Part I: Intro

1.1 Summary

This posting contains information about body piercing. ...

1.2 Copyright And Dissemination

Under the Berne Convention, this document is Copyright (c) 2000 ...

1.3 Table of Contents of the rec.arts.bodyart Piercing FAQ:

1

Part II: Jewelry

2A.1 Metals

The metals used for body jewelry are chosen for ...

2A.1 Gold

1 karat = 1/24th of the alloy is pure ...

2A.1 Niobium

Niobium is an elemental metal and is strong yet flexible and is ...

2A.1 Platinum

Platinum and metals in the platinum group such as palladium ...

2A.1 Stainless Steel

Of the many stainless steels available, only 316L and 316LVM ...

2A.1 Silver / Sterling Silver

Sterling silver is 92.5% silver alloyed with copper or some ...

2A.1 Titanium

Titanium is an extremely lightweight, elemental metal. The ...

2A.1a Report on Stainless Steel

by Sean ...

2A.2 Non Metal Materials

2A.2a Report on FDA Approved Acrylic

by Michael ...

2A.3 Organic Materials

Thanks to Erica Skadsen / Organic for the information contained in ...

2A.3a Hardwoods

Hardwoods are most often used to make plugs for enlarged piercings,...

2A.3b Bamboo

Bamboo is not a wood but a grass. Several thousand different ...

2A.3c Ivory, Horn, Antler

Thanks to Jesse Jarrell for the ...

2B.1 Jewelry Sizes

Jewelry is measured by gauge (thickness) and width. Rings are ...

2B.1a Gauges And Equivalents

Most jewelry manufactured in the US is gauged according to the Brown &...

2B.2a Basic Jewelry Designs: Captive Bead Ring

The basic ring design is the captive bead ring or ball closure ring ...

2B.2a Basic Jewelry Designs: Bead Ring Or Attached Bead Ring

The bead ring is similar to the captive bead ring except that the ...

2B.2a Basic Jewelry Designs: Seamless Or Beadless Rings

The names beadless ring and seamless ring are misnomers because ...

2B.2a Basic Jewelry Designs: Captive Tube Or Captive Bar Ring

Instead of a bead, a short, straight or curved tube or solid bar ...

2B.2a Basic Jewelry Designs: Screw On Ball Ring

Screw on ball rings are an alternative to large gauge captive ...

2B.2a Basic Jewelry Designs: Barbells

Straight and curved barbells are measured by the linear width ...

2B.2a Basic Jewelry Designs: Gemstone Or Jewel Settings

Gemstones can be set in metal using either a prong setting or ...

2B.2b Piercing-Specific Designs: Jewelry For Enlarged Piercings

The following designs are intended to maintain the enlarged size ...

2B.2b Piercing-Specific Designs: Jewelry For Nipple Piercings

Nipple Retainer: Comprised of a straight bar worn through ...

2B.2b Piercing-Specific Designs: Jewelry For Septum Piercings

Septum Retainer: A U-shaped piece of metal, either rounded ...

2B.2b Piercing-Specific Designs: Prince's Wand

The Prince's Wand or Urethral Tube can be made to fit either ...

2B.2b Piercing-Specific Designs: Eyebrow And Nostril "Bones"

2C.1 Facial Piercings: Earlobe

6 to 8

2C.1 Facial Piercings: Large Earlobe Piercings

Please refer to Part 7 of the FAQ for information on ...

2C.1 Facial Piercings: Dermal Punch Method for Large Earlobe Piercings

Dermal punches are designed to remove tissue for biopsy procedures. ...

2C.1 Facial Piercings: Transverse Or Lateral Earlobe

4 to 8

2C.1 Facial Piercings: Vertical Earlobe

4 to 8

2C.1 Facial Piercings: Ear Cartilage

3 to 6

2C.1 Facial Piercings: Nostril

3 to 6

2C.1 Facial Piercings: Septum

4 to 8

2C.1 Facial Piercings: Eyebrow

2 to 4

2C.1 Facial Piercings: Bridge / Niebuhr / Erl / Nasion

4 to 6

2C.2 Oral Piercings

The risks of oral piercings include chipped and cracked teeth ...

2C.2 Oral Piercings: Lip & Labret

2 to 4

2C.2 Oral Piercings: Madonna / Beauty Mark

Also called the Marilyn or Chrome Crawford because of the ...

