Thursday May 22nd, 2008 @ 12:58 AM
I am very interested in getting a mircodermal on my sternum but I know that the idea of these is still somewhat ‘new’ to some piercers.
I am having a hard time deciding on whether a microdermal or a surface bar would suit me better. I currently have one facial surface bar which I have had for a year now and healed very well with no problems or signs of migration.
I understand that neither piercing is considered ‘permanent’. But I would (like anyone else) like my piercing to last as long as possible.
I have done my research here on BME, reading experiences/risks, looking at pictures, as well as personal pages. But I am still having a hard time choosing which one would be better for me.
I suppose my question is which piercing there seems to be better ’success’ with. I know that everyone heals differently, and that taking care of the piercing the correct way makes all the difference in the world. I have been very lucky to have not experienced any problems at all, with any of my piercings. (including facial, genital and surface)
Sorry to blab.
I hate to break it to you, but unfortunately you answered your own question. 
In terms of “better success” rates its often a lot of hope and prayers to make sure it lasts. Its about getting the right technique done, the right jewelry as well as the client doing the right things to make sure it stays happy. If any of these things fail, then a potential for failure is increased.
I would honestly suggest visiting a qualified reputable artist and have a sit down conversation with you about this. That way you guys can go through some body motions and determine where on your sternum would the piercing procedure work best…Then from there you can decide together on what would be the ideal jewelry option be it surface bar or microdermal.
I tend to be of the mindset that I would discuss both possibilities and potential future possibilities of both with the client. Then let the client make up their mind, provided that no complications in the technique, healing,etc would be occurring.
+2 / 2 votes 
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Posted by Warren Hiller | Permalink | Comments
Wednesday May 21st, 2008 @ 8:36 PM
what size rings should i get for my snaked bites so the hoops are tight on my lip… i was thinking 5/16″ diamtere, like 8mm. im wondering before i order soemthing, does that size make any sense? im wanting seam rings but regular ball closure rings is fine. cuzi tried on a hoop that i measured to be 9 mm (inside diameter) but i cant get the ball on its really hard plus i only have one. okay thank you!!!!!!!!!!
Visit a piercer and ask them to measure your lip and they will advise on what size your piercing is best suited to. Everyone has different sized lips and differently placed piercings - it’s a bit like asking what size shoes to get.
+2 / 12 votes 
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Posted by Tiff Badhairdo | Permalink | Comments
Wednesday May 21st, 2008 @ 2:21 PM
Hi, im interested in having a hood split, but im not sure on how to go about getting one. I was wondering who i would contact to get such a proceedure.
Thanks.
x
There are obvious advantages to being a BME/Extreme member- one of which is access to the Hood Splitting section. In said section one might find the names of practitioners who do this particular modification, as most people wouldn’t and don’t openly advertise it.
+4 / 12 votes 
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Posted by Shawn Porter | Permalink | Comments
Wednesday May 21st, 2008 @ 7:40 AM
Filed under: Ear
I am wishing to downsize for the purpose of gaining more tissue for further stretching i have dropped from 5/8th/9/16th to 9mm, is this gonna be beneficial i went from really heavy Blackline plugs, to stainless steel single flair eyelets. Or should i downsize more? I have NO blow outs or very much thinning just when i put 5/8ths plugs in they seem very thin, so i have decided to downsize, Thanks for any help.
Although my lobes aren’t massive per se (22mm at their largest), I periodically remove the jewellery for a couple of weeks at a time and massage my lobes with my favourite ear product - Holey Butt’r (although a good quality vitamin E oil will also be beneficial) - and then stretch back up from where is comfortable. This gives my ears a break and the massages help stimulate the blood supply whilst the Holey Butt’r moisturises and softens the skin. Also, when you get to your desired size, leave the jewellery out overnight.
You say you have nice, healthy blow-out-free lobes, which leads me to believe that you live by the mantra - slow, steady stretching without skipping sizes - already. Keep that in mind, give your ears the TLC treatment and you’re doing good.
