Wednesday September 10th, 2008 @ 7:59 AM
Hey.
Today I got my hips pierced, at a local, reputable piercing studio. I have previously had surface piercings under the colar bones, which stayed in from late january to early july, when I decided to remove them, as they had become red and inflamed, and I felt that at least one of the piercings was likely to reject completely. I felt the piercings had never healed completely and so continued to clean them daily all the time I had them in.
I spoke to the piercer and the shop attendant about this and explained I had been cleaning my piercings 2/3 (after they became red) times a day using salt water and tea tree oil as the shop directed me to. They suggested that possibly cleaning the piercing too much could cause unnesseccary movement and suggested soaking it twice a day in salt water and otherwise leaving it alone. I haven’t heard advice similar to this before and it is a bit different to the advice given in the aftercare booklet they give out with all piercing.
Also, when I got both my colar bone and hip piercings getting the right side one hurt considerably more than the left. Both times this was done second. I was wondering if this is common, mostly out of curiosity.
I would appriciate any help about the piercing aftercare as I hear conflicting advice, both on the internet and from real life friends with piercings. Thanks =]
Twice-daily seasalt soaks and leaving well alone is the standard aftercare advice I offer as do many of my colleagues.
It is perfectly normal for one side to hurt more than the other and more times than not it is second of the two. I have my own theory on this but as I can’t scientifically back it up I’m keeping well schtum!
+9 / 9 votes 
Loading ...
Posted by Tiff Badhairdo | Permalink | 9 Comments
Thursday September 4th, 2008 @ 9:56 PM
Hi there! I had a surface bar on top of my left clavicle (horizontally) for approximately 8 months. It was 14ga, 1″ long, internally threaded titanium. It was done by an experienced piercer and given lots of tender loving care and sea salt soaks, but it just never fully healed and so I removed it about a year and a half ago with intentions of getting it redone with microdermals, which seemed like a more permanent option for the piercing. Recently, I became sick and hospitalized with what turned out to be viral meningitis. I needed a lumbar puncture and a precautionary CAT scan to check for tumors that might be causing the symptoms before the lumbar puncture was performed. They gave me a cup to remove all my jewelry and body jewelry and thinking back if I had gotten the microdermals I would have needed them to be removed with a scalpel. What if I were unconscious and couldn’t inform them of my microdermals, or what if they needed to use defibrillators on me? I don’t know if this would pose any problems in these scenarios. Maybe the types of metal anchor jewelry is made of are neutral in these situations, but the reason I ask this is because I saw a girl on Modblog who had a medical bracelet with information about the locations of her microdermals. Is this a precaution everyone with microdermals should take? Thank you for any insight you an provide and for serving as a tremendous resource for modified people!
All the microdermals I’ve seen are made of titanium. There is a lot of anecdotal, and maybe even clinical, evidence that suggest titanium should be fine in MRI’s. However, very few technicians will let you have an MRI if they knew you have something like a microdermal that isn’t medically-necessary. In the case of CAT scan or X-ray, the microdermal won’t cause any problems, other than possibly being in the way on the X-ray.
Here’s where I think microdermals could pose a problem in a medical emergency: Imagine a nurse or doctor or surgeon can’t figure out what the hell you have in your body and/or how it comes out…and therefore your treatment somehow gets delayed, and that delay causes your condition to worsen. Or causes you to die. Far fetched? Perhaps. And I certainly hope so. But I think those are the sorts of things that we have yet to really find out, because microdermals are still really new.
But, maybe that’s one “good” thing about every freakin’ piercer on the planet “getting their microdermal on”…there are so many of them out there, the problems that are bound to occur should show up a lot faster than if they weren’t that common. Heh.
+11 / 13 votes 
Loading ...
Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | 5 Comments
Wednesday September 3rd, 2008 @ 7:47 AM
I am a body piercer in VA, and I recently ordered the micro dermal anchors and I was wondering if anyone out there had any advice to give me about the proper way to make the insicion and the placement. Basically just any advice out there anyone can give me! Or maybe a website that shows all the proper steps.
Thanks,
Kate
Just curious Kate….Why did you order jewelry for a procedure you have no comprehension on how to go about doing? You should NEVER just go ahead and purchase jewelry for a piercing procedure, before understanding how the procedure is done.
You’re going the route of: C - A - B in sequence of events, not: A - B - C.
