The (experienced) People Vs. the Law

If you can tell one thing about me from this blog, it is that I am a firm supporter of the APP (Association of Professional Piercers).  This has it's perks and it's downfalls in the position that I am in.  It is great because it allows me to give out great advice to people in regards to their piercing, whether healed, healing, or not done yet.  The drawbacks is that not everyone cares about getting or giving safe piercings.  Many of the steps that the APP requires a piercer to take to be certified strike people and piercers alike as inconvenient or unnecessary and they opt to not follow through with them.  One of the biggest arguments I hear is: "If the shop is open, it has to be doing everything right."  This couldn't be more wrong, just because the shop is following all of the legal standards does not mean that they are doing everything to ensure you are getting a safe piercing.  All of the laws regarding piercings were established by government officials.  Now I don't know about you, but if I am looking for piercing advice I am not writing to my governor or state representative.  It's just someone writing rules about something they know nothing about.  I am sure they consulted doctors but piercing is completely different, please understand I am by no means trying to downplay the knowledge or intelligence of our doctors.  However, it would be the same as asking a bone specialist for detailed safety information on heart surgery, some parts would be accurate, but they wouldn't know everything.
All that to say, your choice on a shop and your piercing aftercare should not be made based on money or convenience, it should be based on skill and proper technique.  Get pierced by an APP certified piercer and don't rush or neglect the healing process. 
Until next time,
Miles...

The History of Nose Piercings

While there are numerous ways to pierce your nose, as shown in my last entry, most of those piercings are relatively new.  The standard nose piercing and septum piercing do not fall into this category however.  The standard nose piercing can be traced back over 4,000 years somewhere in the Middle East.  It is referenced in the Bible, Genesis 24:22 "Then at last, when the camels had finished drinking, he took out a gold ring for her nose and two large gold bracelets for her wrists." Speaking of a servant giving a golden nose ring and bracelets as gifts to a woman for her help in watering his camels. 
The practice can also be followed throughout the history of India and Nepal.  Indian women traditionally had their left nostril pierced to help make childbirth easier as Ayurvedic medicine associates that position with the female reproductive organs.  It also acted as a homage paid to Parvathi, the goddess of marriage in the 16th century.
The septum piercing may not have been around as long as the nostril piercing, but it holds quite the global popularity.  It's popularity has been brought about by the many African  and Native American tribes.  However, New Guinea is possibly the most famous for septum piercings, especially the Kangi.  They began piercing the septum as a coming of age ritual for young men.  They would begin the ritual by blackening the face with charcoal, plucking out all the hair on the head keeping only a small tuft, then finally pierce it using a bat bone and sweet potato. 
Hopefully this gave you some insight on the background of nose piercings.  If you have any questions or anything to add feel free to do so in the comments. 

Till next time,
Miles...

Dermal Anchors...WTF?

For sometime now I have had a fascination with dermal anchors, however when I bring it up to my friends and co-workers I am often met with a confused look.  Even after I explain it to them they still don't really get it.  So I figure it would be a good idea to do a post about it.
A dermal implants is known by a few different names: Microdermal, surface anchor, or dermal anchor.  It is simply a flat plate sitting beneath the skin with a single exit hole for a barbell post, so it looks as though the jewelery is screwed directly into the body.
There are two widely used methods (not saying there are only two ways to do it, just two very popular methods) that are done to create the anchor.

1. Needle: The first method is done with a standard hollow point needle (usually a 10 gauge).  It is done very similar to a standard surface piercing though it is much faster. 
   
   
   • The entry is marked
   • The needle is then pushed through at a downward angle a few millimeters
   • The long end of the anchor is then pushed into the hole
   • Finally the short end is tucked in the hole as well
   This way works, however the chance of rejection is higher due to the fact that you have an angled hole in your skin which is a fairly straight path for the body to push it back out.
2. Punch and Taper: The second method uses a 1.5mm dermal punch instead of a needle and is rather fast in both the piercing and healing process.
   
   
   • The entry is marked
   • The skin is pinched
   • The dermal anchor is pressed in straight down making a hole perpendicular to the skin ending where the epidermis meets the dermis
   • The anchor is then inserted down then when it reaches the end of the hole, turned inward slightly separating the epidermis and the dermis
   The rejection rate of this method is at a surprisingly low < 2%.  The main reason is the angle of the hole, since the hole matches the shape of the anchor perfectly it does not require your body to contour to the jewelry, so your body just heals around it.

The healing process, as with any other piercing varies from artist to artist but are very similar to surface piercings.  Keep the area clean, dry, and free of irritants.  Healing time 1-3 months.

Until next time,
Miles...

New Week, New Jewelry #1

So we began carrying some amazing stone plugs, they are available in sizes 10g - 9/16".  We are hoping to get larger sizes soon (at least I am).  They are made very sturdy and the best part is since they are all stone, no pattern is the same so each piece is completely unique.  We have them in the following stones:

• Carnelian
• Fossil Insect Jasper
• Sodalite
• Green Aventurine
• Picture Jasper (shown)
• Imitation Turquoise
• Black Obsidian
• British Columbian Jade
• Lapis Lazuli
• Tiger Eye
• Imitation Malachite 

Find your size and check them out here!

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...

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...