Dec 27, 2012

Unfortunately the piercing industry is severely under regulated and just about anyone can pick up a needle and claim to be a piercer. The problem with this is with improper training they can be putting you at risk. Health regulations are upheld for professional piercing shops, but schooling is not required of the piercers themselves. Luckily, those who are passionate about piercing want to be professional, and will give you the safest and best overall experience, will proactively seek proper training. I personally have gone the extra mile to be the best piercer I can be. I have had over a year apprenticing side by side with a professional piercer of over seventeen years. I am First aid, CPR, and AED, certified. I have also completed training on blood borne pathogens.

This year Blue Boutique paid for me to attend the APP conference in Las Vegas. “The Association of Professional Piercers” (APP). APP is an international health and safety organization and is a nonprofit voluntary alliance dedicated to the dissemination of information about body piercing. The APP is “Governed by a voluntary elected Board of Directors, the APP is a united group of piercing professionals that freely shares information to help fellow members, piercers, health care professionals, legislators, health inspectors, and the general public, get the best and most up-to-date information about body piercing.” – Safepiercing.org

I took classes to better my education about safe piercing from about eight am to ten pm every day for a week. Some of the classes included male anatomy, facial and oral anatomy, sterilization, BBP, stretching, modern surface piercing, and many more. In many of these classes professional piercers and health care providers worked together instructing the classes bringing their knowledge together to make the classes the ultimate experience on the medical professional side.

I think when choosing your piercer it’s important to ask their qualifications and experience. There are piercers out there who take this industry seriously and as professionals and we would like to see the industry improve. Make sure that your safety and needs are their first priority.

Things you can look into when selecting a shop/piercer include; checking to see if they have an updated health inspection certificate. Check to see what types of jewelry they are piercing with, and what training they have. Check if they are properly sterilizing everything with the proper machines such as a Statim or Autoclave. Any professional piercer would not shy away from these questions and should be more then happy to walk you through their process. I love when clients are concerned about their safety and I am more then happy to assure them.

Do your research, armed with good information; you can go to a piercing shop that will give you the best quality piercing, and a treasured display of personal expression for years to come. Feel free to e-mail or comment if you’re not in the area and would like a shop suggestion.

Related Posts:

• Bridge Piercing
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Disclaimer: This blog will be discussing female genital anatomy and sexual function. This piercing is not available to minors, and this blog is not intended for individuals under eighteen years old.

Hello again, It’s Jamie and today I will be blogging about the triangle piercing. The triangle piercing is a horizontal piercing that passes underneath the clitoral shaft at the base of the hood tissue. The triangle piercing does not go through the clitoris. The piercing is so named because the tissue at the point where the inner labia and hood meet feels like a triangle when pinched. This placement allows the jewelry to rest on the back of the clitoris offering additional stimulation to the area.

Because of the variations in anatomy, not all women are suitable candidates for this piercing. Each piercee must be evaluated. The Triangle is a very advanced piercing because it is placed by feel. If misplaced it can do damage to the body. Accidentally intersecting the clitoral shaft when piercing is at a minimum very painful, and could do damage to nerve structures in the area. Genital piercings are special because they have the potential to affect your sexual pleasure. A poorly placed piercing can result in the missed opportunity of stimulation or loss of sensation. Locate an experienced professional who has had training on this piercing and can speak with you openly. The right piercer will have a professional manner and should make you feel comfortable and safe. It’s okay to “interview” your piercer to make sure they are the one you will feel comfortable with. You may want to ask questions like how they were taught to do this piercing, and how many they have done. If you are not satisfied with their answers, continue looking for a qualified piercer. They should be knowledgeable and willing to discuss any questions or concerns you might have. Once you’ve found your piercer, be prepared to be examined. They may need to tug, pinch and stretch the tissue to make sure you have enough tissue and there are no veins for accurate placement. To be a good candidate for this piercing you must be able to pinch behind your hood and raise your clitoral shaft away from your body for the triangle to be possible. Most women are not anatomically suited for the triangle piercing.

The triangle is a more intense piercing with a healing time of three to four months. The best jewelry for this piercing would be an implant grade surgical stainless steel or titanium circular barbell. The piercer will use tissue manipulation to lift and isolate the clitoral shaft. This must be done for accurate placement. This also makes it easier to apply the forceps. The clitoral shaft must be elevated through the duration of the piercing for correct placement.

