[Body Piercing] has been around since the dawn of man. Pierced mummies have been found in around the region of the present day place where the country Austria is. Many tribes across the world including Eskimos, Native Americans(NW), South Americans and various African tribes still use piercings. Purpose of piercings with tribes range from social status to coming of age, aesthetics and more. Piercing in the more modern day cultures were seen in the Roman empire- men pierced their nipples,Karma Sutra, in the Victorian age-women with pierced nipples and men & women with pierced genitalia, and more frequently from the 1960's until present day. Piercing were brought into the sub cultures of the 70s by people such as Fakir Mustafa(sp?) and Genesis P. Orridge(Coum Transmissions/Throbbing Gristle/etc), Jim Ward, Man Ray and Homosexual c/kulture, various Alternative/Punk bands, etc. It wasn't until about 1970s that women had one or two ear piercings. From Punks and 80s cultue etc, came various facial, ear piercings and body. It wasn't until the early 1990s that nose piercings reached popular culture. The Rare culture even brought piercings more into the mainstream, with tongues and eyesbros being done--not limited to. The 200s brough us many pop stars with belly, nose tings etc. Its not so uncommon to see someone with a pierced navel, tongue, nose, lips, brow, or other body piercings. Once looked at as strange, the Industrial/Experimental band being called "freaks" by the British press back in the 80s, multiple facial piercings are almost mundane, trnedy, sexy and cool. More and more jobs accept piercings lately, not including government officials, Drs and others. Not to mention, just check out all of the pierced celebrities. Piercing is said to become even more popular in the future, just as we've seen tattoos become part of Western popular culture.

Here comes the part on my experiences with piercings which I hope will be helpful to those looking for information. Of course, I'm not a piercer, so I can only give opinions on the pain and details on my experiences. If you're looking into body piercing check out many sources of information as well, before deciding...as the internet has an endless amount of information.

[Ok first off I currently have:]
2 ear lobe piercing 12 g captive bead rings
1Helix/cartiladge(right ear) with a 14g circular barbell
1 Labret Monroe/beauty mark(right side) with a 14g Labret

I've had, since retired; 1 eyebrow(right side) -yes I seem to be partial to the right side of my body- 2 second hole lobes that were done with a piercing gun 18g/20g

[Information based on my experiences:]
I had my first ear piercings at the age or 15/16. Before that, being raised strict Catholic, I never thought of getting a piercing. As you can now tell, I am no longer bounded by those beliefs. So at 15/16 I had four holes done at the same sitting with a piercing gun(before I knew they were evil!), two in each ear. As far as pain, they pinched really hard, that probably would have been lessened by a needle.I had to close up the top lobes due to infection. My body rejects gold earings. It wasn't until about a year or so later I went and had my one cartiladge/Helix done, my mom had hers done too. I couldn't really feel this one being pierced. I still have the piercing, it's been one of my favorites. I wish I had known at the time that piercing guns could have cracked my cartiladge, unfortunately the lady who did it didn't know--was her first time piercing with a gun. The piercing really didn't heal fully until a year or so later. I had nasty keloid for a whild too. I recently gauged that one to a 14 gauge, from an 18g hole, was tough. My lobes are currently 12g. For the cleaning of those piercings I used Bactine. However, i just recenlty found out Bactine is not good to use, despite every one of my piercers recommening it. Heh, I mean really reads the warnings on the label. I'd guess after my Helix I got ooked on piercings. This piercing(if I didn't mention already) hurt less than my lobes. The cartiladge or the ear and nose don't contain blood vessels and nerves endings inside. It probably would have hurt if it was thick cartiladge. Although, it wasn't until I was 18 yrs old that I got my eyebrow done. I figured on that one, becuse it looked good, and was kinda easy to hide--by hair. The brow piercing, with a 14g cbr(captive bead ring), healed well. When I had it done, it was just quick few ins and no clamp. I barely felt it. After about six months or so it started acting odd..rejection,pulling out of the skin and getting infected. I kept it until the summer of '00, had to take it out it just looked too awful. I have a slight scare, that you can't really notice unlesss you look closely. The pain factor was almost non existant, 'cept for the pressue. Eyebrow tissue doesn't have a lot of feeling and not a lot of vessels. I later found out that the rejection wasn't due to my care of the piercing, but because eyebrow tissue often rejects the piercing. Maybe my gauge was too deep or too small. I wish I'd gota a barbell, I think thatway it wouldn have pulled out less. However, it probbay doesn't reject in all people, best to find lots of info. before considering it, as the same with surface piercings. My latest piercing is a Monroe/beauty mark. It's usually called Monroe, Madonna, Crawford based on where the celebtrity had hers pierced. Mine's on the riht side like Modonna, but not directly under my nostrillik hers-so it's more of a mix of the Monroe/Madonna. It's not near my lips, like a Crawford, but inbetween my nose and lips and out a little toward the cheek. I think this on was the most painful. I'd guess because it's close to the facial mucles, veins and sensory endings of the cheek. I didn't feel the needle going it, but it was a sharp needle pinch coming out. The piercer used a clam, which didn't bother me. I had it done while I was sitting up. After the piercing, I went to about three stores. I was feeling kinda nauscious while walking around and my heart was beeting fast--shock. So basically it was my first time experieneing shock with a piercing, butluckily it was mild. I'm very happy with my new one, as wlel as my other three. So far, my latest is the forst one I've used sea salt soaks on. I don't beieve I've ever bled from any of the piercings I've had, maybe just the lobes. It has many deeper meaning to me, than just aesthetics, which I may dicuss later. i hope to get more soon...I'm just not definate on what yet. or maybe I'll wait on that and work on getting my tattoo. See further down for my piercing experiences.

