Who am I?

With the millions of blogs being written in everyday I find it very difficult to take someone seriously when all I see is a decorative website, lots of text, and the occasional picture.  There's something about seeing who is writing what you are reading, and knowing something about them.  That being said, this blog I will be talking about myself and why I am here talking about body piercings and jewelry.  I find it much easier to list out the basics then go into more detail at the bottom so here it goes:

Keeping with the holiday times.

Name: Miles R.

Birthday: 12/03/1984

Hometown: Los Angeles

Life Goals: I have a list of about 30 major goals I wish to accomplish in my lifetime, however, the first I wish to focus on is opening a burger joint in Southern California.

Piercings: Right now I have Both lobes pierced and stretched to 3/4" and a 10g septum.  In the past I've had my lip done three times, a double monroe, and a transverse lobe.  As for future piercings I've been looking into getting a dermal anchor and a medusa. 

Tattoos: I'm sort of a large work in progress, at the moment I have a half done back piece, both sleeves started, rib piece on my right ribs almost done, lip, right butt cheek, left outer and inner ankle, right shin, both feet, and my finger webs.  Hopefully in the near future I can finish what I started.

Hobbies: I'm very into video games, hiking, body piercings and tattoos, burgers, web and graphic design, and traveling/exploring.  I don't like to turn down new experiences unless it's absolutely necessary.

Education: After I finished high school, I went on to do almost two years of college up in Oregon till I realized it wasn't for me.  So I came back to Southern California and taught myself web and graphic design.  Once I did that, tons of doors opened up for me, one of which eventually led me here.

Family: I was the first and only child between my parents.  They split up and from that I have a half sister on my mom's side and an adopted brother also on my mom's side.

Other than that, I have always been obsessed with the obscure and odd.  It was that love that brought me to body piercings and tattoos.  While in Oregon I became good friends with an APP certified piercer who would try out new ideas on me and taught me a lot about proper care and techniques.  Using his knowledge and my own ability to be self taught I began researching the proper way of piercing and aftercare.  In no way am I a pro and I will never claim that, however I feel I have knowledge in this area that I wish I would have had in the past.  Therefor I write here in order to help others that may just be starting out with body piercings and tattoos.  I might teach at times but I will forever be a student.

Till next time,

Miles...

Caring for Organic Jewelry

One of the biggest sellers Wicked Body Jewelz has is our large collection of Organic Body Jewelry.  They are beautiful, unique, and we have them for some of the best prices around.  However, they stand out from metal and acrylic in more than just looks, they are a lot healthier for healed piercings.  They are more porous than metal which allows the piercing to breath, and with the rougher texture it toughens up the piercing and keeps the smell to a minimum.  As with most things, lots of pro's usually come with a few con's.  While they look and feel great, they do require a little upkeep to make sure they last.

Here are some tips to keep your organic plugs in tip top shape:

1. Clean them - Not just a quick rinse off in the shower, actually take them out and wash them.  Make sure to use non-scented, non-chemical, antibacterial soap (the regular gold Dial hand soap is perfect) and warm water.  
2. Oil does wonders - Tea tree oil, emu, vitamin e, jojoba, or mineral oils can come in handy with organic jewelry.  Use a small amount (you want the oil to be absorbed, not drip off) once a week to keep your jewelry looking and feeling fresh.
3. Keep them smooth - Wood jewelry is very porous and therefor absorbs a lot of water when showering or bathing. When the jewelry absorbs the water it will expand then contract once it's dry, as this happens it tends to rough up the edges a bit. As this happens, simply take a high grit sandpaper (ask anyone at a hardware store for a 300 grit or higher and it should do the trick) and lightly sand the rough areas until you can run your fingernail across it without it catching. After that, wash it with soap and water, dry it, then oil it.
   
4. As for handling them, treat them like a child - you wouldn't drop a child, leave a child in a car in the heat, etc. Make sure to avoid those things with your organic jewelry. Sudden changes in temperature can lead to warping or cracking of the jewelry so don't take them in the sauna, don't leave them in the car in the sun, and try to avoid using your stone plugs as little reusable ice cubes for mixed drinks. And since your organic plugs are more fragile than metal and acrylic, try not to drop them.
   
5. Chemicals are not fun - Again, organic jewelry is much more porous than other jewelry, so it tends to absorb whatever you put on it. This isn't too bad with water, but when it comes to chemicals; hair bleach, coloring shampoos, hairspray, etc., you don't want those being absorbed. Not only will it damage or discolor the jewelry, but over time it will seep out of the jewelry and into your piercing. Not exactly what you want entering your body.
   

