EYEBROW PIERCING AFTERCARE

JEWELLERY
The usual jewellery for piercing the eyebrow is a 1mm ball closure ring, the piercing can also be done with the very small barbells which are used specially for eyebrows; barbells seem to have less problems, most probably because they are knocked around less than rings.
HEALING
The piercing will take approximately 5-6 weeks to heal, some people may take longer though, the better you care for the piercing the quicker it will heal, and the fewer problems you will have. Eyebrow piercings can sometimes be very problematic, this is for several reasons, the skin where the piercing is done is quite thin, and contains a lot of hair follicles and doesn't have much tissue underneath to give it strength. Eyebrows are there to prevent any dirt from falling into the eyes, and therefore the dirt gets into the wound. The piercing gets knocked around a lot when you sleep, and movement hampers the healing process.
MIGRATION
Migration means the movement of the jewellery out of the skin, in the same way that the body forces out a foreign object like a splinter, it can cause the jewellery to migrate. The amount of skin taken by the initial piercing will decrease until the jewellery eventually grows out altogether. It doesn't matter how well the piercing is done initially, migration can still occur. However, I pierce eyebrows with the very small rings and barbells, I believe that this puts less pressure on the wound and I have achieved a very good success rate using this method. If you are really concerned about migration then it's best to get the piercing done with a barbell.
INFECTION
Because of the dirt which gets into eyebrow piercings, movement, and the amount of hair follicles near the wound, eyebrow piercings are prone to infections. You must be diligent with cleaning to prevent infections, however if an infection does occur it can turn nasty very quickly. Because there is no tissue under the skin of the eyebrow, the infection can quickly turn into a large cyst. The area of the piercing can become very red and tender and there can be a large amount of discharge from the wound.
If an infection occurs you must return to your piercer so they can look at it immediately, if you can't return you will have to clean the wound yourself. The easiest method to remove infection from the wound is the application of a hot compress. Get a clean hand towel or paper towel and hold it under very hot running water, test the heat of the compress so that you can just bear the heat on the wound. Be careful not to apply it when it's too hot as this can result in a bad burn.
Hold the hot compress on the wound until you feel the heat dissipate altogether, remove the compress and gently bathe the wound with warm, salty water. Don't squeeze the piercing to remove any infection, just apply very gentle pressure with a clean tissue, and repeat the hot compress a couple of more times until all residue is removed from the wound.
Follow this process twice a day until the wound settles down, if this doesn't alleviate the infection you will have to see a doctor for antibiotics. The doctor may tell you to remove the ring, don't do this as the jewellery allows any exudate to come out of the wound, if you remove it there will be no way of allowing the pus out of the wound. If antibiotics fail to stop the infection you have no choice but to remove the ring, however in my experience this is very rare.

DO clean the piercing in the shower every day. Make some salt water up by dissolving sea salt in warm water, or use Saline solution (available at any Chemist). Soak a clean cotton wool ball in the salt water and apply it to the piercing for 5 minutes or until any crusting is dissolved. It's important to remove all the crusting because it can concrete on the jewellery and tear the inside of the wound causing pain and inflammation. Rinse with fresh water and move the jewellery very gently to ensure that there is no crusting remaining.
DO use a new! Soft toothbrush to remove any crusting if you have a barbell. Run it under very hot water after cleaning the piercing and make sure that it's not used for anything but cleaning the piercing
DO dry the piercing after your shower with a clean tissue or piece of toilet paper (towels harbour bacteria). Be careful to pat it dry, don't rub it as this can aggravate the wound.
DO use Lavender oil as it promotes healing and lubricates the wound reducing tenderness. Apply a small amount with a cotton-wool bud after cleaning (being careful not to get it into your eye) then move the jewellery gently so it gets into the wound. Remove any excess with a tissue as leaving it on can cause the skin to become irritated. It may be purchased at supermarkets (medicine section) or at chemists and must be marked (BP) or medicinal grade.
DO wash the piercing during meal breaks with clean water if you work in a job which is dusty, if there is no tap use bottled water.
DO leave jewellery in the piercing for the first 6 months, or the hole will close up.
DO be careful if you are in crowded places like pubs or nightclubs, people have a tendency to try to pull at the jewellery.
DO try to sleep on the side opposite the piercing, this reduces movement of the ring.
DO keep your bedding clean, especially your pillowcases to reduce the chance of infections.
DO use B-vitamins with a Zinc supplement as they promote healing.
Is it better not to attempt to remove and re-insert the jewellery to hide the piercing, this can hamper healing and lead to infections. If you have to take it out for work see the section below on hiding the piercing.

HIDING YOUR EYEBROW PIERCING
Because employers and parents are sometimes pretty conservative, some people have no choice but to try and hide their piercing. Luckily this isn't too hard, all you need to do is purchase a small amount of clear 1mm fishing line. Cut a piece which is approximate to the length of the wound, and then push one end against a heated knife to create a flat end like a nail. You should clean this with some disinfectant like cleaning alcohol, Dettol etc. then gently place it in the wound. There should be 2-3mm room to spare so it doesn't get caught in the wound. You can only do this after the piercing is healed, trying this method to hide it while it's healing will lead to infection.

