How do I list my tattoo studio on BME?
Thank You,
Leticia
You can list your studio on BME’s studio directory at http://411.bmezine.com/studios/add. BME411 is aimed to be the largest online resource for studios in the body modification industry. This directory also allows visitors to rate the studios listed in a 1-5 star rating system.
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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.
Loading ...Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | 5 Comments
Is it possible to have an apadravya piercing that doesn’t go through the urethra? I know that having it go through the urethra anchors it, but I’m kinda concerned by the possibility of having leaks while urinating.
Yes, it is possible…although not all that common as it will typically result in an off-center piercing, which most people aren’t into from an aesthetic point of view.
While leaking is a possibility with an apadravya, it’s much less likely than with a PA piercing.
If you do have leaking, it is usually easy to simply press the bottom ball of the barbell up against the bottom hole to eliminate the leaking. You might get a little pee on your fingers, but hey…you should be washing your hands after using the bathroom anyway. 
Loading ...Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | 2 Comments
Hey,
i just got my first tattoo today on both feet, and when i was told about the after care one tattooist told me that i was to wash it with hot soapy water(as hot as i could bare) where a differant one said that i was to wash it will cool soapy water?
will it matter that much or will it affect it?
thanks
The temperature of the water should have very little effect on how the tattoo heals, although I personally would suggest using warm or cool water. The thought of putting really hot water on a fresh tattoo just sounds unnecessarily uncomfortable (although, I know it is suggested by some).
When it comes to feet tattoos, your biggest issue is likely going to be the swelling. I would suggest staying off them as much as possible for the first few days. Drinking lots of water and using an anti-inflammatory (if you can tolerate them, of course) of some sort may be beneficial as well. Friction is going to be the other big issue. Try to wear shoes and socks as little as possible during the initial healing period…but keep your feet clean, obviously.
Good luck!
Loading ...Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | 2 Comments
For some time I’ve been considering a tongue piercing to be my next mod. After finally having decided to give it a go I wondered if it would be possible to have it done somewhat angled to the back of the mouth to let the top be more hidden. What is the optimal angle to pierce the tongue.
I also have my tongue web pierced. Should I let it die for the sake of my tongue piercing or can they coexist?
Thanks!
Different piercers have different takes on the best angle for a tongue piercing. It’s also important to keep in mind that there are very few absolutely certainties when it comes to piercing. As everyone’s body is somewhat different, there are exceptions to almost every “rule”.
I personally prefer to do piercing straight up and down most of the time. My reasoning is this:
When you do a tongue piercing straight up and down, it will still lean back slightly when your tongue is in your mouth, due to the shape of the tongue. If you do the piercing at an angle so the top is further back, the jewelry will rest at even more of an angle when your tongue is in your mouth. The potential problem with this is that the the bottom ball will then be more likely to rest/rub against you lower gums. Rubbing/friction/trauma typically leads to damage to the gums and can even lead to some bone erosion.
While this may not happen to everyone, it is a real risk, and one that I try to help my clients avoid as much as possible.
Loading ...Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | 2 Comments
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 
Loading ...Posted by Warren Hiller | Permalink | 18 Comments
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.
Loading ...Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | Comments
I had my right nipple pierced about ten years ago. It did not heal well, became infected and after about a month I took it out and let it close up, which it did quite nicely. There were two tiny little marks where the openings had been that were almost non-discernible. As I have little points for nipples the original piercing was placed wider, further out as opposed to tightly spaced toward the tip nipple itself. About three weeks ago I had a spur of the moment brainstorm to get my nipple re-pierced, so I ran out and did it. I showed the piercer my prior spot and asked if we should use or avoid it, as perhaps scar tissue from the old piercing, should there be any, could cause a problem. She thought it better safe than sorry and went further out as opposed to closer in onto the actual nipple. I have uploaded a photo of the piercing so that you can see. She had trouble getting the needle out the other side once she began and she also pierced freehand, without a clamp to guide the needle. This resulted in a slightly lopsided piercing. I am not too happy about this. With that said… my questions are:
Was this done correctly or is there no right vs. wrong for placement? Ideally I want my piercing to enhance my already sensitive nipple as well as look good and heal properly. I have the sense that because it is placed wider and not right into the tip, it may not have maximized the sensitivity and might take longer to heal as well. Is that wrong? I am now considering having my left nipple pierced and want the two to match symmetrically. One is already not perfectly horizontal. I would also prefer that my piercings be closer in, on or near the actual nipple itself. Can you please speak to the situation and my concerns and suggest what to do? Thank you very much!
