Sunday June 8th, 2008 @ 5:23 AM
I’ve had my conch pierced for about 5 weeks now. Everything was great for the first few weeks, until the day I accidentally hit it once, then a few days later a friend of mine gave it a good knock.
I’ve noticed that there’s a little bit of tissue around the entrance hole, but there’s still never been any pain or discomfort. Do you think a jewelry change when it’s 6-8 weeks old would help?
Personally I’d much rather use a Labret Stud or Barbell for jewelry when doing a Conch Piercing, I find them to be less problematic then CBR’s.
What I’d suggest doing first though before changing jewelry is to do hot salt water compresses or even chamomile tea bag compresses to try and help sooth the area. If the problems persist after about a week or so, I’d then suggest switching over to a pre-sterilized implant grade steel (or titanium) internally threaded labret stud or barbell.
But first try the hot salt water (or chamomile tea) compresses.
0 / 2 votes 
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Posted by Warren Hiller | Permalink | 4 Comments
Wednesday June 4th, 2008 @ 8:20 AM
i really love the idea of having a sternum piercing but im completely confused about what method to opt for. through BME iv found that microdermals,dermal anchors and surface bars using the punch + taper method can all be used.
any advice on which method would have the highest success rate with minimal scarring if it does reject would REALLY be appreciated. im sorry if im asking something that a million people already have im just still confused and want to get it right!
also, do you have any contacts or know of any experienced piercers in Sheffield (South Yorkshire, UK). Ive always gone to Van Schaicks previously and I know that they offer heavy mods like tongue splitting, branding, transplants etc so i was just wondering if you’d heard of them.
Thanks a lot (sorry that was kinda long!)
niki x
The best thing to do is to go visit a piercing practitioner and have a consultation to discuss your options. I am an advocate of using dermal punches for surface work in general. As you are in the UK I would advise going down the microdermal route as there are very few of us this side of the Pond using internally-threaded flat disc surface bars, which in my opinion are far superior to externally-threaded surface bars with balls, so unless you are prepared to travel I suggest you find someone who has a proven record with microdermals.
By the way, I am resisting the urge to add a comment about transplants!!
+2 / 4 votes 
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Posted by Tiff Badhairdo | Permalink | 3 Comments
Wednesday June 4th, 2008 @ 8:04 AM
I got my hips pierced a few days ago, and the piercer who done it inserted curved barbells for jewellery and told me to come back in a week or so to get surface bars put in if i liked.
I know it’s normal to be a bit red and whatnot afterwards, but I’m really paranoid about them rejecting as I cannot afford to have them repierced or have microdermals instead.
My lack of funds is why I opted for surface piercings instead of the microdermals and I’d like them to last as long as possible.
I was wondering if I could get the jewellery changed to to the surface bars sooner than she recommended or if this would pose problems with healing?
They’re also a bit bruised and tender still, but I’m not sure if that’s normal, if there is such a thing. I attached a picture so you could see the bruising and the redness around the holes. I can also feel the bar really prominently underneath the skin but I don’t know if that means they’re too shallow? I’ve seen many rejecting piercings and they look somewhat similar and I’m starting to worry.
I fail to see the logic in why your piercer decided to initially fit curved barbells and not surface bars. Switching out the jewellery will only serve to irritate the piercing. Why the unecessary trauma when they could have so easily been pierced with surface bars from the get-go and allowed to heal undisturbed?
Piercing can be a false economy - more times than not, allowing finances to dictate when, what and how you get pierced often leads to the loss of that piercing and subsequently having it re-done at a later date by someone more experienced and reputable.
I seriously doubt that swapping the jewellery will be of much use now, but you can try. I would suggest removing the jewellery sooner rather than later, saving up and having them pierced at a later date by a practitioner who has a good track record with surface work.
+5 / 7 votes
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Posted by Tiff Badhairdo | Permalink | Comments
Wednesday June 4th, 2008 @ 1:58 AM
im looking into geting my cartilage stretched on my left ear where i already have a 1.6mm stud that ive had for a few years. any tips on the best way to do it as im having trouble finding a guide and the studio’s in my area say the best way is to have a dermal punch which im not too keen on.
thanks,
max.
Depending on the size you’re interested in getting to Max might dictate what is ideal and what is not ideal. As with stretching ear cartilage there is a lot more that can go wrong, then say just stretching an ear lobe.
I’d advise you to check out this previous question: http://ask.bmezine.com/2008/05/27/cartilage/.
Know that if you ARE going to stretch your ear cartilage I strongly advise you to do so slowly, wait YEARS and be very careful…Because with this its not just about causing a tear in the fistula, but more so causing a spider fracture(s) in the cartilage itself.
+4 / 4 votes 
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Posted by Warren Hiller | Permalink | 4 Comments
Friday May 23rd, 2008 @ 10:07 PM
I got a fore-tragus surface piercing about a year ago. It healed perfectly and I’ve had no problems with it. The only problem I have is that I start a job on Tuesday and they have a no visible piercing policy in place. I e-mailed HR, and they said that if it was fairly invisible it wouldn’t be a problem. However, I can’t find anything to screw into it to make it fairly invisible. Are there any places that sell ends to a normal surface bar that would be less visible? Or, alternately, is there any makeup or putty out there that is flesh colored that I could put on after removing the ends of the piercing? It’s hard to see as it is because of my sideburns, but I can’t have the metal visible. Two bumps would probably be acceptable.
Thanks,
Matt
I would be really hesitant to suggest trying to keep it in place without any ends on it. It might work, but it’s also quite possible it will work it’s way out. The other issue is that even if it doesn’t come out, it’s possible for the edges of the bar to slide against the edge of the piercing hold and irritate it…even if it’s well healed.