Just like any piercing or break in the skin, your new piercing may bleed off and on for a few days. This is normal and you may need or want to wear a panty liner for a few days. Tighter underwear helps hold your jewelry in place and reduce discomfort and trauma. Cotton is more absorbent and permits better air circulation. Make sure your underwear has no holes, or loose threads that could snag on your jewelry. Make sure if you step on your underwear at all while putting them on to change to a new pair. This is as filthy as putting your new open wound directly on the floor. There is no need to twist or touch your jewelry, as this will only irritate your new piercing. It is very important to avoid snagging this piercing. You need to be aware at all times of things that could catch it, such as clothing and towels. To clean your piercing you can either use H2Ocean or a saline soak. With the H2ocean spray both sides two to three times a day. You can make the saline soak at home by using a non-iodized sea salt mixture: Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized (iodine-free) sea salt into one cup (8 oz.) of warm distilled or bottled water, soak for five to ten minutes two to three times per day. Dry by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injury. Some risks can be migration, rejection, scarring and snagging accidents.

There is no set period for abstinence from sexual activities while your piercing is healing; however there are rules for aftercare. Be gentle. If your piercing is sore, stop what you’re doing or go easy on it. I don’t recommend using something as harsh as a vibrator on the direct area while healing. Be clean. Protective barriers must be used during healing to prevent sharing bodily fluids. For any oral contact, use a dental dam to shield the piercing. Wash hands before near contact with the piercing and use condoms for intercourse. Most important, listen to your body, if it hurts don’t do it.

The horizontal clitoral hood is a great and unique way to accentuate your body. If you have any other questions or would like more detail on this piercing feel free to come into Blue Boutique and speak with any of our highly qualified piercers.

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May 4, 2012

Today I’m going to be talking about the Monroe piercing, also known as the Crawford or Madonna piercing. The Monroe Piercing is done off center of the upper lip. Monroe piercings are done in the same place where a number of stars have beauty marks (moles). Hence this type of body piercing is known after these famous personalities.

The most common jewelry for this piercing would be a labret stud. Normally pierced at a 16 gauge but can be done anywhere from a 16 to a 12 gauge. Jewelry for this piercing should be made of titanium or implant grade/surgical grade stainless steel. Titanium is a lightweight metal that is ideal for people with concerns about nickel sensitivity. This material can be anodized to create jewelry of different colors without affecting the safety. Look for implant certified titanium (Ti6Al4V ELI) that is ASTM F-136 compliant or ISO 5832-3 compliant, or commercially pure titanium that is ASTM F-67 compliant. We sell titanium jewelry for this piercing. Jewelry should be internally threaded, this means the end ball threads or press fits into the post. You should never be pierced with externally threaded jewelry, this type of jewelry is cheap, usually made with nickel, and many people have allergic reactions to it. Jewelry not made of surgical stainless steel and externally threaded can cause micro tears in the tissue, the external threads can harbor bacteria that may lead to infection. We also pierce with a longer post to avoid complications with swelling, this longer length will need to be down sized after initial healing has taken place.

There are some risks with oral piercings and you should be aware of the dangers before you decide if this piercing is right for you. Contrary to what you might think, infection is not the most common risk from oral piercings. The human mouth has a lymphatic system, mucus membranes, and saliva that provide defenses to infection. The biggest danger is damage to teeth, gums, and oral structures from jewelry. So if you have a history of bad teeth or gum problems this piercing may not be advisable. The enamel on your teeth can get cracked or chipped if you constantly play with your jewelry or accidentally bite on it. Continuous pressure from the jewelry against gums and teeth can also become a problem. If the jewelry is to long, or improperly placed, it can cause your gums to recede. Enamel, bone, and gum tissue do not regenerate. You can reduce these risks by wearing the right size jewelry (downsize) and avoid playing with this piercing.

Aftercare for your Monroe piercing is very easy but does take a degree of patience. The Monroe can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to fully heal. Avoid touching or rotating your jewelry. Also avoid heavy kissing, oral sex, and biting on the jewelry. If you find it necessary to touch your piercing, make sure your hands are washed, cleaned and dried. Let your piercing relax and try not to move it. Elevating your head while you sleep for the first few nights will also help to keep the swelling down. It is very important to avoid snagging this piercing. You need to be aware at all times of things that could catch it such as; clothing, loofahs, wash rags, and towels. For the inside of your mouth a cold bottled or distilled water should be used to rinse your mouth after you eat or drink anything and can also be used to help to reduce swelling. As for the outside of your lip, you can either use H2Ocean or a saline soak. With the H2ocean, spray both sides two to three times a day. You can make the saline soak at home by using a non-iodized sea salt mixture:
Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized (iodine-free) sea salt into one cup (8 oz.) of warm distilled or bottled water, soak for five to ten minutes two to three times per day. Dry by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injury.