TONGUE PIERCING AFTERCARE

HISTORY
Tongue piercing was practised in a ritual form by the ancient Aztecs, Mayas of Central America and the Haida, Kwakiutul, and Tlinglit tribes of the American Northwest. The tongue was pierced to draw blood to propitiate the gods, and to create an altered state of consciousness so that the priest or shaman could communicate with the gods.
Tongue piercing is one of the most popular piercings, it's shocking, provocative and fantastic for oral sex (for both sexes), but at the same time no one need know you have it. Janet Jackson, Keith Flint from Prodigy, Mel B from the Spice Girls and Malcolm Jamahl Warner from the Cosby show all sport pierced tongues.
PIERCING
The actual piercing of the tongue is not painful in itself because the tongue is a muscle with striations, the needle slips between them just like pushing a needle through a piece of fabric. However the tongue can swell and become tender afterwards, sometimes quite dramatically, that's why it's usual to pierce the tongue first with a longer barbell, which is replaced for the proper size when the swelling goes down (usually 8-10 days). The further back from the tip of the tongue the piercing is done, the more swelling there is usually. Some people have a dimple on the front of the tongue this is usually the ideal place to do the piercing.
Tongue piercing is not for the faint of heart, you won't be able to eat solid foods, or talk properly for several days; this can sometimes lead to a short period of depression. Make sure before getting the piercing that you have all the things that you won't be able to have for a week such as steak, chips, chocolate, etc. A last meal for the condemned!
JEWELLERY
The most common form of jewellery for tongue piercings are barbells, which are available in surgical steel, gold-plated surgical steel and coloured plastic to name a few. The initial piercing must have a longer barbell with larger balls but once it's healed you can wear a barbell with smaller balls. Labret studs and tongue retainers may appeal to those who need to hide their piercing, they have a flat top which makes them less visible and totally invisible if they are painted with flesh coloured nail polish.
HEALING
Tongue piercing usually takes between 10-14 days to fully heal, it is almost impossible to develop an infection because the mouth contains an enzyme "Ptyalin" and Lingual antimicrobial Peptide (LAP) which kills bacteria. Overuse of mouthwash destroys these which can cause the tongue to go green or brown, if this happens reduce the amount of mouthwash you use.
You will experience swelling the first day you get the piercing, but the worst swelling will be from 2-5 days after the piercing, during which time your tongue will be very uncoordinated and you may find it very hard to talk. The only food you will be able to eat during the first 3-5 days are things like mashed potatoes, canned spaghetti mashed up etc. or fruit and milk drinks made in a blender.
During the healing process you may experience one or several of the following problems, don't be alarmed they will all stop once the piercing is healed. Your salivary glands will overproduce saliva and this will cause you to constantly swallow, this may last for up to 5 days during which the salivary glands (under the chin) can become swollen. The taste buds on the end of your tongue may become tender and you might experience a tingling or burning sensation. You may experience tenderness where the balls on the barbell make a depression on the palate of your mouth and on the lower inside gum of your mouth. You may see a white fluid being excreted by the wound, don't be alarmed is just dead white blood cells it's a normal part of the healing process, all wounds heal by secreting plasma which forms a scab, but because of the saliva in the mouth a scab can't form.
After 3-5 days the swelling will start to reduce, and between 7-10 days after the piercing you will have to insert the shorter barbell inserted, your piercer can do it for you or you can do it yourself. Usually the shorter barbell can be inserted after 8-10 days, although some people's tongue may heal quicker. The amount of swelling depends on how long your tongue is (longer tongues swell more), where the piercing is placed (the further back from the tip, the more swelling) and how well you follow the aftercare instructions.
CHANGING THE JEWELLERY
Rinse you mouth with water while changing barbells as this helps remove saliva and makes it easier to change the jewellery. Remove the initial barbell after 10 days, remove the barbell by unscrewing a ball ( the top one is usually easier ) take your shorter barbell insert it in to your piercing from the top down and screw the ball on to the bottom and tighten as much as possible. This can be done by holding the top ball and bottom ball wearing surgical gloves for cleanliness and grip, and firmly tightening the balls.
INVISIBLE TONGUE PIERCING
Many people wish to get their tongues pierced but feel they are prevented by the negative reactions they may get from their employers. This can be solved by having your tongue pierced by a barbell painted with flesh coloured nail polish as this is less likely to be seen. For extra precaution after it's healed you can wear a labret stud or tongue retainer (flat on top) painted with flesh coloured nail polish. Once it's healed you can change the jewellery yourself, so you can wear one to hide the piercing from your boss (and relatives!), and one to impress your friends at night.

