For most young people, body piercing is a fashion statement - a way to look sexier and be more attractive. For some, it is part of self-expression, to show the world their true character. For others, body piercing is a form of ritual in joining a group where members share the same personalities and interests. It becomes a badge of identity.
Common Body Parts Being Pierced
In the past, ears, navels and nostrils are the common parts of the body being pierced, but now, pierced nipples, tongues, eyebrows and even cheeks are becoming trendy. Here is the list:
Ear piercing is the most common kind of piercing; it is traditional and widespread. But modern ear piercing is somewhat different. Earrings are now placed on the side of the ear or in the cartilage and ear lobes. It takes one to two weeks to heal, but there are cases when healing takes as long as two months.
Navel piercing is as common as ear piercing. Mostly models and belly dancers have this kind of pierce to add adornment and to beautify their bellies.
Eyebrow piercing is another relatively common facial piercing. It usually takes six to eight weeks to heal. Because the eyebrow is not easily irritated, it is said that this kind of piercing is one of the safest facial piercings. However, makeup or other beauty products that are applied to the face may irritate the piercing and may cause it to become infected. Even after healing, though, the piercing will generally close within 24 to 48 hours of removal of the jewelry.
Nose piercing is getting to be quite popular nowadays. The youth finds the nose attractive because it is said to be the face’s most prominent limb. Like that of eyebrow piercing, one problem with this kind of piercing is in dealing with powders and foundations.
Tongue, lip and cheek piercings take about one to two months to heal and eating and speaking become very uncomfortable. If a person has these kinds of piercing, he/she must refrain from eating food or drinks that are spicy, sour, hot, cold, sweet and alcohol-containing. Dentists are against any type of oral piercing because of the risks involved. Diction and the way one speaks will be greatly affected.
Nipple piercing is said to make the nipples larger, more sensitive, more sexually attractive and provides constant stimulation of the nipples. On the downside, nipples usually take six to 10 weeks to heal and once healed the nipples will always be more sensitive and dangerous when being too rough with them during sex.
Penis piercing can be through the foreskin, the skin on the shaft of the penis, the scrotum or the head of the penis. But this kind of piercing needs to be performed by a professional because one small move could cause serious damage.
Piercing of body parts seems not end with this list. As long as young people dare being adventurous, they could still think of body parts that they want pierced. Hopefully, they would think of the health risks involved, too.
Health Risks
Body piercing is not without health risks - from complications following piercing to serious viral infections.
Allergic reactions to jewelry. A rash on the area surrounding the piercing may mean that a person is allergic to the metal type. Surgical grade steel, titanium, gold or platinum are usually non-reactive.
Bleeding. Any bleeding should be only a small amount at the time of the piercing and should stop when a little pressure is applied. If the piercing has been incorrectly positioned, it may cause problems. Any significant amount of blood loss should be brought to the attention of a doctor.
Keloid scarring. It is defined as abnormal scarring that goes beyond the original site of the skin injury. People from certain ethnic groups, such as Hispanics, Blacks, Africans and Asians, are more susceptible to keloid scarring, so should think about the possibility and consider avoiding all types of body piercing and tattoos.
Tetanus. Tetanus is a rare but often fatal disease that affects the central nervous system by causing painful muscular contractions. It begins when tetanus bacteria enter the body, usually through a wound or cut exposed to contaminated soil. Tetanus can be deadly, but it is also easily preventable through vaccination.
HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B and C. These are blood-borne diseases that can be caught from unsterilized needles. The Hepatitis B and C viruses can live outside the body for a significant period of time and both diseases can be life threatening. Hepatitis B and C are much more easily transmitted than HIV.
Moreover, if a person is diabetic, he/she has a higher risk of infection so it is important to see a doctor first before undergoing body piercing.
A Big Decision
Body piercing is a big decision to make. You don’t have to pierce your body just to look different and create your own image. There are still other ways of becoming unique. If you have not yet decided to have your body pierced, be sure to ask your parents, friends, relatives about their perceptions on piercing. Always ask for opinions and weigh your options wisely.
When you are sure enough that body piercing is what you want and if you are healthy, then there is no reason why you should not go for it. But first you need to find out more information on the kind of piercing you want. You need to find out that you are not one of those people who may have put their health at risk.
Do not try doing the piercing yourself. Look for a professional with a good reputation, preferably someone who has been recommended to you. He or she will be able to advise you on the correct size of jewelry and how to care for your piercing. Sterilized equipment and clean premises are extremely important to avoid a number of serious, life threatening diseases.
