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.

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Nov 13, 2012

Industrial Piercing at Blue Boutique

My name is Derek Level. I am a piercer at Blue Boutique. What you are going to see in this video, I highly suggest that you do not do it at home. Seek out a professional. This video is to show our customers what to expect when getting pierced at Blue Boutique.

Here you can see me opening sterile packages. I am prepping the customer’s ear with a surgical scrub. Getting all the bacteria off.

I’m marking her with gentian violet for the piercing.

Lining it up.

Making sure that my lines match.

Here I’m showing the customer how the jewelry is going to lay in her ear.

Once we are happy with everything, I have the customer lay down, and put a drape over her ear, making sure that no hair gets in the way.

Now here is where I do the piercing. I am making her breath.

This is the Jewelry insert.

After the jewelry is in, we put the jewelry ball on.

We make sure everything lines up.

And we do a final cleanup.

We’re making sure that there is no blood.

Now the customer gets up and takes a look at the new piercing.

That is what you expect when getting a piercing at Blue Boutique.

Related Posts:

• The Monroe Piercing
• Orbital Piercing
• Free Body Piercings at Blue Boutique During the Month of April 2012
• Vertical Clitoral Hood Piercing (VCH)
• Eyebrow Piercing

Aug 3, 2012

Let’s talk quality in body jewelry! Here at Blue Boutique we use only top quality implant grade jewelry!  We have integrity, and care about your health and well being. I want to take a sec and talk about the jewelry companies that we here at Blue Boutique use and what kind of material they use.

INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH

Industrial Strength does not sale to the general public only to professional piercers  Not all body jewelry is created equal. The jewelry manufactured by Industrial Strength clearly stands high above the rest. Their line of 316 LVM ASTM F-138 Implant Grade Stainless Steel & 6AL4V ASTM F-136 Implant Grade Titanium Body Jewelry is known around the world for its superior quality & value. Since its inception in 1991, Industrial Strength has been the number one choice for fine quality body jewelry by professional body piercers worldwide…period. Their partnership with Swarovski Gems insures that we use the highest quality gemstones available. And is hand set-crimp no glues use with the jewelry. Through extensive research and collaboration with some of the world’s finest body piercers, Industrial Strength continues to create unique designs in the ever evolving world of body jewelry.  And with Industrial Strength we can get pretty much anything you can think ordered for your piercing needs.

NEOMETAL

Neometal is one of the basic jewelry companies we use for lips and noses and a lot of ear stuff.

Neometal is a wholesale-only body jewelry supplier and sell only to professional piercing studios.

All of their jewelry is machined from solid titanium (ASTM F136 6Al-4V ELI). Their bezel-set gems are crimp-set, no glues are used.

Neometal also uses 14k gold for jewelry as well and can use on special request genuine diamonds/other stones

Their patented “snap-together” threadless system is an effective alternative to internally-threaded jewelry and is currently in wide use by many body piercers.

ANATOMETAL

Anatometal take great pride in the quality of their products.

They use only the best materials to be in contact with a piercing, either fresh or well healed:

ASTM F-138 certified implant grade stainless steel

ASTM F-136 certified implant grade titanium

Niobium

18 karat solid gold

They machine their stainless and titanium products from solid stock.

Their gold is casted in the house, as solid 18karat. They don’t use tubing or hollow balls.

On gold jewelry they use ASTM F-138 threads to minimize thread failure.

Gold comes either in yellow or white.

All our white gold is Palladium based and nickel free.

Like gold, niobium is very hypoallergenic metal. Though it isn’t used for medical applications it has proven itself to be suitable for most piercings.

All their jewelry is hand polished to a mirror finish in order to offer the smoothest surface possible. All their threaded products are internally threaded and have a self-locking feature built into the threads to minimize jewelry losses. Their stainless captives are fully annealed for ease of installation.

Titanium and Niobium can be anodized in several brilliant colors.

Such as blue, blurple, bronze, copper, dark blue, dark purple, green, ice blue, purple, teal, yellow

Niobium has two more colors to offer: black and opalescent

For their gemmed items, the edges of the bezel setting are crimped over the edges of the gemstone, producing a secure fit – No glues used!