[Piercing Tips/What's often wondered about/General Questions & Answers/Etc.]

[Pain]
Pain with piercing, as well as tatoos, is different for everyone. Genrally you can find a list on the net which has a list of piercing in order of most painful to least, but of course these can vairy. I think though, if you're really terrified of needles, pain or blood, don't get a piercing.

In order from least to most painful, MY piercings: 1.eyebrow 2.cartiladge/Helix 3 lobes 4.Monroe/beauty mark
Generally eyebows hurt the least;genitals hurt the most.

[Getting Pierced:]
Make sure you think through it well, just as a tattoo. Make sure it won't get you in trouble with work, job school etc.

[Sitting/Standing/Laying down while being pierced]
People wonder a lot of times, if you should sit, stand or lay down while being pierced. So ar, I've sat each time. If you think you're gonna be sick/ easily affected by the piercing ask your piercer if you can lay down.

[Clamps]
Clamps are sed to hold out and or stabilize the skin being pierced. The only clamp I had was for my Monroe. My eyebrow piercing one didn't need it. I'm guessing clamps are generally used for pinhcable skin such as around the mouth, lips, eyebrow and nipples, etc.

[Piercing Guns]
Piercing guns are harmful to the bodys tissue. The penetrate by blunt force trauma which causes tares and scaring. Especially since they are done with a sharp earling and not a needle. Also, piercing guns are plastic and cannot b sterilizd, plus the earings may not be sterilized as well. Your best bet is to get even an ear piercing done by a professional, even if it cost a little bit more. This way you can ensure you are not contracting any disease, healing will be better, nothing will be damaged and more. Never neer get cartiladge done by a gun, this includes the nose. Eww, I can't imagine how they do that anyway with the nose+gun, who would wanna get it done by a piercing gun?

