky
========

PAINLESS STEEL, Louisville
 (502) 452-2540
 By appointment. Ritualistic piercing available.

QUEEN OF HEARTS, 829 N. Dixie Highway, Radcliffe
 (502) 351-4800
 Noon to 9pm Monday through Saturday, 1 to 4pm Sunday. Closed 
Wednesday.
 Other hours by appt. 

Louisiana
=========

ART ACCENT TATTOOING, 1014 N Rampart, New Orleans, 70116,
 (504) 596-OUCH
 Piercer: Annette

RINGS OF DESIRE, 1128 Decatur St, New Orleans, 70116,
 (504) 524-6147. Located upstairs from Boomerang.
 Piercer: Elayne "Angel" Binnie, formerly of Gauntlet LA.
 Open noon-8 pm. Closed Mon-Tues. Certified Master Piercer. 
 Lani Teshima-Miller, Manager of the r.a.b Tattoo FAQ, and was 
 very impressed by her professionalism, informativeness, 
 friendliness, and 39 piercings! Recommended unconditionally. 
 She suggests mentioning the Internet and r.a.b. when visiting 
 the shop.


Maine
=====

PORTLAND TATTOO SHOP, Congress St, Portland, (207) 772-4662
 Piercer: Gabe. Orders jewelry from Pleasurable Piercings and 
 Gauntlet.


Maryland
========

CAPITOL TATTOO, 7920 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, (301) 585-3483
 Piercings done; limited selection of jewelry.


Massachusetts
=============

HUBBA HUBBA, 932 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, (617) 492-9082

ADAM MEYERSON, 3 Horn Face, 45 Olive Str, Northampton, 01060, 
 (413) 582-0424. Private appts only.

PRIMITIVE LEATHER, 267 Pleasant St, Northampton, 01060,
 (413) 586-2097
 Piercer: Annie B. (replacing Joe J.)

RITES OF PASSAGE, 107 Brighton Ave, Allston, MA , (617) 783-1918
 Piercer: Joe J. Trained by Fakir Musafar., Pierces Mon-Wed, 
 and Friday 2:30-7pm, Sat 12:30-7 pm. Shop also contains 
 artifacts from primitive societies.


Michigan
========

CREATIVE TATTOO, 307 East Liberty, Ann Arbor, (313) 662-2520
 Piercer: Barbara Pierce, by appt only. Apprenticed with Rev. 
 Mad Jack of Body Basics.

INSANE CREATIONS / BODY JEWEL'S, G-4300 S. Saginaw St., Burton, 48529
 (810) 743-0036, (810) 733-3449
 piercer: Rob Petroff, with 5 years' experience; apprenticed
 for 1 year
 Noon to 9 pm Monday through Saturday
 Manufacturer of 316LVM surgical steel and niobium jewelry with 
counter-bored
 steel beads at very reasonable prices (retail and wholesale avail.).
 [The jewelry Rob sent was of excellent quality. - A. Greenblatt, 
2/95]

*DAMIEN LOUIS COMPANY*, 9 Ransom Ave NE, Grand Rapids, 49503,
 1-800-6-DAMIEN (1-800-632-6436). Number out of service (6/94)
 Write for a free catalog. Wholesale inquiries welcome.
 Manufacturer of 316 stainless surgical steel. Surgical steel 
 branding equipment soon to be available.
 Piercer: Michael, with three years' experience in piercing, 
 and 1 year's experience in branding.

TATTOOS & PIERCINGS BY MAGIC MIKE & LORRETTA, 2820 S Cedar, 
 Lansing, 48910, (517) 887-6966

BARBARA PIERCE, 206 S. Main, Suite 205, Ann Arbor, 48104
 (313) 995-5745
 For reference contact sting@umcc.umich.edu.

Minnesota
========

ABSOLUTE TATTOO, 714 Washington Ave., SE Minneapolis
 piercer: Mike
 Contact Paul Rye (prye@chop.isca.uiowa.edu) for reference.
 
JOCK
 (612) 824-3510
 Contact cynthia@email.lommen.com for reference.

ST. SABRINA'S PARLOR IN PERGATORY
 (612) 874-7360
 Piercer: Jamie

Missouri
========

EXTREMUS BODY PIERCING, 4037 Broadway, Kansas City, 64111, (816) 756-
1142


Nevada
======

ALTER EGO, Body Piercing Jewelry, Rick & April, (702) 796-8054, 
 pager (702) 389-2967


New Hampshire
=============

SIGN OF THE WOLF TATTOO, Weirs Beach, NH, (603) 366-2557


New Jersey
==========

PIERCINGS BY BILL GALES, By appt only., NJ/NYC area. 3 years' 
 experience. (201) 656-5594

DRESSING FOR PLEASURE, 590 Valley Road, Upper Montclair,
 07043, (201) 746-5466
 Store hours Tuesday through Saturday, 12 noon to 6 pm,
 piercing by appointment.
 Carries Pleasurable Piercings jewelry and supplies.

HOLLY, (609) 392-3124
 Pierces by appt in southern New Jersey. Spends most weekends 
 in Monmouth, and can arrange to pierce in that area.

IMAGES IN INK, Howell Mall, Rt. 9 South, Howell, NJ

*PLEASURABLE PIERCINGS, INC.* - Retail Store and mail order,
 7 Garfield Ave, Hawthorne, 07506, (201) 238-0305, fax (201) 238-9564
 Piercers: "Wild Bill" and "Lovely Laura", by appt only. 
 Manufacturer of surgical steel, niobium, and 14k yellow and 
 white gold jewelry. Rings feature counter-bored steel beads and
 are fully annealed. Piercing kits, instructional videos. Excellent
 quality at reasonable prices. Wholesale inquiries welcome. 
 Catalog $3 refundable with first order.

RICHIE'S GUIDELINE TATTOO, 947 Hwy 9, South Amboy, 08879,
 (908) 727-9820,
 Piercer: Dr. Mike

*RINGS AND THINGS*, 7 Midland Ave, Montclaire, 07042,
 (201) 783-9633, Call or write for free catalog. 
 Manufacturer of steel, niobium, and gold jewelry, featuring 
 many, unique designs in geometric shapes, bi-colored niobium, 
 and unique beads.

New Mexico
==========

HARDWARE, INC., 2622 Central SE, Albaquerque, NM 87106
 (505) 265-3665
 Piercers: Matt Bailey and Shawn Taylor, both trained by Fakir.
 Carries Silver Anchor jewelry as well as specialty pieces.
 Subsequent piercings in a session $5 each.
 
RITUAL, 
 (505) 255-1549
 Piercings by Chris Gierisch of Sachs. By appointment only, free
 consultation available. Privacy and confidentiality assured. 
 Reported to be most eager to perform more complicate genital 
piercings,
 such as the Triple Reverse PA and Apadydoe.

SACHS, 3112 Central SE, Albaquerque, NM 87106
 (505) 266-1661
 Piercers: Franzo and Chris Glerisch, who alternate days piercing. 
 Reported to have over 10 years' experience between them. Large 
 selection of jewelry. Franzo can also be contacted through Sachs for
 house calls and functions, public or private.

ROB SCOVILLE
 (505) 843-7435
 Reported to be an excellent piercer with a talent for surface 
piercings. 

 
*SINE QUA NON*, 147 Harvard Dr. SE, Albaquerque, NM 87106
 Piercer: Eerin Atkinson, trained by Fakir. He makes his own 
jewelry.
 Featuring striped and "tie-dye" niobium rings.

New York
========

ANDROMEDA, 33 St. Marks Place (between 2nd and 3rd Aves), New York, NY
 (212) 505-9408, Open 7 days, 12 to 9 pm.
 Call for information and free consultation.

*BIG JOE & SONS TATTOOING and JASON TODD DESIGNS JEWELRY*,
 PO Box 1374, 27 Mt. Vernon Ave., Mt. Vernon, 10550
 (914) 668-2300, fax (914) 668-5200
 Piercer: Big Joe
 Manufacturer of surgical steel and niobium jewelry (grade unknown),
 supplied with a choice of gemstone or "silver-" or "gold-" toned 
bead.
 I was not able to reap any more specifics about their jewelry
 when I called. 

*BODY DESIGNS*, 1319 Elayne Ave, Ste 1014, Bay Shore, 11706,
 (516) 968-0141, (516) 968-8847 (catalog/mail-order)
 Piercers: Mike and Lynn, featured in the premier issue of 
 Savage. Manufacturer of surgical steel, gold, and niobium 
 jewelry; very, reasonable prices. Retail and wholesale 
 catalogs available.
 [Jewelry quality less than satisfactory - under-polished (pitting 
visible)
 hematite captive beads arenot bored to fit the gauge of the ring. 
The
 sample ring I received failed the magnetism test for starters. - A. 
 Greenblatt, 8/94]

BODY DESIGNS (retail) and, SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL BODY PIERCING, 
 1746 Sunrise Hiwy, Bay Shore, 11706, (516) 968-0141

CASSIOPIA, 38 West 8th Street, New York
 (212) 979-9652
 Open 7 days, 10 to 9 pm.

JOHN COBB, c/o BEHOLD, 365 Canal Street, New York City, 10013
 (212) 274-8006
 Inventor of the famed Uvula piercing.
 12 noon to 11 pm.

GAUNTLET (retail), 144 Fifth Ave (at 19th St), 2nd Flr, NY,
 (212) 229-0180

GILLIAN'S TOYS, c/o The Utopian Network, P.O. Box 1146, New 
 York, 10156, (212) 686-5248
 Manufacturer of "Nipple Cuffs" - non-piercing nipple jewelry

LONG ISLAND CONNECTION, 2087 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow, 
 11554. Carries Hellion House jewelry and supplies.

*DAN NATKIEL*, Rm. 306, 7th St Residence, 40 E. 7th St, NY 10003
 Manufacturer of surgical steel, niobium, and titanium jewelry.

PAT'S TATS, 102 Mill Hill Rd, Woodstock, 12498, (914) 679-4429
 Piercer: Pat Sinatra, By appt Mon-Thurs, walk-ins on Sun.
 
*VENUS MODERN BODYARTS*, 199 E 4th St (A and B), NY 10009,
 (212) 473-1954. 
 Piercers: Maria and Lance.
 Manufacturer of a vast selection of surgical steel (316LVM), 
niobium,
 titanium, lucite and acrylic, and gold jewelry and hardware. 
Featuring
 striped niobium rings in a broad range of colors, mirror or matte 
(healed
 piercings only) finish niobium, and distributor of handmade gold 
jewelry
 (incl. jeweled barbells for eyebrows, nostril screws, etc.), one-of-
kind
 captive designs, wood and bone tusks and plugs. The staff were 
featured
 in the June 1994 issue of _Tattoo Ink_.
 [I received a Daith piercing from Maria - she was very professional,
 gentle and friendly (as was the entire staff). -A. Greenblatt 
12/94] 

North Carolina
==============

FLESHWORKS, Raleigh, NC , (919) 782-5548
 Piercer: Danny. Has completed state classes on sanitation and 
 sterilization.



 

(Continued from last message)
INOVATIONS, Raleigh
 Piercer: David Shaw, with 2 years' experience.
 1 - 7 on weekends, by appointment only. Carries Silver Anchor and 
K&K
 jewelry and supplies.

SKIN DEEP, 517 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, 27603
 (919) 833-4833
 Piercer: David Shaw


North Dakota
============

STERLING ROSE TATTOOING & PIERCING, 1344 Main Ave, Fargo, 58103,
 (701) 232-1744, By appt only. Friends are welcome, but are not 
 allowed in the piercing room.


Ohio
====

BODY WORK PRODUCTIONS, piercing by David Anthony, by appt Only, 
 (216) 421-7181, 10 years experience.

CHAIN LINK ADDICTION, 11623 Euclid Ave, Cleveland
 Piercer: David Anthony, with 10 years' experience. Apprenticed 
under
 Linus Herrell, former owner of Body Language. Currently working to
 establish regulations regarding safe body piercing in Cleveland.
 Carries Gauntlet, Silver Anchor, Dakota Steel, and Bravo jewelry and
 supplies.

8-BALL TATTOO, 2593 Indianola Ave, Columbus, 43202,
 (614) 784-8850
 Piercer: Mark

THE FLYING LEMUR, Strange & Unusual Books/Fetish Through Flesh 
 Piercing, 13743 Madison, Lakewood, OH 44107, (216) 221-2535
 Piercer: Scott Patterson, 5 years' experience., Piercing kits 
 available. Send SASE for info.

KINK'S, 1118 Race St., Cincinatti, (513) 651-2668
 piercer: Andrew
 Contact Jill Blankenship (blankeji@miavx1.acs.muohio.edu) for 
reference.

KUKULA'S, 636 N High St, Columbus, 43215, (614) 228-8337
 Carries Pleasurable Piercings jewelry and supplies.

PIERCINGS UNLIMITED, 2211 Scioto Dr, Springfield, 45506,
 (513) 322-0877
 Piercer: Max E. Nave, 15 years experience. by appt only.

PIERCOLOGY, 874 North High Street, Columbus, (614) 297-4743
 Piercer: Pat McCarthy (formerly of Kukula's). Contact Sarah (young@
 kenyon.edu) for reference.


Oregon
======
 
*AFTERGLOW FX*, PO Box 3893, Central Point, OR 97502
 (503) 664-917, fax (503) 664- 1471
 Manufacturer and supplier of surgical stainless steel and niobium 
 jewelry in the basic designs. Captive bead rings are flat-tipped. 
 Also carry piercing supplies and publications on piercing and 
tattooing.
 Prices are mid-range.
 Send $2 for catalog.

ATTITUDES, 1017 S.W. Morrison, Studio 312, Portland, 97205,
 (503) 224-0050
 Piercer: Ahna, Reported by several readers to be very clean, 
 professional, and, businesslike.

BAD ATTITUDE, 3312 SE Belmont, Portland
 235-6990
 Piercer: Shane Fire, trained by Fakir
 Variety of jewelry available.

BODIFICATIONS,87825 Norman Ave., Veneta, OR 97487
 (503) 935-7840
 piercer: Magnus, with 3 years' experience, by appiontment only.

BODY MODIFICATIONS, (503) 977-2360
 piercer: Slasher, makes his own jewelry, by appointment only.

SPARTACUS LEATHERS, 300 SW 12th Ave, Portland, 97205,
 (503) 224-2604, 1-800-666-2604
 Carries Hellion House jewelry/piercing supplies, will ship, 
 anywhere in US.

GERD, (503) 253-7956, Recommended by Spartacus. He does all 
 piercings except, mouth related.

INFINITY, 2138 E. Burnside Rd., Portland
 piercer: Katherine
 Contact Catherine Dalton (cy962@cleveland.Freenet.edu) for 
reference.

DARRYN LAGAIPA, (503) 284-4174, Received her training from 
 Gauntlet. $30 plus jewelry and needle.

