I am considering getting a piercing and have done some research on the new (bme.zine etc) but would like to hear from those that have direct experience. I have 5 tattoos but as yet no piercings (I know, very remiss of me) and thought that an eyebrow or nipple would look good.

Which is better? By that I mean easiest to look after for a piercing newbie like me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I have heard that eyebrows grow out after a while and can be a hassle to keep clean. What healing time can I expect? And what do I need to do to clean it while is heals?

Obviously I will discuss this with the guy at the tattoo/piercing place before I get it done, but a little info up front is always handy.

Any other Body Modders here? What have you had done, or are planning to have done?
I have 5 tattoos - Eastern Dragon, Chaos Star, Celtic Cross, Celtic Band and Tribal Design.

Have you gotten your piercing done yet? What did you decide?

The only things I have pierced are my ears (sorry can't help you one exotic piercings) When you have your modifications done, the piercer will tell you his (or her) reccommendations for care. Some will say to use peroxide, some will say to use alcohol, some may tell you something else (but those are the two most common that I have heard. My ex (who is a body mod specialist) prefers peroxide, although I would caution it as peroxide is necrotic to body tissues, if you use it, be sure to clean the skin with water afterwards. When I had my ears done, I used normal saline to keep them clean, it works wonderfully well, it doesn't sting and it is non-necrotic.

At the moment, I have 12 tattoos and yeah I need some more. I have 2 water dragons, one tribal fire dragon, a tribal rose, baphomet, ritual blade, moon, demon, gryphon, demon skull, skull of ur, and a ritual tribal design.

I was told that it is a hassle, you have to really want...to the point of need it to happen as it can bring great pain, troubles and infections, i'm talking the words of a local piecer! You know all this of course, but your thank me, cause it's not funny if it goes wrong.

I guess some of the matter depends on the lifestyle you lead. Will your workplace accept an eyebrow ring? Is there a high chance an eyebrow or nipple ring can be ripped out by any activities you may undertake?

Any error in piercing could do nerve damage, but probably won't affect your face half as much as the brow ring will. Just think of the possibility that a brow ring could go wrong,& having to face the world in the weeks after to consider a serious problem.

I'm not trying to advocate against piercing, just giving some examples on either side, to favour your thoughts one way or the other.

This post has been edited by Delano: Jun 19 2005, 09:03 PM

Eyebrows and bellybuttons are about the only piercings that will grow out. I had my lip. septum and two piercings in my tongue, and still have the "scars" from them. The tongue and septum you can't notice, but my lip you can. Oh! Madisons (vertical or horizontal bar in the neck) will grow out too, but if not taken care of properlly, will leave a scar.

I currently have three tattoos myself, a giant fairy on the back of my right calf, the Om on the back of my neck, and crappy 10 year old wolf on my left ankle that I want to cover with the Bird of Paradise.

In two weeks I'm going under the needle for a picture of both Cheshire Cats (original Disney and one from McGee's Alice). Once you start, you just can't stop.

And healing piercings!! I almost forgot...use lavendar oil with your regular cleaning habits. Lavendar will speed the healing process up three fold, while ensuring you don't get any infections.

I have two hafadas (one on each side), a guiche, and three frenums. Ironically, I have no tattoos, but I am contemplating getting a couple as soon as I can make up my mind.

(IMG:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/maledoro/Happy%20Smilies/15e727f1.gif)

I have both my ears twice, and my tongue pierced...I had my cartilage, and lip, but had to take it out for modeling. Me, being the stubborn person I am started changing my lip (Well, labret actually) after about 3 days, so long as I kept it clean it wouldn't get infected (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)..I changed my tongue barbells after about 5 days, and my ear piercings the same night from studs to small loops...As for tattoos I have one on my right arm of the green man with the German eagle on his forehead...Not too fond of tattoos but I made sure if I were to get one, it would be a good one! I'd post a pic, but I don't know how to. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

-Chris.

At this time i have one tattoo, eyebrow piercing and nipple piercing. I'm glad with most of them. The chance of nerve damage or anything else is just a myth, that is if you let it be done by a respectfull individual and not some hobbyist in a dark alley hehe.

