Tuesday August 11th, 2009 @ 7:32 PM
Hello there, I am a fairly new piercer, been piercing (post year long apprenticeship) for about 1 1/2 years. I have done plenty of small scale surface piercings like the horizontal eyebrow, the “sideburns” (surface in front of tragus), anti-eyrbows, etc with great success and now I would like to move on to larger scale surface piercings. My thing is, it seems like most spots don’t really heal well at all, and most of the rest have a fairly high rejection rate, although some piercers seem to, or at least claim to have high healing rates on the surface piercings they do. On the other hand it seems as though microdermals have advanced quite a bit and heal pretty well, as well as being more easily removed now and even having microdermals with no holes, i assume to be removed easily.
My question is basically, do you think it is worth it to get into surface piercings? Do you believe microdermals are a better alternative to the surface piercing? If not, what are the best and worst spots as far as healing for surface piercings?
Okay, the way I see things, there are three main factors that influence the viability of surface work - placement, technique and jewellery. There are other factors too, such as lifestyle, general health etc. With placement, areas with the least amount of movement stand a better chance of healing. You should also consider a persons clothing (is it likely to rub?), how they sleep (think of this one in relation to breasts and cleavage piercings), occupation, hobbies - anything that might knock, catch or move the piercing. Technique-wise, we all have our ways. I prefer the punch and taper method (I prefer punches for microdermals too). Do some research. Read experiences. See how other artists do things. Compare the results, practice on friends and find whichever suits you best. Jewellery plays a crucial part, too. The trick is to have the post exiting with a 90 degree angle between the post and the skin, that way there is no undue pressure on the wound edges from the jewellery. This means that curved barbells are unsuitable for nearly all types of surface work. I am also not a fan of PTFE for the same reason. I really, really dig Anatometals flat-bottomed surface bars. They seem less intrusive, sit nicely and are finished wonderfully.
So that’s my take on it. I think that both microdermals and surface bars both have a place in the wonderful world of surface work. As to whether it’s worth getting into surface piercings? Well, I certainly think so.
+9 / 11 votes 
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Posted by Tiff Badhairdo | Permalink | 1 Comment
Monday August 10th, 2009 @ 7:10 PM
Filed under: Nipple
ok so i kinda feel stupid asking this but i need an answer. ok so i went to change my jewlery, i still have the original ring in, i think its a captive bead ring but i could be wrong on the terminology. ok so i went to change it but the ball just keeps spinning, like its stripped or something. So my question to you is am i just doing something wrong? what do i do now?
A “Captive Bead” ring means that the bead is not threaded into the hoop. It’s just pinched between the gap with pressure. There is a dent on either side of the ball - it just needs to be pushed out.
+13 / 13 votes 
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Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | Comments
Monday August 10th, 2009 @ 7:06 PM
Filed under: Ear
I was cooking they other day, when I thought of this random idea. I’m just wondering if this would work/be a plausible thing to do.
If I made a sea-salt soak and then put it on the stove to boil, and then let the steam hit my ear, would this have any positive effect?
Absolutely! I was talking with another piercer about his ear cartilage aftercare suggestions and he told me he has his clients “steam” their cartilage piercings and that he finds great success with it.
It makes sense as any physical trauma to cartilage can irritate the piercing and cause hypertrophic scar tissue and uncomfortable swelling.
A good steaming would help promote circulation to the ear and to the piercing and aid in the healing.
…careful not to scald yourself, of course.
+16 / 16 votes
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Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | 4 Comments
Monday August 10th, 2009 @ 7:03 PM
I got my monroe pierced last Thursday. I know the swelling and redness and pain are normal, but today, I noticed that the actual ball on my stud was sinking into my lip. I can pop it out, but it quickly sinks back into the nice little hole it has made. It’s in there so far that when I run my hand across it, the ball is flush against my lip. Is the bar too short for my swollen lip? I’m planning on calling my piercer tomorrow and getting his advice, but until then, I am uncomfortable to the point where I can’t sleep. I’ve been icing it and cleaning it frequently, all of which provide immediate but brief comfort.
Sounds like the jewelry is definitely too short.
While we do pierce with longer jewelry in most oral piercings, it’s impossible to know exactly how much a client will swell up.
See your piercer and they should be able to fit you with a longer post until the swelling comes back down.
In the meantime, remember to keep yourself well hydrated as that will help decrease the swelling a bit.
+5 / 11 votes
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Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | Comments
Monday August 10th, 2009 @ 6:59 PM
I got my eyebrow pierced about a week ago and it seems to be healing great, i haven’t been getting crusties and it hasn’t been sore at all. My only concern is that there’s a light blue bruise underneath my eyebrow. Is that normal?