TONGUE PIERCING CARE

DO use Difflam-CT throat lozenges (or some other antibacterial/anti- inflammatory lozenge) until you have the smaller barbell inserted. They perform two valuable functions, firstly, they are anti-bacterial which prevents infections; secondly, and most importantly they are anti- inflammatory which helps relieve swelling and promotes healing. Using these will greatly reduce the period your tongue will be swollen for.
DO rinse your mouth with a disinfectant such as Listerine or cepacol after eating any food (for 14 days), the mouthwash must be diluted to 1/4 of normal strength with water, using undiluted mouthwash reduces the mouth's natural enzymes and peptides which help healing.
DO wait a minimum of 10 days before attempting to change over to the shorter stem, if you do so before that period your tongue can swell up all over again.
DO remove plaque which can form on the jewellery, remove this very gently with a soft toothbrush during the healing period. After the piercing is healed use an ant plaque mouthwash, and you may remove the jewellery to clean it once a month.
DO check that the jewellery is screwed on tight once a week, clean hands with a germicidal soap before handling. The ball that screws off should be on the bottom, and it must be turned clockwise to tighten it.
DO be careful when you first start eating solid food to take very small bites and be careful when you chew to keep your tongue level in your mouth while eating, so the jewellery doesn't knock against your teeth, and so you don't bite the barbell and shatter a tooth! This is less of a problem after you get the smaller barbell.
DO keep cold water in the fridge, and add lots of ice to make it really cold, drink this when you first wake up in the morning. The swelling will be worse than usual because when you lie down more blood goes to your head, sip the iced water very slowly, this will help alleviate the swelling.
DO eat lots of cold foods i.e. ice cream, frozen yoghurt, suck on chipped or crushed ice, or very small ice blocks and drink lots of ice water this will alleviate pain and reduce swelling. Frozen ice blocks in packs from the supermarket are cheap and you can suck on them all day.
Is it better not to talk too much while you have the first (longer) barbell in, because the barbell is longer (to accommodate swelling) excess movement will cause the barbell to cut the top of the wound. This problem will get better once the swelling goes down and a shorter barbell is inserted.
Is it better not to eat food that's hot in temperature i.e. Coffee, tea, soup, as this can be painful during the healing phase. Don't eat spicy hot food i.e. chilli, curry because this can increase the swelling during healing.
Is it better not to use undiluted mouthwash as this destroys the mouth natural enzymes which promote healing and it can cause ulceration.
Is it better not to put anything dirty in your mouth such as fingernails, pens, etc. And you must refrain from oral sex for the first 10-14 days, this includes kissing even if you are in a monogamous relationship.
Is it better not to play with the piercing or chew on it during the healing period as this can lead to excess scar tissue formation and delayed healing.
Is it better not to remove or replace the jewellery during the healing period, as the hole closes up very quickly and it's painful to reinsert the jewellery once this happens. Even after the piercing is healed it will close up within a day if you remove the jewellery.

NOSE PIERCING AFTERCARE

HISTORY
Nose piercing is very attractive, and can accentuate the face, because the nose is the face's most prominent feature; Leonardo Da Vinci believed that the nose set the character of the whole face.
Nose piercing was first recorded in the Middle East approximately 4,000 years ago, it is mentioned in The Bible in Genesis 24:22 Abraham requested his oldest servant to find a wife for his son Isaac, the servant found Rebekah, and one of the gifts he gave her was a "golden earring" the original Hebrew word used was Shanf, which also translates as "nose-ring"
This practice is still followed among the nomadic Berber and Beja tribes of Africa, and the Bedouins of the Middle East, the size of the ring denotes the wealth of the family. It is given by the husband to his wife at the marriage, and is her security if she is divorced.
Nose piercing was bought to India in the 16th Century from the Middle East by the Moghul emperors. In India a stud (Phul) or a ring (Nath) is usually worn in the left nostril, it is sometimes joined to the ear by a chain, and in some places both nostrils are pierced. The left side is the most common to be pierced in India, because that is the spot associated in Ayuvedra (Indian medicine) with the female reproductive organs, the piercing is supposed to make childbirth easier and lessen period pain.
In the west nose piercing first appeared among the hippies who travelled to India in the late 1960's. It was later adopted by the Punk movement of the late 1970's as a symbol of rebellion against conservative values, and conservative people like parents and employers still don't react well to it, so consider their reaction carefully before getting it done.
Nowadays nose piercing is gradually becoming more socially acceptable, and many celebrities have their nose pierced i.e. Madonna, Lenny Kravitz, Sinead O'Connor, and Slash from Guns & Roses.
JEWELLERY
The original piercing can be done with either a stud or a ring. There is a definite spot on the nose for a stud, but a ring can be placed in various spots. I recommend that a piercing with a ring be done in the place for a stud, just in case you want to change to a stud at a later date.
The jewellery must be Hypo-allergenic, meaning that it should have no adverse affects on the body, so the only metals you should use are Niobium, Titanium, 18ct White & Yellow Gold, Platinum, or Palladium. Silver should never be worn in the nose during healing, because it oxidises inside the wound, and can cause allergic reactions, lumps, and can leave a permanent black mark on your nose.
Once the piercing is healed you can change the jewellery as easily as changing an earring, you can wear gold and coloured niobium rings and studs, studs set with gemstones, or studs with tiny shapes i.e. moons, dolphins, hearts.