+5 / 9 votes
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Posted by Tiff Badhairdo | Permalink | Comments
Wednesday May 21st, 2008 @ 7:28 AM
In early Febuary of this year I had my bridge pierced. Approximately two days ago I woke up to find my bridge piercing, which was healing remarkably well and hadn’t had any crusties for nearly a month was firmly caught in a fuzzy pillow I forgot to toss off my bed before I went to sleep - I have no idea who long I was tangled like that and I’m sure what woke me up was a move to roll over. The short of it is that the right side of the piercing is swollen, red, there has been dried blood and lots of lymph for the last two days and the piercing has definitly been torn, tho how much I can’t tell because of the swelling. I’ve been using h2ocean three or four times a day since that morning and it isn’t really helping - is there anything I should do? Should I take it out? Should I wait and see? How do I minimise the scarring if I do take it out and what do I need to watch for while it’s healing over? Thanks.
Bridges can be notoriously bitchy piercings to heal. I have had mine pierced twice and have had the same set of issues with healing both times. Needless to say, I have no bridge piercing! If you want to try and save this piercing then go with twice-daily seasalt soaks and look after yourself - there’s no better aftercare regimen than good diet and hydration. If you are in any doubt, take a good quality multi-vitamin and try to drink at least eight glasses of water a day (approximately two litres). Give it a couple of weeks and if you don’t notice an improvement then it may be time to re-assess the situation.
+3 / 3 votes
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Posted by Tiff Badhairdo | Permalink | 1 Comment
Wednesday May 21st, 2008 @ 7:06 AM
Filed under: Tongue
I got my tongue pierced about three weeks ago, and within the last few days I’ve been starting to notice that the skin around the bar was beginning to rise. I started to clean it more and cut out any milk products like my piercer told me to, but it hasn’t helped any. I’m beginning to think that it’s probably a keliod from biting the piercing (as I often do when I try to eat), so I’ve been super careful with it lately. I just wanted to know, if it is a keliod, if there is anyway to treat it or get rid of it, or if I should just throw in the towel and take out the piercing while it’s still fairly small.
Thanks!
What you are describing is a build-up of tissue most likely from irritation. The only way to deal with this is to identify the source of the irritation and deal with that but it sounds like you’ve already hit the hail on the head - biting it! At three weeks old, your piercing jewellery should be ready to downsize, if it hasn’t already been done so. Having an over-sized bar would be a contributing factor as it is going to move around more now that the majority of the swelling has subsided and you are more likely to chomp down on the bar.
So, if you haven’t already done so, go back and see your piercer to get the bar downsized, avoid playing with the piercing and take your time eating and the problem should rectify itself. If this doesn’t help, if the lump continues to get worse then we need to look at what else could be going on there, but I’m confident that you have already identified the cause of the problem.
+3 / 3 votes
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Posted by Tiff Badhairdo | Permalink | Comments
Tuesday May 20th, 2008 @ 3:44 PM
Hey BME!
I was wondering if there’s a meaning behind the tattoo of a checkered flag? especially around the neck area?
It means the person is a winner.
+16 / 20 votes
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Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | 3 Comments
Tuesday May 20th, 2008 @ 3:31 PM
My name is Aimee and im 13 years old. I would really like to get my septum pierced as soon as possible but everytime i try and ask mum she just says no. If i ask why not she always says because i said no. Thats the only explaination i get out if her and its frustrating because i cant talk about it. Do you have any suggestions or information so that i can convince her??! i know im young but i dont think age should be that important.
Thankyou!
Unfortunately, there may not be much, if anything, you can do to change your mom’s mind. If the only explanation she is willing to give is “because I said so”, chances are she either doesn’t have any real reason or it just “feels” wrong to here. In either case, there isn’t really a counter-argument you can offer up. If she think it’s wrong”, it will likely be like trying to argue religion or politics with her….you might have some really excellent points, but you probably aren’t going to change her mind.
Have you tried talking to her about why you want it done? Simply asking for permission isn’t the same as trying to explain to her why it’s important to you. You should consider asking her to sit down and have a discussion with you about it…ask her to at least listen to what you have to say, even if it won’t change her mind. If you can present your “side” intelligently and maturely, you might just make some headway.
