sore tongue

Wednesday June 10th, 2009 @ 7:09 PM

Filed under: Tongue

the front half of my tongue feels sore with a sting to it … I would almost describe it as like i have eaten too many salt and vinegar chips. This only happened the day after my tongue was pierced … is it possible to get thrush from this?

I had my tongue pierced 5 days ago too.

Getting thrush after a tongue piercing can certainly happen. It’s common when mouthwashes are the suggested aftercare or from over rinsing.

The first week or so after a tongue piercing can be pretty brutal. People experience pain from the tip of the tongue to the back, the underside and even in the jaw and neck. This could be your problem also/instead.

Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | 3 Comments

Noticeable Bruising with a VCH?

Wednesday June 10th, 2009 @ 7:06 PM

Filed under: Female Genital

I had my VCH piercing done about 4 days ago. I was expecting a little sore/tenderness in the area, and this hasn’t been troublesome - but I have noticed some bruising/discoloration 2 days ago, just on the area where the barbell sits underneath the skin- and haven’t read too many experiences regarding this. I’ve been following the aftercare diligently and don’t think it’s infected in any way.

So I was wondering if this is “normal” or is it a sign that I sould return to my piercer?

Also, generally how long will this (bruising) last?

Bruising is very common with new vertical hood piercings. Some people experience none, some a little bit of localized bruising, some can bruise really impressively.
Often with more extensive bruising there can be a bit more swelling and soreness around the area. Like any bruise, depending on the severity, it should go away in a week or so.

Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | Comments

Bridge Retainer

Wednesday June 10th, 2009 @ 2:47 PM

Filed under: Eyebrow/Bridge

hey guys,

i’m wanting to get my bridge pierced next but I cant seem to find any retainers for it that will hide it completely

because i work on checkouts in a shop so it will be easy to notice for other people.

i have these for my lips & monroe & you can barely see them at all;

http://www.bodyjewelleryshop.com/online_store/bioplast_push_fit_labret_retainer_clear_11290437.cfm

does anyone have any links or things of retainers to hide bridge piercings then?

I was thinking about a O-ring but i heard in light they look a bit dark and I cant even wear a clear ball on my lip its that noticeable lol.

thank you VERY much!

(oh and im from UK so USA links wouldn’t help much)

(UK)

I have never seen a retainer made specifically for bridge piercings. You could use a glass eyebrow retainer with a clear o-ring, but if that is not discrete enough for you, you may be better off hiding it. If you buy a pair of “fashion” (or prescription if you need them) glasses with thick frames and take them in when you get pierced your piercer can place the piercing so it is hidden by the glasses frames. This also means that when you are not working you can show off your fancy new bridge without having to constantly swap jewelry (and thereby irritate the new piercing).

Posted by Sean Philips | Permalink | 1 Comment

Subdermal Storage

Wednesday June 10th, 2009 @ 2:29 PM

Filed under: Implants

This modification is kind of out there; I’ve never even heard of anyone trying it before.

I want to implant a container under my skin that can be opened. Assuming it is possible, how much storage space do you think could be done? Matchbook? Hide-a-Key sized? Somehow the skin would have to be kept apart so I could open the container. Should I be reconsidering this?

I had a similar idea years ago. I wanted to make a knife sheath out of implant grade teflon, similar to the one’s that are common and made of kydex. The sheath would be implanted in my inner forerm It would have been a cross between transdermal and subdermal. I ran this idea by Steve Haworth, back when he was still pretty much the only reputable person for implants of any sort. He tossed the dea around a bit but ended up deciding it was unfeasible, at leat at that time. In my experience with transdermals, both in having six and in removing dozens if not hundreds on other people, I definitely do not think what you want is feasable with current techniques. That’s not to say it is impossible, but for the time being at least, I consider it highly improbable. However, I am hopeful, that this kind of procedure can and will be perfected at some point.

Posted by Sean Philips | Permalink | 1 Comment

Foreskin mods

Thursday June 4th, 2009 @ 3:13 PM

Filed under: Male Genital

Is it possible to deral punch a foreskin say at a 2g or larger?

Possible? Yes. Good idea? Not so much.

As a general rule of thumb, punches aren’t recommended for soft tissue. Why remove tissue when it is not necessary, especially if that tissue if of the sensitive nature? A 4 ga needle followed by a 2 ga taper would be a far better idea. Whether your foreskin could support such a piercing is anatomically dependent though, so consult with a piercer experienced in male genital piercings, especially foreskin piercings which are fairly rare (in the US at least).