That being said, just take care of your jewelry and it will be great to you. 

Until next time
Miles...

I want to stretch my ears...how?

The do's and don't of stretching.
Do:

• Get pierced - It is a good idea to wait 6 to 8 weeks after getting a piercing to begin stretching.  Those numbers are very relative though, if you do not take care of your new piercing it could be up to a year before they fully heal and are ready to stretch.  Though if someone is unable to care for a fresh piercing, maybe stretching isn't the road they should be taking.
  
  
• Know your size - The more knowledge you have the better, as you don't want to start off a stretch with too big of a size.  Ask your piercer what size you were pierced with.  If it is done with a gun (God forbid!) it is usually done with an 18g.  If it is done at a shop, they will ask what size you wish to be pierced with.  If you said a normal size, they more than likely pierced you with an 18g but put in 16g's to stop the bleeding. 
  
  
• Know where you are going - It is advised to only jump up one size per stretch.  So if this is your first time you should probably get a taper that starts at an 18g and goes to a 16g (if you are at an 18g right now)
  
  
• Know the equipment - If you plan to use some new earrings right away then be sure to have the following: A taper of the correct size (acrylic, metal, or glass), the set of earrings (single flair, straight hoop or plug, or an internally threaded horseshoe) made of either metal or glass (No plastic or acrylic!), anti-bacterial soap, and a washcloth.
  
  If you are going to leaving the stretchers in as your jewelry then make sure to have the following: 2 matching tapers of the correct size made of either metal or glass (No plastic or acrylic), anti-bacterial soap, and a washcloth.
  
  
• Make the stretch - To actually do the stretch, follow these steps:
  1. Soak the washcloth in warm water and press it to your ear for a few minutes to loosen the skin and increase the blood flow.
  2. Take out the earring on the warmed up ear and wash with warm water and anti-bacterial soap.
  3. *optional* Some put a water based lubrication on the taper to help the stretch, this can help but all you really need is wet your ear and taper with warm water.
  4. Put small taper end in the front of the hole and push slowly until it is to the end. *Note* It will sting a bit but it should not hurt, and it should NEVER bleed. If it is hurting or begins to bleed then stop immediately.
  5. If you are keeping the taper in, put the rubber bands on both ends (not too tight, let your ear have some breathing room) and move on to step 6. If you are using jewelry, wet the jewelry with warm water and use the end of the jewelry to slowly push out the taper. In the process the new jewelry should replace the taper in your ear.
  6. Wash with anti-bacterial soap and move to the other ear
• Wash and wait - It's a good idea to care for a newly stretched ear the same way you would for a newly pierced ear.  Wash every day, don't touch it unless you wash your hands, and wait about a month or so to stretch again. Though again, that time is relative, everybody heals differently.  What took your friend 4 weeks to heal, could take you 8.  Know your body and don't push it too hard.

Don't

• Don't be in a hurry - You may want to jump to an inch over night but quick stretching is extremely painful, damaging, and could cause lot's of medical complications.  In short, it should not be attempted.  It will ruin your ears, and could possibly keep you from stretching to the size you wish to get to.  Treat stretching like climbing a ladder, do it one step at a time and you will keep yourself out of harms way.
• Watch what you use - Acrylic and plastic are not bad to have in your ears but because both are porous materials the ability to absorb bacteria is much greater than that of surgical steel or glass.  So only use a surgical steel or glass taper, make sure you replace it with surgical steel or glass earrings until the healing process is complete.  Once it's done healing feel free to use plastic or acrylic all you want. 
  
  
• Don't be afraid to ask for help - If you are having any troubles with it, don't keep it to yourself.  Go to a professional piercer (not those people in the mall with the guns, they have no real clue about proper piercing) and ask for help, advice, tips, anything.  In fact there are lots of piercers out there who would be willing to stretch your ears for you for a decent price.
  
  
• Don't push yourself too hard - If you aren't healing properly or blood begins to flow, go back down to the original size.  It's not the end of the world, let them heal more and try it again.  Listen to your body and don't push it too hard.

Attached is a picture of a size chart, it's not advisable to skip any steps.  Take it slow and you will not regret it later on.
Until next time,
Miles...