Based on what I read and with that picture, in my eyes it appears that the piercer was not quite experienced/knowledgeable as she should be.
You do not want to be piercing deeper into the areola as many complications can occur. One of them is what I am seeing in that picture where through scar tissue, deep placement,etc your nipple is rather distorted from what it ideally should be. Also this can be a result as well from the type of jewelry you have in your nipple, ie: small diameter circular barbell. As it will pull down and apply stress on a straight pathway thus increasing scar tissue and irritation. Not only that but she didn’t even pierce it in line with your nipple.
So realistically when it comes to piercing your other nipple, I implore you to actually get it done properly and with a straight barbell, at least for the initial healing time. Symmetry with these piercings is going to be very hard now. Even with normal paired nipple piercings its hard to keep symmetry due to different developments/angles of the nipple/pectoral muscles,etc.
But like I said if you came to see me with this nipple piercing, with great frustration and concern with what happened to you. I would explain specifically why what you had done is not the ideal situation and that realistically I would not want to compromise your well-being as well as the quality of the piercing, in order to make it symmetrical with a botched piercing job. If anything I would encourage you to remove the jewelry, provided it was problem free and could be removed. And then from there I would advise you on how to care for it and see how it heals, and if it was suitable re-pierce it properly the next time around.
*sighs* I’m still looking at that picture you posted and it makes me cringe and want to cry. We really gotta find a way to get all piercers on the same page of knowledge so that things like this, never happen again.
Loading ...Posted by Warren Hiller | Permalink | 5 Comments
I was trying to remove the balls on my vertical tragus surface piercing (done with a surface bar - well, a straight bar that my piercer bent into a ’surface bar’) to change them for blackline spikes, but I accidentally let the bar fall out, and when I tried to put it back in I succeeded only in aggravating the piercing and making it bleed. The piercing WAS fully healed (I think - or nearly) but I’m concerned that if I have to leave it with no bar in it’ll soon heal up. If I have to, I can go to a piercer tomorrow to get it fixed, but it’s quite far to go, so I was hoping someone could give me some advice as to how to get the bar back in!! Thanks!
First things first, how old is the piercing? I’m almost inclined to say only a few months if that? Or have you had the piercing for longer than 6 months?
Also are you aware that bending a straight bar into a “surface bar” is not the ideal way to go? And quite often can increase the chance of failure due to “human error” in properly bending the jewelry. Not only that but there is a increase chance damaging the internal wearing surface, potentially even gouging the surface. This is why most reputable artists will only ever use a proper surface barbell pre-made by a company, and not attempt to fashion on themselves.
If you’re unable to insert the jewelry yourself, the best option is to visit a piercer and have them look at the jewelry and the pathway and see if it should/can be re-inserted or not.
Also not just to yourself but to anyone reading this, I implore you. If you are interested in getting a surface piercing make sure it is done with a proper surface barbell, not a straight barbell bent into some crude example of a surface bar. When looking to get the piercing ask what type of jewelry would be used and if it comes is pre-bent or if its bent into shape from a straight barbell. If they explain they are going to take a straight barbell and make it into the shape, I strongly encourage you to seek out a more reputable artist.