Posted by Sean Philips | Permalink | 1 Comment

Messed Up Industrials

Thursday June 4th, 2009 @ 3:02 PM

Filed under: Ear

I got an industrial piercing in each of my ears over 2 monthes ago, but they still don’t seam healed. i followed the piercers instructions and washed them every day with anti-bacterial soap, and bactine. and did this for about the first month or so. when i realized they werent making any progress in healing, i decided to cut back on the cleaning. They have had big lumps on the entry and exit holes of all 4 holes for pretty much this whole time. these aren’t quite as bad on the left ear, but are very noticable on the right. i’m not sure why they aren’t healing. they don’t really hurt unless pressure is applied. but they still get extremely crusty, and one hole is very scabby. im not sure if they’re keloids or hypertrophic scarring or what they are. is there anything i can do to help get rid of this unsightly lumps? or am i doomed to ugly industrials?

(P.S. my girlfriend got an oribital in each ear less than a month ago and they never once swelled up or got weird lumps or anything!)

If you have read much on BME you would realize hardly any reputable piercers recommend soap and none of them recommend bactine. So the first thing to do is cutting out all that nonsense and using the gentler Sea Salt Soak approach (easily searched). Chances are this piercer also used crummy jewelry and more than likely didn’t quite get the angles right either. In all likelihood, these piercings are probably lost causes, but if you want to try and salvage them, immediately switch aftercare routines and seek out a more educated piercer to check them out in person.

Posted by Sean Philips | Permalink | Comments

Dermal anchor

Thursday June 4th, 2009 @ 2:57 PM

Filed under: Implants

How do you get dermal anchors to unscrew, I can’t get either of mine out. Could that mean something is wrong?

Lots of time this is a result of your bodies secretions getting into the threading and “cementing” it. If this is the case a warm water soak can often break it down enough so that it can be removed. If this doesn’t work, it could be cross threaded or just really tight. In either case I recommend seeing a piercer experienced in microdermals. If you are too rough with it you can easily break through the tissue anchoring it in place and/or enlarge the pocket it rest in (which could lead to abscessing).

Posted by Sean Philips | Permalink | Comments

white tattoo

Tuesday June 2nd, 2009 @ 3:40 PM

Filed under: Tattoos

I’m planning on getting a white tattoo of a ship anchor. The design is simple and about and inch by two inches. I am very pale and will have the tattoo in an area that doesn’t see the sun.

What problems may I encounter with a white tattoo? What should I ask of the tattoo artist? In addition, does anyone know a good tattoo artist in San Antonio who works with white ink?

Thank you

White Pigment (generally titanium oxide) is usually thinner than other tattoo pigments, which increases the chances of your artist overworking the skin. Worst case scenario, scarring.

There’s also an increased chance of ‘holidays’ (missed spots in the tattoo) since the swelling and redness make it harder for the artist to get the pigment in, particularly when they’re trying not to overwork the skin.

Let’s say they get it in all spiffy- over time, there’s a fair chance that the pigment will take on a yellowish hue (think the meat of a banana) so if you’re getting a white tattoo so it’ll be semi-hidden, keep that in mind.

I only recommend tattooists I have personal experience with, so I have no one to recommend in San Antonio.

Posted by Shawn Porter | Permalink | Comments

my not so cute navel issues.

Monday June 1st, 2009 @ 6:30 PM

Filed under: Navel

Hi,

I’ve had a my navel pierced for over 16 weeks, and the darn thing just won’t heal.

About two weeks ago it looked really good, I honestly thought it might finally be healing. Then bam! A nasty puss blister formed on the top hole. Within a week that blister grew, shrank,grew again, bleed, shrank, and now looks like a bloody scab and its still bleeding.

What is going on with my top hole? I honestly dont think its rejecting, that placement is still the same, and there is no skin thinning. There isnt much pain. The bottom hole is perfect, I have never had a problem and it looks like its completely healed.

Just top hole.. I clean it daily, do sea salt soaks.. ugh. Help?!

Thanks!

It could possibly be that the jewellery is a little too tight for a fresh piercing. There should be a little room between the balls and the piercing otherwise it can’t drain and the discharge will become trapped, resulting in the formation of a what resembles a boil. It’s hard to say without seeing but that would be my first guess. Alternatively, it is not uncommon for the skin around the ball to ulcerate if shower/bath products with added moisturiser are used, as these soften the delicate tissue to the point that friction between the jewellery and the skin causes irritation. And of course, there is also your aftercare regime to consider. It’s worth noting that you cannot expect a navel piercing to be healed at four months. They usually take between eight and twelve months (sometimes longer) to fully heal.

Posted by Tiff Badhairdo | Permalink | 2 Comments