*GARY RICHMOND*, Custom Jewelry, (503) 283-9571, Highly 
 recommended by Boy Brent (bcapps@atlas.com) for custom pieces, 
including 
 ourobouros rings!

Pennsylvania
============

ACCENT IN INK, Castle Shannon, (412) 563-8281
 Piercer: Gary Morgan of Hellion House.

*HELLION HOUSE*, 1814 Pennsylvania Ave., Pittsburgh 15222, (412) 391-
1121
 Piercer: Gary Morgan, pierces at home, 7 yrs experience.
 Manufacturer of surgical steel rings and barbells, 
 individually hand-polished to yield a highly reflective and 
 smooth finish; niobium captive bead rings in solid or combined 
 colors; wide selection of gemstone beads and steel beads bored to 
fit the 
 gauge of the ring. Wholesale and retail price lists available 
 upon request. His jewelry is carried by a number of shops 
 across the US.
 Please write to af1u+@andrew.cmu.edu for pricelist via e-mail.

INFERNO, 618 South St, Philadelphia, 19147, (215) 627-5528, fax (215)
 627-5523 
 Carries Hellion House and Pleasurable Piercings jewelry and 
supplies.
 
INFINITE BODY PIERCING, 626 South 4th Street, 1/2 block from South 
St., 
 Philadelphia, (215) 923-7335
 piercers: Jim Weber and Tiffany Suhm (both formerly of Inferno)
 Carries Pleasurable Piercings jewelry.
 Recommended by several readers including Edith (lobbybug@aol.com), 
Joshua
 (jburgin@venus.haverford.edu), and Nina Karp 
(nkarp@cc.brynmawr.edu).

IRON CITY INK TATTOOS, 328 Butler St, Etna, 15223, (10 min 
 outside of Pittsburgh), (412) 784-9396
 Piercer: Gary Morgan of Hellion House, Thursdays, by appt

LEATHER ROSE, 210 S. 13th St. (between Walnut & Locust), 
 Philadelphia, 19107, (215)985-2344, fax: (215)985-0311
 A contract piercer operates out of the store. Carries Hellion 
 House and Gauntlet jewelry and supplies.
 
SLACKER, 1312 E Carson St, Pittsburgh, 15203 , (412) 381-3911
 Piercer: Gary Morgan of Hellion House, Wed & Fri, by appt

THE TAT HOUSE, 43 Dansbury Terrace, East Stroudsburg, 18360
 (717) 421-1826
 Piercers: Wendy and Ridge. Reported by Pete Hagemeyer 
(hagemepp@esu.edu) 
 to be experienced, professional, hygienic, and caring.

Tennessee
=========

DOWNTOWN TATTOOING & BODY PIERCING, 667 Monroe Ave., Memphis
 piercer: Clay, reported to be hygienic, professional, and caring.
 Pager for Clay (901) 680-6613

IAN, 1715 Church St., Nashville, 37204
 (615) 320-1318
 piercer: Ian, graduate of Fakir's school. Carries Dakota Steel and 
Lucky
 jewelry.
 
JERROD, Memphis, Pager: (901) 541-0708

PUSS N BOOTS, 2149 Young Ave, Memphis, 38112, (901) 276-9970
 Carries Incubus jewelry at very reasonble prices. No 
 piercings.

UNDERGROUND ART, 2287 Young Ave, Memphis, (901) 272-1864, 
 Piercing and Tattooing. Carry Incubus jewelry.


Texas
=====

CRIMSON DRAGON TATTOO STUDIO, 2928 Guadalupe St., Austin, 78705
 (512) 482-8288
 piercer: Miles
 Carries Pleasurable Piercings jewelry and supplies.
 Texas Board of Health Tattoo Licence.

FORBIDDEN FRUIT, 2514 Guadalupe, Austin, 78705, (512)478-8542
 Piercer: Bear, formerly of Planet K. Pierces Wed-Sat. Walk-ins 
 and appts welcome. Carries Hellion House, Pleasurable 
 Piecings, Gauntlet jewelry. 

EUROPA BOOKSTORE, at Dobie Mall, 2048 Guadalupe St., Austin, 
 78705, (512)476-0423, Fax: (512)479-0912
 Carries PFIQ and other piercing publications only.
 
OBSCURITIES, 4000-B Cedar Spgs Rd, Dallas, 75219, (214) 559-3706
 Piercer: Alan Falkner, w/ advanced training by Fakir Musafar
 (1 of only 2 piercers w/ such training).

PLANET K, 1516 S. Lamar, Austin, 78704, (512)443-2292
 Carries Gauntlet, Pleasurable Piercings and Silver Anchor 
 jewelry/supplies.
 Piercer: "Bear" comes up from the San Antonio store most 
 Sundays. Has 6 yrs experience and the work looks good.

PLANET K, 2138 Austin Hwy, San Antonio, (512)654-8536
 Piercers: Dage and Quinn. Carries Pleasurable Piercings 
 jewelry/supplies.

*SKIN & BONES*, 3603 Parry Ave., Dallas, 75226, (214)826-6647,
 s.maples@ix.netcom.com
 Piercer: Stace Maples, self-taught with training by Elayne Binnie. 
Has
 performed over 6000 documented piercings. Other piercers in the shp
 include Rocky Acosta (formerly of Rituals in CO) and Dave Woodard 
(with
 over 1500 documented piercings to his credit). Two apprentices also
 work in the shop. Customers receiving piercings performed by an 
apprentice
 are not charged a piercing fee and receive 20% the jewelry.
 Jewelry available retail and wholesale.
 Mention r.a.b and receive 20% off jewelry.
 
ZOOM, 812 W 12th St, Austin, 78701, (512) 472-3316
 Carries Hellion House, Pleasurable Piercings jewelry/supplies.


Utah
====

5TH AVE TATTOO, Salt Lake City, Utah 


Virginia
========

A'CCENT TATTOO, Gloucester Pt Shpg Ctr, Rte 17, PO Bx 1199, 
 Gloucester Pt, 23062, (804) 642-3993
 Piercer/tattooist: Brian, professionally trained by "Deus" at
 Red Dragon Tattoo Studio.

BLOOD AND INK, Madison Heights, 24572, (804)528-3212
 Carries Pleasurable Piercings jewelry/supplies.

BODY WORKS TATTOOING, 66 E Market St, Harrisonburg, 22801,
 (703) 433-2766
 Piercer: Anne Greenblatt of Piercing Exquisite; every other Saturday 
-
 please call Anne for appointments and more information.
 
G-NATION, PO Bx 3401, Charlottesville, 22903, (804) 293-4631
 Piercer: "Little Arni." Exclusively at Red Dragon Tattoo 
 Studio on the Charlottesville Downtown Mall, 201-L E Main St, 
 Charlottesville, 22901, (804) 295-7784, "Custom Body Piercing 
 Jewelry and Body Manipulation Consultation" Piercing by appt 
 or by Walk-in.

PIERCING EXQUISITE - PE ADORNMENTS (in-home private studio), 
 1302 W 41st St, Richmond, 23225, (804) 232-3096
 Piercer: Anne Greenblatt, 2 years' experience. By appt only.
 Carries Anatometal, Body Adornments, and Pleasurable Piercings 
 jewelry & supplies. Custom orders via other manufacturers welcome.

RICK'S TATTOO, 4818 Lee Hwy, Arlington, 22207, (703) 527-8377
 Selection of jewelry limited; quality of sterilization and piercing 
 reported to be substandard.


Washington (State)
==========

BODY CIRCLE DESIGNS*, PO Bx 1081, Poulsbo, 98370, (206) 780-2710
 Wholesale inquiries only. Manufacturer of distictive surgical 
 steel captive bead rings, captive tube rings, septum spikes 
 and tusks, and gemstone beads. Their captive rings feature 
 tapered ends (flat tips) for easier insertion.
 
FANTASY UNLIMITED, 102 Pike, Seattle, (206) 682-0167
 Piercing by appt Fri & Sat.

VYVYNN LAZONGA OF DERMAGRAPHICS, 94 Pike Pl, Seattle, WA. 
 (206)622-1535
 Noted tattoo artist Vyvynn does limited piercings.
 
PAINLESS RICKS TATTOO PARLOR, 303 NE Birch St., Camas, 98607
 (206) 694-3899

SEATTLE LEATHER MERCHANTILE, 1204 E. Pike St., Seattle, 98122
 (206) 860-5847
 piercer: Al D.; 10 years' experience; occassionally teaches for 
 Fakir's School.
 Reported by Boy Brent (bcapps@atlas.com) to be an exceptionally good
piercer,
 with impressive knowledge and professionalism (he received his 
Guiche
 from Al). Say that Boy Brent sent you.
 2/6/95 Seattle L M no longer perform piercing.
 
SIN, 616 E Pine, Seattle, , (206) 329-0324
 Piercing and scarification by appt. Fetish shop.

SKINPRINT TATTOO, 234-1/2 Wells Ave, South Renton,
 (206) 255-5841, & 12840 Pacific Hwy SW, Tacoma, (206) 582-8514
 Piercer with about 15 years experience. Carries Body Circle 
 Design jewelry. No appt necessary.

LAMAR VAN DYKE AT TATTOO YOU, 1017 E. Pike St., Seattle, 
 (206)324-6443. All types of body piercing.

*WA CREATIONS*, 501 N 36th St, Ste 291, Seattle, 98103,
 (206) 632-5791
 Piercing, branding, cupping by Cricket, trained by Fakir 
 Musafar. Manufacturer of solid 18k gold nostril screws, 
 fishtail labret studs, continuous and captive or fixed bead 
 rings. Custom work available and encouraged.


Wisconsin
=========

STEVE'S TATTOOS/GOLD'S BODY PIERCING, Madison
 piercer: Andrea
 Contact W. Annis (wannis@yar.cs.wisc.edu) for reference.

TIE ME DOWN, 1419 E Brady St, Milwaukee, 53202, (414) 272-DOWN
 Owner/Piercer: Melissa Strobe

TIGER ROSE and BODY PIERCING, Madison
 One reader (petlock@facstaff.wisc.edu) approached the owner about 
having a
 Prince Albert performed and the owner vehemantly stated that "Those 
things
 never heal, your making a mistake," as a demonstration of his 
knowledge
 of piercing.

 2. CANADA-----------------------

*BLACK STAR*, Ottowa, Ontario Canada, (613) 225-2906
 Manufacturer and importer of surgical stainless steel jewelry.

BLACK SUN, Mont-Royal Street Studio, (514) 345-5701, Montreal
 Full piercing service, by appt only.
 Piercer: Pierre. Good selection of jewelry.

BODY PIERCING BY TEE, Toronto, Ontario, (416)531-2743
 
DAIMON, 110 Spadina Ave., second floor, Toronto, 416 777 1145

DENISE ROBINSON BODY ART (aka DEXTRA), PO Box 53063, Ottowa, 
 K1N 1C5, (613) 567-9033, Geek Love BBS (613) 567-6534 for 
 booking appts online. Piercing by appt only. Will travel.
 Health Board Approved. Carries Body Circle Designs and HTC 
 jewelry. Custom orders available.

*FUTURE SKIN TATTOO*, 218 Rideau St, Ottowa (613) 562-8282, 
 1-800-837-0438 for jewelry enquiry (ask for Tanya)
 Piercer: Denise Robinson (see above entry).
 
HOT LINES LINGERIE, 349 Dalhousie St, Ottowa , (613) 562-0067
 Piercing services provided by Black Star.

NORTHBOUND LEATHER, 19 St. Nicholas St., Toronto, (416) 972-1037

PRIAPE, 1311 Ste. Catherine E., Montreal, (514) 521-8451
 Carries Gauntlet jewelry and supplies.

QUINN'S OF KENSINGTON, 116 10th St NW, Calgary, T2N 1V3,
 (403) 270-2999
 Piercer: Rick Gilmour. Trained by Fakir; very professional 
 and non-intimidating.

QUORUM COLORS BODY STUDIO
 222 King St. W., Hamilton, Ontario
 (905) 522-BODY
 Piercer: Colin McColgen, with 7 years' experience
 Recommended and Reported to be friendly, reassuring staff and
 environment by JM Bowman (u9119055@muss.cis.McMaster.CA).

RAPTOR TATTOO, 222 King St. W., Hamilton, Ontario, (905) 522-BODY
 10026 102 Street, Edmonton, (403) 420-1713
 Piercers: Nadine and Noni
 Reported to be friendly, hygienic, and thorough by Sabina Trupia 
(strupia@
 gpu.srv.ualberta.ca).

SKEW SKIN PIERCINGS, The Love Connection, 556 Quellette Ave., Windsor,
 (519) 252-3784
 Piercer: Syx (langema@server.uwindsor.ca)
 2-6pm Friday and Saturday, by appointment only.
 Recommended by Burdick Russell (burdic1@server.uwindsor.ca).

* STAINLESS STUDIOS, Queen and Spadina, Toronto
 (416) 979-0663
 Open 7 days a week, 12 to 10 pm. Manufacturer of body jewelry.
 Reported and recommended by Shannon Larratt (glider@io.org) to be 
very 
 professional (all-forcep piercing) and very reasonably priced.

STUDIO AUROBOROS, 580 Yonge Stt (corner of Wellesley), Toronto, 
 (416) 962-7499
 Piercer: Lilith, 7 years' experience; privacy assured.
 Tues-Sat, Noon-8pm. Price includes jewelry, made onsite.
 One reader has reported Lilith lacks "bedside manner" and
 did not answer questions fully.

TATTOOS BY JOEYY AND BEAR, 7225 104 Street, Edmonton, (403) 439-1034, 
 (403) 433-6514
 Piercer: Larry
 Contact Pierre Honeyman (pierre@amisk.cs.ualberta.ca) for reference.
 
URBAN PRIMITIVE DESIGNS, 473 Church St, #2, Toronto,
 (416) 975-5242
 Piercer: Tee, Tuesday through Saturday, 1 to 7 pm.


 3. BEYOND NORTH AMERICA-----------------------



 

(Continued from last message)

Australia
=========

BODYLINK BODY PIERCING, Daw Park, South Australia, 
 (08) 381-5093 after 5 pm.
 Piercer: Chris (male).
 Jewelry supplied, reported to be of good quality and reasonably
 priced. Piercings by appointment only.

LYNETTE ROSE, Brisbane, (07) 391-1442
 Piercing by appt; some jewelry available.

THE PIERCING URGE, 206 Commercial Rd, Prahran, (03) 530-2244
 Piercing by appt; jewelry available.

*AJ'S JEWELRY*, 1st Flr, 143A Oxford St, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, 
 (02) 360-4823
 Manufacturer of surgical steel, titanium, gold and silver 
 jewelry. Jewelry made to order; mail order service available.

*BOWERBIRD DESIGNS*, 2nd Flr, 472 George St, Sydney, NSW,
 (02) 267-5471
 Manufacturer of surgical steel, gold, and silver jewelry. 
 Jewelry made to order.