There are many artists out there, myself included, who have quite a library or horror pictures. I also know I am not the only one with a number of pictures of, hand-bent surface bar, surface piercings on file. Proper surface bars have been around for quite some time now and have been perfected by various manufacturers, there’s no real reason why piercers should still be hand-bending their surface bars.
Loading ...Posted by Warren Hiller | Permalink | Comments
Hi guys
First of all, I would like to thank you regarding my previous questions at the beginning of the summer. My septum healed perfectly and the nipples of my girlfriend too. So thank you.
But of course, I have another question regarding my septum ! At the moment, I have an horseshoe jewelry into my septum. Since I wear most of the time my septum hidden, I find the horseshoe kinda “large”. I’m looking for a jewelry a bit smaller like a retainer, plug or tunnel. My 2 favorites are the retainer and the tunnel, but I’m affraid that the retainer will feel as the same as the horseshoe, too large. I do not have a large nose.
I was more looking at the tunnel, because I like the way it’s made. You can actually see the hole and it does not rotate like the horseshoe or even the retainer. My septum has been pierced at 14G, which I think is very small for a tunnel. From what I’ve read on the BME wiki, the plugs are usually starting at 10G. Is it the same for the tunnels or do they make smaller gauges ?
If so, I would need a stretch. If there is a stretch to be done, I would like to do it my self. Not because I’m cheap or anything, just because this is my body. In order to stretch I would need a stretcher somehow. My local piercing shop is pretty expensive and I would like to buy online, but BME Shop is down and we have no clue when it’s coming back. Would you happen to know any good online store for jewelry and piercing tools such as stretchers ? I’m not talking about ebay, but reputable stores such as BME Shop. This wouldn’t be a big stretch but I feel much more confortable using a tool made for it than something with electrical tape on it.
I’m not doing a big stretch because I want to keep it hidden. Ideal would be a tunnel with black ends. I love big septums (2G,0G), but I just can’t afford to have one at my work. 
Oh and last question : My local piercing shop sells Titanium and Stainless Steel jewelries. Other than Titanium being lighter, is there any other benefits ? At the shop,
You can get 14ga Quartz Glass Retainers/Plugs in various lengths. It essentially is a flat back on one side and a silicone o-ring on the other side.
However there is a bit of “is this a loaded question” stuck in my head, because it seems you simply don’t like the 14g and want to go bigger. So just trying to clarify and figure that out because really whats the point in telling you there is something in that size, when you simply are more drawn to the larger gauge sizes.
Also know that going from a 14ga to a 10ga hole IS a big stretch and not advisable, realistically you should go from 14ga to 12ga first, let that relax and settle down and then go to 10ga.
Personally I’m of the mindset that we should not sell piercing tools to untrained/inexperienced people, but that’s just my opinion. Realistically you can find a taper anywhere but the main concern is if it will come sterilized or not, same goes for the jewelry as well. Because quite often most clients (sadly most piercers as well) do not properly comprehend what stretching does and what all is involved. As passing through a non-sterile taper and non-sterile jewelry can lead to many complications/problems.
Any off-topic but is it just me or am I the only one that feels black is so over-rated a shade/color? When are we going to start seeing people more interested in white…blue…pepto bismol pink…its always gotta be black…black as my soul…
excuse me, off topic, sometimes my head is like a hole hahaha get it! yes my comedy is bad.
But as for keeping it hidden and stretching it to a larger size and wearing a black tunnel/eyelet, depending on your nose, “hidden” might not be doable. So as I said you can either purchase a 14ga quartz glass single flared retainer/plug in the right length required. Or you can find a means of stretching your septum, but I strongly encourage you to do so very slowly and try not to force the stretch too much.
As for the Steel and Titanium question….Long as they both meet ASTM standards for implant grade capability, they are both good in my books. Some people are better suited for titanium and others are better suited for steel. As I’ve known people who have had allergic reactions to both metals… Personally I’m more a fan of Titanium though because it can be anodized various colors and not just the regular steel look.
Loading ...Posted by Warren Hiller | Permalink | 5 Comments