2C.2 Oral Piercings: Cheek

3 to 5

2C.2 Oral Piercings: Scrumper / Lip Frenulum

1 to 2

2C.2 Oral Piercings: Tongue

4 to 8

2C.2 Oral Piercings: Tongue Web / Frenulum

2 - 4

2D.1 Navel Piercings

4 to 8

2D.1a "The Navel Piercing: A Better Alternative"

by Karen Hurt of Future Primitives, San Francisco, ...

2D.1b "Angled Navel Piercings"

by Elayne Angel of Rings of Desire, New Orleans, ...

2D.2 Nipple Piercings

4 to 8

2D.2a Female Nipple Piercings

Female nipple piercings should be made at the base of the nipple ...

2D.2b Male Nipple Piercings

Because most men have very small or flat nipples, the piercing ...

2D.2c Nipple Piercings And Breastfeeding

Most piercers maintain that nipple piercings are unlikely to ...

2D.3 Surface And Unusual Piercings

Many piercers do not perform the following piercings because of ...

2E.1 Female Genital Piercings

All of the female genital piercings are highly anatomy-dependent. ...

2E.1 Clitoris Piercing

4 to 6

2E.1 Fourchette

4 to 6

2E.1 Horizontal Clitoral Hood Piercing

4 to 6

2E.1 Vertical Clitoral Hood Piercing

4 to 6

2E.1 Inner Labia

4 to 6

2E.1 Outer Labia

4 to 6

2E.1 Triangle Piercing

4 to 6

2E.1 Christina

4 to 6

2E.1 Isabella

This piercing was first documented in Issue #17 of Piercing ...

2E.1 Princess Albertina

Another relatively new and experimental piercing documented in ...

2E.2 Male Genital Piercings

The Prince Albert, Ampallang and Apadravya piercings usually bleed ...

2E.2 Ampallang

6 to 10 months; may require a year or more to completely ...

2E.2 Apadravya

6 to 10 months; may require a year or more to completely ...

2E.2 Dydoe

2 to 4

2E.2 Foreskin

2 to 4

2E.2 Frenum

2 to 4

2E.2 Guiche

4 to 6

2E.2 Prince Albert Or P.A.

2 to 4

2E.2 Scrotum / Hafada

4 to 6

2e.3 Genital Piercings And Sexual Activity

Genital piercings are intended to enhance sensation for the ...

2E.4 Genital Piercings And Pregnancy

In the interest of safety for the mother and child, jewelry should ...

Part III: Getting A New Piercing

3.1 What To Look For In A Piercer

Consider first visiting the studio without intending to get pierced ...

3.2 Assessing Anatomy And Selecting Jewelry

Because everyone is built differently, not everyone is ...

3.3 Ear Piercing Gun

The piercing gun or piercing implement was originally intended to ...

3.3 Single-Use Disposable Needles

Piercing needles are hollow, lancet-point needles, beveled ...

3.4 Basic Piercing Procedure: Prep

The area to be pierced should be cleansed using a surgical scrub....

3.4 Basic Piercing Procedure: Tools

Most piercers use forceps to hold the area to be pierced. ...

3.5 Methods Of Disinfection And Sterilization

3.6 Anesthetics

In the United States topical anesthetics are only available ...

3.7 Are You Under 18?

Many states now have laws restricting or prohibiting piercing minors....

3.8 Does It Hurt?

Most people experience some level of discomfort or pain during ...

3.9 Making Your Experience More Comfortable

Get plenty of rest the night before. Eat a good meal and drink ...

3.10 Piercing Kits And Doing It Yourself

Piercing kits have many disadvantages. Most kits do not ...

Part IV: Professional Piercers

4A.1 Professional Organizations

ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL PIERCERS, PO Box 90987, San Diego,...

4A.2 Piercing Instruction

AMERICAN BODY ART ...