THE GUN VS. THE NEEDLE

Before there were professional Body Piercers around, some people used to get their nose pierced using the Ear Piercing Gun. Now there is no excuse for this practice, all nose piercing should always be done using a needle, there are a host of reasons for this.
The Gun was designed to be sterile because of the no touch principle, no skin came in contact with the gun and therefore it was safe to be used repeatedly, because it is made of plastic it can't be Autoclaved, and is therefore unsterile if the gun comes in contact with the inside of the nose. Potentially fatal micro-organisms (Staphylococcus Aureus), can therefore be transmitted between customers, and as approximately 30% of the population have resident colonies of Staph. Aureus in their noses, you have a 1 in 3 chance of developing a potentially fatal infection, because of the proximity of the nose to the brain.
The studs used in the gun were designed to pierce the flesh of the ear, the nose is quite thick cartilage, and in some instances the gun fails to pierce the nose on the first attempt. A needle produces a very quick, short, sharp pain, but because the studs in the gun are quite blunt they are forced through the wound by brute force, this results in trauma to the wound and it can cause pain for several days afterwards.
The whole reason for getting your nose pierced is for aesthetics, it is very hard to sometimes get the proper placement using the gun, and you have a very large unsightly stud in your nose. The needle method gives minimal pain, exact placement, and you can have a tiny stud inserted immediately.
Source: "Life Threatening Staphylococcal disease following ear piercing" Paediatrics Vol 46 pp. 301-303 (July 1970)
HEALING
Even provided that you have the piercing done properly with a needle, have proper jewellery and look after it properly you may still develop a problem with healing; this is because the nose is cartilage and it doesn't heal in the same way as flesh. The most common problem is small lumps which form around the piercing, these are called granulomas and usually occur because the piercing has been knocked or the jewellery has been taken out and re-inserted damaging the wound.
The best course of action to heal Granulomas is to apply hot compresses to the wound once or twice a day. Put a clean paper towel under hot tap water, make sure that it's not hot enough to burn the skin, but hot enough to penetrate the wound. Leave on till the heat dissipates, do this twice a day. If that doesn't work the best course of action is to remove the jewellery for a short period of time to allow the wound to heal. When the lump goes down (usually 4-5 days) the jewellery may be reinserted, however, if the lump starts to come back it's best to leave it heal and have it re-pierced at a later date.
If you develop any problems see your piercer, they should help you free of charge, that is the service that you pay for when you get the piercing, don't be embarrassed to see them, it's their job to help you!
INVISIBLE NOSE PIERCING
Many people want to get their nose pierced, but feel they can't because of the reaction of their parents or employers. Trying to hide it by taking it in and out just leads to delayed healing and infections, so here's a trick to help people get their nose pierced without letting anybody know. The piercing can be done with an invisible stud (a normal nose stud covered with flesh coloured nail polish). Once it's healed this can be changed at night for a normal stud.
The biggest cause of people's studs coming out is drying their face with a towel they rub their face dry and dislodge the stud, you must pat your nose dry as long as you are wearing a stud. Other reasons are scratching their nose in their sleep and pulling tight clothes over their head.

The piercing usually takes approximately 8-10 weeks to heal, you must follow these instructions carefully or you could have trouble getting it healed. If you have any problems you should go and see your piercer so they can help you. Small problems left untended become large problems.
THE NUMBER ONE REASON FOR INFECTION IS TOUCHING OR PLAYING WITH THE PIERCING, ONLY TOUCH THE PIERCING WHEN YOU ARE CLEANING IT!
DO clean the piercing every day in the shower, soak a cotton wool ball or tissue in Saline Solution (available at any chemist) or 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt dissolved in a 1/4 glass of warm water. Place the wet cotton wool ball or tissue on the piercing and soak for 3-4 minutes until any crusting is removed, be careful not to pull the stud out!
DO remove any crusting from the inside of the stud/ring by cleaning it with a cotton-wool bud soaked in salt water. Be gentle, don't rub it roughly as you may cause the stud to come out. Any crusting must be removed from a ring before you turn it or you can damage and inflame the piercing.
DO dry the piercing afterwards carefully by "patting" not rubbing the piercing dry with a clean tissue, piece of paper towel or toilet paper. Don't rub your face dry with a towel as they harbour bacteria and can pull the stud out.
DO use Lavender oil as it promotes healing and lubricates the wound reducing tenderness. Apply a small amount with a cotton-wool bud after cleaning then move the jewellery so it gets into the wound, if you have a ring rotate it gently. Remove any excess with a tissue as leaving it on can cause the skin to become irritated. It may be purchased at supermarkets (medicine section) or at chemists and must be marked (BP) or medicinal grade.
DO remove it at night so you don't lose the stud, but not till it's healed fully.
DO use B-vitamins with a Zinc supplement as this promotes healing.
Is it better not to pick at or pull at the scab as this can cause lumps to form, and cause infections.
Is it better not to remove the jewellery in the piercing till it's healed, pulling it in and out can delay healing and cause infections and lumps.
Is it better not to replace the jewellery with a sleeper during the healing phase, as they have tiny hinges which tear the inside of the wound and cause inflammation and lumps. Silver sleepers are especially dangerous as they oxidise in the wound while it is healing which causes "Argyria" a permanent black mark in your nose.
Is it better not to remove the jewellery from the piercing for more than 1 day for the first 6 months, or it will close up.
Is it better not to get make-up, cleansers, sun tan lotions etc. directly on the piercing, when using hairspray cover the piercing with your hand.
Is it better not to use alcohol, Tea Tree Oil, metholated spirits, or betadine to clean the piercing as they are all harmful to the delicate tissues forming the scar, and can cause lumps to form.

