Piercing...

Former Member · May 2002

Hiya-can ne1 outline the dangers of getting my belly button pierced, and what i shud do (if i get it done) to prevent it from gettin infected.THANX.
And also,2 ne1 who has had it done,DOES IT HURT?!! tell the truth!! xXx

Former Member · May 2002

Well obviously there are dangers when putting needles through bodily parts - going to a good piercer minimalises risks.
When finding somewhere to get it done, check that it is clean, you feel comfortable and that the piercer is willing to answer any questions that you may have. One risk is infection - minimalised by sterile piercing, good aftercare and not touching it with unwashed hands. Don't fiddle with it.
Navel piercings can regect (where the body pushes out a foreign object) sometimes, as long as you take good care of it this shouldn't happen. Circular barbells (rings) can be easier to clean, whereas barbells are less likely to be knocked around - your choice. They usually take 6-12 MONTHS to heal completely, often quite difficult to heal due to clothing rubbing etc. It is one of the less painful piercings. Small pinch - that's all. It will lymph - this is totally normal. Green pus is not normal and usually a sign of infection. If you have any problems after the piercing, don't hesitate to go back to your piercer.
Oh, and -linkage

[ 16-05-2002: Message edited by: Miss Quoted ]

Former Member · May 2002

Some stuff on TheSite:
http://www.thesite.org/magazine/health_and_fitness/tats_and_piercings_redesigning_your_body.html

Former Member · May 2002

and no, it doesn't really hurt - not compared to other bits of the body that you can get pierced... but it depends which part of the navel you want done, the top (the usual part go get done) is probably the least painful part of your body to get pierced (and that includes ears!). The base is quite a bit more painful, and will take longer as it is harder to get the needle through.

Former Member · May 2002

i had my belly button peirced a few weeks ago. it doesn't hurt and all you can do to stop it getting infected is keep bathing it in witch hazel or salt water. don;t worry it looks amazing <IMG SRC="smile.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

Former Member · May 2002

Yeah I got mine done a few years back and although I don't really like it that much anymore I would prefer it to be there than to not!
It really isn't painful..I didn't even realise they'd finished when they'd done it. I definetely remember my ears being more painful than that.
I'd recommend getting a barbel to start with as the rings do get caught. And its better if its titanium, not stainless steel, as titanium is much less likely to cause infection. I don't think it is legal to still use stainless steel although I know alot of places that do, so make sure you check. And don't fiddle with it too much as you might cause infection!
have fun with it! <IMG SRC="smile.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

Former Member · May 2002

So, seeing as it can take between 6 + 12 months to heal, surely you can change your bar before then, so how long would it take before you can do that

Former Member · May 2002

nah it dont hurt! ive got me belly done twice both times were numbed n it looks wkd!! g'luck with it chick, f xx <IMG SRC="smile.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

Former Member · May 2002

Give it a couple of months till you get a bar. However don't get it done now if you're goign on holiday....the sand will really uin it and you'll get infected.

Ive had mine....5 or 6 years, and well id say it took 6 months to heal then, 12 months to properly heal.

Is it that fashionable anymore??? ive had mine done so long.

Former Member · May 2002

Originally posted by Pink Soda:
 And its better if its titanium, not stainless steel, as titanium is much less likely to cause infection. I don't think it is legal to still use stainless steel although I know alot of places that do, so make sure you check.

most places will use surgical stainless steel (which is perfectly legal) and this will not cause infection. what WILL cause infection is bacteria, and to stop that you have to keep it clean and leave it alone.

titanium is better, but also more expensive, and surgical steel does the job fine...

Former Member · May 2002

great, thanks guys cant wait to have mine done and get all those fancy bars...........if summer ever arrives <img src="http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/Gif/homercrawl.gif" alt="image">

Former Member · May 2002

Hiya, I don't wanna worry you or put you off, but I wanted to get mine done a while ago but my mum managed to persuade me not to. A friend of her daughter's had her belly button peirced and after a month or so this lump appeared. She went to the docs and they said there was nothing they could do to remove it, but she was really ill. It infected her liver or something, so that kinda made me think otherwise! Althought I can't really talk cos I just went and got a tattoo lol. Just make sure you find a reputable place, which and clean and health authority registered or something similar.

Former Member · May 2002

Regarding reputability of a piercer/tattooist, what is the best way to check this? Through a friend who's already been there perhaps? The guidelines seem a little inconclusive, as I understand it there's no certificate or suchlike you can ask to see, unless your own Local Authority issues one - am I right? Ditto cleanliness, apart from the guidelines to the actual process itself in Karla's link above, is a visual check the only way to reassure yourself? Or do these places need a Health and Safety certificate?

Also, as a 33 year old considering having ears and maybe eyebrow pierced and perhaps a tattoo as well, is there anything specific to consider relating to the effect on your skin? The latter does after all age with us as we get older, so perhaps this is also relevant to younger people too.

Sorry to slightly hijack your post Sunny, but it saves having two threads going at once.

Thanks!

Former Member · May 2002

Originally posted by nightrocker:
Or do these places need a Health and Safety certificate?

yeah - they do. the place i go to has all the health and safety certificates up on the walls. best thing to do is go in and have a nosy round...

Also, as a 33 year old considering having ears and maybe eyebrow pierced and perhaps a tattoo as well, is there anything specific to consider relating to the effect on your skin? The latter does after all age with us as we get older, so perhaps this is also relevant to younger people too.

just that your skin will take a little longer to heal than younger skin, so add a week or two onto the healing time you're given, and take really good care of it...

