As body piercing becomes a more acceptable part of mainstream culture, it is important that those who are considering getting pierced do their research prior to making an appointment. Knowing how the procedure should go, how a reputable and professional tattoo and piercing parlor should look, and how a piercing and jewelry should be placed are all important before selecting a piercing artist and making an appointment.
Another important aspect of the piercing experience is choosing the proper jewelry to insert into an initial piercing. Wearing the wrong kind of jewelry can lead to infection, rejection of the piercing, injury, and possibly scars or disfigurement.
Choosing the Right Size Jewelry for a New Body Piercing
It is important to consider the location of the piercing and the size of the jewelry when choosing jewelry for an initial body piercing. Jewelry should also be big or long enough to accomodate swelling, but not so large that the jewelry gets caught on clothing, inhibits movement, or is uncomfortable while performing daily tasks.
The Association of Professional Piercers recommends that body jewelry for an initial piercing should be sized according to a person's anatomy; for example, a person who is getting their tongue pierced and has a thick tongue will require a longer barbell piece than someone whose tongue is not as thick. Additionally, jewelry should not be too small that it cannot allow for swelling, normal secretions as the piercing heals, or air and blood circulation around the piercing.
The gauge, or thickness of the jewelry, is also important when selecting the proper jewelry for an initial body piercing. Jewelry that is too thin, or too small in gauge, will be treated like a splinter in the body and presents a higher risk for rejection, migration, and potential disfigurement.
Montana Body Art recommends the following gauge jewelry for common initial body piercings, although it is possible to stretch some piercings to a larger gauge if done carefully:
- navel (belly button) 14 gauge
- nose (nostril) 18 or 20 gauge
- septum (nose) 14 gauge
- eyebrow 16 or 18 gauge
- labret (monroe) 16 gauge (although 14 or 18 gauges are also acceptable)
- tongue 14 gauge
Appropriate Metals for Initial Body Piercing Jewelry
Since body piercings have become more and more mainstream, body jewelry is becoming more and more available to consumers in a variety of places. Department stores, discount warehouses, specialty stores, tattoo and piercing parlors, and even independent vendors at flea markets and bargain bazaars all offer body jewelry for a range of prices, from as low as a few cents to as much as hundreds of dollars. Some wholesale body jewelry retailers have also begun taking orders from individual customers via the Internet.
However, the kind of metal that a piece of body jewelry is made of, regardless of how old the piercing is, is extremely important. This is because the metal is, essentially, being placed in various degrees of a flesh wound and comes in direct contact with bodily tissues and structures.
The Association of Professional Piercers recommends that body jewelry be made of certain kinds of metals or metal alloys, while others should be avoided in order to prevent infections or oxidation of the metal.
Appropriate Metals and Materials for Body Jewelry
- surgical grade stainless steel
- titanium
- niobium
- yellow or white gold, 14k or higher
- platinum
- biocompatible polymers (plastics)
- obsidian (natural glass)
- wood
Inappropriate Metals and Materials for Body Jewelry
- anything that cannot be autoclaved (sterilized)
- nickel
- anything that does not carry an implant grade certification
- materials that may cause an allergic reaction
- metals that are not inert (neutral)
Additionally, jewelry should be sterilized and be removed from sterilized pouches prior to the procedure; free of nicks, scratches, burrs, or leftover polishing materials; and should be polished to a mirror shine. If someone has questions about the quality or safety of the jewelry, the Association of Professional Piercers recommends asking to see the mill test certificate, or paperwork certifying the jewelry's quality and readiness for use in piercings. If a piercing parlor is unable to produce such paperwork, think twice before going ahead with the procedure.
Body piercings and body jewelry have become a more acceptable part of mainstream culture in recent years. However, the popularity of body piercings and jewelry does not mean that someone should sacrifice safety for style, and it is important to research and be aware of what is and is not acceptable and safe for new body piercings.
Sources
- "Jewelry for Initial Piercings" Association of Professional Piercers. Safepiercing.org, acessed 20 February 2011.
- "Recommended Gauges for New Body Piercings" Montana Body Art. Montanabodyart.com, accessed 20 February 2011.
Ashley Anderson - Ashley is an Ohio-based writer and editor with specializations in higher education, writing, and social activism.
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