Body Piercing The piercing of body parts, also known as "body modification," has been practiced since ancient times, often to exhibit virility and courage, and frequently associated with royalty. During the last part of the twentieth century. A piercing boutique in Los Angeles reported performing 18,000
piercings in 1993 alone.
In body piercing, the
procedure is completed without anesthesia as a hollow needle is passed quickly through the body part which has been marked and cleaned with antiseptic by the piercer. The most common site involves the earlobe or ear cartilage. After the part is pierced by the needle, a piece of body
jewelry--often a ring,
barbell, or curved barbell known as a clamp--may be inserted in the resulting
hole. Piercing of the
tongue, the most common intraoral site, requires a slightly different procedure. The tongue is connected to the floor of the mouth by a hole made in the midline and anterior of the median fold. Initially, a large barbell is used to keep the hole open and accommodate any swelling; then, as this subsides, a smaller barbell is put in its place. With all piercings, it is important that jewelry made of surgical-grade stainless steel or solid 14-karat gold, niobium, or titanium is used. Brass-plated cosmetic jewelry can lead to allergic reactions or infection. Some bleeding may be expected after any body site is pierced.
Once the piercing is complete, it is essential that the site be properly cared for. The stud will remain in for the length of time needed for the hole to form; it will not be removed during the initial phases of healing due to the difficulty of reinsertion. While a pierce through the ear is relatively pain free due to its cartilage consistency, piercings in softer tissue, such as the tongue, lip, and navel hurt more due to the wound it causes on the flesh. An ear piercing takes four-to-eight weeks to heal, while flesh piercings take much longer, with the healing of a navel piercing taking up to a year.
With any type of body piercing there are risks involved. The best way to avoid complications is to have the procedure performed by an educated and trained piercer. Anyone considering body modification should talk with friends who have undergone a similar procedure, and should visit either their physician, or a number of piercing salons, observing the cleanliness of the establishments and asking about infection control. Reputable piercers take pride in their sterilization practices and equipment. They should be happy to answer your questions. If a piercer refuses to discuss safety issues, go somewhere else.
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