EAR PIERCING AFTERCARE

HISTORY
The ear-lobe was probably man's first attempt at body piercing due to the ease with which it can be pierced. The oldest mummified body in the world was found frozen in an Austrian Glacier in 1991, tests showed the body to be over 5,000 years old. The body had pierced ears and the holes had been enlarged to 7-11mm diameter.
Ears were probably first pierced for magical purposes, very many primitive tribes believe that demons can enter the body through the ear, because demons and spirits are supposed to be repelled by metal, ear-piercing prevents them entering the body. Sailors used to have an ear pierced to improve eyesight, and if the bodies washed up somewhere it would pay for a Christian burial. In many societies ear piercing is done as a puberty ritual, in Borneo the Mother and Father each pierce one ear as a symbol of the child's dependence on their parents.
Ear piercing is an almost universal practice for men and women, it's only in western society that it's deemed effeminate. At various times in history men wore elaborate earrings; during the Elizabethan era many famous men such as Shakespeare, Sir Walter Raleigh and Francis Drake wore gold rings in their ears.
"As the Roman Republic grew more effeminate with wealth and luxury, earrings were more popular among men than women; no less a he-man than Julius Caesar brought back to repute and fashion the use of rings in the ears of men."
"Jewels & Women; The Romance, Magic and Art of Feminine Adornment" Marianne Ostier, Horizon Press, New York, 1958
HEALING
The ear-lobe and the Helix are some of the fastest parts of the body to heal, it usually takes 6-10 weeks to heal and problems are very rare. Cartilage piercings however, are more prone to problems, this is because it doesn't heal in the same way as flesh. The most common problem is small lumps which form around the piercing, these are called granulomas and usually occur because the piercing has been knocked or the jewellery has been taken out and re-inserted damaging the wound.
The best course of action to heal Granulomas is to apply hot compresses to the wound once or twice a day. Put a clean paper towel under hot tap water, make sure that it's not hot enough to burn the skin, but hot enough to penetrate the wound. Leave on till the heat dissipates, do this twice a day. If that doesn't work the best course of action is to remove the jewellery for a short period of time to allow the wound to heal. When the lump goes down (usually 4-5 days) the jewellery may be reinserted, however, if the lump starts to come back it's best to leave it heal and have it re-pierced at a later date.
Another problem are "Keloids" these are lumps which come from excessive scar tissue formation, this problem is genetic and people with black or dark skin are especially prone to it. If a Keloid develops it's best to remove the jewellery as they can be very hard to treat, the best treatment is the application of "Cortisone" cream which you must get on prescription from a physician. It has been noted that Keloids tend to form more often around the exit hole, due to the action of the needle, which slices a crescent-shaped opening.
If you develop any problems see your piercer they should help you free of charge as that is the service that you pay for when you get the piercing, don't be embarrassed to see them, it's their job to help you!
PLACEMENT
Antitragus: A piercing is made through the extrusive ridge of cartilage opposite the tragus. In most cases, a straight or curved barbell is advisable over a ring.
Bridge, Industrial, Ladder: A barbell pierced through the two sides of the upper pinna so that it looks like a bridge. Conch: Piercings made straight through the shell of the ear cartilage. The Conch piercings are sometimes described as either "lower" or "upper", the dividing line being the Crus helix. The piercing is usually done initially with a barbell, but once it's healed a large ball-closure ring may be inserted, spiked labret studs are sometimes worn as well
"Daith": A piercing made through the Crus helix, the inner-most ridge of cartilage above the Tragus. Of the interior ear cartilage piercings the Daith is usually the most successful as it is not subject to pressure from sleeping and irritation from daily activities.
Helix: Piercings made through or around the upper, curled edge of the ear, including the curled edge towards the face. If the curl is extreme or wide, a piercing made parallel to the plane of the head through the apex of the curl will be more comfortable. In this instance, a piercing made perpendicular to the plane of the head would require a large diameter ring to allow for proper healing which would be too large to comfortably fit between the ear and head.
Lobe: The most common piercing of the ear, can be pierced several times depending on it's size. One of the fastest of all piercings to heal.
Orbital: A ring through the upper conch so that the ring comes out either side.
"Rook": A piercing made through the antihelix, the ridge above the "Daith" ridge. More prone to rejection/migration.
"Snug": A horizontal piercing of the antihelix, across from the tragus. This piercing isn't suitable for all people.
Top-Ear "Pinna": The outer rim of the ear extending from the top of the Helix to the Daith. The second most common piercing, it has become quite popular because it's novel without being to extreme. Usually takes 12 months to heal and is more prone to Granulomas because of hair pulling on it and lying on it during sleep.
Tragus: The prominence of cartilage in front of the opening of the ear canal. This piercing is a little bit more painful than other cartilage piercings because it's very thick, usually takes at least 12 months to heal.
Tranverse: A horizontal piercing through the lobe with a barbell.
JEWELLERY
Ear piercing studs aren't really suitable for initial piercing because they can't be cleaned properly which can lead to infections. Sleepers are also unsuitable because they have tiny sharp hinges which tear the inside of the piercing causing inflammation and delaying healing. The only metals which should be used for the healing period are 18ct Gold, Niobium, Titanium or Surgical Stainless Steel.
THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF INFECTION IS TOUCHING AND PLAYING WITH THE PIERCING, ONLY TOUCH IT WHEN CLEANING!