Piercing Forum and Social Network

So as I mentioned before, I have been working on creating a Forum focused on piercing, tattoos, and body mods.  It is currently in the testing phases and hopefully will be launched in the next month.  While working on this project, it has slowly evolved as creation processes often do.  So now along with the forum, it is now a mini social network dedicated to connecting people involved in the body mod sub culture, allowing them to show off their piercings, tattoos, knowledge, etc.  As most social networks and forums go it will be a slow beginning, but we will be holding competitions throughout the testing phases i.e. first user to 500 posts, first user with 100 friends, etc. most winners will receive gift certificates or free items at WickedBodyJewelry.com.  That being said, if you wish to be a tester please let me know and I'll send you the link.  It would help me and it will benefit you as well.  So be a pal and give me a hand.

Shop Showcase #1

Prix Body Piercing

Having two locations, Sunset and Pasadena, both of these shops are ideal locations to get either pierced or tattooed.  Meeting APP standards, the shops are clean, professional, and safe.  The entire staff is certified in CPR, First Aid, Blood Borne Pathogens, and Infectious Disease Control, you can sit comfortably knowing you are in the hands of a professional.  Having only visited the Pasadena location, I have to say it is one of the cleanest and friendliest shops I've visited.  I was greeted almost immediately and was talked to in a way that I knew I wasn't just another dollar to them.  They took the time to answer my questions, shared their knowledge, and just plain talk with me about life which increased the comfort level immensely.  I could tell that the staff cared more about the art form and overall customer satisfaction than they did making money.  I stated from the start that I wasn't going to get any work done that day, yet they were still happy to help me out and guide me in the right direction.  I highly recommend this store to anyone looking to get a great piercing or tattoo. 

Prix Body Adornment
8776 Sunset Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
p | 310-659-3502
f | 310-659-3506

Prix Body Piercing
56 East Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91105
p | 626-405-9253
f | 626-405-9702

prixbodypiercing.com
info@prixbodypiercing.com

Types of Ear Piercings

With their odd shape and all the twists and turns, ears have the most possible piercings of any other body part.  There are a few that are known but there are tons out there that are unknown to some or are referred to by an incorrect name.  I felt it would be good, since www.wickedbodyjewelz.com sells all types of body jewelry, to go ahead and explain the different piercings.  All piercings are pictured below the list.

1. Lobe/Transverse Lobe - The most common ear piercing is the Lobe, it can be done with normal jewelry or stretched to fit larger plugs.  The Transverse Lobe consists of a piercing through the side of the lobe often done with a 14g - 12g medium diameter captive ring or 14g - 12g barbell.
2. Anti-Tragus  - A bit of cartilage above the lobe that is often pierced with a 16g - 14g small diameter captive ring.
3. Tragus - The small bit of cartilage that projects immediately in front of the ear canal that is often pierced with a 16g - 14g small diameter captive ring.
4. Daith - The ending piece of cartilage on the outer rim of the ear cartilage closest to the head.  It is usually done with a 16g - 14g small diameter captive ring although a small curved barbell of similar size is also common.
5. Rook - A small fold of cartilage just above the Daith.  It is said to be one of the more painful piercings as it passes through a lot of cartilage.  Due to the lack of room around it, it is often done with a 16g - 14g small diameter captive ring or a small curved barbell of similar size.
6. Helix - The larger curved section of cartilage along the top and side of your ear.  Because of the size of the helix, there are a lot of different piercings and combination that can be done.  Many will get a few 14g - 12g medium diameter captive rings row, or they will do two piercings across from one another and combine them with a long barbell which is referred to as an industrial piercing.
7. Outer Conch Cartilage - Like the helix, the outer conch cartilage is a large area which allows for lots of options.  Many people will pierce it and stretch it much like the lobe, though because it is cartilage it is much slower and painful of a process.  Another option is what is known as an orbital piercing, where two piercings are done and connected with a 14g - 12g medium diameter captive ring.  
8. Inner Conch - The inner conch is located in the center ear cartilage, adjacent to the ear canal.  Though smaller, this tends to be a common area to stretch to larger sizes and hollow plugs worn in it.  Sometimes a combination orbital is worn, where the first piercing is in the inner conch and the second piercing is in the outer conch cartilage.

All of them are in order of how they are listed above.  Hopefully this helped.
Until next time,
Miles...