DAVID, c/o PO Bx 95, Westgate, Sydney, NSW, 2048, (02) 550-9448
 Piercing by appt only. 

THE PIERCING URGE, 1st Flr, 143A Oxford Strt, Darlinghurst, NSW,
 2010, (02) 360-4823
 Piercing by appt. Sydney branch of THE PIERCING URGE in
 Melbourne; on the same premises as AJ's Jewelry and Happy of
 Mischief Moon, tattooist.

POLYMORPH, (02) 519-8923, Piercing by appt, Wed-Sat.

RINGED MEN, PO Bx 712, Rozelle, NSW, 2039,
 email: lexw@sue.econ.su.oz.au. Contact for info. Ringed Men 
 is a social club, not a business.


Austria
=======

TATTOO STUDIO VIENNA, Kegelgasse 6 (corner Bechardgasse), 1030 Vienna
 tel. 0222-718-32-55, fax 0222-718-32-55-4
 Tattoos by Andy and Mike and Guest Artists, Body Piercing by 
Appointment
 Platinum jewelry available.

FREIZEEITVEREIN "PRIAPOS", Lehrbachgasse 4/1, A-1120 Wien, 
 Vienna, Austria, +43 1 8124716
 Custom-made high-quality gold and platinum jewelry and
 non-piercing nipple jewelry.
 Piercers: Alexandra and Andreas. You must be 18.

SIEGFRIED
 Hygienic piercing service, medical doctor available (as required by 
law), 
 local anesthetic available, privacy assured, reasonable prices. 
 Contact huss@mail.boku.ac.at for reference.

Denmark
=======

MS METTE HINTZE'S PIERCING CLINIC, The Black Universe, 
 Studiestraede 16, DK-1455 Copenhagen K., +45 33 32 31 13 
 or 31 57 82 47, She also offers piercings not commonly 
 available: Niebuhr (between the eyes), Pieper (a triple 
 Niebuhr), Reversibello (shaft of the penis), and Triangle 
 (skin under the clitoris). Has recently released a video in 
 Europe on her various piercings. No longer visits Finland.


Finland
=======

HARNESS, Kalevankatu 28, Helsinki, Phone: 358-0-7002 9204
 Piercer: Marko, Wed-Sat, 3-6pm. Carries Wildcat 
 jewelry/supplies. Contact Yazka Jani


France
======

MR. OLIVIER ROCQUET, 5 Montee Du Grapillon, 01460 Montreal La 
 Cluse. Mr. Rocquet speaks only French.


Germany
=======

ARS SUBCUTAN, Alphornstrasse 41, 68169 Mannheim, 0621 3189183
 Very clean and friendly studio. 10 years' experience piercing 
 in his home and as a nurse practitioner. Wide selection of 
 jewelry.

ARTCORE, Karlsruhe, 49.721.30254
 piercer: Tom
 Tuesday - Thursday, 1 - 7 pm. Appointments recommended.
 Contact Alex (ub0s@ibm3090.rz.uni-karlsruhe.de) for reference.

BALDOS STUDIO, 5500 Trier, Postfach 2764, 
 +0651 2 83 35 ab 20 Uhr

CUTGLASS PIERCING STUDIO, Munchen, 089 263508

*F.S. BODY FINARY*, 81207 Munchen, Postfach 600733
 "Die Lust auf Intimschmuck. Beratung einsetzen Verkauf."
 "The pleasure of body-jewelry. Info included w/ purchase."
 Infos gegen 10, -DM

BERNHARD KELLNER, Elsa-Brandstromstrasse 3, 30453 Hannover

LGS SEX SHOP, Bochumerstrasse 76, D-45886 Gelsenkirchen,
 +49 209 22214. Piercings performed Wed by a medical doctor.
 DM60.00 per piercing.

SUZIE Q PLEASURE AND PAIN, c/o Tattoo You, Sirnauer Strasse 23, 
 73728 Esslingen

RUNA SCHMAHL, Tatau Obscur, Leonhardstrasse 19, 14057 Berlin

MATTHIAS SCHMITT, Tattoo Connection, Belziger Strasse 53, 10823 
 Berlin

HEIKO SCHNEIDER, Endless Pain Tattoo, Am Grundwasserwerk 17, 
 22041 Hamburg


Luxembourg
==========

*CREATIVE ART COLLECTION*, Postbox 1317, L-1013 Luxembourg, 
 Intimschmuck-katalog, 150 fotos, DM 30.-, (overseas, US $30), 
 23 Ave Victor-Hugo, L-1750 Luxembourg


The Netherlands
===============

TATTOOING & PIERCING STUDIO, Kloveniersburgwal 135, 1011 KE 
 Amsterdam, +020-257812

JAN DEHAAN, Box 52, 2150 AB Nieuw-Vennep

BODY MANIPULATIONS, Stromarkt 11, 1012 SW Amsterdam,
 +020-623344. Prices: HFI50 for below waist piercings, HFI15-
 40 for facial piercings.


Norway
======

OSLO PIERCING STUDIO, Munkegt.1, Pb 617 Sentrum, 0106 Oslo,
 +22 19 92 65


Scotland
========

BODYARMOR PIERCING AND TATTOOING, by Roxx-n-Wreckage,
 25 A Dundas St, Edinburgh EH3 6QQ, Appt only, 031 558 3717
 Located downstairs in West and Wild Bookshop.


Sweden
======

BARBARELL STUDIO, Fjaerde Longgatan 6, Gothenburg 
 mailing address: Box 31172, S-400 32, Gothenburg
 Voice and fax (0)31 147968
 
IPIS - INTIMSMYCKADE PAR I SVERIGE, Box 710, 114 79 Stockholm
 tel/fax (0)8 7471493
 A club for pierced couples. Piercing available.
 
JAN KOPRIWA BODY PIERCING STUDIO, Laderverkstan, Rosenlundsgatan 30A,
 Stockholm
 Voice 46 (0)8 6586935
 Piercing by appiontment only.

TATTOO EAST STREET, Ostgotagatan 77, Stockholm
 Voice 46 (0)8 7020659

Switzerland
===========

BOUTIQUE DANA, Grossackerstr. 5, CH-9006 St. Gallen,
 +071 25 31 95


United Kingdom
==============

ALAN OVERSBY - "Mr. Sebastian Ink", 321 Panther House,
 Mt Pleasant, London WC1, 0181.837.3226

*ASGARD INTERNATIONAL*, Specialist Surgical Steel Jewellery, PO 
 Box 69,, Southampton,, SO9 7EQ, tel. 01703 325059
 Solid ball closure rings, Prince's Wands, Labret studs with 
 jewels, silver flligree nipple shields, nipple spreaders, and 
 body piercing kits.

ASGARD BODY PIERCING, Southampton
 Piercer: Warwick; soon to be joined by Angela. EPPA Member.

*BLAKE HOUSE STUDIOS*, Blake End, Rayne, Braintree, Essex CM7 8SH
 Catalog 4 pounds 50 (overseas 5 pounds or $15), refund w/ 
 order over 25 pounds.

*BODY ART JEWELRY*, Publications Limited, PO Box 32, Great 
 Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR29 5RD. Catalog 4 pounds 50, refundable 
 on first order of 25 pounds or more.

BODY ART STUDIO, 201 Two Mile Hill Rd,, Kingswood, Bristol,
 01179 603923
 Piercer: Phil Barry. Environmental Health Office approved.
 Foreskin bead implants available.

BODYGRAPHICS, Piercing & Tattooing, 19 Pratt Street, Soham, 
 Cambridgeshire CB7 5EH, 0353 720023
 By Appointment Only

MICK BREW, Medical Practitioner, North East & London by
 arrangement: BM Apex, London WC1 N3XX

*MR. CARTER*, Barbary Products, Uplands, Watledge, Nailsworth, 
 Glos. GL6 0AP, 01453.834426. Mr. Carter is a jeweler, and 
 besides producing basic items like barbells and captive bead 
 rings, also produces elaborate "works of art" for body 
 adornment. A catalogue is available. Also sells his jewelry 
 through various London retailers. Visit by appt.

CHORLTON BEAUTY SALON, Manchester
 Piercer: Kim, EPPA member.

COLD STEEL, PROFESSIONAL BODY PIERCING. Member of the European 
 Professional Piercers Association. All recognised piercings 
 performed. All prices include surgical steel jewelry. tel. 
 (0181) 904 8864, or (01831) 674373. Ask for Grant.
 
*THE GOLD SHOP*, 22 Sydenham Road, London SE26 5QW, 0181 690 2872
 Gold and silver body jewelry

INKHOUSE, Leicester, tel. 01162 513548
 Piercer/tattooist: Martin 

INTO YOU, 144 St. John St., London EC1V 4JT, 0171.253.5085,
 Piercer: Teena Maree. Tattoo artist: Alex Binnie.
 By arrangement only.

SIMON; Body piercing and jewelry 0181.533.4083

THE LONDON PIERCING CLINIC, tel: 0181.658.7180 weekday 
 afternoons or (01860)797-114 all hours.

*MERLINS EAR & BODY PIERCING JEWELRY*, 23 Susans Road,
 Eastbourne, East Sussex, (01323) 430595, fax (01323) 430283.
 Manufacturer of high grade surgical stainless steel(316) ear and
 body jewelry at very reasonable prices. A few gold designs are 
 available. Stainless steel jeweled nostril screws available for
 #7.50. Mention Julie Brandon (csc157@cent1.lancs.ac.uk) sent
 you.

METAL-MORPHOSIS, 10/11 Moor Street (end of Old Compton
 Street), Soho, London W1V 5LJ
 tel.: 0171 434 4554, fax: 0181 981 8639
 mobile appts.: 0831 511 844, mobile inquiries: 0956 327 140
 Piercer: David J. Visa and Mastercard accepted.
 Hours: 11am to 7:30pm Mon-Sat, or by appt. Carries Wildcat 316 
 stainless steel jewelry. Environmental health approved. 
 Charges about 20 sterling for the first pierce, less for 
 subsequent piercings in the same session, plus jewelry.

*PW MULTITEK SERVICES*, 4 Victor Rd, London, NW10 5XD,
 tel. 0181 960 5759. Piercing kits (surgical needle, ring, bead 
 and guide wire), 15mm, 20 mm, 25mm diameter rings available, 
 16 gauge (1.6 mm) stainless steel - pounds 10 per set. 
 Illustrated catalog pounds1 coin or stamps.

*P.A.U.K.*, 153, Tomkinson Rd, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV10 8DP
 Manufacturer of gold (9 ct. with 18 ct. gilding), surgical 
 stainless steel, sterling silver, and plastic (barbell) 
 jewellery. All jewellery enquiries welcome. Publisher of 
 Piercing World magazine.

PIERCING BY OSSIE NEWCASTLE 0191.2320.257

PATRICK, South London, 0181.658.7180 (London Piercing Clinic), 
 01860.797.114 (24hr portable phone). Charges 15-70 pounds per 
 piercing, including jewelry.

PERFORATIONS BODY PIERCING STUDIO, 16 A Little Preston St, 
 Brighton BN1 2HQ, 01273 326577. Noon-5:30pm Mon-Sat.
 Piercer: Warren Deane. Located downstairs from Wildcat.

*JARED SANDERS*, Custom Body Jewelry Manufacturer 
 Fully illustrated catologue available. Surgical steel, silver and 
gold.
 Send A4 size S.A.E. to Jared Sanders, P. O. Box 537, Castlefield, 
High 
 Wycombe, Bucks, HP12 3QL, tel. 0494 461673 for fully
 illustrated catalog.

TATTOO EROTIQUE 01582.505839, 01836.285105

TATTOOTIME - Professional Tattooing & Body Piercing, 173 North Street, 
 Bedminster, Bristol 3, 01179-530401

*WILDCAT INTERNATIONAL*, 16 Preston St, Brighton, BN1 2HN,
 01273 323758. A wide range of stainless steel jewelery, in
 the basic designs and in more elaborate and unusual designs 
 (padlocks, teardrop bead rings, a wide selection of septum 
 spikes and tusks). Custom orders very welcome.



 4. EUROPEAN PROFESSIONAL PIERCERS ASSOCIATION--------

Note: EPPA membership merely requires payment of annual dues to 
P.A.U.K. The EPPA is not a quality-regulated group.
 
UK MEMBERS

Phil Barry-Bristol-01179.603923 (Chairman of the Assn)
Ty Bowers; Blackpool; 01253.402260
Jake; Birmingham; 0121.2365250
Mark Morell; Birmingham; 0121.6226602
Mark; Chester; 01244.310481
Brian Clarke; Coventry; 01203.387396
Micky Bee; Coventry; 01203.680713
Dave Ross; Colchester; 01206.766810
Bob Franklin; Cornwall; 01326.373574
Carey; Derby/Nottingham; 01332.872445
Dave Dark Angel; c/o Blackpool, Derby/Ashbourne; 01253.402260
Margaret and Peter; Durham; 0191.4103951
Brent; Dunstable; 01582.663749
Keith Elbourne; Dunstable; 01582.570190
Garry Simpson; Luton; 01582.505839
Brian Clarke; Leamington; 01203.387396
Gordon Cooper; London, Edmonton; 0181.8039540
Chris Connet; London, Kingston; 0181.5461010
Lal Hardy; London, North; 0181.4448779
Andy Dixon; Kensington, London; 0171.9372861
Jock Robinson; London; c/o Body Art in Bristol
Grant Demsey; London; 0181.9048864
Tony Skinner; Reigate; 0181.073.7226
Sylvia; Middlesex; 0181.8136205
Cushia Adamson; Central, London; 0171.3281413
Kim Lock; Manchester; 0161.7474524
Mark Morrel; Manchester; c/o 0121.6226602
Tym Taylor; Manchester; 0161.8820773
Clive Povey; Norwich; 01603.630292
Chris Tree; Oxford; 01865.200651
Robo Sherwood; Northampton; 01604.30720
Darren Stares; Portsmouth; 01705.822105
Tim Sweet; Plymouth; 01752.673695
Toby-B-Tim; Readich; 01860.718164
Ian of Reading; Reading; 01734.598616
Kevin Sandever; Ringwood; 01425.480606
Dave Booth; Sheffield; 01142.760550
Mark Pettigrew; South Benfleet; 01268.416324
Warwick Newson; Southampton; 01703.325059
Stephen Keeling; Stoke on Trent; 01782.284002
Darren Lovell; Suffolk; 01440.703803
Alan Balser; Swindon; 01793.643264
Lee Hooper; Swindon; 01793.436743
Derek Osbourne; Telford; 01952.883135
Brain Carville; Windsor; 01753.867447
Spike; Wolverhampton; 01902.713440
Kieth Banks; Yeovil; 01935.28912
Les Hoskins Brown; Scotland; 0186.2642737
Craig MacDonald; Glasgow; 0141.9464736
Jacqueline Geddes; Scotland; 01698.372516
Cath Watkins; Cardiff, Wales; 01462.454479
Nick Green; Clywd, Wales; 01978.290876
Dave Fleet; Blackwood, Wales; 01443.837410
Doc Jones; Pontypridd, Wales; 01443.486552


AUSTRALIA

David Edwards; 61.25509948

DENMARK

Mette Hintze; 45.33323303
Smykkemesteren; 31.28.32.24

FRANCE

Joe Marina; Nantes; 40.73.01.30
Panic Zoran; Toulouse; 16.62263596
Michael, Tattoo Martin; Muthouse; 89.064690

GERMANY

Ars Subcutan; Alphornstrasse 41; 68169 Mannheim;
 0621.3189183. Very clean and friendly shop. Piercer with about 
 10 years' experience of piercing in his home; nurse 
 practitioner. Wide range of jewelry.