The Monroe is a very cute piercing if you’re looking for something new. Keep in mind this may not be the best piercing for anyone who has gum or teeth problems and it is important to downsize. If you have any further questions feel free to call or stop by to talk with any of our piercers.

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• Free Body Piercings at Blue Boutique During the Month of April 2012
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• Eyebrow Piercing

Apr 20, 2012

A surface piercing is a piercing where the entrance and exit holes are (usually) pierced through the same flat area of skin where there is minimal movement. NOTE: Many surface piercings fail, not because surface piercings are impossible, but because there are a lot of incompetent piercers out there that don’t understand how the body heals. Make sure you go to an experienced piercer that can show you healed photos of surface piercings they have done! Some people can successfully heal surface piercings, however if you are not among the lucky few you can face migration, rejection and scarring.

Traditionally, surface piercings were simply done using the same method as regular piercings – with a straight or curved metal bar. This is about the worst way to do a surface piercing, and while a small percentage of people have healed them, they tend to be temporary. The jewelry puts a great deal of pressure on the healing skin above it, and its inflexibility causes even more stress as the skin moves.

Flexible jewelry has become popular recently in hopes that it will decrease pressure on the piercing, but is considered to be less reliable than the surface bar. Surface piercings have also been successfully healed with Tygon.

Surface bars are, in my opinion, the best jewelry for healing surface piercings because its perpendicular design was based on optimizing the body’s healing process. Body jewelry is worn inside a wound and is in contact with your internal tissues, so only certain products are suitable. The look of the jewelry that is placed in your fresh piercing must be secondary to aspects that affect safety and compatibility with your body. The size, style, material, and quality of the initial piece of jewelry all affect your ability to heal. The jewelry can be changed after you have successfully healed. Because the body jewelry industry is saturated with substandard products, piercers and clients alike may forget that cost alone should never be the key factor in your purchase. Jewelry for this piercing should be made of titanium. Titanium is a lightweight metal that is ideal for people with concerns about nickel sensitivity. This material can be anodized to create jewelry of different colors without affecting the safety. Look for implant certified titanium (Ti6Al4V ELI) that is ASTM F-136 compliant or ISO 5832-3 compliant, or commercially pure titanium that is ASTM F-67 compliant.

This piercing can either be done with a needle or a dermal punch and taper method. Either way is fine depending on the piercers preference. An internally threaded post will protrude to the surface making it easy to change your jewelry tops for your desired look.

The healing time on this piercing can be three to six months or longer depending on placement, after care, and your body. There is no need to twist or touch your jewelry, as this will only irritate your new piercing. It is very important to avoid snagging this piercing. You need to be aware at all times of things that could catch it such as; clothing, loofahs, wash rags, and towels. To clean your piercing you can either use H2Ocean or a saline soak. With the H2ocean spray both sides two to three times a day. You can make the saline soak at home by using a non-iodized sea salt mixture: Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized (iodine-free) sea salt into one cup (8 oz.) of warm distilled or bottled water, soak for five to ten minutes two to three times per day. Dry by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injury. Some risks can be migration, rejection, scarring, and snagging accidents.

Many piercers are not comfortable doing surface piercings because they are difficult to heal and a lot of them reject. Rejection means that the body slowly (or sometimes quickly) pushes them out through the skin, in the same way that the body pushes out a buried splinter. Rejection is affected by placement, blood flow, irritation and abuse, as well as general health. The healthier a person is, the less likely problems may arise. A surface piercing will only heal if it is easier for your body to keep the piercing in than it is to reject it. Since your body is designed to reject foreign objects, a little common sense makes it clear that it’s not easy to keep a surface piercing. The body resists foreign objects inside itself, and that includes piercings. Rejection occurs when it is “easier” for the body to push the piercing out like a splinter than it is to heal a fistula (skin tunnel) around it. You can spot rejection happening when there is abnormal redness around the piercing and then after a while, you can start to see the jewelry through the skin. As soon as you notice or think you notice rejection happening go to a professional body piercer immediately. Rejection can be dangerous and cause infection and severe pain and is common among surface piercings.