My tattoo is a dragon that goes all around my upper right arm. similar to a thorn band, but a lot bigger. I made adjustments to the dragon placing 3 symbols on its body which represent Loyalty, Honour and Self Respect. The dragon itself symbolises being a master over myself and the energies I work with.

The Eyebrow piercing didn't hurt one bit to get it done. The healing time was about 6 weeks. Wiggle it around gently every few hours with clean hands to avoid infection. You'll get a flask with fluids to clean/disinfect the piercing with till it is healed. Growing out varies per person same goes for getting a painful infection. If you let it done at a sterile, respectfull shop it'll be fine. No pain, no infection, but it took some time getting used to it when drying after a shower. My workplace has no issues with me having it shown seeing I'm still dressed tidy and it actually complements me when it comes to looks.

The nipple piercing didn't hurt either. It's not infected or anything either. The healing time is about 10 weeks. But I got a puss issue with it. It's more difficult to keep it clean when compared to my eyebrow piercing. The puss needs to come out and when I push it out a wound appears on the nipple. I don't like that...thinking about removing it and letting the 2 holes heal up. the small scars which might show are too small to care about.

The healing time for the type of piercing varies per place where it is put. Certain places heal faster then others of course.

During energy work I don't see any bad effects. In fact the type of material my piercings are made of conducts the energies stronger and more effectivel

I have some tattoos and mods and piercings.All of them need attation wehn healing.But somepeircings can grow out,even if they are in a place others say it cant.

I went to a professional piercer who did my nose ring. It f#%king hurt. I even heard my own cartilege rip as it was being done, and could'nt stop my eyes from shedding tears. NO!!!! I was not crying!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/protest.gif)

A tattoo/piercing often suggests a deeper meaning to the person with it.

For example, as has been mentioned, a tattoo on a womans back is often an underlying sign of high sexual interest. One on a foot, or hip, (that is, by nature, usually out of sight) suggests a "good girl" that is trying to become "bad", if you get me.

For that reason, you should think carefully before deciding: you dont' want to be giving off the wrong impression. There has been some good info here, but I always wonder "what will it look like when I am 30 years older...".

That often makes the decision for me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I done my ears, my brow, my lip (2 times), and my nipples.I have tree tatooes and am considering some stranger bodyart! I just love hurting myself! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/922.gif)

Its not a hastle, i have both my earlobes peirced, and a cartilege of my right ear peirced for a cuff earring, i also recently got my nose peirced. Just have to be careful and maintain rubbing alcohol(or the solution they sell you), and remember to spin the earring so the alcohol will get through all the wound and stop from infection.

p.s I peirced my own nose and did not get infection so don't worry.

I know this is a bit of a late reply but I wasn't around back when the topic started so i just wanted to give my insight on body peircing as i have 4.


DeathStalker




Aye, very true, all the peircings i got were for a reason. I ne'er intended on getting any peircings, my last "nose" peircing was a sign of maturity as in independence, i used to always care what people thought of me, then one day i decided i didn't want to care and peirced my own nose. The pain still and always will symbolise a rebirth of independance.

Greetings,

My ears are pierced with #6 gauge ear rings. Thats about standard pirate size. I wear silver ear rings. I believe that it helps me work my very lunar magick. I had an eye brow pierced once but let it go because of my work. Nipple? No thanks I think that would hurt! lol.

Nice! You can forget my 'instructions post' hehe, I think I should ask you if I want to get another peircing (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) .

[Greetings NecroReaper' ,

I did not stretch my ears out. I had the guy pierce me with a 6 guage needle. At first he tried to talk me out of it saying that there was a risk of infection and that my ears would bleed for a few days etc.

I told him to stop being a pu$$y and do it. The guy was from Romania so he had this Count Dracula accent. The first ear he pierced blood started pouring out and he made this sucking sound like shkkksssssss. I thought he was going to bite me! lol. He then said it was bleeding really bad and asked if I still wanted to do the other ear. I was like dude I can not wear only one earing.

He was right they did bleed really badly. It was worth it though since I did not have to start out with wussy ear rings!

Peace

I asked them to do gauge earrings on me too they denied it, that sucks for me, I had to wait for it.