Suzie Q - 0711.357277


 

(Continued from last message)

ISRAEL

Avi Vanunu (Johnny Two Thumbs); Tel Aviv; 97235270416

NETHERLANDS

Denis Overway; Amsterdam; 638.8590

SWEDEN

Erik Jeppenson; 009.4635.111287
Barbarella; 46.031.147968

SWITZERLAND

Yves Martin; 077.227.562

USA

Silver Anchor; Florida; (813) 788-0147
----------------------------------------------

Niobium Wire and Jewelry Suppliers (not body piercing oriented)

Reactive Metals Studio, Inc., P.O. Box 890, Clarkdale, AZ 86324
 (602) 634-3434. Niobium wire.

Goodfellow Corp., Suite 140, 301 Lindonwood Dr, Malvern,
 PA 19355; (215) 640-1612; 1-800-821-2870; fax 1-800-283-2020
 Niobium wire.

-----------------------------------------------------

Please let me know of any corrections or additions at
ardvark@holonet.net or (804) 232-3096. 






--
 * Ardvark *
 Anne Greenblatt
 > Piercing Exquisite <
 *

 

1058/modem
 Anyone interested in the subject, and/or wishes to


Archive-name: bodyart/piercing-faq/part5



 1--Introduction
 2--Piercings & Jewelry
 3--Getting A New Pierce
 4--Professional Piercers
 5--Care Of A New Pierce <---YOU ARE READING THIS FILE
 6--Problems And Hazards
 7--Healed Pierces
 8--Misc. Info
 9--Personal Experiences

What's in this section:

 5--Care Of A New Pierce
 1. Cleaning Agents 
 2. Healing Ointments 
 3. Treating Facial Piercings
 3. Treating Mouth-Related Piercings
 4. Treating Body Piercings
 5. Treating Genital Piercings
 6. Care Instructions From Elayne Binnie
 6a. Lips, Labret And Cheek Piercings
 6b. Body piercings
 6c. Ear Lobe, Ear Cartilage, Tragus, Conch, Nostril, 
 Septum and Eyebrows
 6d. Tongue Piercings



 1. CLEANING AGENTS ---------------------

Recommended general cleaning agents:

HIBICLENS: Should be diluted 1 part Hibiclens to 3 parts water.
 * Recently, there has been some discussion of removal of Hibiclens
 from the market as an Over The Counter product and reclassified 
 by the FDA. Hibiclens has proven to be very irritating for most 
people.
 Anyone who decides to use Hibiclens should watch carefully for any 
signs
 of irritation or failure of the piercing to heal properly.

BETADINE: Or a solution of Povidone-Iodine, Betadine soaps and 
 skin cleansers, and povidone-iodine based liquid soap (Clearly 
Natural
 brand). * Long-term use of Betadine / Povidone-Iodine solutions can
 induce an insensitivity to the product (growth of resistant 
bacteria) as
 well as allergy. Long-term use has also been known to cause growing 
skin
 cells to rupture. Thus it is recommended that excess solution be 
rinsed
 away thoroughly.

 (* based on information provided by Michaela Grey, Ass'n of
 Professional Piercers)

BACTINE: And other solutions of benzalkonium-chloride (Pierced Ear 
Care
 Solution or Sensitive Ears Solution, usually available at ear 
piercing
 salons). Some people may be sensitive to the solution and should
 dilute with 25% water. Bactine need not be rinsed away; thus it is
 excellent for use on facial piercings.

TRICLOSAN-BASED LIQUID SOAPS: Any soap used should be low-pH, 
deodorant
 and moisturizer-free. Brand names include Liquid Dial, Almay Hypo-
Care, 
 Clearly Natural, and Softsoap. Soaps are best used in the shower, 
should
 be lathered up before applying to the piercing, and the piercing 
rinsed
 thoroughly. 

Remember that what works best for one person may not work for 
you. If you experience an adverse reaction to a particular 
product (itching, redness, irritation) switch to another 
product. In the case of an extreme allergic reaction, contact a 
physician.

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE should NEVER be used on a fresh piercing. The 
peroxide acts
to break down the newly formed tissue.

ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL is not an adequate disinfectant by itself. 

BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE solutions containing alcohol are fine.


 2. HEALING OINTMENTS ---------------------

Healing ointments include Betadine ointment, anti-bacterial or anti-
biotic
ointments containing any combination of bacitracin zinc, Neomycin, and
Polymyxin- B Some people are allergic to bacitracin zinc or Neosporin
(neomycin). It is advised that use of anti-bacterial ointments be 
limited
to the first five days to one week ONLY. A small amount should be 
used,
the excess removed. Excessive or prolonged use can lead to 
desensitivity
to the active ingredients in the product and limits air circulation to 
the
piercing.

Vitamin E gel can also be applied to the piercing, especially in the 
case
of dry skin, which is common with nipple piercings. However, some 
people
have experienced allergic reactions to vitamin E. 


 3. TREATING FACIAL PIERCINGS----------------

Ear, eyebrow, nose - piercings are best cleaned with betadine, 
an ear care solution, or gel containing benzalkonium chloride. 
The cleaning agent should be used twice to three times a day.

Any crusty formation around the piercing and on the jewelry 
should first be softened and removed with a cotton swab dipped 
in warm water or warm salt water.

The cleaning agent should be applied and rotated through the 
piercing. Make-up, foundations, and powders should be 
avoided during the healing process. When using har spray, cover 
your piercings with your hand or a tissue.

*NEVER USE HIBICLENS SOLUTIONS ON FACIAL PIERCINGS!*

Hibiclens Can Cause Blindness And Hearing Loss If It Gets Into 
Your Eyes And Ears.


 3. TREATING MOUTH-RELATED PIERCINGS----------------

Tongue piercings should be cleaned with Gly-oxide or PerOxyl 2, 
cleansing
antiseptics for the mouth containing carbamide peroxide (10%), twice a 
day
and after meals. It is imperative that one of these products be used -
Listerine alone will not adequately guard against infection. 
Listerine
diluted 50% to 75% should be used as a mouth rinse after eating or
drinking anything other than water. Rinse for at least one minute. 

Mouth related piercings - lip, labret, cheek - should be cleaned 
on the inside as described for tongue piercings. The outside 
piercing should be cleaned following the instructions for facial 
piercings. Warm salt water rinses are also recommended for 
faster healing.


 4. TREATING BODY PIERCINGS----------------

Recommended cleaning agents include Hibiclens (diluted one part 
Hibiclens
to three parts water), Betadine or Povidone solution or soap, and low-
pH
liquid soaps or cleaning products (please see product listing above).
Avoid using deodorant or moisturizing soaps on your piercings. Any 
crusty
secretion around the piercing or on the jewelry should be removed with 
a
cotton swab and warm water prior to cleaning. The cleaning agent 
should be
rotated through the piercing and allowed to soak for three minutes. 
The
piercing should be rinsed well to remove any residues. 

Warm salt water soaks work wonders to remove crusty deposits and 
secretions during healing, and decrease the healing time as 
well.


 5. TREATING GENITAL PIERCINGS----------------

Genital piercings should be cleaned following the instructions 
for body piercings. However, the cleaning products may irritate 
the urethra in both men and women and the vagina in the case of 
women. Urinate after cleaning to flush out any residues in the 
urethral opening. Women should take care not to let any cleaning 
agent enter the vagina, as yeast infections may result from the 
depletion of bacteria.

Genital piercings should be cleaned after intercourse as well. 
Use of a condom is recommended during the healing period, and 
oral contact should be avoided. Also, certain lubricants and 
spermicides may irritate piercings.


 6. CARE INSTRUCTIONS FROM ELAYNE BINNIE----------------

 The following care instructions are approved for reprinting 
manager of Gauntlet Los Angeles), Rings of Desire, Inc., 1128 
Decatur Street, 2nd floor (above Boomerang), New Orleans, LA 
70116, phone (504) 524-6147. Any form of distribution of these 
care instructions must be accompanied by this paragraph, and 
must remain intact within each section. You may contact her if 
you have any questions about these care instructions.

 6a. Lips, labret and cheek piercings according to Elayne 
 "Angel" Binnie

Healing time: 6 to 8 weeks

Cleaning solutions: --For inside the mouth: Listerine or other 
antibacterial mouthwash and Gly-Oxide or Peroxyl (available in 
the oral medications section of any pharmacy).

--For the outside surface: Ear Care Antiseptic, or Bactine 
diluted 50/50 with water.

Instructions:

1. Rinse mouth for 60 seconds with Listerine after anything goes 
in your mouth other than water or ice. This includes coffee, 
tea, soft drinks, all food, smoking or eating utensils. If you 
are not ingesting very often, rinse 12 to 24 times daily. Keep a 
small bottle of Listerine with you so that you can rinse often.

2. Twice daily, rinse for two to three minutes with Gly- Oxide. 
Do not omit this step! This foams inside your mouth, so you 
might want to rinse with water or Listerine afterwards.

3. Keep dirty hands, fingernails, pens, etc. out of your mouth.

4. Refrain from oral sexual contact during the 4 to 6 weeks of 
initial healing. This includes French (wet) kissing as well as 
oral sex, even if you are in a monogamous relationship.

5. With clean hands, check twice daily to make sure the ends of 
your labret stud are on tightly (if applicable). To clean hands, 
use antibacterial soap (i.e., Liquid Dial).

6. Do not play with the piercing for the first 4 to 6 weeks 
beyond the necessary movement for speaking and eating. This can 
cause complications, such as the formation of scar tissue.

7. Twice daily, use a cotton swab (Q-Tip) saturated with Ear 
Care Antiseptic solution to remove any crusty blood plasma 
formation from the exterior of the piercing and jewelry. Cleanse 
the post or ring witht he solution, and gently move the jewelry 
to work the solution onto the inside of the piercing.

Hints and tips:

--Swelling of the lip is normal during initial healing. This 
can be reduced by sucking gently on clean ice, especially 
during the first few days (shaved or chipped ice, or small 
cubes are easiest). Cold foods (ice cream and frozen yogurt) 
are soothing. --Leave the initial jewelry in for at least 6 to 8 
weeks before changing it. Allow something to remain in the 
piercing at all times for 6 to 9 months or longer. You may find 
that even after years, your piercing may shrink or close. If 
you like it, leave something in it.

----------------------

 6b. Care Instructions for: Body Piercings according to Elayne 
 "Angel" Binnie

Healing time dependent on location of pierce

Cleaning solutions: --Betadine (or other 10% Povidone Iodine). 
Note: Do not use Betadine on gold jewelry, as it will tarnish. 
--Hibiclens diluted 50/50 with water. Note: Pre-diluting 
Hibiclens in a clean empty container is most convenient.

Instructions:

Body piercings need to be cleaned twice daily during the entire 
healing period. Most people clean in the morning and at night in 
the shower.

1. This is most important: Do not touch healing piercings with 
dirty hands!!! Prior to your twice-daily cleanings, wash hands 
thoroughly with antibacterial soap (i.e., Liquid Dial) and hot 
water. As an extra precaution, you can wear disposable latex or 
vinyl gloves.

2. After washing your hands, remove any crusty formation from 
the piercing and jewelry. The formation comes from a secretion 
of blood plasma, which is normal. Removal of this crust is best 
accomplished by rinsing or soaking. A clean cup of warm water 
can be sealed over the area to soak directly, for a few minutes. 
If any stubborn crust remains, use a cotton swab (Q-Tip) 
moistened with warm water to gently scrub away any foreign 
matter. Never pick with fingernails or fingers! Note: As long as 
the piercing secretes this liquid that forms the crust, the 
piercing is still healing, and cleaning procedures should be 
continued.

3. Pour a small handful of the cleaning solution into your clean 
palm and apply it gently to the piercing and its surrounding 
area. Hibiclens will suds lightly, while Betadine will not. 
Cleanse the jewelry and rotate the ring back and forth several 
times to work the solution into the piercing >From each opening.

4. Allow the solution to remain in the piercing to clean for 3 
to 5 minutes.

5. Under running water, carefully rinse the area and rotate the 
jewelry back and forth to completely remove the cleaning 
solution from inside the piercing. Your piercing will likely get 
irritated if you donUt get all the solution out, so rinse 
thoroughly.

6. Finally, pat dry with tissues or other clean, disposable 
paper products. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria, so keep them 
away from healing piercings.

Hints and tips:

--Leave your initial jewelry in during the entire healing 
period.
 --If you like your piercing, leave jewelry in at all times. 
Body piercings can shrink and/or close very quickly, even after 
years.
 --Avoid oral contact or rough play, as well as contact from 
others' bodily fluids during healing. If you have a genital 
piercing, you must use latex barriers (condoms, dental dams) to 
prevent such contact even if you are in a monogamous 
relationship.
 --Make sure your bedding is clean. Change your sheets often 
while your piercing is healing.
 --Threaded jewelry (barbells, circular barbells, etc.) should 
be checked twice daily to make sure the ends are screwed on 
tight.
 --To accelerate healing, take a multi-vitamin/mineral 
supplement with zinc (i.e., Vicon-C).
 --After the first week of healing, use a mild salt-water 
solution of 1/2 tsp to 1 cup of warm water for your pre- soak, 
instead of plain water.
 --You can use salt water several more times a day to 
accelerate healing. Soak for a few minutes, rinse, then pat dry 
with disposable paper products. Do not rotate jewelry with salt 
water - that should only be done with twice-daily with your 
cleaning solution.
 --Many doctors have no training or experience with piercings, 
and may offer poor advice. In the event that you do get an 
infection, the jewelry should be left in the piercing to allow 
drainage of pus. If the jewelry is removed, the holes can close 
and result in an abscess. Feel free to contact us for 
suggestions on treating infected piercings.

------------------

 6c. Care Instructions for pierces of: Ear Lobe, Ear Cartilage, 
 Tragus, Conch, Nostril, Septum and Eyebrows according to 
 Elayne "Angel" Binnie

Healing time: Septum, lobe: 4 to 6 weeks. Eyebrow: 6 to 8 
weeks. Nostril, Cartilage, Tragus, Conch: 2 to 3 months

Cleaning solutions: --Ear Care Antiseptic or Bactine diluted 
75/25 with water. Note: Do not use Hibiclens for ear pierces, 
as this could lead to deafness!