THE NUMBER ONE REASON FOR INFECTION IS TOUCHING OR PLAYING WITH THE PIERCING, ONLY TOUCH THE PIERCING WHEN CLEANING!
DO rinse your mouth with a mouthwash such as Listerine or cepacol after meals or eating. For the first few weeks you should suck on antibacterial/ant inflammatory throat lozenges (Difflam-C), these reduce the chance of infection and reduce swelling.
DO clean the front of the piercing by soaking a cotton wool ball in salt water or Saline and leaving it on the piercing for 2-3 minutes to dissolve the crusting in the morning. Salt water can be made by dissolving 1/2 teaspoon of Sea Salt or table salt in a 1/4 glass of warm water, or use Saline (from any Chemist).
DO use Lavender oil as it promotes healing and lubricates the wound reducing tenderness. Apply a small amount with a cotton-wool bud (to the front) after cleaning then move the jewellery so it gets into the wound. Remove any excess with a tissue as leaving it on can cause the skin to become irritated. It may be purchased at supermarkets (medicine section) or at chemists and must be marked (BP) or medicinal grade.
DO eat things such as frozen yoghurt, ice cream, cold foods, or suck on chipped or crushed ice, or very small ice blocks. Cold things help the healing, alleviate pain and reduce swelling.
DO remove the plaque and exudate which can form on the jewellery, do this very gently with a soft toothbrush during the healing period.
DO be careful when chewing that so you don't bite the labret stud/ring and shatter a tooth!
DO check once a month that the jewellery is screwed on tight , clean hands with a germicidal soap before touching the jewellery. The ball that screws off is on the front, and it must be turned clockwise to tighten it.
DO use B-vitamins with a zinc supplement as this promotes healing.
DON'T pick at the scab on the front of your lip, as this can cause infections, excessive scar tissue and can lead to lumps forming.
Is it better not to put anything dirty in your mouth such as fingernails, pens, etc. And you must refrain from oral sex for the first month, this includes kissing even if you are in a monogamous relationship.
Is it better not to play with the jewellery or chew on it during the healing period as this can lead to excess scar tissue formation. If you develop the habit of chewing on the jewellery you will eventually damage you teeth by wearing them down, this may result in a costly visit to the dentist.
Is it better not to remove or replace the jewellery during the healing period, as the hole closes up very quickly and it's painful to reinsert the jewellery once this happens. Even after the wound is healed, the hole will close up very quickly if you remove the jewellery. It can take up to 1-2 years before you will be able to remove the jewellery for anything more than a day.
CHANGING JEWELLERY
If you have a ring you must get a piercer to change it for you as you need circlip pliers to remove the ball from the ring. Labret studs you can change yourself but not till they are fully healed and you can't leave the jewellery out for more than 12 hours as the hole will tighten up. If for some reason you can't get the stud back in see a piercer and they will be able to reopen the hole with a taper pin (like a blunt, tapered needle) this doesn't hurt.
After the piercing is healed you will want to change your stud, do this sitting down with a towel in front of you so if you drop the ball you won't lose it. Hold the back-plate of the stud between your front teeth and bite down firmly, apply more pressure until you have a firm hold of the stud, but be very careful because if you bite down too hard you can chip or snap a tooth. Once you have developed this trick you can change studs. The front of the stud unscrews counter-clockwise and can be tightened clockwise, just like a nut and bolt. Unscrew the front, remove the old and insert new stud, grip back-plate strongly between your teeth then screw on the front finger tight. Once the front is screwed on finger tight, bite down firmly onto the back and give the front a bit of a turn to ensure it's on tightly.

NAVEL - JEWEL PIERCING AFTERCARE

NAVEL JEWELS
Navel jewels are a quite recent invention, in my opinion they are the most superior type of jewellery for the initial piercing because they heal faster and are less likely to have problems than piercing with a ring. Rings tend to stick out and get knocked about by movement and clothing, this tends to aggravate the wound and hamper healing. Navel jewels sit flush in the navel and don't move around as much, they are also easier to change yourself (after the wound is healed) because they unscrew, unlike rings which you need circlip pliers to undo, I also think they look much nicer than a ring. Navel jewels must be pierced exactly vertical.
There are variety of different navel jewels available; coloured balls, plain Surgical Steel, plain 22ct gold plated Surgical Steel, small and large Heart shapes in Steel and gold plated steel, Surgical Steel with small and large sized crystals and 18ct solid Gold with a choice of crystals, surgical steel with silver charms.
THE HISTORY OF NAVELS & THEIR PIERCING
Navel piercing is a modern invention and has never been recorded in primitive cultures; however the navel has long been recognised as an erogenous zone, because of the difference between men's and women's stomachs. Women's stomachs differ from men's in that they are more rounded in the lower part, are longer than men's, have a greater distance between the navel and genitals, and are more deeply recessed than men's; these features are often exaggerated by artists to make women appear more feminine in paintings.
The invention of the Bikini in 1953 caused a big stir because the navel was seen as being sexually provocative because of it's similarity to the female genitals. The Bikini revolutionised women's lives, along with the liberation of their clothes their lives in general became more liberated. The process was completed when Madonna started the craze for showing off the midriff in the 1980's. The ability to flaunt their sexuality in public has given women more power and confidence in themselves.
"It is easy to pinpoint the moment when body piercing went mainstream. Christy Turlinton came out at a London Fashion show, and in the middle of her navel was a ring! The next day Naomi Campbell showed the world that anything Christy could do, so could she. A gold ring with a small pearl pierced her navel. And then at Isaac Mizrahi's show the two came out together, navels bared and be-ringed
"Body piercing as a Supermodel totem" Suzy Menkes, The New York Times September 1994.
"I have the most perfect belly button - an inny. When I stick my finger in my belly button, I feel a nerve in the centre of my body shoot up my spine" Madonna Time Magazine 1985. "I like it, I think its fun!" Naomi Campbell.
"I always thought it was a pretty feminine thing to do - and you can always take it out" Christy Turlington.
Shortly after Naomi and Christy had their navels pierced no one was surprised when Madonna, Cher and Janet Jackson were all seen sporting navel rings. Now anybody can join the ranks of Celebrities and Supermodels by having their navel pierced.
THE HEALING PROCESS
Navels take a long time to heal because the navel is on your waist, which is like the hinge of your body, it's subject to a lot of movement and you clothes constantly rub and irritate the piercing. It usually takes 3-4 months to heal, but it can take up to 12 months for some people to heal. Don't be alarmed the only difference between a healed and unhealed navel is a very small amount of redness just around the area where the ring pierces the body, and it's hardly visible. The healing time depends on a variety of factors: health, weight, diet, clothes, profession, and most importantly how carefully you care for it.
The navel is a depressed scar which tends to collect dirt, and if not dried properly after bathing can become subject to fungal infections i.e. Candida Albicans (Thrush) even if it's not pierced. Once its pierced extra care must be taken with cleaning to prevent infections, I can't stress strongly enough that it must be looked after carefully!
The first 4-5 days your navel will look fine, then you will start to get a very small amount of redness where the ring pierces the body. You will start to get crusting around the ring, this is just dead white bloods cells from the healing process. The piercing will discharge small amounts of milky fluid, this is not a sign of infection it's just the result of you body trying to heal a wound with a foreign object in it. If the discharge becomes thick and yellow, or you develop any pain or excessive redness, this is a sign of possible infection, please return to your piercer and see a doctor.
After 6-8 weeks the discharge and crusting should lessen, and there should only be a small amount of redness around the piercing. The piercing is not fully healed until all redness disappears; if you stop cleaning it before it is fully healed you may develop an infection.
PREGNANCY
There are several options available to keep your navel piercing once you become pregnant. You can usually keep your original ring in the piercing till about the sixth month of the pregnancy, at this stage the expansion of the skin means that you will have to either take the ring out, replace it with a larger one or a piece of fishing line. Fishing line will keep the piercing open till after the pregnancy when you may replace the jewellery. If you have removed the jewellery and the hole has closed up it can be re-opened using a special taper pin.