4B. Professional Piercers - Alabama

4B. Professional Piercers - Alaska

4B. Professional Piercers - Arizona

4B. Professional Piercers - California

4c.0 Professional Piercers - Colorado

4c.0 Professional Piercers - Connecticut

4c.0 Professional Piercers - Washington, DC

4c.0 Professional Piercers - Florida

4c.0 Professional Piercers - Georgia

4c.0 Professional Piercers - Hawaii

4c.0 Professional Piercers - Illinois

4c.0 Professional Piercers - Indiana

4c.0 Professional Piercers - Iowa

4d.0 Professional Piercers - Kansas

4d.0 Professional Piercers - Kentucky

4d.0 Professional Piercers - Louisiana

4d.0 Professional Piercers - Maine

4d.0 Professional Piercers - Maryland

4d.0 Professional Piercers - Massachusetts

4d.0 Professional Piercers - Michigan

4d.0 Professional Piercers - Minnesota

4d.0 Professional Piercers - Missouri

4d.0 Professional Piercers - Nebraska

4d.0 Professional Piercers - Nevada

4e.0 Professional Piercers - New Jersey

4e.0 Professional Piercers - New Mexico

4e.0 Professional Piercers - New York

4e.0 Professional Piercers - North Carolina

4e.0 Professional Piercers - North Dakota

4e.0 Professional Piercers - Ohio

4e.0 Professional Piercers - Oklahoma

4e.0 Professional Piercers - Oregon

4e.0 Professional Piercers - Pennsylvania

4g.0 Professional Piercers - Tennessee

4g.0 Professional Piercers - Texas

4g.0 Professional Piercers - Utah

4g.0 Professional Piercers - Virginia

4g.0 Professional Piercers - Washington (State)

4g.0 Professional Piercers - Wisconsin

4h.0 Professional Piercers - ALBERTA

4h.0 Professional Piercers - BRITISH COLUMBIA

4h.0 Professional Piercers - MANITOBA

4h.0 Professional Piercers - ONTARIO

4h.0 Professional Piercers - QUEBEC

4i.0 Professional Piercers - Australia

4i.0 Professional Piercers - Austria

4i.0 Professional Piercers - Belgium

4i.0 Professional Piercers - Colombia

4i.0 Professional Piercers - Denmark

4i.0 Professional Piercers - Finland

4i.0 Professional Piercers - France

4i.0 Professional Piercers - Germany

4i.0 Professional Piercers - Ireland

4i.0 Professional Piercers - Israel

4i.0 Professional Piercers - Italy

4i.0 Professional Piercers - Japan

4i.0 Professional Piercers - Luxembourg

4i.0 Professional Piercers - The Netherlands

4i.0 Professional Piercers - New Zealand

4i.0 Professional Piercers - Norway

4i.0 Professional Piercers - Singapore

4i.0 Professional Piercers - South Africa

4i.0 Professional Piercers - Sweden

4i.0 Professional Piercers - Switzerland

4i.0 Professional Piercers - England

4i.0 Professional Piercers - Scotland

Part V: Care Of New Piercings

5.1 Skin Cleansers, Wound Cleansers, And Soaps

Skin cleansers are designed to aid in the physical removal of ...

5.2 Antiseptic Products

Antiseptics and disinfectants are chemicals designed to kill ...

5.3 Other Products

Other

5.4 Products To Avoid

Antibiotic And Medicated ...

5.5 Essential Oils

Many people have found essential oils beneficial to healing ...

5.6 Aftercare For Facial Piercings

Wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap before ...

5.7 Aftercare For Oral Piercings

Wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap before ...

5.8 Aftercare For Body Piercings

Wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap before ...

5.9 Aftercare For Genital Piercings

Genital piercings often bleed between 12 to 24 hours depending on ...

5.10 Herbal Hot Compress Recipe

Provided by Michaela Grey, formerly of Gauntlet and the Association ...

Part VI: The Healing Process & Healing Problems

6.1 The Healing Process

General Wound Healing ...

6.2 Abandoning A Piercing

Whether or not the piercing completely closes depends on the age ...

6.2a Reopening or Repiercing an Abandoned Piercing

An abandoned piercing that has only shrunk or partially grown ...

6.2a Healing Problems: Dry Skin

Over-cleaning the piercing, failure to thoroughly rinse the ...

6.2b Healing Problems: Prolonged Healing

Prolonged healing is indicated by failure of the piercing to ...

6.2c Healing Problems: Follicular Cysts

Follicular cysts may affect both new and healed piercings. They ...

6.2d Healing Problems: Infections

The most frequent causes of infection is touching the piercing or ...

6.2e Healing Problems: Hypergranulation

During the proliferation phase of healing, granulation tissue ...