Instructions:

Piercings must be cleaned 2 to 3 times daily during the entire 
healing period, although over-cleaning can be irritating.

1. This is most important: Do not touch healing piercings with 
dirty hands!!! Prior to your twice-daily cleanings, wash hands 
thoroughly with antibacterial soap (i.e., Liquid Dial) and hot 
water. As an extra precaution, you can wear disposable latex or 
vinyl gloves.

2. Saturate fresh cotton swabs (Q-Tips) with the cleaning 
solution, and use the swab to gently scrub any crusty formation 
from the jewelry and its surrounding area. This is a normal 
secretion of blood plasma, and will continue to appear during 
healing.

3. Use a fresh swab to apply the cleaning solution to the 
jewelry, and gently rotate the ring to slide the solution onto 
the inside of the piercing. Use a different swab for each 
piercing surface. Never dip a used swab into the bottle.

4. At the end of your bath or shower, run clear water ov the 
piercing and jewelry to remove any soap or shampoo residue. This 
will also help loosen up the crust. Don't use cloth towels to 
dry the area. Use tissues or other clean, disposable paper 
products. It's a good idea to clean after your shower.

5. Clean your telephone receiver inside and out with Lysol or 
other disinfectant. Avoid contact with your piercing to any 
public telephone.

6. Make sure your bedding is clean, particularly your pillow 
case.

7. Leave the jewelry in the piercing without changing it for the 
entire initial healing time (see above). For several months 
after the initial healing time, do not try to leave the piercing 
empty, as the hole can shrink or close. If you like your 
piercing, leave jewelry in it to avoid any problems.



 

(Continued from last message)
8. In the event that the piercing secretes a thick pus discharge 
instead of the more liquid blood plasma, you may wish to see a 
physician for evaluation and possible antibiotic treatment. If 
you do have an infection however, do not remove the jewelry as 
this may worsen your problem. Topical antibiotic ointments 
should not be used for more than a few days as they prevent air 
circulation to the piercing, which is important for healing.

---------------

 6d. Care Instructions for: Tongue Piercings according to Elayne 
 "Angel" Binnie

Healing time: 4 to 6 weeks

Cleaning solutions:

--Listerine or other antibacterial mouthwash and Gly-Oxide or 
Peroxyl (available in the oral medications section of any 
pharmacy).

Instructions:

1. Rinse mouth for 60 seconds with Listerine after anything goes 
in your mouth other than water or ice. This includes coffee, 
tea, soft drinks, all food, smoking or eating utensils. If you 
are not ingesting very often, rinse 12 to 24 times daily. Keep a 
small bottle of Listerine with you so that you can rinse often.

2. Twice daily, rinse for two to three minutes with Gly- Oxide. 
Do not omit this step! This foams inside your mouth, so you 
might want to rinse with water or Listerine afterwards.

3. Keep dirty hands, fingernails, pens, etc. out of your mouth.

4. Refrain from oral sexual contact during the 4 to 6 weeks of 
initial healing. This includes French (wet) kissing as well as 
oral sex, even if you are in a monogamous relationship.

5. With clean hands, check twice daily to make sure the balls on 
your barbell are on tightly (if applicable). To clean hands, use 
antibacterial soap (i.e., Liquid Dial).

6. Do not play with the piercing for the first 4 to 6 weeks 
beyond the necessary movement for speaking and eating. This can 
cause complications, such as the formation of scar tissue.

Hints and tips:

--Swelling of the tongue is normal during initial healing. This 
can be reduced by sucking gently on clean ice, especially during 
the first few days (shaved or chipped ice, or small cubes are 
easiest). Cold foods (ice cream and frozen yogurt) are soothing.

--It is common for the tongue to feel uncoordinated for a while 
after your piercing. This will pass.

--If you remember to keep your tongue level in your mouth while 
eating, the jewelry will not come in contact with your teeth.

--Plaque can form on tongue jewelry (particularly the bottom 
ball of a barbell). Scrub with a toothbrush (gently during 
healing). After the tongue is healed, rinse mouth with Plax or 
other anti-plaque product.

--All healing piercings secrete blood plasma. In other areas of 
the body, this dries and forms a crust. Inside the mouth 
however, it doesn't have a chance to dry. Do not be alarmed if 
you see a secretion coming from the piercing, this is very 
likely the liquid blood plasma, and a normal part of healing.

--If you like it, leave something in it. Even after an extended 
period, the hole may shrink or close if you take the jewelry 
out.





--
 * Ardvark *
 Anne Greenblatt
 > Piercing Exquisite <
 *

 

holonet
1058/modem
 Anyone interested in the subject, and/or wishes to


Archive-name: bodyart/piercing-faq/part6


 1--Introduction
 2--Piercings & Jewelry
 3--Getting A New Pierce
 4--Professional Piercers
 5--Care Of A New Pierce
 6--Problems And Hazards <---YOU ARE READING THIS FILE
 7--Healed Pierces
 8--Misc. Info
 9--Personal Experiences


What's in this section:

 6--Problems And Hazards
 1. Keloid Scars
 2. Methods Of Treating Keloids


 1. KELOID SCARS-----------------

Keloid scars are raised blister- or pimple-like formations of 
scar tissue which form in or around a piercing. Keloids may be 
red, itchy, and inflamed, and may change size over time. Keloids 
seem to occur most frequently in ear piercings (both lobe and 
cartilage) and nostril piercings. Labret, nipple, and navel 
piercings have also been known to be affected. There is no way 
to predict whether or not a keloid scar will develop in a 
particular piercing - a first or second lobe piercing may heal 
perfectly, but the next piercing will flare up into scar tissue. 
The piercing technique used (piercing gun, hollow piercing 
needle, or even sewing needle) may or may not make a difference. 
different people have had different and vast experiences.

Irritation of the piercing during healing, such as changing 
jewelry before the piercing has fully healed or pulling or 
tearing of the piercing, may increase the likelihood of scar 
tissue developing. With cartilage piercings, scar tissue is more 
likely to form if the ring is too small in diameter for the 
length of the piercing, or if the stud is too short, which is 
often the case of sleeper studs with butterfly clip backs 
installed with a piercing gun.

Bacterial infections can also irritate the piercing enough for a 
small lump of scar tissue to form.

 2. METHODS OF TREATING KELOIDS--------------

Removing the jewelry at the first signs of keloid formation and 
allowing the piercing to heal closed will often get rid of the 
keloid, or minimize its size.

Existing and healed keloid scars can be removed surgically, 
under local anesthetic, by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. 
Surgical removal of the scar tissue does not gaurantee that more 
scar tissue will not form.

Scar tissue may also be injected with cortisone or other 
steroids. A large or deep scar may require more than one 
session. The cortisone acts to shrink and break down the scar 
tissue. Possible side effects of cortisone injections are 
unwanted hair growth, yeast infections, and other steroid- 
related side effects.

Some people have reported diminished keloids with the 
application of tea tree oil, available in most health food and 
organic stores.

Vitamin E, applied during healing, may decrease the formation or 
chance of formation of scar tissue.

Several piercers have recommended the application of a paste of 
distilled water and aspirin, for 20 minutes twice a day.

One dermatologist I've spoken to about keloids says that once a 
keloid begins to form, the presence of the jewelry will continue 
to irritate the area and the scar tissue will continue to grow 
until the jewelry is removed. He also said that cortisone or 
steroid injections with the jewelry in place may help shrink the 
keloid some, but that with jewelry present, the keloid will 
never completely disappear. Also, the injections tend not to 
work so well in cartilage layers. His advice is to remove the 
jewelry. He also said the tendency to form deep scar tissue is 
hereditary.




--
 * Ardvark *
 Anne Greenblatt
 > Piercing Exquisite <
 *

 

u!caen
1058/modem
 Anyone interested in the subject, and/or wishes to


Archive-name: bodyart/piercing-faq/part7


 1--Introduction
 2--Piercings & Jewelry
 3--Getting A New Pierce
 4--Professional Piercers
 5--Care Of A New Pierce
 6--Problems And Hazards
 7--Healed Pierces <---YOU ARE READING THIS FILE
 8--Misc. Info
 9--Personal Experiences


What's in this section:

 7--Healed Pierces
 1. Changing Jewelry
 2. Stretching Piercings
 3. Piercing Adornments
 4. Bdsm Play, And Chasity
 5. Play Piercing
 6. Hiding And Retaining Piercings
 7. Piercings And Surgery


 1. CHANGING JEWELRY------------------

Once a piercing is healed, jewelry must be changed as desired. 
It is important to wear jewelry of the same gauge as the 
original piercing - too small a gauge and the piercing may 
shrink around the smaller jewelry; too big and the piercing may 
stretch uncomfortably. With some piercings the jewelry must be 
of a certain design. Please see Part 1 of the FAQ for reference.

Changing jewelry is most easily achieved by lubricating the 
piercing and the new piece of jewelry using anti-bacterial 
ointment. The ointment clings to the jewelry and will provide 
medicating benefits if there is any damage to the piercing. 
Place a small amout of ointment onto the existing jewelry, using 
a cotton swab. Rotate the jewelry, thoroughly lubricating the 
piercing. In the case of captive bead rings and seamless rings, 
this can be done after opening the ring, which can be 
challenging if the ring is slippery. The new jewelry should be 
sterilized or at least soaked in cleaning solution, and ready to 
be inserted. Slide the existing jewelry through the piercing 
until the end is flush with the surface of the skin. Use the new 
piece of jewelry to push out the existing jewery, maintaining 
contact between the two pieces of jewelry within the piercing. 
Remove excess ointment with a cotton swab before closing the 
jewelry. In the case of barbells, tighten the ball(s) with a 
tissue wrapped around your fingers. Never use pliers to tighten 
barbells - finger strength should be enough to tighten the balls 
securely. If pliers are used to close or open rings, wrap the 
plier tips with surgical tape - this will prevent scratching and 
marring of the jewelry.

In the case of barbells with external threads, cover the threads 
with orthodontal wax or dip the threads in hot candle wax to 
prevent the threads >From tearing the inside of the piercing. 
The wax can be removed with rubbing alcohol.

 2. STRETCHING PIERCINGS---------------

Only well-healed piercings should be stretched. Stretching is 
not recommended if there is any scar tissue present around the 
piercing. Piercings should only be stretched a maximum of two 
gauge sizes (for example, from 14 gauge to 12 gauge) to prevent 
tearing and irritation. Expect the piercing to be sore for a day 
or so after stretching. If the piercing does tear or if there 
are any secretions or crusty formations around the piercing 
after stretching, treat the piercing with the aftercare products 
used when the piercing was healing.

Piercings can be stretched using insertion tapers, available 
from most jewelry suppliers, or knitting needles, which are 
manufactured in the same Brown and Sharpe gauge system used for 
piercing jewelry. The instrument used to stretch the piercing 
should be thoroughly cleaned, sterilized if possible. Lubricate 
the piercing with anti-bacterial ointment with the existing 
jewelry. Lubricate the tip of the taper with ointment. Insert 
the taper into the piercing with a twisting motion. You may feel 
or hear the piercing "pop" as it stretches. Push the taper 
through until the thickest end is flush with the surface of the 
skin. Insert the new jewelry following the instructions above 
for changing jewelry. Most insertion tapers have a concave end 
to receive the jewelry.

If you are stretching more than two gauges up and do not wish to 
purchase intermediate jewelry, you can wear the tapers or insert 
nylon cord of he same thickness into the piercing, wrapping tape 
around the ends to prevent it from falling out. Fima clay has 
been used successfully as intermediate jewelry as well.

Piercings can be stretched using weighted jewelry. Be careful of 
tearing - too much weight on too thin a gauge can easily tear a 
piercing. The thinner the gauge, the easier the piercing will 
tear.

To accomodate eyelets, piercings need to be stretched two gauges 
larger than the eyelet guage, in order to accomodate the flanges 
of the eyelet. Please see Julian Hurt's posting on eyelets in 
the Unisex Piercing Experiences section for more details.

Cartilage piercings stretch very slowly, if at all.To acquire a 
large-gauged cartilage piercing, it is usually best to make the 
initial piercing large using a dermal punch to core out the 
cartilage.

 3. PIERCING ADORNMENTS---------------

The bead of captive bead rings can be replaced with sterling 
skulls, hearts, and other ornaments which have been specially 
drilled, available through most jewelry suppliers.

Decorative beads from craft stores and other sources can be worn 
in the captive bead ring as well. With thinner gauges, it may be 
difficult to find beads which will not slip all the way around 
the ring.

Decorative beads can also be worn between the balls of circular 
barbells. this also prevents the jewelry from getting caught on 
things.

When decorating your piercings, be careful to avoid anything too 
heavy to avoid unwanted stretching or possible tearing.

 4. BDSM PLAY, AND CHASITY-------------

Heavy bondage play - chains, restraints, and weights - should 
only be practiced on heavy-gauged jewelry, at least 12 gauge. If 
any pain is experienced, play should be stopped immediately.

Nipple clamps may be used on pierced nipples, with the jewelry 
in place, though the clamps should be placed vertically rather 
than horizontally. Only use nipple clamps on well healed 
piercings.

Creative chastity restraints can be made using lightweight chain 
and clasps. For example, labia piercings can be locked together 
using lightweight padlocks. Be creative but let common sense 
guide you. With genital piercings, do not wear anything subject 
to corrosion by urine and other body fluids other than 
temporarily.

 5. PLAY PIERCING--------------

Play piercing is popular among some S/M circles and is used to 
experience the heightened sensations of piercing without having 
to install jewelry. Play piercings should only be made through 
the surface skin and through the noted piercing locations.

Play piercing needles are available, presterilized, through most 
jewelry and piercing suppliers. These needles are usually of 22 
gauge, designed the same as piercing needles. Hypodermic needles 
can also be used. Needles used in play piercing should only be 
used once and should be disposed of via hospital incinerator or 
placed in a sealed container containing chlorox.

Sterilization methods for piercing should be followed. The area 
to be pierced should be disinfected with betadine or hibiclens 
just prior to piercing. The piercer should wear latex gloves. In 
an established relationship where contact with body fluids is 
not a concern, the piercer may just wash his/her hands 
thoroughly with hibiclens or anti-bacterial soap.

After the needle is removed, the area should be treated with 
betadine or bactine to prevent infection.

Again, let common sense guide you. If you are unsure of an area 
of the body and what lies beneath the skin, do not pierce!


 6. HIDING AND RETAINING PIERCINGS---------------

For some of us piercing enthusiasts, work, weddings, and visits 
with relatives may require us to hide our piercings, 
temporarily. There are several options, depending on the 
piercing. 