Proper Care

As soon as you show up to your circle of friends with a new piercing, suddenly EVERYONE is a professional with how to clean it.  Nothing frustrates me more than someone who runs their mouth about things they don't know.  Especially when it comes to important issues such as proper aftercare.  Now, if you took the time to research local shops and made an educated decision, you can simply follow the directions they give you after and go on having a healthy, nice looking piercing.  However this is not usually the case.  Whether your experience began in high school with your friend telling you about a place that doesn't card, or asking yourself why there are a few empty 40's sitting in the room you are receiving your new holes in.  The fact is, you probably were not instructed in proper healing techniques.  I am not claiming to be a professional, nor am I claiming to have all the answers, but I do know where to look.  I mentioned The APP, The Association of Professional Piercers, in my last blog and can assure you I will be doing that on a regular basis in hopes that I will be able to convince you that they are THE resource when it comes to body piercing and modification (I also do not claim to be a member of The APP I just believe in what they stand for).  Now back to aftercare. 
Suggested Aftercare Guidelines for Body Piercings


Cleaning Solutions (links to suggested solutions at the bottom)

Use one or both of the following solutions for healing piercings:

• Packaged sterile saline solution with no additives (read the label), or 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. A stronger mixture is not better; a saline solution that is too strong can irritate the piercing.

• A mild, fragrance-free liquid soap—preferably anti-microbial or germicidal.
CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS FOR BODY PIERCINGS

• WASH your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason.

• SALINE soak for five to ten minutes once or more per day. Invert a cup of warm saline solution over the area to form a vacuum. For certain piercings it may be easier to apply using clean gauze or paper towels saturated with saline solution. A brief rinse afterward will remove any residue.

• SOAP no more than once or twice a day. While showering, lather up a pearl size drop of the soap to clean the jewelry and the piercing. Leave the cleanser on the piercing no more than thirty seconds.

• RINSE thoroughly to remove all traces of the soap from the piercing. It is not necessary to rotate the jewelry through the piercing.

• DRY by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injury.
WHAT IS NORMAL?

• Initially: some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising.

• During healing: some discoloration, itching, secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus) that will form some crust on the jewelry. The tissue may tighten around the jewelry as it heals.

• Once healed: the jewelry may not move freely in the piercing; do not force it. If you fail to include cleaning your piercing as part of your daily hygiene routine, normal but smelly bodily secretions may accumulate.

• A piercing may seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is because tissue heals from the outside in, and although it feels fine, the interior remains fragile. Be patient, and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period.

• Even healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years! This varies from person to person; if you like your piercing, keep jewelry in—do not leave it empty.
WHAT TO DO

• Wash your hands prior to touching the piercing; leave it alone except when cleaning. During healing, it is not necessary to rotate your jewelry.

• Stay healthy; the healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal. Get enough sleep and eat a nutritious diet. Exercise during healing is fine; listen to your body.

• Make sure your bedding is washed and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing that protects your piercing while you are sleeping.

• Showers tend to be safer than taking baths, as bathtubs can harbor bacteria. If you bathe in a tub, clean it well before each use and rinse off your piercing when you get out.
WHAT TO AVOID

• Avoid cleaning with Betadine®, Hibiciens®, alcohol, hyrdrogen peroxide, Dial® or other harsh soaps, as these can damage cells. Also avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation.

• Avoid Bactine®, pierced ear care solutions and other products containing Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK). These can be irritating and are not intednded for long term wound care.

• Avoid over-cleaning. This can delay your healing and irritate your piercing.

• Avoid undue trauma such as friction from clothing, excessive motion of the area, playing with the jewelry, and vigorous cleaning. These activities can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, prolonged healing, and other complications.

• Avoid all oral contact, rough play, and contact with others’ bodily fluids on or near your piercing during healing.

• Avoid stress and recreational drug use, including excessive caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.

• Avoid submerging the piercing in unhygenic bodies of water such as lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc. Or, protect your piercing using a waterproof wound-sealant bandage (such as 3M™ Nexcare™ Clean Seals). These are available at most drugstores.

• Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing including cosmetics, lotions, and sprays, etc.

• Don’t hang charms or any object from your jewelry until the piercing is fully healed.
HINTS AND TIPS

JEWELRY:

• Unless there is a problem with the size, style, or material of the initial jewelry, leave it in the place for the entire healing period. See a qualified piercer to perform any jewelry change that becomes necessary during healing. See the APP website to locate an APP member, or to request a copy of our Picking Your Piercer brochure.)

• Contact your piercer if your jewelry must be removed (such as for a medical procedure). There are non-metallic jewelry alternatives available.

• Leave jewelry in at all times. Even old or well-healed piercing can shrink or close in minutes even after having been there for years. If removed, re-insertion can be difficult or impossible.

• With clean hands or paper product, be sure to regularly check threaded ends on your jewelry for tightness. (“Righty-tighty, lefty-loosey.”)

• Carry a clean spare ball in case of loss or breakage.

• Should you decide you no longer want the piercing, simply remove the jewelry (or have a professional piercer remove it) and continue cleaning the piercing until the hole closes. In most cases only a small mark will remain.

