Tuesday May 27th, 2008 @ 4:05 AM
Basically, I have my grandmother’s nasty knuckles, so it’s uncomfortable for me to wear rings. I’d love to get a microdermal on my ring finger when the time comes to get married, but I’m hoping to have a future in piercing. If the area was well healed and I wore a moderately flat gem in it, would it survive with the constant changing of gloves?
straight up answer: Nope.
You have to consider with a job in piercing all the hand washing, glove changing you’ll be doing…Then on top of that how often you put your hands in pockets, into bags and various other locations.
The chances of this healing (well over a year) perfectly and problem-free is a very far and few between possibility.
+2 / 8 votes 
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Posted by Warren Hiller | Permalink | 2 Comments
Tuesday May 27th, 2008 @ 3:52 AM
Filed under: Ear
I got my lobes pierced with a gun three months ago, it was the starter earring, I think it was 24 gauge or something. Now at this point in time I stretched out my lobes to an 8 gauge and I was just wondering if there is any possible danger in going from a 24 gauge to an 8 gauge in less then half a year? Also I can’t seem to fit any single flare or cylinder type of jewelery into my ear, it seems that the only thing that will fit into my lobes are these horn type of earrings, that start off small then they gradually get bigger and bigger, till they stop at an 8 gauge. Last question, when I remove the earrings and I look at the piercing there is a small discolored circle of skin where the hole is at, is that normal, or is that a miniature blowout?
Stop what you’re doing immediately yes this is by far way too fast to be stretching your lobes and yes the discoloration you’re seeing is quite possibly the result of stretching too fast, as you’ve created a lot of scar tissue via tearing the lobes with each stretch you’ve done.
If you would take a moment and search AskBME for lobe stretching advice you’ll find a fountain of knowledge on the do’s and do not’s of stretching your lobes.
My advice to you, in the simplest and purest form, is to stop using organic jewelry and to only use Steel, Titanium or Pyrex jewelry and to stop stretching your ears until you’re properly educated/informed on how to stretch your lobes. Ideally you’ll might even need to remove the jewelry you have in let your lobes relax at a more comfortable size and not consider stretching your ears again for a good 1-2 years.
+3 / 7 votes
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Posted by Warren Hiller | Permalink | 4 Comments
Monday May 26th, 2008 @ 7:50 PM
Filed under: Tongue
I was planning on getting my tongue pierced quite soon, preferably at a larger gauge if possible.
However, I need to get on one of my front teeth fixed, as it was broken pretty much in half a few years ago, but I’m not sure when this will happen.
I was wondering if the piercing would affect the dental work in any way? Maybe causing damage?
Also, would I maybe need to wait until the work is complete before I get the piercing?
Anyone thinking about getting a tongue piercing needs to understanding that damage, in varying degrees, to your teeth and gums is a very real possibility. There is, of course, no guarantee you will damage your teeth and gums, but you very well might. So yes…a tongue piercing might also affect the dental work you have done. If it’s a front tooth you are having worked on, the chances are probably lower than if it was a molar…but the chance is still there.
I don’t think you would need to wait until you’ve had the dental work completed. However, the tongue piercing would need to be old enough so that you can safely remove it, without worry of it closing, if your dentist requires it when they do the work.
0 / 4 votes 
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Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | 2 Comments
Monday May 26th, 2008 @ 4:59 PM
Filed under: Nipple
So I just got my nipples pierced yesterday at a shop I would trust with my life. They’re the most professional/knowledgeable people I’ve ever met, regarding body modifications.
I haven’t had any problems or anything (it’s only been 24 hours), but the piercer told me that she suggests wearing sports bras during healing (they’ll be less sore and whatnot) but I read on askbme (and also on the aftercare protocol sheet they gave me) to not wear tight clothing against fresh piercings.
I don’t know who to believe! lol. wanna help me out? I just want to make sure my piercings will be okay.
I definitely wouldn’t encourage a client to wear a serious compression-type no-bounce sports bra, but those comfy crop-top sports-type bras (you know, the ones that are made from spandex or lycra but aren’t all THAT seriously supportive) are pretty much perfect for healing nipple piercings. I always found it far more comfortable to have gentle but firm support when I was healing my nipple piercings, and I basically lived in either the aforementioned sports bras or tank tops/singlets with soft built-in bras during my entire healing period. I advise my female clients to do the same and I’ve never seen anyone have any issues with it! Now, corsets and push-up bras, on the other hand.. not so good!
+9 / 11 votes
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Posted by Lori St.Leone | Permalink | 8 Comments
Monday May 26th, 2008 @ 1:08 AM
A month or so back I got a PA and I probably didn’t wait long enough and caved to carnal temptations within a week. What my question is regards to seems to be from what I understand hypertrophic scarring, it seems to be pierced through the frenum and there is a build up of tissue around the piercing itself just below the glans where it exits, I’m assuming that it’s due to the piercing not being healed before having sex. I was wondering if there is anything that can be done to get rid of this tissue? The tie off method sprung to mind, any ideas?