Nostril piercings can be disguised as facial blemishes by 
coating the ball of a nostril screw with any of a variety of 
colored nail polish - flesh tones are available to mix and match 
with your own coloring. Remove the jewelry before applying the 
nail po lish, and let it dry thoroughly. The jewelry may require 
more than one coat. The nail polish can easily be removed with 
nail polish remover. Labret studs may also be disguised in this 
manner. 

Nylon ear studs are available from most department stores and 
earring kiosks. The stud usually has a flat disc and is held in 
place by a rubber barrel clasp. These studs are intended to 
replace normal earring studs when the wearer is allergic to 
metals. These studs can be used to disguise nose and ear 
piercings using nail polish as described above, and to retain 
ear and nose piercings during surgery. The only drawback is that 
the studs are only available in one thickness equivalant to 20 
gauge.

Nylon cord, such as fishing line and weed-trimmer line, can be 
matched fairly well to various gauges. Thicker fishing line 
works for 18 gauge. Weed-trimmer line, sold in small spools at 
the hardware store, will work for 16 through 10 gauge, depending 
o n the manufacturer. You may have to do a lot of comparison 
shopping to find an equal thickness. The packages state the 
metric thickness of the cord, so you can compare measurements. 
File the ends smooth with a nail file prior to inserting the 
cord. The ends can be flattened with a hot knife to prevent the 
cord from falling out, or the ends can be wrapped with tape. For 
piercing retention during surgery, tape the cord flat against 
the skin, if possible. 

In the case of well healed piercings, hypoallergenic false 
eyebrow glue can be used to hold the nylon cord in place. The 
glue can be removed with warm water or rubbing alcohol.


7. PIERCINGS AND SURGERY (by S. Dorsey) ---------------

 At times, when going in for a hospital stay, you are asked to
remove your jewelry. Some people have expressed some skepticism that 
this
is really necessary.

 The problem begins when we talk a little bit about radio 
waves. RF
(radio frequency) signals don't behave like conventional electricity, 
and
can be radiated outward from an antenna into free space. If your body 
is
energized with RF uniformly, it won't do you any harm until you take 
hold
of a metal object, which will radiate that signal outward and tend to 
give
you a burn on the area where you touched it. Frequently technicians 
will
work on an energized AM broadcast antenna (where the whole tower is 
the
antenna). So long as they jump onto the tower without touching both 
the
tower and the ground, they are perfectly safe, but they have to be 
very
careful about keeping tools insulated and staying away from sharp 
points
on the structure. Working around high voltage RF fields, one is 
advised
to remove watches and wire-rimmed glasses, let alone labial piercings. 

 Now, you ask what this has to do with the hospital stay. Well,
the primary problem that we come to is that whenever you have an
electrical pulse that is very short and abrupt, with a fast risetime, 
high
frequency radio signals will be generated. This is why running the 
vacuum
cleaner interferes with the TV reception, for instance, because the 
abrupt
opening and closing of the curcuit by the motor brushes causes a large
number of high frequency harmonics to be generated. Lightning is 
another
excellent example of the phenomenon. (If you want a mathematical way 
of
thinking about this, imagine trying to represent a discontinuous 
function
as a Fourier series... it will require an infinite number of terms 
each of
which represents higher and higher frequency products. If you don't 
know
what this means, don't sweat it, though.)

 The heart defibrillator is probably the best example of this,
however. It uses a very high voltage pulse with a very short risetime 
to
stimulate the heart muscles when the heart has gone into convulsions. 
While it has saved the lives of many people, the side effects from 
having
short risetime pulses going through your body can be pretty severe,
especially if you have hidden jewelry somewhere. What is worse is 
that
the patient who is receiving this is probably not in any state to 
inform
the doctor that there is something wrong. So follow the man's 
instruction
and remove the jewelry. It might not be a problem, but it might also 
save
you from serious injury in an emergency. 

Short note: Diathermy equipment also has similar effects, though 
patients
undergoing diathermy probably have a better grip on what is happening 
to
them and the effect isn't so severe. Frankly, does anyone still use
diathermy these days, anyway? I haven't heard about it for years.... 







--
 * Ardvark *
 Anne Greenblatt
 > Piercing Exquisite <
 *

 

1058/modem
 Anyone interested in the subject, and/or wishes to


Archive-name: bodyart/piercing-faq/part8


 1--Introduction
 2--Piercings & Jewelry
 3--Getting A New Pierce
 4--Professional Piercers
 5--Care Of A New Pierce
 6--Problems And Hazards
 7--Healed Pierces
 8--Misc. Info <---YOU ARE READING THIS FILE
 9--Personal Experiences


What's in this section:

 8--Misc. Info
 1. Piercings And Surgery
 2. History Of The Nipple Piercing
 3. Personal experiences
 3a. Tongue Pierce
 3b. Labret Piercing
 3c. Hand Web Piercing
 3d. Eyelet Piercings
 3e. Nipple Piercing
 3f. Triangle Piercing
 3g. Niehbuhr


 1. PIERCINGS AND SURGERY-------------


This section was written by Scott Dorsey (kludge@crl.com)

When going in for a hospital stay, you may be asked to remove 
your jewelry. Some people have expressed skepticism about 
whether this is really necessary. 

The problem begins when we talk about radio waves. RF (radio 
frequency) signals don't behave like conventional electricity, 
and can be radiated outward from an antenna into free space. If 
your body is energized with RF uniformly, it won't do you any 
harm.

However, if you take hold of a metal object, it will radiate 
that signal outward and tend to give you a burn on the area 
where you touched it. Frequently technicians will work on an 
energized AM broadcast antenna (where the whole tower is the 
antenna). So long as they jump onto the tower without touching 
both the tower and the ground, they are perfectly safe, but they 
have to be very careful about keeping tools insulated and 
staying away from sharp points on the structure. Working around 
high voltage RF fields, one is advised to remove watches and 
wire-rimmed glasses, let alone labial piercings. 

Well, the primary problem is that whenever you have an 
electrical pulse that is very short and abrupt, with a fast 
risetime, high frequency radio signals will be generated. This, 
for instance, is why running the vacuum cleaner interferes with 
the TV reception: the abrupt opening and closing of the curcuit 
by the motor brushes causes a large number of high frequency 
harmonics to be generated.

Lightning is another excellent example of the phenomenon. If you 
want a mathematical way of thinking about this, imagine trying 
to represent a discontinuous function as a Fourier series...it 
will require an infinite number of terms each of which 
represents higher and higher frequency products

The heart defibrillator is probably the best example of this. It 
uses a very high voltage pulse with a very short risetime to 
stimulate the heart muscles when the heart has gone into 
convulsions. While it has saved the lives of many people, the 
side effects from having short risetime pulses going through 
your body can be pretty severe, especially if you have hidden 
jewelry somewhere.

What is worse is that the patient who is receiving this is 
probably not in any state to inform the doctor that there is 
something wrong. So follow the doctor's instruction and remove 
the jewelry. It might not be a problem, but it might also save 
you from serious injury in an emergency. 

Note: Diathermy equipment also has similar effects, though 
patients undergoing diathermy probably have a better grip on 
what is happening to them and the effect isn't so severe. 
However, I haven't heard about anyone still using a diathermy 
anymore.

If you need to remove your jewelry and need to replace it with a 
retainer to prevent the piercing from closing, please refer to 
the previous section on "Hiding and Retaining Pierces."


 2. HISTORY OF THE NIPPLE PIERCING-------------

The prepared by "Boy Brent", with a bibliography.

A hundred years ago they were piercing a lot more than their 
ears. In the 1890s nipple piercing was very much in vogue for 
Victorian women. 

In _Anatomy and Destiny_ (Bobbs-Merrill, 1974, p. 97), Stephen 
Kern explains that: "In the late 1890s the 'bosom ring' came 
into fashion briefly and sold in expensive Parisian jewelry 
shops. These 'anneaux de sein' were inserted through the nipple, 
and some women wore one on either side linked with a delicate 
chain. The rings enlarged the breasts and kept them in a state 
of constant excitation...The medical community was outraged by 
these cosmetic procedures, for they represented a rejection of 
traditional conceptions of the purpose of a woman's body."


_The Golden Age of Erotica_ (Paperback Library, 1968, p. 264), 
by Bernhardt Harwood:

"No more perfect example of Victorian extremism can be found 
than the unbelievable breast piercing craze that swept London in 
the 1890s. This barbaric [!] practice achieved fantastic 
popularity among seemingly sane, civilized English women, who 
submitted to the excruciating pain of having their nipples 
pierced in order to insert decorative gold and jeweled rings.

"In an attempt to explain what had driven so many females to 
embrace such a crackpot fad, a fashionable London modiste wrote 
a letter to a popular magazine, which stated in part, "For a 
long time could not understand why I should consent to such a 
painful operation without sufficient reason. I soon, however, 
came to the conclusion that many ladies are ready to bear the 
passing pain for the sake of love. I found that the breasts of 
those who wore rings were incomparably rounder and fuller 
developed than those who did not. My doubts were now at an 
end...So I had my nipples pierced, and when the wounds healed, I 
had rings inserted...With regard to the experience of wearing 
these rings, I can only say that they are not in the least 
uncomfortable or painful. On the contrary, the slight rubbing 
and slipping of the rings causes in me an extremely titillating 
feeling, and all my colleagues to whom I have spoken on this 
subject have confirmed my opinion."


 * * * * *

Titrings, a bit of History

by D. W. Jones

 Titrings turn out to have a longer history than most of us 
seem to believe these days. A titring is a ring worn through a 
piercing in (or just behind) the nipple. Today, such rings are 
growing in popularity in certain segments of the population, 
amon g both men and women. The required piercings can be 
obtained, for a fee, in many cities, and there are jewelers who 
make jewelry specifically intended for wearing in such 
piercings. 

 Some may object to the name titring, preferring the propriety 
of the term nipple-ring. It seems odd to seek a proper sounding 
name for a piece of jewelry most people in our society would 
consider inherently improper, and I prefer the term titring for 
the same reason I'd prefer to call a ring worn through the 
earlobe an earring, not an earlobe-ring. I see no point in being 
annoyingly specific about exactly what part of the ear is 
pierced. Similarly, a ring worn through the nostril is, 
according to Ind ian women I've met who routinely wear such 
jewelry, a nosering, not a nostril-ring. The terms I prefer are 
short, descriptive, flow off the tongue with little effort, and 
generally likely to be based on common and sometimes vulgar 
English instead of on Latinate or scientific usage. 

Citations:

Adams, Cecil. "Chain Letter", from _More of the Straight Dope_.

Fuchs, Eduard. _Illustrierte Sittengeschichte vom Mittelalter 
bis Zur Gegenwart, Das Burgerliche Zeitalter Erganzungsband_. 
Albert Langen, Munich, 1912:

 This book turns out to be in 6 lavishly illustrated volumes 
(over 500 pages per volume) and Kern's citation was incomplete. 
The book is a complete history and commentary on all aspects of 
sexuality, from erotic art to clothing through the ages, along 
with courtship, nudism prostitution, and much more. 

The passage cited by Kern is on pages 67 and 68 of the 
supplement to Volume 3, in the chapter titled "Erster Teil, 
Erganzungen und Exkurse."

In 1898 a single Bond Street jeweller is supposed to have 
performed the nipple-boring operation on forty English ladies 
and young girls, and the lady quoted above also confirmed the 
spread of this custom among the fashionable women of London. In 
fact many ladies, instead of rings, had small chains fastened 
from breast to breast, and a celebrated actress of the Gaiety 
Theatre wore a pearl chain with a bow at each end.

I have not read Pelham's work in its original context, but it 
appears that both he and Fuchs made extensive use of the same 
English source, one article in "Society", a journal unavailable 
to me. I would like to find other sources, but have not yet done 
so. 

Titrings have an interesting collection of names in other 
languages: 

In French, "des anneaus de sein", literally, rings of the 
nipples or rings of the breasts. I looked up "sein" in Larousse, 
and the word appears to properly translate as anything from 
bosom to tit, depending on context or convention. 

In German, "der Busenringen", an archaic term, literally "bosom 
rings." In German, "Brustwartzenringe" is the common term today, 
literally "nipple-rings" (nipples are "breast-warts" in German). 

In German, "intimschmuck", or in Swedish, "intimsmycke", 
intimate jewellry or decorations, refers to all kinds of 
jewellry worn "below the neck". 


 3. PERSONAL EXPERIENCES-------------


 3a. Tongue Pierce

by Harry Ugol (harryu@warpten.EBay.sun.com)


I got my tongue pierced last June. The piercing itself hurt much 
less than my other piercings. 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 resembles 
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.

The pain started to diminish within 24 hours. 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 such are not good things to put in your mouth. Instead, 
you use 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, a hydrogen peroxide-
like compound dissolved in glycerin, which 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!


 3b. Labret Piercing---------------

This section by Anne Greenblatt

My first try at a lip piercing was towards the corner of my 
mouth, just below the edge of my lower lip. We used a 19ga 
needle for the piering, installing a 20ga 3/8" diameter surgical 
steel bead ring. The thin gauge of the ring proved to be a 
mistake - the second day I noticed the inside of my lip had 
started to tear upwards. A nasty infection settled in that 
evening. I drained the piercing as much as I could with hot 
compresses and removed the ring. The infection cleared with the 
help of antibiotics. All that's left is a tiny red mark just 
below the edge of my lip.

My second and existing lip piercing was done with a 14ga needle, 
installing a 16ga Labret stud in the center of my lower lip, 
about 1/2" below the edge of my lip. The labret stud is similar 
to a barbell. Instead of a ball on the inside of my lip, the 
stud is backed by a disc about 3/16" in diameter. A ball screws 
onto the front of the stud. Since the jewelry is inserted from 
the back, an insertion taper was used in the piercing process. 
The 14ga needle was inserted through the front, then the 16ga 
insertion taper was inserted into the needle, the taper threaded 
through the piercing, and the jewelry pushed through, pushing 
out the taper.

Before piercing, the outside of my lip was disinfected with 
betadine and the inside was disinfected with listerine for 5 
minutes and numbed with benzocaine (found in Oragel). The entire 
process was very quick and a lot less painful than many of my 
other piercings, including nostril and tragus.

Aftercare of the labret piercing included cleaning the outside 
hole with ear care gel containing benzalkonium chloride and 
applying vitamin E gel. The inside of the piercing was cleaned 
with Gly-Oxide, and I rinsed my mouth with diluted (50%) 
Listerine after eating and brushing teeth. The piercing healed 
in about 6 weeks.

There are several designs of Labret studs available. The most 
common is the steel disc-backed stud, available from Pleasurable 
Piercings and Gauntlet. A possible problem with this design is 
that the disc may, over time and wear, become unsoldered from 
the post. Another problem some have experienced with the disc is 
gum erosion, and erosion or "nesting" of the inside of the lip 
beneath the disc.