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Cartoons from photobucket
Common Body Parts Being Pierced
In the past, ears, navels and nostrils are the common parts of the body being pierced, but now, pierced nipples, tongues, eyebrows and even cheeks are becoming trendy. Here is the list:
Ear piercing is the most common kind of piercing; it is traditional and widespread. But modern ear piercing is somewhat different. Earrings are now placed on the side of the ear or in the cartilage and ear lobes. It takes one to two weeks to heal, but there are cases when healing takes as long as two months.
Navel piercing is as common as ear piercing. Mostly models and belly dancers have this kind of pierce to add adornment and to beautify their bellies.
Eyebrow piercing is another relatively common facial piercing. It usually takes six to eight weeks to heal. Because the eyebrow is not easily irritated, it is said that this kind of piercing is one of the safest facial piercings. However, makeup or other beauty products that are applied to the face may irritate the piercing and may cause it to become infected. Even after healing, though, the piercing will generally close within 24 to 48 hours of removal of the jewelry.
Nose piercing is getting to be quite popular nowadays. The youth finds the nose attractive because it is said to be the face’s most prominent limb. Like that of eyebrow piercing, one problem with this kind of piercing is in dealing with powders and foundations.
Tongue, lip and cheek piercings take about one to two months to heal and eating and speaking become very uncomfortable. If a person has these kinds of piercing, he/she must refrain from eating food or drinks that are spicy, sour, hot, cold, sweet and alcohol-containing. Dentists are against any type of oral piercing because of the risks involved. Diction and the way one speaks will be greatly affected.
Nipple piercing is said to make the nipples larger, more sensitive, more sexually attractive and provides constant stimulation of the nipples. On the downside, nipples usually take six to 10 weeks to heal and once healed the nipples will always be more sensitive and dangerous when being too rough with them during sex.
Penis piercing can be through the foreskin, the skin on the shaft of the penis, the scrotum or the head of the penis. But this kind of piercing needs to be performed by a professional because one small move could cause serious damage.
Piercing of body parts seems not end with this list. As long as young people dare being adventurous, they could still think of body parts that they want pierced. Hopefully, they would think of the health risks involved, too.
Health Risks
Body piercing is not without health risks - from complications following piercing to serious viral infections.
Allergic reactions to jewelry. A rash on the area surrounding the piercing may mean that a person is allergic to the metal type. Surgical grade steel, titanium, gold or platinum are usually non-reactive.
Bleeding. Any bleeding should be only a small amount at the time of the piercing and should stop when a little pressure is applied. If the piercing has been incorrectly positioned, it may cause problems. Any significant amount of blood loss should be brought to the attention of a doctor.
Keloid scarring. It is defined as abnormal scarring that goes beyond the original site of the skin injury. People from certain ethnic groups, such as Hispanics, Blacks, Africans and Asians, are more susceptible to keloid scarring, so should think about the possibility and consider avoiding all types of body piercing and tattoos.
Tetanus. Tetanus is a rare but often fatal disease that affects the central nervous system by causing painful muscular contractions. It begins when tetanus bacteria enter the body, usually through a wound or cut exposed to contaminated soil. Tetanus can be deadly, but it is also easily preventable through vaccination.
HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B and C. These are blood-borne diseases that can be caught from unsterilized needles. The Hepatitis B and C viruses can live outside the body for a significant period of time and both diseases can be life threatening. Hepatitis B and C are much more easily transmitted than HIV.
Moreover, if a person is diabetic, he/she has a higher risk of infection so it is important to see a doctor first before undergoing body piercing.
A Big Decision
Body piercing is a big decision to make. You don’t have to pierce your body just to look different and create your own image. There are still other ways of becoming unique. If you have not yet decided to have your body pierced, be sure to ask your parents, friends, relatives about their perceptions on piercing. Always ask for opinions and weigh your options wisely.
When you are sure enough that body piercing is what you want and if you are healthy, then there is no reason why you should not go for it. But first you need to find out more information on the kind of piercing you want. You need to find out that you are not one of those people who may have put their health at risk.
Do not try doing the piercing yourself. Look for a professional with a good reputation, preferably someone who has been recommended to you. He or she will be able to advise you on the correct size of jewelry and how to care for your piercing. Sterilized equipment and clean premises are extremely important to avoid a number of serious, life threatening diseases.
---
Cartoons from photobucket