Posted August 29, 2011
We know you really want that classic Rachel Bolan look, but before you increase your jewelry intake, you need to get your piercing knowledge on, son/daughter. Follow our advice, and you won't end up getting an eyebrow spike from the guy at that mall who just sold you a cell-phone charger.
(NOTE: For the sake of this post, we're going to assume you want jam a shiny thing through your lip or navel or some equally tender spot?essentially, that you want to do more than the standard hole-poking in your earlobes.)
(OTHER NOTE: A lot of sources say that, even for a simple earlobe piercing, it's usually better to go to a professional piercer than a place like, say, Claire's. It might cost a little more to go to a studio, but you'll be dealing with a pro rather than taking your chance on someone who took a speed course on the earring gun three hours before you got there.)
What's the APP? The APP, or the Association of Professional Piercers, is about to be your bestest friend ever. It's a solid resource (and a pretty kick-butt non-profit) that's "dedicated to providing accurate and relevant education about body piercing." Go here to find out, among other things, what your piercing jewelry should be made of, how to deal with aftercare, what piercing rights you're entitled to, and how to pick a studio or solo operator. (HINT: They should be APP-approved or -recommended, but if you don't see your chosen place/practitioner on the site, you can always get in touch with the organization to make sure you're not getting a raw deal.)
I'm a minor. Do I have to get my parents on board? Probably, yes, and based on where you live, the rules for their involvement level are going to be different. For example, in Pennsylvania, minors need to get parental approval and have a guardian present when they get jabbed. On the other hand, in Idaho, it doesn't matter if mom and dad say yes, because it's illegal (and a misdemeanor charge!) to pierce anyone younger than 14. Each state has it's own rules, so check your local Department of Health (or a site like this) to find out what you and your folks need to do so you can get those sweet knuckle barbells.
So...how do I get my parents on board? Allow us to put on our wise grandpa suit. *don rumpled seersucker suits, light pipes, offer you lemonade*
Just so's you knowz, other people are going to have reactions to and opinions about your piercing?especially authority figures. Your parents may not be crazy about the idea at first, so you may want to approach the conversation as calmly and responsibly as possible. (That is, unless your dad is The Lizardman, in which case, you're probably good to go.) If your piercing is on your head, face, or somewhere publicly visible, you've got to remember that it's going to be seen by administrators, bosses, lawfolk, and teachers alike. We're not saying that you shouldn't do it just because your manager at Waffle House is all, "Oh, HECK no," but keep in mind that her opinion may affect whether or not you get those extra Saturday shifts.
How do I pick a studio? In addition to getting the APP's blessing, do your research. Julio's House of Stabbetry may be a mere two blocks away, but before you blindly wander in, it's best to search teh interwebz for reviews and ask pierced friends for their thoughts and recommendations.
Also, it can be pretty intimidating to walk into a place where everyone's all severe-looking and body-modded up, but mostly, piercers are pretty chill. No matter what, you want to make sure that wherever you go, it's a clean place where a) you feel comfortable and b) you can have a solid, friendly conversation with an educated piercer who can give you advice about what you're looking for and what you can expect. Finally, the studio's piercing space should also probably be private, sterile, enclosed and separated from the waiting room area, but the laws vary by state.
How do I keep it clean? You might think you should dump hydrogen peroxide and Bactine and Neosporin and a Big Gulp's-worth of Dial anti-bacterial soap on your new piercing. Not so! It sounds weird, but when you overclean, you rob your body of the ability to heal on its own. Again, the APP has lots of info on aftercare, but to give you the basics, you want to touch the area as little as possible (and make sure your hands are clean when you do), use small amounts of soap to wash it in the shower, and soak the piercing in a salt-water solution a few times a day. Keeping your towels, clothes and sheets clean will also go a long way toward avoiding infection, and you probably don't want to dunk your new jewel in a pool, a hot tub, the bath, or, really, any body of water until it heals.
How do I know if something's wrong? Your piercing is technically a wound, so it's possible that the area might get red, swell a little, be extra tender, or bleed a small amount. (You might even see some whitish liquid or crust around the area; it's likely just a normal mix of white blood cells and other fluids, so don't freak out.) However, if there's pus, fluid of any other color, a LOT of blood, a rash, a fever, or other badness, you want to contact your piercer or doctor for advice ASAP; in this case, it's possible that you've got an infection or that you're allergic to the metal, and your piercer can advise you on the best course of action. (Don't take out the jewelry, though; if you do, your skin may heal around the infection and trap it inside your body. Gross, no?)
I've got a needle and a lighter, and I found a how-to guide online. Can I just do it myself? NO. NONONONONO!
Ahem.
What we mean to say is, piercing is an art and a skill that requires tons of practice and training. Think of it as one of many things?like volcano repair, trapeze-based acrobatics, or surgery?that you should never, ever do on your own. So. The answer is no.
"But my friend did it, and he's fine?"
NO.
"I saw this video of a girl who used a safety pin and saved SO much money, so that's what I'm going to?"
NO.
"I heard dog saliva is sterile and free, and?"
NO. NO. NO!
Moving on.
Cool. So, piercings aren't actually dangerous, right? Yes and no?each piercing comes with its own special host of possible problems. For example, studies show that tongue piercings can cause lots of tiny fissures (and sometimes larger cracks) in the enamel in your teeth; as you probably guessed, those fissures and cracks can lead to big-time dental problems. Belly button piercings commonly get infected because they rub against belts and waistlines and aren't given a proper chance to heal. (Plus, they're a big no-no in Chinese medicine.) And any piercing in cartilage?like your upper ear?has a very limited blood supply, so if it gets infected, it can be super difficult to cure and even disfiguring.
Scary. Any last words? Don't be scared?just be smart. Do your research, talk to your folks, use the APP's resources, work with a piercer you feel good about, and be a rockstar about your aftercare. Follow those steps, and in no time, you'll be the human doorknocker you've always wanted to be.
Piercings?got em? Want em? Share in the comments!
Related post: An Allergy-Based Love Story
Source: http://community.sparknotes.com/2011/08/29/everything-you-need-to-know-about-body-piercing
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