Former Member · May 2002

I wnated mine done but my parents wouldn't let me....sob. I know loads of friends which have had it done and they say it doesn't hurt because they put freeze spray on first. It looks amazzing!!!!!!!! <IMG SRC="rolleyes.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

Former Member · May 2002

I got my tattoo on monday, and it's taken me two years to get there! I made sure it was what I really wanted and took some time to ask around about places which other people had been to. There were about 3 places that I could've gone to, they were all reputable but eventually I chose the place where I'd heard good reports about, I'd seen awards they'd won and looked on their website where it said they are Health Authority Registered.

But whether you're having a tattoo or a piercing, make sure *you're* happy with the look of the place. These days most places have to be so careful about clean needles and new ink or whatever but you can never be too cautious.

Former Member · May 2002

Wondered of anyone here had had the bottom lip or the front (little) part of their ear (don't know what it is called) pierced?
I REALLY want to get it done. It won't be until a few years though, as my mum is REALLY against it.

I have only persuaded her to let me have the regular couple of holes in every ear, which is ok, but I want the others as well, BADLY!

Can anyone tell me the dangers and the pain factors compared to other piercings with the two?

Thanks!

Former Member · May 2002

Jaq, in regard to the ear piercing, do you mean a tragus piercing?
I have my labret pierced (just a bit lower than a lip piercing) personally, I don't think it hurt that much. Pain is relative, but the actual piercing is usually a lot less painful than the actual thought of a needle through your lip. It's a pretty sharp pain for a few seconds and then it'll probably ache for a while. The backs of the studs can sometimes rub against and wear down your gums - I haven't had this problem at all, but some people do. Most piercings there is a risk of infection, but lip piercings are pretty safe on the whole.
I don't know if it was a tragus you were talking about, but most cartilage piercings are quite painful, and have an unmistakable aching feeling. You need to keep from sleeping on them or you can cause irritation and scarring to the area. I could ramble on for ages really, but if there is anything you want to know, just ask and I'd be glad to help. <IMG SRC="smile.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

Bme is a really great site in regards to body modification, so you might wanna take a look.

Former Member · May 2002

i got my eyebrow pierced and my mate is a piercer and tatooist!!

what they all say is when you get it done get it done with a needle not a gun, needles are safer!!!

and wash it everyday with salt water, this cleans the area really well and gets the gunk out of it. For a bit it will get inflamed and scabby but just keep cleaning it and it will be fine in 6 to 8 weeks!

Former Member · May 2002

When I left the tattoo place, the man who did it said "it won't be your last!" lol.

Do you reckon that's true? Cos now I've had one I want more!

Former Member · May 2002

Hey, sori 2 linger on with this subject, but i got my belly button pierced like a yr ago but l8tly the bottom bit has gone all sore, n occasionally bleeds. There's usually like dired i dont no wot around it 2, but i can still change it without it hurting or bleeding or nething....pleaz don't tell me it's infected?? <IMG SRC="eek.gif" border="0" ALT="icon"> Ne advice?
<img src="http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/kiss.gif" alt="image">

Former Member · May 2002

Umm... i have a labret piercing too, and mine has worn down my gums, and the metal inside your mouth (i have my tongue pierced as well), is very bad for your teeth - you're more likely to get holes in them, etc. Doesn't hurt that much, except when they put the needle through, doesn't really ache afterwards either.
And to the tattoos... no, it wont be your last.. i got my first one done about a year ago, and i've already got another and i wanna get that modified, and another one done!

Former Member · June 2002

Hi, thanx for all the feedback! im going to get it done on wednesday! although i was just wondering if any of u knew what the best thing is to stop it from getting infected? some say soap, some say witch hazel, some say salt water and some say antiseptic ointement! its so confusing! what would u all recommend? oh yeah, and how exactly do u clean it?like get a cotton wool piece n dip it in salt water n then squeeze it over thhe piercing?im getting it done with a barbell if thats relevant! Thanx for any replies! xXx

Former Member · June 2002

Salt water, or contact lens solution (which are basically the same thing). Don't use antiseptic cream, etc, it won't help it heal. Wet a cotton wool bud then wipe off the lumph (kinda yellowish crusty stuff that'll dry round the new piercing), making sure it's completely off. Rotate the barbell through the hole at the same time, clean it at top and bottom and wear loose clothing over it.
*has had FAR too many piercings!*

Former Member · June 2002

I got mine done about 3 weeks ago, and it's fine! Honestly if you look after it, and clean it about 3 times a day there won't be any problems. Go for it, you'll be pleased you did.

edited to say the guy who did mine says savalon with warm water(don't use it un-duiluted) is the best thing for cleaning it with.

Former Member · June 2002

i had mine done about a week ago - and i LOVE it!!!!!!!!!!! i clean mine 3 times a week with contact lens solution stuff......all seems to be ok with it! so definatley get it done, you won't regret it!

Former Member · June 2002

Yay-i got it done! it hurts a bit,not really any pain but i can feel it down there! i clean it twice a day with salt water but apparantly i shouldnt try2rotate it until about week old, does that sound right? oh and i know salt water helps it heal but does it prevent against infection?i was kind of in a state of shock and forgot to ask the piercer! also, at the moment it hurts when i bend over, and sometimes when i sit down it feels uncomfortable! how long will it take before this goes away? any replies would be appreciated! thanx xXx

Former Member · June 2002

That pain you get when sitting down etc........ will go away in a couple of days - but it stays sore for a while, mine still is after a week - but thats normal!

Former Member · June 2002

A bit late, but better late than never as they say...

Well, Thank you Miss Quoted

I did mean a tragus piercing.
But I think that it will take a lot of time before I will finally get it done...

Piercing...

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