Surface anchors offer a unique look but are not for everyone. They require extra care and patience through the healing process. If you are considering getting a surface bar feel free to call or come in and talk with any of our experienced piercers at Blue Boutique.

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Disclaimer: This blog will be discussing female genital anatomy and sexual function. This piercing is not available to minors, and this blog is not intended for individuals under eighteen years old.

Hello. It’s Jamie again and today I will be blogging about the horizontal clitoral hood piercing (HCH). Many women are not familiar with their anatomy and get confused on the placement of this piercing. The Horizontal Clitoral Hood does not go through the clitoris. This piercing is generally better for looks than feeling good. Because of the variations in anatomy, not all women are suitable candidates for this piercing. Each piercee must be evaluated. You need sufficient tissue in the hood to get this piercing. Most women have enough tissue to cover the clitoris. Therefore the ring rests atop the hood. For a HCH piercing to offer stimulation the clitoris need to be somewhat exposed, the jewelry needs to be accurately sized and the piercing has to be perfectly placed.

Genital piercings are special because they have the potential to affect your sexual pleasure. A poorly placed piercing can result in the missed opportunity of stimulation or loss of sensation. Locate an experienced professional who has had training on this piercing and can speak with you openly. The right piercer will have a professional manner and should make you feel comfortable and safe. It’s okay to “interview” your piercer to make sure they are the one you will feel comfortable with. They should be knowledgeable and willing to discuss any questions or concerns you might have. Once you’ve found your piercer, be prepared to be examined. They may need to tug, pinch, and stretch the tissue to make sure you have enough tissue and there are no veins for accurate placement.

The jewelry for this piercing is usually a ring style. The initial gauge for this is a 14, but can be up to a maximum of a 10 gauge. The diameter can be from a 3/8 to ½ inch. We use only surgical grade/implant grade stainless steel.

For the procedure for this piercing it is common to use forceps. They not only secure the skin but they are helpful to make sure the hood tissue is secure to pierce while holding it away from the nerve bundle underneath. Tissue manipulation helps to separate the hood from the clitoral shaft before clamping. Most women do not describe this piercing as intense due to the relatively thin flesh of the hood.

The most common complaint while healing this piercing is that it may twist, try to avoid this as much as possible. Generally it will twist if your hood tissue is receded and the inner labia protrude in this case you are not a good candidate for this piercing. Just like any piercing or break in the skin, your new piercing may bleed off and on for a few days. This is normal you may need or want to wear a panty liner for a few days. Tighter underwear helps hold your jewelry in place and reduce discomfort and trauma. Cotton is more absorbent and permits better air circulation. Make sure your underwear has no holes, or loose threads that could snag on your jewelry. Make sure if you step on your underwear at all while putting them on to change to a new pair. This is as filthy as putting your new open wound directly on the floor. The HCH has a very quick healing time. Some women feel like it is healed in a week’s time. To be safe you should still care for it for a minimum of six weeks.

The healing time on this piercing can be six to eight weeks. There is no need to twist or touch your jewelry, as this will only irritate your new piercing. It is very important to avoid snagging this piercing. You need to be aware at all times of things that could catch it such as; clothing, and towels. To clean your piercing you can either use H2Ocean or a saline soak. With the H2ocean spray both sides two to three times a day. You can make the saline soak at home by using a non-iodized sea salt mixture: Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized (iodine-free) sea salt into one cup (8 oz.) of warm distilled or bottled water, soak for five to ten minutes two to three times per day. Dry by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injury. Some risks can be migration, rejection, scarring and snagging accidents.

There is no set period for abstinence from sexual activities while your piercing is healing; however there are rules for aftercare. Be gentle. If your piercing is sore stop what you’re doing or go easy on it. I don’t recommend using something as harsh as a vibrator on the direct area while healing. Be clean. Protective barriers must be used during healing to prevent sharing bodily fluids. For any oral contact, use a dental dam to shield the piercing. Wash hands before near contact with the piercing and use condoms for intercourse. Most important, listen to your body, if it hurts don’t do it.
The horizontal clitoral hood is a great and unique way to accentuate your body. If you have any other questions or would like more detail on this piercing feel free to come into Blue Boutique and speak with any of our highly qualified piercers.

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