The second design, manufactured by Silver Anchor, is a stud with 
a screw-on ball in the front, with the stud wrapped around 
itself into a loose coil at a right angle to the stud. This 
design is similar to a nostril screw, and eliminates the chance 
of the disc becoming lost. The third design is the Fishtail 
Labret. Once again, the stud and back are a continuous piece, 
except that the back is approximately an inch long, bent at a 
right angle, and slightly curved to follow the shape of the 
gumline. The fishtail style is available in gold (WA Creations) 
and steel (Dakota Steel and Silver Anchor). 


 3c. Hand Web Piercing-----------------

This section by "Surf", and edited by Anne Greenblatt

I'm on my second hand web pierce. The first one (Had it done 
first week in July 1993) lasted about 3/4 months before it grew 
out. I'm figuring that was because I had it in my right hand, 
and I am right handed, so the had got a lot of use.

I missed that pierce so much that I had it redone on my left 
hand in mid-December 1993. It's still with me, and it seems to 
be healing great.

The first time, I had it done at Gauntlet San Francisco. The 
piercer marked entrance and exit holes on my hand and positioned 
the pennington foreceps over the marks. The marks were farther 
back that I had first imagined they would be, but I'd never seen 
a hand web pierce before, either. Once the foreceps were in 
place, the piercer stretched the skin out a bit and he shone a 
light through the skin to make sure that nothing of importance 
was in the bundle of skin as well. He got the needle lubed with 
an antibiotic salve and butted the needle against the top-side 
(back of hand side) of my hand web (oh yes - he disinfected the 
area first with a betadine pad). He held a cork to the bottom 
(palm side) of the web and quickly pushed the needle through. 

I don't remember much pain at all, but then again, I had just 
had my nipple done (my first pierce ever!) minutes before. 
Anyway, the piercer got my jewelry ready to insert and in a 
moment he was fastening the ball-end. I have a 12 ga SSS barbell 
with a 1/2" shaft as my jewelry for the pierce.

The second time around was similar, but there were differences 
in the technique. I had it redone at Tie Me Down in Milwaukee. 
The piercer there seemed less experienced, at least with hand-
webs, but not so as to scare one off. I forget what he cleaned 
the area of my hand with, but he soaked the jewelry in Hibiclens 
to disinfect it. He marked the depth of the pierce noticably 
deeper than the first time, but that was fine by me. This 


 

(Continued from last message)
piercer didn't use a cork on the exit side, and he pushed the 
needle through from palm side first.

For the jewelry insertion, he mentioned that he wasn't used to 
Gauntlet's barbells where the ball screws into the shaft, but 
rather the ones where the shaft screwed into the ball. With thal 
kind he could screw the shaft into the end of the needle for 
insertion. Because of this, he had problems with insertion and 
had to guide it in with an insertion taper. Since the taper was 
larger than the hole, it was a painful little process, but when 
the jewelry was in, I felt better about the pierce than I had 
the first time around - I could flatten my hand right away. The 
first time, it took a few days before I could do that.

The aftercare was pretty much the same both times. I would 
alternate soaking my hand in a solution of hot water and 
betadine and a hot salt-water solution. Use the betadine soak 
only if the jewelry isn't gold, though. I would soak about 10 
times a day - more if feasable. When the water cooled down, I 
would reheat it in the microwave and re-soak. I'd keep this up 
as long as I could. The betadine soaks especially reduced 
swelling when my hand was acting up. I would try to keep my hand 
unbandaged as much as possible, but I was wearing them a lot 
during the first week, and for the first few weeks while I 
slept.

After about 2 weeks, I had an initial healing that would allow 
me almost normal use of my hand, as long as I watched it and was 
careful. At first, I would wash the pierce with hibiclens, but 
am now using an antibacterial soap (easier on the hands and 
still kills germs). I would still recommend hibiclens on the 
fresh pierce, though. During the initial healing, I would swab 
some betadine over the freshly washed or soaked pierce to keep 
the germs away as long as possible.

I had relatively little swelling of my hand web area after the 
first week both times I had it done. Even less the second time. 
Now I would even mistake the thing for being fully healed (even 
though I know it's not inside)! There is no swelling at all 
anymore. I put lotion on the area when it gets dry (and believe 
me, the area gets really dry at times after piercing!). If the 
area dries out, it can get tender and hurt if bumped, but some 
lotion takes care of that.

All in all, I love the pierce. It is my favorite of all mine 
(eyebrow, hand, nipple, navel, PA) because it is so rare, and it 
looks wicked. From my expierence, I feel that a lot of people's 
reservations about this pierce getting in the way are 
unwarranted. Sure, there are some instances where it would be in 
the way, but for normal (whatever that is, right?) use, it's 
fine!

I am in Wisconsin and I'm wearing winter gloves all the time 
with no problems. I was waterskiing last summer and I could hold 
the tow line without a problem. Pretty much the only hindrance 
is the time spent explaining to people that I am not totally 
insane and that it didn't hurt (nonetheless I love to show it 
off.... I'm proud of my metal!)).

I would expect the true healing time to be 6 months, or a full 
year just to be sure. The times I mentioned above were my 
experience only. I've been told I'm a fast healer, so my 
experiences won't necessarily apply to everyone, but I have had 
really good experiences with the hand web despite the first one 
growing out.

One last recommendation - however you're handed, don't get that 
hand pierced. Like I said, when I had my right hand pierced, it 
grew out primarily because that had went through a lot more use 
than did my left hand. I just never realized it until I paid 
that much attention to my hands because of the piercing.


 3d. Eyelet Piercings--------------

This section by Julian Hurt, and edited by Anne Greenblatt

[Please note that Julian has much experience with piercings, and 
that this section is to provide information and in no way is to 
condone beginners from trying the same. Most people who wish to 
stretch out their piercings do it the regular way--stretching it 
a little at a time over a long period.]

Rings large enough to fill large (00 - 4) gauge earlobe 
piercings tend to be fairly heavy. The weights often are 
sufficient to automatically cause further stretching of the 
holes. An alternative to heavy jewelry is to wear light-weight 
eyelets. Eyelets essentially are stainless surgical steel or 
gold tubes that have been flared outward on both ends. They are 
hollow in the center and look like narrow grommets. Pleasurable 
Piercings carries eyelets from 4 gauge to 00 gauge and Gauntlet 
lists them from 10 gauge to 00 gauge.

Eyelets can be worn as the sole insert in a lobe piercing or 
with smaller gauge rings inserted inside them (thus allowing 
light weight rings without allowing the larger holes to grow 
closed). For illustrations of these two styles see respectively 
_Modern Primitives_ page 176, and page 3 of _Piercing Fans 
international Quarterly Number 18_. eyelets occasionally are 
called "earlets" or even "retainers." Eyelets are very effective 
visually when combined with additional rings or studs higher on 
the ear.

Eyelets are sized by the diameter of the tubing at its narrowest 
point and flare out so that the outer edge of the flare is the 
next even gauged size. thus the flange of a 4 gauge eyelet 
flares out about 0.025" and requires a 2 gauge hole. In order to 
insert an eyelet, one needs a hole the size of the outer flange 
(2 gauge larger than the eyelet size). After the eyelets are 
inserted the holes gradually will shrink'fill in towards the 
size of the eyelet.

The standard method for inserting eyelets is to begin with well-
healed piercings and gradually stretch them out. (See the FAQ 
and the article in _PFIQ number 18_, pages 23-30, for 
information on various stretching techniques.) When they are 
stretched to the stated gauge of the desired eyelet they then 
are stretched using an insertion taper of the next even gauge, 
and then inserted.

The taper temporarily stretches out the hole to accomodate the 
wider flanges, and then when the eyelet is in place, the tissue 
shrinks to the original gauge. Gauntlet warns, "CAUTION: To 
accomplish piercings large enough for eyelets great patience is 
required. Never push stretching too fast or the earlobe can be 
torn. When the hole is large enough for an eyelet, facilitate 
insertion and avoid damage to the earlobe by using a convex 
insertion taper of the next larger size."

It is also possible to insert eyelets in fresh piercings. 
Piercing needles are available up to 6 gauge from Pleasurable 
Piercings. One could pierce to the next size larger than the 
eyelet (e.g., pierce to a 6 gauge for insertion of an 8 gauge 
eyelet) but the eyelets would tend to fall out in normal wear. 
Anecdotal evidence indicates it is fairly routine to stretch 
fresh piercings to the next gauge with out tearing by using a 
well-lubricated (with anti-bacterial ointment) insertion tapers 
inserted fairly rapidly with a strong twisting motion. Then the 
eyelets can be inserted in standard fashion by following the 
taper just as one follows a piercing needle with jewelry.

The hole will snap back against the narrow part of the eyelet. 
person was innitially pierced at 6 gauge in both lobes and had 
them immediately stretched to a 2 gauge using the technique just 
described with a 2 gauge insertion taper. The piercing was done 
as an experiment by Wild Bill of Pleasurable Piercings at the 
request of a piercing-knowledgeable customer. As a precaution 
intermediate sized jewelry was on hand so that the stretching 
could be abandoned mid-way if any tearing had occorred. The 
stretching was only slightly more intense than the 6 gauge 
piercings which were relatively painless.

When eyelets are the initial insertions in fresh piercings, care 
is simple. Sensative Ears is used a number of times daily to 
irrigate the piercings. In the first few days there may be some 
swelling so that the flanges pop below the surface of the 
earlobes. As crusting loosens from the cleaning solution, gently 
po the eyelets so that both flanges are outside the hole. 
Regardless, once the eyelets are properly placed and loosened by 
the irrigation, grasp the flanges between thumb and forefinger 
and gently rotate them in the hole. These care techniques were 
used with the fresh 6 gauge piercings stretched to 2 gauge 
described above, and they healed without complication in 4 
weeks.

When eyelets are inserted by stretching they generally remain in 
place during normal daily activity. But when drying ones ears 
with a towel, cleaning the eyelets, or sleeping they do have a 
tendency to pop out unexpecedly. They also are small enough to 
easily be lost down drains. Thus one is advised not to clean 
them over sinks, not towel in the shower, etc. One way of 
preventing loss of the eyelets is to insert small rings or wire 
through them.

 3e. Nipple Piercing-------------


This section by Phaedrus

and I chose not to. Mainly because I am rather unfamiliar with 
that group, and there is enough non-vanilla in my post to 
warrant not posting there. If a reader familiar with r.a.b. 
feels that this experience would benefit that group, then by all 
means feel free to repost it there.

All names used herein are used with the consent of the owner of 
said name. And if you were there and I did not mention you by 
name, it is only because I forgot to ask you. It is not because 
I have forgotten you.

Right. Onward.

It's been a full 7 days now, and I -think- I've processed enough 
to be able to post my piercing experience in a more or less 
coherent fashion.

I've been wanting a nipple piercing for over a year now. Some of 
you here back then may recall when I first posted about wanting 
one. Part of the waiting has been pondering, part because the 
time was not right.

So the time was right last weekend. Beverly Block had told me 
that she had been trained in piercing. We had talked about it a 
little over a year ago, and nothing had been said since. When I 
saw Bev at a Berkeley lunch on Friday, I asked her if she would 
do it at a ritual the next night.

After lunch and running amok in a certain storefront in Oakland, 
we headed across the bay to the Gauntlet. It was wonderful 
having Bev with me. She got into a professional argument about 
ring gauges for male nipples with a worker at the Gauntlet. And 
while Bev conceded the point, it felt good having a knowledgable 
advocate with me. I picked out a beautiful gold ring and Bev 
specified a needle and something with the ominous name of 
"pusher". At several points, the Gauntlet person discussed 
technique with Bev. Most delightful.

The next afternoon, I opened the Gauntlet bag and checked out 
the needle for the first time. I won't say that I came close to 
backing out, but I will admit that I thought about it.

That night at the ritual, after opening circle, Bev told those 
present that I was to be pierced next. I wanted people who 
-wanted- to be there to be present. It may sound strange, but I 
wanted people to be there because they wanted to be present, not 
because I wanted them there. I have to ponder that further 
sometime -- there's something odd there.

Anyway. I notice that Bev is a little nervous and encircle her 
bicep to get her attention. We lock gazes, and I tell her to 
breathe with me. She calms and returns to preparation.

I'm a little nervous, mainly because I do not know what to 
expect. My first piercing ritual, and I'm the piercee. Figures. 
I feel as if the ring is -already- in place, and the ritual is 
only matching realities.

I have my symbols: a length of black ribbon, an amethyst about 
my neck, a pewter earcuff. I mention to STella that our symbols 
are so much a part of us, and she tells me that we -are- our 
symbols. Once again, dear STella, dead on target.

It's time, and I lay down on the table clad only in my standard 
black playparty briefs. People gather about me, and I make it 
clear at some point that I -want- to be touched. It was at this 
point that I closed my eyes and did not open them until I looked 
at the ring in my body.

I concentrate on my breathing and feel the wonderful energy from 
my friends about me. I could almost sense the boundaries of the 
safespace that encircled us.

Bev fastens the hemostat on my left nipple and it -HURTS-. 
Goddam, it hurts. The stub-your-toe kind of hurt. Oh, lovely, 
the needle isn't even present yet and I'm a'hurting. Oh, well, I 
think.

The pain from the clamp starts to subside. I'm conscious mainly 
of my friends touching me. I can't distinguish who is touching 
me where...all I can feel is being enfolded in love and caring.

Bev tell me to accept the needle into my body, and it flows into 
me. No sensation of pushing, more like the needle was sucked 
into me. There is no pain, but rather an intense sensation that 
I have no name for. There is, however, and ragged edge to this 
sensation, and I do not allow myself to feel that. Rather, I 
passed that edge on to my rage which holds an image of my 
father. Let him feel that ragged edge.

The sensation is an icy clarity similar to that clarity that 
follows a mind-shaking insight. That's the closest I can come to 
describing it. I hear a most unusual sound, and realize that I 
am "screaming". I call it a scream only because I do not know 
what else to call it. I have never heard a sound like that 
before. It is not coming from any higher level center of my 
brain. It feels like it is coming from a deeper, animal part of 
my physical brain.

Bev asks me if I want to look at the needle, and I tell her no, 
thank you, I hate needles. This evokes laughter from the circle.

Suddenly a rush starts at my head and travels down my body and I 
realize that Wolf is out. I feel full of the Power around me, 
and I hear my body start to growl. A "Yes!" comes from a person 
over my head, and the circle feels even more together somehow. 
Since Wolf usually only comes out for self-defense or toppish 
rather violent lovemaking, I keep an eye on him. This situation 
is neither and I do not want him loose. He behaves, enjoying the 
feeling of the Power the ritual has evoked.

I'm so busy watching Wolf that I do not notice Bev taking the 
needle out or inserting the ring. I do notice that something has 
happened to disturb Bev, though I haven't a clue what it was. 
There's some sort of blaming going on, so I pull out the old 
joke about the blame stage of a project should be the -last- 
phase of a project and we aren't there yet.