I will not, and I assume nor will any other AskBME staff member, give you a run down step by step play on how to insert microdermals, for public viewing online. That is realistically quite a huge “sticky mess” as we would then be endorsing certain techniques over others, as well as potentially exposing techniques/methods of insertion onto the general public. Which could lead to very dangerous complications.
Kate your BEST bet is to locate a fellow piercer who is experienced in this procedure, and is willing to perhaps show you how it’s done. Sometimes this is hard though because some piercers are not wanting to let their “competition” get a leg up, where as other piercers (such as myself) would rather us all be up to date on the same knowledge base and understanding of how procedure are to be done. But that unfortunately just displays the immense contrast that is currently involved with piercers.
Another option is to look into any potential “seminars” that are being offered and take those “seminars”. That way you can get some concept of how things are done, before you jump the gun again and purchase jewelry before knowing how to put them in.
You know…You could also join the IAM Community of BMEZine, get yourself set up as a Verified Professional, join the VARIETY of professional forums that in the IAM Community…and presto chances are you’ll be able to get some help on that front easily…I’d suggest looking into the IAM Learning Forum, as its my favourite…But of course I’m biased since I started the forum ages ago, and just recently passed it over to someone else 
+38 / 48 votes
Loading ...
Posted by Warren Hiller | Permalink | 18 Comments
Friday August 29th, 2008 @ 12:50 PM
Okay I know the photo has bad quality and all but I took it with my phone. Well I got both my hips pierced about 2 weeks ago and I’m scared that they are starting to reject. They are really sore and hurt to touch. I’m really careful and I’ve only bumped them once. And I nearly cried from the pain. Friends and family are scared that they are infected and I’m just worried about not being able to keep them. Are my hip piercings going to reject or is this just the healing process? I have flexible bars in my hip piercings and I think they are nylon however I have no idea.
Can someone help me because I am worried about it all and this is my first experience with surface piercings.
Unfortunately, those are almost certainly destined to reject. Improper shaped jewelery and inappropriate materials in a high movement, high impact area like that will ensure those piercings don’t look great for ever.
If you’re concerned you have an infection, have your doctor take a look at them and get some antibiotics before you remove the jewelry. And you will have to remove the jewelry and try the piercings again.
Find a more experienced piercer and maybe consider Surface Anchors or at least an implant grade steel or titanium surface barbell.
+19 / 19 votes
Loading ...
Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | Comments
Monday August 18th, 2008 @ 10:02 PM
what is the best way to remove an unwanted microdermal that has completely healed? also what is your suggested aftercare following removal?
The absolute best way to remove one would be to go to the person who did it and ask them to remove it. The second best way to remove one would be to go to a reputable studio- one that does microdermals, and ask them to remove it. (if they do it for free, make sure to tip them)
+6 / 12 votes
Loading ...
Posted by Shawn Porter | Permalink | 7 Comments
Thursday August 14th, 2008 @ 12:44 AM
Hi there,
Ive got an appointment in 3 days to get microdermals in my nape and Ive come down with a pretty bad cold.
Ive been taking multi vitamins for 2 weeks now (in preparation for the piercing) an have loaded up on cold and flu tablets to fight the cold and it seems to be going ok.
My question is, should i postpone my appointment until after my cold is gone?
or will it be ok to go ahead with??
cheeeeeeers!!
Wow! Good for you for taking extra precautions in actually planning to have this procedure done!
You’re right to assume that while your body is under stress as a result of your illness your immune system may take a toll after having a dermal anchor done.
If you have the option (and patience!) to ride out your cold and postpone your appointment, that would definitely be your best route to take.
That said, many people don’t have the same patience you do and will opt to have the piercing done anyway and will likely be fine after the fact.
Ensuring your body is in prime physical and mental condition will always make for a better piercing procedure and healing experience.
+9 / 9 votes
Loading ...
Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | Comments
Wednesday August 6th, 2008 @ 8:28 PM
I recently walked into a peircing shop to look at some new surface bars for my hip piercings and their artist asked me where I got my piercings done at because they weren’t right. He told me I should have had an implant done like the ones used for sternum piercings. I was wondering if I should be worried and take them out or if they are okay? This was the second time I have had them done and the shops I called mentioned only surface bars and anchors.Do I need to get them re done?
How do they look? How do they feel? If the answer is “Just Fine!” then I can’t see any reason as to why you would have to worry and have them redone.
Plenty of people have sucessfully healed hip-area surface barbells. I personally prefer to do them with anchors as it’s just more practical in that high-impact, high-movement area. That said, there is a higher instance of rejection with surface barbells.