THE NUMBER ONE REASON FOR INFECTION IS TOUCHING OR PLAYING WITH THE PIERCING, ONLY TOUCH THE PIERCING WHEN YOU ARE CLEANING IT!
DO remove the bandage after 4-5 hours, there may be some coagulated blood, don't be alarmed this is normal and will wash of easily. Have a shower after you remove the bandage, cup your hand under the piercing and soak it with water for 3-4 minutes, or have a good soak in the bath. Don't use the cleaning solution till 24 hours after the piercing has been performed, otherwise it will sting a little.
DO use a mild antibacterial soap (containing Triclosan), in the shower (once a day only!). Cup your hand under the piercing and soak it for 2-3 minutes, then use a (new) soft toothbrush to remove any crusting from the jewellery. Push the barbell up and clean around the top, then the top down to clean the bottom, take care not to scratch the wound when cleaning.
Then put 1-2 drops (no more!) of the cleaning solution in your hand, lather it and apply gently to your navel, move the jewel up and down so that the solution gets into the wound. Leave the lather on for 1-2 minutes, soak the piercing once again and move the jewel up and down to remove any excess solution. Leaving the solution on your skin can cause irritation!
DO dissolve half a teaspoon of sea-salt in a quarter of a cup of boiling water. Let this cool a little, then place in a clean glass or medicine cup and lie down with it upturned on your navel for 10-15 minutes, once or twice a day. You can also use Saline solution (available at any chemist). Rinse with fresh water and dry thoroughly with a clean tissue afterwards. This process is the best way to promote healing, and the more you do it the quicker your piercing will heal.
DO make sure when washing that you remove all the crusting, if it's not cleaned of properly it can concrete around the navel jewel and tear the inside of the wound when it moves, this is painful and can lead to infection. Secondly, if its not removed bacteria can feed on it and infect the wound.
DO continue to use the cleaning solution after your bottle runs out, Neglecting to use the cleaning solution for the full healing period can result in infection.
DO make sure that you dry your navel thoroughly after cleaning, this should be done with a paper tissue as towels can harbour bacteria. If you have a very deep navel, you should clean it every day using a clean cotton wool bud soaked in warm water, taking extra care to remove any dirt, and dry it properly afterwards.
DO use Lavender oil as it promotes healing and lubricates the wound reducing tenderness. Apply a small amount with a cotton-wool bud after cleaning then move the jewellery gently so it gets into the wound. Remove any excess with a tissue as leaving it on can cause the skin to become irritated. It may be purchased at supermarkets (medicine section) or at chemists and must be marked (BP) or medicinal grade.
DO continue to apply a drop or two of lavender oil once a week after the piercing is healed or the wound can become tight and dry.
DO use the cleaning solution after going swimming in the ocean or public pools.
DO make sure that you wash the piercing carefully after exercising or sweating a lot, as sweat acts like acid and can cause the piercing to become aggravated and inflamed.
DO give your piercing some sunshine, it helps the body produce vitamin D which promotes healing. It also dries the wound and helps prevent infections
Is it better not to touch, or play with the piercing with dirty hands, don't pull your navel up to look at the piercing as this will aggravate the wound. It's there for other people to see, if you want to see it yourself look in the mirror.
Is it better not to use the toothbrush you clean the jewellery with for anything else. It must be kept clean and separate from dirt or dust. Rinse it under hot running water after cleaning the piercing.
Is it better not to use Methylated Spirits, or alcohol on the piercing as they are very astringent and can damage the wound, don't use Hydrogen peroxide or Betadine because they destroys the cells that form scar tissue, Don't use creams or ointments as they keep the wound moist and hamper the healing process.
Is it better not to wear tight clothes (during the healing phase) such as pantyhose, tight jeans or skirts because they can cause the piercing to grow out, which means that the piece of flesh taken by the piercing gradually diminishes until the ring finally comes out; after the piercing is healed you may wear anything you like. Try to avoid synthetic fabrics that don't let the wound breath, try to wear clothes that give the piercing as much fresh air as possible.
Is it better not to remove the jewel during the healing phase because you may lose the piercing and the thread on the jewel can damage the delicate tissue inside the wound when you re-insert it.
Is it better not to replace the jewellery with a sleeper because the sharp hinges can tear the inside of the wound resulting in infection, and it increases the chance of the piercing growing out. Silver sleepers are especially dangerous, as the silver oxidises in the wound during healing, which can cause allergic reactions and "Argyria" a permanent black mark inside the wound.
CHANGING JEWELLERY
The best thing about Navel Jewels is the fact that you can change them just like changing an earring. However,a navel piercing tends to be tighter than ear piercings, so you must be careful, when changing Navel Jewels, not to tear the delicate scar tissue inside the piercing.
Once you've removed your old navel Jewel by unscrewing the top ball you should lubricate the piercing with a drop of Baby Oil or Lavender Oil. Dip the threaded end of the Navel Jewel in some hot wax, this will make it smoother and easier to insert. Push the Jewel in gently, break the wax off with a fingernail and then screw the ball back on the top until it's finger-tight. Make sure that the top ball is screwed on tightly by drying the jewel with a tissue and making sure you hands are clean and dry; grab the jewel tightly and give the top ball a good strong quarter turn, this will lock the ball tight. Be careful! Check the ball once a week to make sure that it's tight.