The faceted gems used in our jewelry are the highest quality synthetic gemstones available.

They do not sell jewelry with foil-backed crystals as they do contain lead.

Genuine stones are available on request.

BODY VISION LOS ANGELES

Body Vision Los Angeles: is another company we get stuff from. This company is more high end stuff usually specialize in genuine stones. And gold. Beautiful jewelry worth the money. Your wallet may hate you but your body will love you.

We also carry a big line of organics. Stone, wood, bone, horn and shell. For your healed piercings. Pretty much all the companies that we get our jewelry from here at Blue Boutique we could get almost anything custom to your liking. So just cause you don’t see what you want at out stores doesn’t mean we can’t get it for you. Just talk to one of the piercers and see what can be done for you and your piercing needs. All special orders on jewelry we ask for a 50% down and when the jewelry comes in you pay the rest.

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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.

Related Posts:

• Industrial Piercing at Blue Boutique in Salt Lake City, UT
• Orbital Piercing
• Free Body Piercings at Blue Boutique During the Month of April 2012
• Vertical Clitoral Hood Piercing (VCH)
• Eyebrow Piercing

Apr 24, 2012

Today’s blog is going to be about the Orbital Piercing An orbital piercing is a piercing that enters and exits the same part of the ear. It actually made up of two piercing holes, with one ring going through both the piercings. Orbital piercings can be placed anywhere in the ear but they often located in the helix (outer ear rim) or ear lobe. Both piercings can be done at once or pierced separately. It is also possible to turn a single ear piercing into an orbital by adding another piercing nearby.

The jewelry that is typically used for the orbital piercing is going to be a captive bead ring. Doesn’t meant you have to have a captive bead ring in the piercing though you can you use a circular barbell. All jewelry inserted in a healing piercing should be made out of either 316-LVM ASTM f-138 implant grade Surgical Stainless Steel or ASTM F-136 6AI-4V ELI Titanium.

Jewelry should be “internally threaded”. This means the end ball threads into the post. Never be pierced with “externally threaded” jewelry. This type of jewelry is cheap. Jewelry not made of surgical stainless steel and can cause micro tears in the tissue that can harbor bacteria that may lead to a infection.

Sadly there isn’t really a history on the orbital piercing. However ear piercings going back thousand of years. 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. However the orbital piercing is a term that can be used for many different piercing in the ear. It generally refers to a piercing where on ring (CBR) enters the ear through two holes instead of one, thus creating the illusion of “orbiting” the ear.

Caring for your orbital piercing is very easy but does take a degree of patience. The piercing can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to be fully healed “every buddy’s body is different”. Personal hygiene must be kept to a very high standard. Avoid touching or rotating your jewelry, for these could cause some problems during the healing process. If you find it necessary to touch your piercing, make sure your hands are washed, cleaned and dried.

A piercing heals in stages so diligence is required to during the first few stages

To take care of your piercing you can do saline soaks or even a saline spray a couple times a day. The orbital piercing usually heals in 3 to 4 months. As a rule orbital piercing placed in the cartilage will take longer to heal than those nearer to the ear lobe. This is because cartilage contains fewer blood vessels.
While the piercing is healing you may experience some discomfort while sleeping. I recommend either not sleeping on the side that you have your piercing done on or getting a “O pillow”. A O pillow is a pillow that has a hole in the middle of it, your ear will fit nice and comfortable in that hole without you actually laying on the ear itself.

For a complete aftercare instructions feel free to stop by one of the Blue Boutiques and ask one of our highly trained, knowledgeable piercers.

Whether it is your first piercing or 50th the Blue Boutique has the largest selection of high quality body jewelry and highly skilled and experienced body piercers always on staff! Let us help you in making the right decision for your new piercing.

Related Posts:

• Industrial Piercing at Blue Boutique in Salt Lake City, UT
• The Monroe Piercing
• Free Body Piercings at Blue Boutique During the Month of April 2012
• Vertical Clitoral Hood Piercing (VCH)
• Eyebrow Piercing