I obviously don’t know what you are wearing in terms of the brand/company of your surface bar. However, you might be able to get some 3mm (possibly smaller) disks to put on the end of it. These could then possible be covered with make-up such as Derma Blend. There may also be clear, dome-shaped pierces that could screw into your surface bars. Those will likely be less visible than something metal, but they may still not be invisible enough.
+2 / 2 votes
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Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | 1 Comment
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.
+3 / 3 votes
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Posted by Warren Hiller | Permalink | Comments
Saturday May 10th, 2008 @ 8:17 PM
I’ve been researching on wrist surface piercings, and looking for the kind of jewelry I want to use. I’ve opted to get the discs when I actually get the piercing, but I can’t seem to find flat discs that are dark gray/black. Do they exist, and if so where can I find them?
Flat disks are typically going to be an excellent choice for the top of your surface bar.
As for finding them that are gray/black, that could be a bit more challenging. In order for them to be gra or black they will have to be made out of either Niobium are some other coated/plated metal…most commonly titanium.
You are almost guaranteed not to find disks in Niobium. While it is a good metal for captive bead rings, it can be a more difficult metal to machine when it come to dealing with threads…so none of the manufacturing companies I’ve seen deal with it in that capacity. While you can get barbell posts that are niobium, the threaded ends made of niobium just don’t happen.
As for the a coated titanium, it is more likely you will find this. It is typically referred to as Blackline jewelry, or something similar. Most of the companies making or distributing this type of jewelry tend to be European companies. So…the options you have may be more. None of the companies that I am willing to purchase surface bars from to put into my clients make coated titanium jewelry, so unfortunately, I can’t give the name of a specific company to contact.
Best of luck in your search.
+4 / 4 votes
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Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | 7 Comments
Wednesday May 7th, 2008 @ 3:08 PM
Hey, I’ve been thinking of a permanent (ish) corset piercing. Where best to start my research but here?
So basically, is it possible to keep this piercing for a decent amount of time? And what would be my best method for this? Microdermals?
Cheers!
If you would like to permanently heal piercings capable of being strung up as a corset, your best bet is proper surface bars or microdermals over standard cbr’s.
Now we’re getting into microdermals vs. surface bars territory. I’m sure that there’s people out there that have healed them with both methods, but there will be pros and cons to take into consideration on either side.
Pro: Higher likelihood of healing in the long run.
Con: More likely to be less stable with applied tension.
Pro: Likely more stable with applied tension.
Con: Less likelihood of healing in the long run.
These likelihoods will never be fixed or guaranteed 100%, but should be taken into consideration. Every person’s ability to heal and adapt their day-to-day lives to their piercing’s long term endurance will differ.
Best of luck!
+10 / 10 votes
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Posted by Russ Foxx | Permalink | Comments
Tuesday May 6th, 2008 @ 2:30 AM
I recently had four microdermal anchors put in over my clavicles about four weeks ago, since then three have healed up fairly nicely but I’ve noticed that one of them has a bit of swelling under the skin. It’s not pussy and not red but noticeably swelling. I’m wondering if they’re scar tissue in the piercing causing it to swell. the skin itself over and the hole feels a bit tough and thick. Also, I’ve had the skin around all four piercings become flaky and not sure what I should use on them that’s safe for them.
If you could please reply with what form of aftercare protocols you are using, it’d be greatly appreciated. Also if you could please inform us how the procedure was done? Was it done with a needle or was it a biopsy/dermal punch?
Personally, and I know this is the unpopular opinion, but I’m a firm believer in that the whole claim that Microdermals heal within weeks, is completely and utterly false. 4 weeks old is still very fresh and still in the stages of healing. If anything there will be a superficial fistula of newly forming skin cells, but there is nothing I can potentially believe “scar tissue” related that could cause the swelling you’re suggesting.
If there is fluid collecting in the fistula and causing swelling, one suggestion is to do some hot damp saline compresses to try and draw the fluid up and out from the area. As for the flakey skin I’m honestly unable to troubleshoot the issue until the aftercare protocols are stated and some other troubleshooting situations like bandages, soaps/cleansers used,etc.
+3 / 3 votes
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Posted by Warren Hiller | Permalink | 2 Comments
Monday May 5th, 2008 @ 8:59 PM
I haven’t any piercings except ears and a scarred over belly button…So I’m pretty new at this but have in mind what I want when I am able to get it. I was looking at the hip piercings and pocketings and I was wondering three things..How exactly do they do the piercings? What are the chances of them falling out or pulling out? And… I read a story about a girl who got the balls implanted (basically the bar was backwards), what are the chances of that pulling out?
Thanks,
Kyla
You’ve got three questions, so here’s three answers for you…
1.) These piercings can be done a few ways, but the two most common methods are by needle or punch & taper. Different piercers will use different methods, so be sure to check out their portfolio to see what kind of experience they have and what outcomes are achieved.
2.) The likelihood of the jewelry “pulling out” will mainly depend on how you adapt to having your new jewelry in place. One issue that comes to mind with this specific hip placement will be clothing rubbing and putting pressure on your jewelry. I’m sure that healing any jewelry in this location will not be easy, so take this into consideration when choosing the location. If the work is done well and you are very careful through your healing, these could have the potential to heal well and last.
3.) As for your last question, I’m unsure of exactly what the girl you are referring to has had done. It could be implants, it could be staples. If you’d care to elaborate further in the comment forum, we’ll gladly assist you further.
+3 / 3 votes
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Posted by Russ Foxx | Permalink | 3 Comments