6.3 Scars

Any penetration of the skin will result in a scar. Scar tissue ...

6.4 Piercing Migration And Rejection

Occasionally a piercing migrates towards the surface of the skin ...

6.5 Metal Sensitivities

The metals used for body jewelry are chosen for ...

Part VII: Healed Piercings

7.1 Changing Jewelry

After a piercing is healed jewelry may be changed as desired. The ...

7.2 Stretching Piercings

Only well-healed piercings should be stretched. Stretching too soon ...

7.3 Bondage Play

Strenuous bondage play using chains, restraints, and weights ...

7.4 Hiding And Retaining Piercings

7.4a Retaining Piercings During Surgery

Most hospitals' policies require that patients remove all ...

7.6 Piercings And Common Medical Procedures

Finding a piercing-knowledgeable doctor is more difficult than ...

7.7 Body Jewelry And Metal Detectors

Security metal detectors are used to detect certain types of ...

7.8 Piercings And Employment

Several readers of rec.arts.bodyart have been suspended or ...

Part VIII: Historical Information

8.1a History of the Nipple Piercing

by

8.1b Titrings, a Bit of History

by D. W. ...

8.2 The Apadravya In The Kama Sutra

From the unexpurgated printing of the Kama Sutra printed in 1963 ...

8.3 History Of Late 20th Century Body Piercing

In the US, Doug Malloy, along with Jim Ward and Fakir and, in England,...

9.1 Books And Magazines

Part IX: Resource List

9A.2 Calendars And Posters

9B.1 Videos

9B.2 Online Sites

9B.2a Chat Rooms And Online Clubs

9B.3 Software & CDs

9b.4 Places Of Interest

NEW YORK BODY ARCHIVE, #9 Ninth Ave., 2nd Floor, South of 13th St....

Part X: Personal Experiences

10A.1 Tongue Pierce

by Harry Ugol ...

10A.2 Labret Piercing

10A.3 Hand Web Piercing

10A.4 Eyelet Piercing

by Julian Hurt ...

10A.5 Ritual Nipple Piercing (Male)

by Phaedrus, edited by Anne Greenblatt ...

10A.6 Niebuhr Piercing

by Denise

10A.7 Piercing Inverted Nipples (Male)

by ...

10B.1 Triangle Piercing by Susan 1994

I got my Triangle piercing done by Raelyn Gallina in mid-...

10B.2 Vertical Clitoral Hood Piercing by Erika Ferguson

Piercing performed by Morganna at Inkporium Tattoos in Lansing,...

10B.3 Ampallang Piercing by

So I happened to be in New Orleans for the first time this weekend,...

10B.4 Foreskin and Septum Piercings

by Pierre Honeyman ...

10B.5 Frenum with Intact Foreskin

by Clive Neil ...

10B.6 Ampallang Piercing #2

by Adam ...

10C.1 Reverse Prince Albert

10C.2 Aparavya Piercing Experience

10C.3 Bead Implants

The author writes:

10C.4 Prince Albert with Intact Foreskin

10C.5 Camilla's Custom Nipple Studs

10C.6 Double Ring Wedding Ceremony

by Calyxa Omphalos ...

10D.1 Inner Labia Piercing

by Laura Bryannan ...

10D.2 Fourchette Piercing

by Julie Nicholson October ...

10D.3 Dolphin Piercing

10D.4 Childbirth with Clitoral Hood Piercing

by Samantha August ...

Part XI: Jewelry Manufacturers

11A.1 Manufacturers Of Jewelry In All Metals

11A.2 Distributors Of Jewelry In All Metals

This may include surgical steel, niobium, titanium, gold, acrylic,...

11B.1 Jewelry In 316l/Lvm Steel Only

11B.2 Jewelry In Other Steel Grades

11B.3 Jewelry In Niobium / Titanium Only

11B.4 Jewelry In Gold / Platinum Only

11B.5 Jewelry In Acrylic ONLY

11B.6 Jewelry In Glass Only

11B.7 Jewelry In Organic Materials

11B.8 Accessories For Healed Piercings

11C.1 Piercing Supplies / Needles

11C.2 Jewelry Manufacturing Suppliers

Providing raw materials and equipment for body ...

11C.3 Medical Suppliers / Sterilization Services

11C.4 Insurance Brokers