[Care/Healing]
A bit of this info. is featured above. For the cleaning of those piercings I used Bactine. However, i just recenlty ound Bactine is not good to use, despite every one of m piercers recommening it. Heh, I mean really reads the warnings on the label. Bactin Tm is said to cause bacterial infections in some people. Whereas, it never bothered me and I'm sure other people, try to be caucious if you're going to use it. Peoples' bodies are different, when it comes to chemicals. Basically, the safest, best way to heal your piercing is with sea salt soaks. About 1/4 of a table spoon is more than enough for a glass(8 oz). Generally, use a cup, or possibly pour it on, depending on th area of the piercing. Warm water is good for soaking. Ask your piercer the best amount of soaking time. Sea Salt, non iodized is what you should use. Sea Salt is pretty cheap in most grocery stores, about $.40 US cents a pound. Bactine(not a good idea to use. Check other sites for more information, see below also for more info:
Just added-so some info. might be repeated-
Mouth-If you use mouth wash, for lip/labrets, use non alcoholic mouth wash. If it is alcohol mouthwash dilude to 50 percent.Some piercers/people say don't use Listerine, other say do. Take to your own, by finding more information on this. Alternates to this can be Biotene, for a mouth wash, and more.
-Note:-Labret/Lip piercings are said to nest after a while or even not long after you have been pierced. Nesting is when the back of the labret makes a place in the inside lips and kinda sinks in. Sometimes a skin grows over the back. I hear the skin doesn't stay long. I'd think you have to make sure the skin doesn't grow to thick so it would be imbedded. Check out more info. on this.
Note:Never use: Hydrogen Peroxide(it causes scar tissue by killing cells), Antibotic Ointment, Rubbing Alcohol(too harsh) etc.
-For other body piercings(besides mouth-:See the note above. Also, use a mild soap balanced PH found in grcery stores or oatmeal soap. Try teatree oil --remember it is deadly to cats,be careful if you get some. Make sure hands are clean while cleaning. Saline or sea salt is also good for soaks-see the above piercing care for tips. Rinse well with warm water and clean the crush off with salt soaks.
Note:On Sea Salt- If you have high blood pressure/heart problems, do not use sea salt, use just warm water soaks.
-Healing-:Depeding on the piercing, different healing methods will be used Healing and Aftercare varies in a considerable amount of time. Tongue piercings seem to heal the shortest amount time and belly button in the most amount of time. Of course, your after care of the piercing depends on its healing time as well. Warm Saline or Sea Salt soaks work well when used for several minutes. Make sure heands are always clean when cleaning the piercing. All piercings heal from the outside then inside.