Cheers in advance,
Munky
Before you start wrapping dental floss around your penis or trying some other crazy homemade concoction (no pun intended), I’m going to make one suggestion…wait.
it is not uncommon with PA piercings, and many other piercings, to have some excess tissue build-up during the initial healing. It’s also pretty common for that tissue build-up to go away once the piercing heals a bit more and toughens up, thereby not being as easily irritated from friction and movement.
A month is virtually no time at all, in terms of the piercing healing…you haven’t even gotten through the initial healing phase, let alone any type of longer-term healing and toughening. I would suggest leaving things be for the moment and just try to be a little nicer to the ol’ boy for the next little while. You don’t necessarily need to deny our carnal desires, just take it easy for a bit.
+3 / 3 votes 
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Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | Comments
Monday May 26th, 2008 @ 12:59 AM
Filed under: Tongue
So I’m a big whimp. I really want a tongue piercing but I’m super not good with pain. I’m a bit of a schemer, however, and I am thinking of pairing my upcoming cavity filling session at the dentist with a trip immediately after to the piercing parlor.
My question: Are there dangers associated with getting my tongue pierced while it is numb from dental anesthetic? I”m aware that it will hurt after - i’m more concerned about the pain during the piercing. Can’t find anything online that addresses this. I don’t really know why there would be a danger but I want to be sure. Am I being a big baby about this piercing thing? How bad is the actual piercing moment (mind you I have a LOW pain threshhold). My other thought is to get drunk and then get pierced but I”ve heard that this is a bad idea. 
Thanks in advance for your time!
“Am I being a big baby about this piercing thing?”
So, I guess I’d stop short (just barely) of calling you a baby (hey, you asked), but I would say that you’re making a way bigger deal out of it than is necessary. Being nervous about the pain of any piercing is perfectly normal. However, when it comes down to it, the pain of most piercings is pretty minimal…and even if it does hurt a bit, the pain won’t last very long as the piercing is VERY fast.
Definitely don’t get it done while you are drunk. There are lots of reasons…but just don’t.
There probably aren’t going to be any serious side effects to having it done after you get your filling done. However, there is no guarantee that will have an affect. Having had various fillings myself, just how numb I’ve ended up being is different almost every time…anywhere from no numbness of my tongue to quite a bit. Even when my tongue has ended up being numb, however, it’s almost always just one side of my tongue, no the whole thing. Since the piercing is going to be done in the middle of your tongue, the anesthetic probably won’t do much, if any, good.
Also, if your tongue is numb, you may not be able to control it well, keeping you from manipulating it the way the piercer needs you to. Another consideration is that if your tongue is numb enough for you to not feel it, it’s likely going to affect your speech, which your piercer will likely notice. If they figure out you are trying ot be sneaky with your numb tongue, you may well end up with a piercer who won’t do your piercing.
+6 / 6 votes
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Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | 3 Comments
Monday May 26th, 2008 @ 12:48 AM
Hey, so I work for the New Brunswick (Canada) provincial government and Im told that I have to remove all of my visible piercings, except for 2 on each ear. In my law class, my teacher told me that Im being unfairly discrimated against … and that Id be within my rights to refuse to remove them. Now, is she right ? or will I get fired if I dont remove them ? Any advice would be much appreciated.
~Hayley
I am not a lawyer, and I don’t believe any of the other AskBME staff members are either…so take these comments for what they are worth.
It has always been my understanding that employers can enact, and enforce, whatever sort of “dress code” they deem fit. As long as they apply the dress code to all of their employees consistently, you aren’t being discriminated against. While you may well have the right to do whatever you want to your own body, you don’t have an inalienable right to do whatever you want to your body and still be guaranteed a job. The only possible loophole you might have is to claim the piercings are part of your religion. However….be prepared to prove that.
From my perspective, if you refuse to remove your piercings, I think you should expect to lose your job, or at the very least, face some sort of disciplinary action. How far you want to push that is totally up to you.
Best of luck.
+1 / 5 votes
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Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | 6 Comments
Monday May 26th, 2008 @ 12:13 AM
Filed under: Tongue
This is an odd angle but I figured to get someone else’s opinion.
I am about to turn 20 and I still live at home. There’s no reason to leave, I’m not in school yet and they love and feed me, no rent ? Since I turned 18 I have gotten my fair share of piercings ranging from miscellaneous ear to navel, all of which my parents are aware of, albeit they did fret but in the end it was alright. I even got a tattoo WITH my mom after her 50th birthday. I did get my nipples pierced without them knowing but that was and is still something I did for myself.
The dilemma I am facing right now is that I have wanted to get my tongue pierced since I could remember; I think it was around 7th grade when I was 12. I used to hold a straight barbell in my mouth and pretend it was really pierced. I think it somewhat alleviates an oral fixation I have had since I was small.