NIPPLE PIERCING AFTERCARE

HISTORY
Roman Centurions wore leather armour breast plates which were shaped to fit the body and rings were sometimes placed in these breastplates where the nipples appeared to be, the rings were used to hang a cape from. This has led to the belief by some people that the actual nipples were pierced to hang a cape from, but anybody who has had their nipples pierced would tell you that this would be a very uncomfortable practice.
"In the middle of the 14th century...Many women suddenly wore 'such low necklines that you could see nearly half their breasts', and among the upper classes in the same century, Queen Isabella of Bavaria introduced the 'Garments of the grand neckline', where the dress was open to the navel. This fashion eventually led to the application of rouge to freely displayed nipples, those 'little apples of paradise' and to placing diamond studded rings or small caps on them, even to piercing them and passing gold chains through them decorated with diamonds" "Dreamtime" Hans Peter Duerr
In the late 1890s the 'Bosom Ring', came into fashion briefly, and sold in expensive Parisian jewellery shops. These 'Anneux De Sein' were inserted through the nipple, and some women wore on either side linked with a delicate chain. The rings enlarged the nipples and kept them in a state of constant excitation...the medical community was outraged by these cosmetic procedures, for they represented a rejection of traditional conceptions of the purpose of a woman's body." "Anatomy & Destiny" Stephen Kern
"For a long time I could not understand why I should consent to such a painful operation without sufficient reason. I soon, however came to the conclusion that many ladies are ready to bear the passing pain for the sake of love. I found that the breasts of those who wore rings were incomparably rounder and fuller developed than those who did not. My doubts were now at an end...so I had my nipples pierced, and when the wounds were healed, I had rings inserted...with regard to the experience of wearing these rings, I can only say that they are not in the least uncomfortable or painful. On the contrary, the slight rubbing and slipping of the rings causes in me an extremely titillating feeling, and all my colleagues I have spoken to on this subject have confirmed my opinion." London socialite writing in "Vogue" 1890
Nipple piercing was once practised by the Karankawa Indians of Texas and is still practised in the Mountains of Algeria, by women of the nomadic Kabyle tribe. In the west nipple piercing has made a resurgence, with many famous people having their nipples pierced i.e. Lenny Kravitz, Jaye Davidson (The Crying Game), Gerry Connelly (Comedian), Tommy Lee (Drummer Motley Crue- Husband of Pamela Anderson Baywatch) and Axel Rose (Guns & Roses).
BENEFITS
The benefits of having your nipple pierced are the same today as they were for the fashionable ladies of Paris and London in the 1890s. It makes the nipples larger, more sensitive, more sexually attractive, and provides a constant stimulation of the nipples, one friend of mine describes his nipple piercing as "a light switch for an erection". Nipple piercing is very effective for increasing the size of small nipples (especially men's), and can stop nipples from becoming inverted by pulling them out. In fact, it was recommended by doctors in Victorian England to increase the size of the nipples to make breastfeeding easier. It provides greater sexual pleasure because it gives your partner something to play with during sex.
HEALING
Nipples usually take approximately 6-10 weeks to heal, and they usually heal without any problems. Your nipple will be slightly tender to the touch for several days after the piercing, but this will gradually go away. However, your nipples will always be more sensitive so don't be too rough with them during sex.
Until the scar tissue develops fully, the piercing can easily be torn, the ring will never be actually torn out, just a very small tear usually occurs on the side of the wound. If this happens after the piercing is healed, you will have to treat the piercing as a wound again, or you could develop an infection.
A small amount of people sometimes develop a cyst or lump behind the piercing, this is usually harmless but it should be examined immediately by a physician.
Proper aftercare of nipple piercings is essential, because if you develop an infection it can pass down the Lactiferous or milk ducts in the breast and infect the axillary lymph nodes under the arm-pit. An infection in the nipple can become serious in a very short space of time. The signs of infection will be any excessive pain, swelling, a large lump in the breast, thick yellow pus coming from the wound, or any excessive redness around the wound. If you think you may have an infection, return to you piercer or see a physician immediately.
Doctors are pretty conservative, and will probably tell you to remove the ring from the wound, don't do this because the ring allows any infection to come out of the wound. However, infections are very rare and always respond quickly to antibiotics.
JEWELLERY
There is a wide range of jewellery available for the piercing of nipples; the most common being the surgical steel ring. For the initial healing period I believe that barbells or D-rings are superior because they heal quicker because they move less and because the part of the jewellery going through the piercing is straight there is less pressure on the wound. This is more important for women or men with larger nipples because of the depth of the wound.
You can have rings in Surgical Steel, Gold plated Steel, solid 18ct Gold or White Gold. Rings can be decorated with beads, Gold or crystal balls and pendants. You can also wear Steel or gold-plated steel circular barbells (ring with two balls).