Bev tells me that I can look at the ring now, but before I do I 
make a Gift to those with me.

I finally open my eyes and look into a small mirror Bev is 
holding. It is -beautiful-! Just how it is supposed to look. The 
realities have merged, and that brings me a warm glow of 
completion.

Ah. The gold ball is lost. That was the disturbance earlier. No 
matter. Even that occurrence feels right to me. The entire 
sequence of events feels perfect to me. I would not change a 
thing.

The circle slowly dissipates, and STella stays close to me as I 
slowly rise up in stages. Very slowly. I stumble about the 
dungeon for a bit, just to prove to myself that I can, then 
collapse on a handy bed. People wander by and now and again a 
friend cuddles and talks with me.

To those of you who shared this wonderful event in my life with 
me: thank you. I feel a bond with each of you. And, now that I 
am back in Illinois, I miss you terribly. It's funny, but all I 
have to do is look at my ring to remember the feelings of being 
with you in that circle.

And thank you, Beverly. You nor anyone else could have done 
better.

Postscript: the next day, I got an amethyst bead to replace the 
gold one that was lost. The ring achieved its proper state much 
faster because the original bead was lost. I am very pleased.

And, btw, my nipple is healing -very- nicely.

Phaedrus


 3f. Triangle Piercing----------

This section by Susan

Well....I got mine done by Raelyn Gallina in mid-February. I was 
expecting a very painful experience; a lot of people had told me 
it would be much more intense than my clit hood piercing. 
Actually, it wasn't. I don't know if it was my (mostly) lack of 
nerves this time - the clit hood was my first non-earlobe 
piercing and I was scared to death - or that I was more 
psychologically ready for this one or what, but it was not 
nearly as bad. Bled like crazy, though. I think happy thoughts 
about blood - keeping the wound clean and all that. It was 
swollen at first, but the swelling went down in about a day. It 
was a bit interesting to sit and cross my legs for about two 
days, and then it itched for a day or so. After that, I've 
hardly noticed it except occasionally when I manage to get it 
twisted a little in sitting or something. At six weeks, I would 
call it fully healed, and it has been almost no trouble. I 
cleaned it first twice a day for about a week then once daily 
with Triadine (generic Betadine). I am wearing a surgical steel 
captive bead ring in it. 

Actually, I shouldn't say I've hardly noticed it. Rather I have 
hardly noticed any *pain* from it. For the first few days it was 
so intensely *pleasurable* I had trouble concentrating - it was 
a perfect, intimate touch in *exactly* the right place, if you 
know what I mean.... *grin* Thankfully, that hypersensitivity 
has faded a bit. But I still have only to think about it to be 
able to feel like someone has placed one exquisitely delicate 
finger, just so... my, this is distracting to write.... :)

I'm delighted with the piercing, and recommend it highly to 
everyone who has the right anatomy for it (not every woman has 
enough flesh for this one, don't get your heart set on it until 
you are sure it can be done).

It also goes beautifully with the clit hood piercing, which is 
also horizontal with a matching ring. They sort of nest around 
my clit. I am thinking of getting another clit hood piercing 
above the existing one, so that I will have a set of three rings 
in a row. 


 
3g. Niebuhr Piercing -------------------------------
by Denise "Ambient" Robinson
 
Niebuhr... When I saw the first photos of them, I thought, my 
goodness,
what a STOOPID IDEA. Little did I know I would come to enjoy it
immensely. "Why?" people always ask me... Well, my response is so 
that
people will make eye-contact with me(having tremendous ta-tas can be a
disadvantage, ya know). My main reason is that its an originality 
thang.
Noone I've ever seen in person has one, and I wanted somethang visible 
to
set me apart. Purely poseur. I refuse to pierce anyone with it for 
that
reason. The other reason is the Pain In The Ass Factor. 
 
It definitely receives a high PITA rating for many reasons: the actual
piercing, healing, and visibility. The piercing itself can be rather
dangerous considering the location of major nerve trunks and blood 
vesseld
in the area. Make sure your piercer pinches the area they're about to
pierce before poking you to ensure they're not hitting any major 
nerves. 
If you feel pain any where other than where the pinch is, ferget it. 
If
you don't have much skin in that location, you may as well nevermind- 
if
you can't go too deep, it'll reject *fast*. Apart from the pinch 
method,


 

(Continued from last message)
thats about the only difference in method from any other piercing. 
Clean
it, mark it, clamp it, poke it. We used a 14ga surgical steel barbell
between 5/8"-3/4"long (to allow room for cleaning) with 3/16"balls (to
allow me to see around the thang!). I wouldn't use any larger of a 
gauge,
simply cuz I wouldn't like the potential visible bulge under theskin. 
It
shouldn't be a painful piercing. Unfortunately, the piercer to whom I 
went
ended up taking about 3 seconds to get the needle through, having not 
used
a cork (supposedly to ensure it being straight), so I admit that it 
*did*
hurt, but I feel that it *shouldn't* have hurt that much, done 
quickly. Oh
yeah, for the first 72 hours, I experienced caked blood on the balls 
of
the jewelry, hence I recommend holing yerself up for a weekend so's 
not to
freak out your friends... I've used Bactine (Benzalkonium Chloride) to
clean mine with great results... Twice a day, and any time I get
excessively sweaty or dirty. Healing a surface piercing seems to be a
full-time job for about six months. Neglecting it for a few days, or
playing rough with it seems to be enough to set it off (but then of 
course
it could be considered to be a good thang- a nice barometer for your
health, so long as you don't mind pus excreting from between yer 
eyes). As
for the visibility thang, it can be real frustrating wearing glasses 
or
sunglasses, or having braids or dreadlocks that catch in the thang. 
If
its not 100% straight, boy, is it ever obvious. And if it starts to
reject, it ain't a pretty sight. So far I've been lucky, and it seems 
to
be nice and even and straight. I must say, if this actually stays put, 
I'll
be incredibly loathe to ever remove it. Its among the few of my 
piercings
that really feels like it belongs. 
 




--
 * Ardvark *
 Anne Greenblatt
 > Piercing Exquisite <
 *

 

gate
1058/modem
 Anyone interested in the subject, and/or wishes to


Archive-name: bodyart/piercing-faq/part9


 1--Introduction
 2--Piercings & Jewelry
 3--Getting A New Pierce
 4--Professional Piercers
 5--Care Of A New Pierce
 6--Problems And Hazards
 7--Healed Pierces
 8--Misc. Info
 9--Resource List <---YOU ARE READING THIS FILE


 1. BOOKS AND MAGAZINES-------------------------

BODY ART
 Publications Limited, PO BOX 32, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk,
 NR29 5RD England
 Note: Body Art imposes self censorship to stay on the legal 
 side of the rigid Pommy obscenity laws. They show body 
 modifications for anthropological and decorative purposes, not 
 for sexual purposes. Body Art does not show the same level of 
 explicit material that you will find in PFIQ.


BODY PLAY AND MODERN PRIMITIVES QUARTERLY
 Insight Books, PO Box 2575, Menlo Park, CA 94026-2575 USA
 Sample copy US$12, $14 Airmail. 4-issue subscription, US$45 or 
 $55 Airmail. This publication produced by Fakir Musafar.


EROTIC PASSION
 Published by Creative Art Collection, Postfach 1317, L-1013 
 Luxembourg. Distributed in Germany by: ZBF-Vertriebs GmbH, 
 Schlossbergstrasse 23, D-6200 Weisbaden / Shiernstein


FLESH CANVAS
 Rodan Publishing, PO Box 139B, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9YQ
 England. tel. (081) 941-7580, fax (081) 941-7582. 2.95 pounds 
 ($4.95 US) single issue. 28.30 pounds / 12 months. Equal 
 coverage of tattoos and piercings above the waist, with 
 photographs of the piercing process. 


IN THE FLESH
 Published semi-annually by OB Enterprises, Inc., Suite 2305
 450 Seventh Ave., NY, NY 10123-0101. Single copy: $4.95


MODERN PRIMITIVES
 Re/Search Pub., 20-B Romolo St., San Francisco, CA 94133 USA
 US $18.00, ppd. Send SASE or 4 IRCs for a catalog.


PIERCING FANS INTERNATIONAL QUARTERLY
 Gauntlet, Inc., 2215-R Market St,, Ste 801, San Francisco, CA
 94114. Write for order form. Signature & declaration of 21+ 
 age required.


PIERCING WORLD
 Published by P.A.U.K., 153, Tomkinson Rd, Nuneaton, 
 Warwickshire, CV10 8DP England. Quarterly, full-colour 
 publication. Annual Subscription: pounds16 UK, pounds20 
 Europe, pounds25 overseas. Subscription to PIERCING WORLD
 brings automatic membership of P.A.U.K. Detailed color and
 B&W photos of piercings and tattoos, unusual jewelry designs, 
 multiple piercings, piercing techniques, including all genital 
 piercings. The magazine also includes a classified ads section 
 and a list of EPPA registered piercers. Piercing World is also 
 available through Pleasurable Piercings, 7 Garfield Ave, 
 Hawthorne, NJ 07506, at $10 for single copy.


SAVAGE
 Published quarterly by Paisano Publications,Inc. 
 Subscriptions: PO Box 1025, Agoura Hills, CA 91376-1025
 (818) 889-8740. Single issue: $4.95


 2. VIDEOS-------------------------

THE "HOLE" EXPERIENCE
 Prince of Pain Productions, Body Basics, 613 Briar, Dept. 0B,
 Chicago, IL 60657. $69.95 plus $10 S & H.

MISTRESS OF THE RINGS (VHS)
 25 minute video on the art of body piercing, featuring Mette 
 Hintze of the Black Universe in Copenhagen, who talks about 
 and demonstrates piercings, from ear lobes to genitals.
 Approx. DKR250
 Det Dansk Filmvaerksted, Steen Shapiro and Anne Marie 
 Kuerstein, Versterbragade 24, DK-1620 Copenhagen V, Denmark
 tel: +45 3124-1624, fax: +45 3124-4419


PIERCING WITH A PRO VIDEO SERIES (VHS, PAL, BETA)
 #1 - The 9 Traditional Male Piercings - $69.95
 #2 - The Female and Unisex Piercings - $49.95
 + postage. Available through Gauntlet catalog 
 (see PFIQ entry above)


PIERCING NIPPLES (VHS)
 By Pleasurable Piercings, Inc., $39.95 US + postage.
 Pleasurable Piercings, 7 Garfield Ave, Hawthorne, NJ 07506
 (201) 779-2782. Navel, nostril, septum piercing videos 
 available soon.


PIERCED AND PAINTED (VHS)
 75 min of tattooing & piercing; "explicit scenes of body
 tattooing, full frontal nudity & actual genital piercing."
 $29.95 US. 1-800-748-7853. In Canada: 1-800-361-7361


WILDCAT INTERNATIONAL VIDEOS (PAL, VHS)
 16 Preston St, Brighton, BN1 2HN England, (0273) 323758
 Wildcat offers a very wide selection of videos, mostly "show 
 off" collections featuring heavily/uniquely pierced & inked 
 men & women. Contact Wildcat Int'l for catalog, availability.


3. ON-LINE--------------------------------

BODY MODIFICATION EZINE
 http://www.io.org/~glider/bme.htm/
 email contact glider@io.org (Shannon Larratt)

 This is a www site devoted to all forms of body art and 
modification;
 many 24 bit pics, text, programs, links to other sites. For 
beginners
 (basic jewelry designs) and veterans (surface piercing techniques). 
 None of the piercing images available at this site are intended to 
be
 presented in an erotic context and should not be construed as 
pornography.




--
 * Ardvark *
 Anne Greenblatt
 > Piercing Exquisite <
 *

 

1058/modem
 Anyone interested in the subject, and/or wishes to


Archive-name: bodyart/piercing-faq/part6


 1--Introduction
 2--Piercings & Jewelry
 3--Getting A New Pierce
 4--Professional Piercers
 5--Care Of A New Pierce
 6--Problems And Hazards <---YOU ARE READING THIS FILE
 7--Healed Pierces
 8--Misc. Info
 9--Personal Experiences


What's in this section:

 6--Problems And Hazards
 1. Keloid Scars
 2. Methods Of Treating Keloids


 1. KELOID SCARS-----------------

Keloid scars are raised blister- or pimple-like formations of 
scar tissue which form in or around a piercing. Keloids may be 
red, itchy, and inflamed, and may change size over time. Keloids 
seem to occur most frequently in ear piercings (both lobe and 
cartilage) and nostril piercings. Labret, nipple, and navel 
piercings have also been known to be affected. There is no way 
to predict whether or not a keloid scar will develop in a 
particular piercing - a first or second lobe piercing may heal 
perfectly, but the next piercing will flare up into scar tissue. 
The piercing technique used (piercing gun, hollow piercing 
needle, or even sewing needle) may or may not make a difference. 
different people have had different and vast experiences.

Irritation of the piercing during healing, such as changing 
jewelry before the piercing has fully healed or pulling or 
tearing of the piercing, may increase the likelihood of scar 
tissue developing. With cartilage piercings, scar tissue is more 
likely to form if the ring is too small in diameter for the 
length of the piercing, or if the stud is too short, which is 
often the case of sleeper studs with butterfly clip backs 
installed with a piercing gun.

Bacterial infections can also irritate the piercing enough for a 
small lump of scar tissue to form.

 2. METHODS OF TREATING KELOIDS--------------

Removing the jewelry at the first signs of keloid formation and 
allowing the piercing to heal closed will often get rid of the 
keloid, or minimize its size.

Existing and healed keloid scars can be removed surgically, 
under local anesthetic, by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. 
Surgical removal of the scar tissue does not gaurantee that more 
scar tissue will not form.

Scar tissue may also be injected with cortisone or other 
steroids. A large or deep scar may require more than one 
session. The cortisone acts to shrink and break down the scar 
tissue. Possible side effects of cortisone injections are 
unwanted hair growth, yeast infections, and other steroid- 
related side effects.

Some people have reported diminished keloids with the 
application of tea tree oil, available in most health food and 
organic stores.

Vitamin E, applied during healing, may decrease the formation or 
chance of formation of scar tissue.

Several piercers have recommended the application of a paste of 
distilled water and aspirin, for 20 minutes twice a day.

One dermatologist I've spoken to about keloids says that once a 
keloid begins to form, the presence of the jewelry will continue 
to irritate the area and the scar tissue will continue to grow 
until the jewelry is removed. He also said that cortisone or 
steroid injections with the jewelry in place may help shrink the 
keloid some, but that with jewelry present, the keloid will 
never completely disappear. Also, the injections tend not to 
work so well in cartilage layers. His advice is to remove the 
jewelry. He also said the tendency to form deep scar tissue is 
hereditary.



--
 * Ardvark *
 Anne Greenblatt
 > Piercing Exquisite <
 *

 