6 years ago I was diagnosed with a heart condition called W-P-W where extra nodes and nerves in my heart cause my heart to race excessively when doing things like running and working out. I had two minor surgeries the first year and had since had no real problems with it; they did say I would probably have problems later on since they were only able to get rid of 80% of the problem nerves. 6 years later is later on and I am having problems.
The issue is that my mother is concerned that having an “open wound” and possible infection in my mouth would stop a surgeon from performing another procedure for my heart, should I need one. She always refers back to a friend whose doctor refused to do a heart valve replacement due to bad oral and teeth health.
I just had my tragus pierced yesterday and she never had an issue with that having to do with another heart procedure, so why now?
I have assured her that if there were any problems they would be assessed in the beginning and by the time and procedures would me performed (months away) the piercing would be 100% infection free and fully healed, or removed due to my speech.
I guess my story bo
First question for me to bring up is, have you made your piercers aware of your health conditions? Have you gotten approval from your doctor to get these body piercings? Most consent forms in piercing & tattoo establishments should have a section advising you if you have any health issues, to notify us so we can do what’s best. Because the last thing our industry needs is another potential health concern issue spreading through the papers…Especially when its involving something like a tongue piercing, which ALWAYS gets bad press.
In terms of heart procedures I’m a bit baffled as to why your parents would be alright with you getting a tragus piercing and not ok with a tongue piercing. Personally if your mom is saying a tongue piercing is a health concern (which it can be, especially if you go in for another heart operation), a tragus can also be a health concern as well.
What I’d suggest for you to do is perhaps organize a visit to your doctor and sit down with them and discuss the matter and get an OFFICIAL statement from them on the subject…That way both you and your mother are on the same page when it comes to your medical situation and your desire to receive body piercings.
+6 / 6 votes
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Posted by Warren Hiller | Permalink | 6 Comments
Monday May 26th, 2008 @ 12:05 AM
what is the best type of barbell for a VCH
i know a curved barbell is best,
but what about perfered gauge and length?
im new at this all,
i just need an idea before i get it done.
This question is a very loaded one…It’s like asking everyone what their favourite fruit is.
The reality is there are two different types of jewelry often used in VCH’s. The first is of course a Curved Barbell, while the second is a Straight Barbell.
When you visit the studio to get a VCH piercing, the piercer should be experienced enough to know to analyze the area in question to determine what is the most ideal option. This of course means getting you up on the table and taking measurements and seeing the size and shape of the hood in relation to the rest of your anatomy.
As for the gauge size and length, again this is just like trying to determine if a curved bar or straight bar is ideal for your specific anatomy requirements. I’ve done hoods as small as 14ga and as large as 8ga in thickness and jewelry length anywhere from 3/8″ to 5/8″ in length.
Essentially if the piercer doesn’t have a proper conversation with you to try and figure out what exactly it is you’re trying to achieve by getting this piercing (just the looks? want it for function?) and analyzing the area, that’s a sign you might want to look for someone else to do this piercing. As there is absolutely zero standard size, length,etc for this piercing. Just like how there isn’t for most piercings really, since everyone’s bodies are always slightly different in some way shape and form.
+5 / 7 votes
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Posted by Warren Hiller | Permalink | Comments
Sunday May 25th, 2008 @ 11:57 PM
HELP! About 6 months ago I purchased an 18 qauge 1/4 inch labret/monroe stainless steel piece on jewelry that was just perfect for my monroe. It has a micro gem (about 1mm to 1.5mm wide) and it was a “push in” jewel rather than an internal or external screw. I do remember it was at least $30 but my computer crashed and I no longer have the link. Can anyone help me? I’ve been searching for days and cannot find anyone who sells the. Painful Pleasures sells something similar but the interior flatback is much wider than the original one I purchased. My original is about 2.5mm wide while the Painful Pleasure piece is 4mm. Unfortunately I cannot wear bioplast so it has really become a problem to find a good piece of jewelry now. Thanks!
What it sounds like, is that you have a NeoMetal Threadless Labret. To make the statement a bit more accurate it should be Titanium not Stainless Steel, as NeoMetal strictly deals with Implant Grade Titanium (ASTM F136 6Al-4V ELI Titanium).
There are only a small handful of online jewelry retailers that offer this type of jewelry, however my suggestion is to perhaps visit your local piercing studio and request a custom order of the NeoMetal jewelry. There are a lot of reputable studios that carry that type of jewelry or if for some reason they don’t, it shouldn’t be hard for them to order it in for you. As realistically the price shouldn’t really be more than $30 for the jewelry, if anything you might pay a couple extra dollars for the shipping.
Perhaps if you let us know where you’re located we can help you track down a studio that carries the jewelry or will be willing to get it for you.
+2 / 2 votes
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Posted by Warren Hiller | Permalink | 8 Comments