Yep! Pretty normal!
+6 / 6 votes
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Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | 1 Comment
Monday August 10th, 2009 @ 6:54 PM
Filed under: Ear
Please talk my friend out of taking her 4 year old child to the mall to get her ears pierced. PLEASE!
Piercings guns are grossly outdated and inappropriate for body piercing of any sort. They cause a significant amount of trauma to the tissue as the “gun” just fires a blunt piece of jewelry through the tissue. The jewelry is rarely of implant grade materials (meant to be in the body for long periods of time) and don’t allow for inflammation of any sort on the majority of people. (think “One Size Fits All”)
Besides all that, most piercing guns cannot be sterilized at all. Though the jewelry is usually pre-sterilized, the staff handing the equipment are usually not trained at all in any cross contamination prevention and aseptic techniques. The risk of exposure to disease and infection is enormous.
Having a piercing done with a reuseable piercing gun is a great way to scar oneself pretty badly and put oneself at risk of contracting disease. Don’t to do it.
+35 / 35 votes
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Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | Comments
Monday August 10th, 2009 @ 6:50 PM
I’ve had my VCH pierced for going on 4 years this May. A couple days ago, my clit and hood area around the piercing became a little itchy, red and inflamed. It began producing a white gunk that doesn’t smell foul. Should I just begin sea salt soaks and let this clear up on its own? COuld it be irritation from the jewelry, as I”m still using the same piece of jewelry that it was pierced with 4 years ago? Is my problem as simple a solution of changing the barbell?
Thanks!
It could be that the jewelry you’re wearing is slowly corroding in your piercing and causing the irritation. There’s a good chance that the jewelry has something stuck to it and needs to be removed for a good cleaning and irrigation of the piercing itself.
I would switch the jewelry out to an implant grade material like ASTM F138 stainless steel or ASTM F136 Titanium if you’re not wearing it already.
+8 / 8 votes
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Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | Comments
Monday August 10th, 2009 @ 6:44 PM
Filed under: Tongue
How can i check my tongue to see if it is piercable? I know there are some people who cant get their pierced… Im just wondering what makes it so you are unable to get your tongue pierced? I realize tht i should go to a piercer and have them look at it but there arent many around here, and the ones i do know of i dont necessarily trust! so if you could please explain i would appreciate it! Thanks!!
A skilled piercer will be able to determine if your tongue can be pierced by looking at it and possibly needing to physically examine it for large blood vessels, etc.
Some things we take into consideration is the general care the client appears to take of their oral hygeine. If your teeth are rotting out of your skull, chances are, healing a tongue piercing isn’t something you’ll be able to accomplish safely.
Secondly, a tongue needs to be long enough to accomodate the barbell without compromising the teeth and gums in the placement.
Thirdly, instances of the tongue frenulum being too pronounced can be problematic. In many cases, the piercing can be placed just to the side of the webbing without any problem, but this can give the piercing a “crooked” appearance while the barbell is still long to accommodate the initial swelling.
Pronounced blood vessels can be of some concern. If they’re pierced, severe bleeding and bruising can be experienced and cause a more painful healing. In rare cases, serious blood loss can happen.
+6 / 6 votes
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Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | Comments
Monday August 10th, 2009 @ 5:15 PM
Dear BME,
I’m planning on getting a VCH soon. But I think I also might get laser hair removal eventually. Will the piercing get in the way? Will I have to take it out for the procedure with the risk of it closing up?
The laser used in hair and vein removal cannot be used around tattoos or body jewelry as it will “jump” towards it, in my experience.
You’ll likely have to remove your VCH jewelry before the procedure. Some techs will allow the jewelry to be covered with a cloth instead, but be prepared to remove it. Consider a glass retainer during treatments so the piercing doesn’t close up.
+7 / 7 votes
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Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | 1 Comment
Monday August 10th, 2009 @ 5:11 PM
How long after getting a Prince Albert is it safe to masturbate?
The longer you can wait it out, the better…
That said, if you must, just be mindful of the piercing. Obviously tugging at the jewelry in a fresh wound is something you’d want to avoid doing until the piercing is healed. If you can rub one out without snagging the jewelry, have at ‘er! If it hurts, stop doing it.
Avoid using lubricants that can get into the piercing and irritate it and it’s probably not a good idea to get any saliva around the piercing either.
Give it a good rinse out with warm water when you’re…erm…finished.
+8 / 8 votes
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Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | 1 Comment