I’d say keep an eye on the piercings and at the first sign of irritation, re-evaluate the way you feel about how they look.
+10 / 10 votes
Loading ...
Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | 6 Comments
Saturday August 2nd, 2008 @ 10:46 AM
I’ve had both of my clavicals surface pierced for about 3 months now. They’ve been doing fairly well all-in-all, but due to some recent unavoidable trauma, are very irratated.
With previous experience, I’ve found that my piercings react badly to being cleaned with sea salt solution [mixed as 1/4 tsp sea salt: 1 cup water].
My question is, what other methods or mixes can I use for my piercings to ensure their speedy recovery?
thanks in advance.
Maybe it’s how you’re cleaning your piercings with saline that’s giving them irritation problems.
Alternatively, you could try not doing anything with them and just giving them a hot water rinse in the shower (not soaking in dirty standing water like the bath or in a cup, etc) to loosen off any crusties.
The thing with surface piercings is that they’re a lot to heal. They run a longer length under the skin than most other piercings and therefore have difficulty draining. Using heat in an aftercare regime (both wet or dry) will help increase the circulation to the area as well as encourage that trapped fluid to come out.
+7 / 9 votes
Loading ...
Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | Comments
Friday August 1st, 2008 @ 9:13 PM
i Am Planning on getting A Temple Piercing. I would Like To Know The Procedure, Jewellery And AfterCare 
Also How Painful Is The Piercing In Comparison To Navel And Snakebites?
Procedure/Techniques: It will vary from piercer to piercer.
Jewelry: Implant Grade Internally Threaded Surface Barbell
Aftercare: Aftercare Techniques will vary however if you do a search on Aftercare here on AskBME I’m sure you’ll find what you’re looking for.
Pain compared to Navel and *shudders* Snakebites (ps: I hate that word): Pain will very from each individuals own perception of what is painful.
+4 / 8 votes
Loading ...
Posted by Warren Hiller | Permalink | 4 Comments
Thursday July 31st, 2008 @ 1:56 AM
I’m interested in getting a sternum surface piercing. I had an appointment with a piercer at a local studio a few months ago. I had called ahead of time and asked questions about their technique and jewelry and was told that they use surface bars and a standard needling procedure (since dermal punches are illegal for piercers in MO). Once the piercer started showing me the needles in the packages and such, he explained that he would be bending a straight barbell into shape for the piercing. This set off alarms in my head.
It’s been a while, so I don’t remember for sure, but he bent it right in front of me so I’m guessing he had to have used some sort of pliars. (Creating small scratches in the bar.) I didn’t really think about the pliers at the time, but when I looked at the jewelry, the bends looked very round, and the rise didn’t seem very long for initial jewelry. I can’t think of a better way to explain it, but they just didn’t look like sharp 90 degree bends like pre-made (machine-bent?) surface bars. This is what concerned me the most. I just didn’t feel right about that jewelry, so I opted out and decided to wait.
My question is… Is it common for piercers to hand-bend straight barbells into surface bars? Also, I’m thinking about ordering my own implant-grade internally threaded surface bar, (possibly the new flat kind, rather than round), and bringing that to the studio to be autoclaved and pierced with. If I decide to do this, I will definitely speak with the piercer first to make sure this would be alright with him, but I was just wondering if anyone on here had any thoughts on the matter. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help or offer suggestions.
Is it common for piercers to hand bend straight barbells into surface bars?
Simplistically answered: No, No and No.
No its not common…No it should NOT be done. And NO you should not buy jewelry and bring it to them.
It’s obvious with what you stated that the piercer doesn’t fully grasp the concept of surface piercings and how they should properly be done. So if they cannot grasp that concept, why buy proper jewelry to bring to them and put it in? Why not FIND a qualified/experienced piercer who knows what they’re doing and will use the proper jewelry to begin with?
Because why give these people your business when they don’t care enough to do the proper research and educational training/understanding to fully comprehend these types of things?
Each time a client gives in and goes to places like this, you’re actually helping the “negative” portion of the industry stay alive and actually THRIVE. Yet those of us who put the effort in and do things the best we possibly can,etc. Have to struggle and dealing daily with these types “botched” work.
Go to a professional that knows what they’re doing…Get it done 100% properly…
+17 / 23 votes
Loading ...
Posted by Warren Hiller | Permalink | 1 Comment