[Jewelry]
Piercings jewelry is often surgical steal/ss,stainless surgical steal/sss and sometimes titanium and acrylic. Captive Bead Rings(CBRs) are often used to accomidate swelling. Some body areas cannot hold them so labrets or barbells are done. Piercing jewelry designs include, but are not limited to; captive bead rings, barbells, bananas/belly button bar bells,curved barbells, circular barbells/horsehoes,labrets,septum, nose screws...more. [My Experiences]
Eyebrow.
Here's a portion of what I had posted on bmezine.com back in '00 I got the piercing in the Sept. of '99. Under the name Noctemica/done in Ft Laud.
I knew exactly what local piercing place to go to because I asked around. I grabbed a friend and went to discover my newfound fetish. Around 4:00 PM on November 23rd (99) my decision was made. The place was going to close soon. So I knew it was get it done now...or wait until the next spur of the moment. Worse than that was, I had forgotten a form of ID. I was 18, but looked 15. Luckily the piercer didn't mind to much and let my friend get her license + name copied for reference. Piercers use that so people can't sue. Remember to bring your ID if you decide to get one done! Or if you're underage bring someone legal.I was mystified by all of the interesting jewelry in the case when I walked in. The atmosphere was pretty friendly. It had tribal masks. The piercer was playing some tribal music. Which was pretty calming for the least? I didn't act nervous, but deep down inside I was. I decided to get a ring. The piercer showed me a few gauges to pick from. I picked a mid size silver gauge. Though at the time I wasn't sure I wanted just plain silver. Maybe a purple glazed ring or one with jewels. Since I didn't have much time I went with it anyway.I calmly climbed into the chair. It was a gray, dentist office type of chair. Oh the horror I have had at the dentist office. Though it just made me more calm. The piercer gathered the needle, my ring, a cotton swab...and such. I comfortably slid down, almost lying down. I figured that would be best for me. The piercer marked my face where I told him it would I'd like it. I got to see myself one more time before. Meanwhile my friend got scared and ran out of the room, to the next. Maybe she thought seeing people being tattooed would calm the nerves of a friend being pierced. While the piercer was putting the antibacterial med. on the cotton swab, thoughts came to my mind. It's my choice I could leave now if I wanted. My calm self had gotten a little edgy. I wasn't sure now if I wanted it. I guess I was afraid of what people would think.(?) What if I didn't want it after a while? What if it got torn out? Would it cause scarring if I got it removed? I calmed myself as he applied the cotton swab.I didn't actually get to see what the instrument that he used looked like. Nor did I care at that moment. I just wanted it to be there. All I knew that it was my last moment to change my mind. But I didn't! I went through with it! I picked my right eyebrow to be done. He chose not to use a clamp because I was worried about a black eye. Clamps usually cause them. Right before the needle was inserted into my skin, I asked if it was going to hurt. Now this seemed like some kind of nervous rage. It wasn't it was just my unsure pleasure for pain at that moment. The piercer reassured me no...but was he just saying that was the question. As the needle entered my skin...I really didn't even feel it. Strangely I had more pain with regular piercing, than this. Even my cartilage piercing had some sting to it. The only thing I felt was a small clam of pressure when he closed the ring. I was stunned at myself. Mostly not believing that I had gone through with it. Even more that it didn't even hurt! I quickly jumped up to the closest mirror and gazed. It didn't look too bad at all. No bruise, no blood. I couldn't even feel it was there. For a split second some thoughts ran through my mind...but overall I was happy with it. Somehow I was disappointed that I didn't feel pain. I was given a paper with an article about new piercing, how to care for them. Also I was suggested by the piercer to use Bactine for cleaning and if it itched. Also anti bacterial soap. Peroxide can cause scarring, so can commercial healing ointments. I went strait home after I bought some Bactine and anti bacterial soap. My friend was concerned. She though maybe I would faint or get sick. I cleaned around the holes with a cotton swab applied with Bactine. I accidentally hit it a few times the first week or so. I felt a slight jab of pain when I did. It wasn't even really pain though. My ring stuck out strait for about 3 weeks. After a while it started to be able to shift. This was because I tend to sleep on my side.It's been about 2 months now. I've never had an infection. A few times small red spots occurred around the holes though. I still clean it but only once a day now because it's pretty much healed up. I can move it with no incidences of pain at all. Also I can feel it shift, which feels odd.My advice if you decide on getting a piercing: Clearly think it through. Make sure you do it at a time in your life when you can handle it (includes the night before your new office job interview). Make sure that you feel you're responsible enough to handle it and consider your consequences, concerning age. Also keep in mind that while I didn't have a painful experience....you might or might not. Different people take differently to pain. Your situation may be far different that what I had experienced during being pierced. Chances are if you were in agony from a regular ear piercing-DONT do it!

[My Monroe/beauty mark]
Last night I got my Monroe. A few minutes before having it done, I discussed my best jewelry option. I picked a 16 g long labret with a small ball. I was told fishtails are no good, because they fall out easily. So, I'd say stick with a labret. I choose to have the spot between my lip and my nose done, before the smile crease of course. The piercer placed the clamp after marking the spot. The clamp didn't hurt being placed either. Right after she pierced it. I didn't feel the needle going into my mouth/oral skin. I felt it come out for a spilt second, was a pinch, it was about the same feeling as an ear lobe piercing. From then on I've had no pain. I couldn't even really feel the jewelry being placed and screwed in. The whole thing lasted about 5/7 minutes. I've been able to eat soup, diced fruit and drink water etc. So there's no problem eating soft foods, which you're supposed to only have within 48 hours. Right now it's a bit swollen around the area, nothing too drastic. I don't feel it rubbing against my lips or teeth. It's really nice that it didn't bleed as well. I have no complaints 'cept I wish the swelling would go down faster. After the swelling goes down I may get a shorter labret. That' because a longer one might rub the gums and teeth. Some options for cleaning the Monroe: Seasalt soaking inside and outside of the piercing 3x a day, brust teeth after each meal or 3x a day, non alchol mouthwash or deluded can be used too.

My Monroe:
Xposted to some piercing message board and in my LJ.
I'll post more experiences later.

[Tattoo Information]

*I was told with my tattoo to just wash, do not add ointment. I guess it's suggestd differently at different places?*

My tattoo: Keltic Trinity(heart, mind & soul) in black with shadows:

Crappy digi cam pic!

If you find any of my tips questionable or false please contact: vix_en1981@yahoo.com

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