Can you articulate why it’s important to you? If she asked, would you be able to tell her about the process of a typical septum piercing? Have you picked a studio where you would like to have it done? Does that studio even do septum piercings on someone your age? If so, would you be able to present her with the health and safety protocols that studio uses? Would you be able to tell her how you would care for the piercing? How do you propose to pay for the piercing?
If you don’t have well-formulated answers to any one of those questions, I think you are probably ill-prepared to have any type of serious discussion with your mom about having this piercing done.
You may think age shouldn’t be an issue (and maybe you’re right), but the reality of the matter is, age is an issue. It’s likely an issue for your mom. Depending upon where you live, it might be a legal issue. In addition, chances are good it’s going to be an issue for most (if not all) of the studios in your area…not a lot of piercers who would be able to offer you a safe, professional experience are going to be willing to do septum piercings on a 13 year old.
Best of luck.
+21 / 21 votes
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Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | 7 Comments
Tuesday May 20th, 2008 @ 4:16 AM
I have recently (two days ago) pierced my inner labia. Just a simple question, some say its best to leave them be, since urine acts as a sterilizer, while others say salt water soaks or water and soap soaks are best. I’d like to really know from BME. If you could tell me actually how to clean it, that’d be great. Thanks.
Some slight inaccuracies with this, mainly that: “[i]Urine acts as a sterilizer.[/i]” For those reading this urine is not a liquid that sterilizes, urine when it freshly exits out of your own body it is sterile to yourself. So don’t anybody go peeing on people or storing urine in jars ok?
Urine is sterile to your own body and essentially when urinating it can sometimes help flush the wounds out. Sometimes because there are certain genital piercings where urine just ain’t going to get at, without doing some really weird body positioning haha!
My personal and professional opinion is to use a combination of all 3. Urine because you DO have to go to the bathroom, don’t hold it in. Salt Water/Saline Soaks (mixed properly or buy Sterile 0.9% Sodium Chloride Wound Wash) roughly 1-2 a day depending on your lifestyle. Followed up of course with a proper body hygiene protocol of showering your body like you normally would with a very mild sensitive soap free cleanser, use fresh clean towels every time and wear clean clothes as well as change your bedsheets through-out the week.
So long as you maintain a proper body hygiene protocol, drink plenty of water, eat right and get a good night sleep your piercings should heal pretty close to problem free. However not everyone is able to live that kind of lifestyle perfectly, so the occasional Salt Water/Saline Soaks 1-2 a day will aid in flushing the wound out as well as promoting skin cell regeneration.
+1 / 3 votes
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Posted by Warren Hiller | Permalink | 6 Comments
Tuesday May 20th, 2008 @ 3:45 AM
Filed under: Nipple
Hey! I am thinking about getting a nipple piercing. The thing is, I’m a girl with rather small, very shy nipples. They aren’t inverted- but very small when they aren’t hard. (If you put your hand over my boob, you can hardly tell the nipple from the rest of my boob, you know? Anyway..) With that in mind, is 16ga too small for a nipple piercing? I think 14ga (and definitely 12ga) would look strange on me. And also, I read somewhere that some people still get a type of discharge several years after piercing. Is that often the case? Is so, that would definitely sway me away from the piercing as I like piercings that are problem-free after healing. Thanks a lot.
I would most definitely say that 16ga is too small to do on any nipple. Also know what you find to be small and very shy nipples, may not always be the case. After all how many males out there have very small nipples yet were capable of obtaining a piercing? Quite a few
A experienced reputable piercer will be able to analyze the nipple size and shape and take proper measurements to make sure the right sized jewelry is used. It should be anywhere from 14ga or larger but I’ve even done nipples with 8mm (5/16) length barbell.
I would most definitely suggest a barbell to be used as well as make sure its Implant Grade Internally Threaded in jewelry style…If done correctly the piercings will heal perfectly and the inverted shape of your nipples can be corrected.
As per the discharge there can potentially be discharge every so often, everyone’s different. The only way to find out if you’ll be the one with more discharge than you’d like, is to get them done and see what happens. Discharge is often a result of skin cells and body oil and other things expelling from the actual pierced pathway. Some people produce these things more than others.
+6 / 6 votes
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Posted by Warren Hiller | Permalink | 12 Comments