• In the even an infection is suspected, quality jewelry or an inert alternative should be left in place to allow for drainage or the infection. If the jewelry is removed, the surface cells can close up, which can seal the infection inside the piercing channel and result in an abscess. Do not remove jewelry unless instructed to by a medical professional.
FOR PARTICULAR AREAS

NAVEL:

• A hard, vented eye patch (sold at pharmacies) can be applied under tight clothing (such as nylon stockings)  or secured using a length of Ace® bandage around the body (to avoid irritation from adhesive). This can protect the area from restrictive clothing, excess irritation, and impact during physical activities such as contact sports.

EAR/EAR CARTILAGE AND FACIAL:

• Use the t-shirt trick: Dress your pillow in a large, clean t-shirt and turn it nightly; one clean t-shirt provides four clean surfaces for sleeping.

• Maintain cleanliness of telephones, headphones, eyeglasses, helmets, hats, and anything that contacts the pierced area.

• Use cation when styling your hair and advise your stylist of a new or healing piercing.

NIPPLES:

• The support of a tight cotton shirt or sports bra may provide protection and feel comfortable, especially for sleeping.

GENITAL:

• Genital Piercings—especially Prince Alberts, Ampallangs, and Apadravyas—can bleed freely for the first few days. Be prepared.

• Urinate after using soap to clean any piercing that is near the urethra.

• Wash your hands before touching on (or near) a healing piercing.

• In most cases you can engage in sexual activity as soon as you feel ready, but maintaining hygiene and avoiding trauma are vital; all sexual activities should be gentle during the healing period.

• Use barriers such as condoms, dental dams, and waterproof bandages, etc. to avoid contact with your partners’ body fluids, even in monogamous relationships.

• Use clean, disposable barriers on sex toys.

• Use a new container of water-based lubricant; do not use saliva.

• After sex, an additional saline soak or clean water rinse is suggested.

Each body is unique and healing times vary considerably. If you have any questions, please contact your piercer.
* DISCLAIMER:

These guidelines are based on a combination of vast professional experience, common sense, research and extensive clinical practice. This is not to be considered a substitute for medical advice from a doctor. If you suspect an infection, seek medical attention. Be aware that many doctors have not received specific training regarding piercing. Your local piercer may be able to refer you to a piercing-friendly medical professional. For more information, see the APP Brochure Troubleshooting For You and Your Healthcare Professional.
To my knowledge the only APP endorsed cleaning product is called H2Ocean, it's an amazing product and the best part about it...it's cheap.  You can read all about it on their site.  And for any of you that wish to have all the information listed here you can download it in PDF form below.
Body piercing aftercare
Oral piercing aftercare
Until next time
Miles...

The Importance of Being Intern"est"ally Threaded

When I mention the term "Internally Threaded Jewelry" to people, I may as well be speaking in another language as I am met with a blank stare.  However once I explain myself it will typically change the way they experience body piercings.  So what is internally threaded jewelry?  Piercology.com explains it very well:
"Internally threaded jewelry has the threading attached to the ball, with a hole in the shaft of the barbell. While externally threaded jewelry has a hole in the ball and the threads exposed on the shaft of the barbell.

What this difference means to a piercing is that when the threads are exposed, as on externally threaded jewelry, those sharp threads can cause tears to the inside of a piercing. This can lead to pain, irritation, bleeding, scarring and prolonged healing, The quality of externally threaded jewelry is generally inferior, specifically the finish is duller, the steel is usually a lesser grade, and in the case of curved barbells, is not shaped correctly.

When inserting internally threaded jewelry, the threads are inside the shaft, and therefore the transition from needle to jewelry is painless, with no harm done to the piercing. This means faster healing time, less chance of excessive scar tissue and happier clients.

So why does externally threaded body jewelry exist? Because it's much cheaper to make, and therefore your piercer makes more money off of it, but at your expense."
-Source
So in the future, always make sure to check if your piercer uses internally threaded jewelry.  An easier way to go about this would be to make sure your piercer is a current member of The APP or The Association of Professional Piercers, as all of their jewelry, needles, and shops must follow strict guidelines to maintain membership.  One of those guidelines is the use of internally threaded jewelry. 
For those of you that are interested in switching to a safer, better quality piece of jewelry you can find them all on our site, WickedBodyJewelz.com
Until next time
Miles...

Wicked Body Jewelz

This is the Blog for WickedBodyJewelz.com. In the coming weeks and months I will be focusing on showcasing new jewelry we are selling, questions about piercing you may have, and just ranting and raving about whatever comes to mind.

Until next time,

Miles…