“Body piercing is a form of body modification that involves puncturing the skin and placing a decorative object through the opening  (http://www.dejanet.com)."  With body piercing on the rise, a lot of this group probably knows someone who is pierced and just wonders what would compel him/her to do this.
     I have spent $265 on my body piercings.  I work hard while I am attending school full-time, so I must really want them.  Each piercing is different.  My first piercing was when I was seventeen years old.  My mother had to sign for me to have my navel pierced since I was not eighteen.  I was really scared, and my hands were cold and shaky.  I have heard that a good piercer can make the pain go away in half a second.  So far, all of this has been true for me personally.  The short amount of pain is far worth it for me to see this new addition to my appearance.  I still get nervous, and I still think about walking out, but I pull myself together and clench my teeth for that second and it is over.
    There are two common reasons that motivate people to get pierced.  The sensual affect drives many people to get pierced, the area becomes increasingly more sensitive after healing and many people like the visual affect of getting pierced.  A friend of mine has spent $280 on piercing his tongue, nipples, and fernum (skin under the male genital), he sees it as a shock value.

"people are very surprised because I don’t look like  what people would consider [to be] ‘the type,'"                                             (Jim, at the Voyeur)."

     I would say this is one of the reasons I get pierced.  People get an idea of how a person is and when they learn something contrary to this belief, it makes them think more about who they are analyzing. 

    Now that we know why people get pierced, the next step is understanding the actual piercing procedure...
        First one decides what they want to get pierced, and who should perform it.  There are several questions one should ask the piercer: 
        Does the piercer have a professional, open and friendly attitude?
        Do they use a sterile, disposable, single use needle?
        Are the piercings performed in a special separate room?
        Is the studio licensed with your local health department? (In many states, the piercer must have some kind of medical background.)
        Will the piercer provide advice on aftercare and make him/herself available for further assistance if required?  (Dr. Chann)

     It is completely normal to be nervous about...
        Going!  
        The worst time is when one gets out of the car, steps in to fill out the necessary paperwork, and sits down in the room.
        Pain. 
        Everyone asks “Did it hurt?”   Yes it does, for a second.  When the needle goes in, a certain stress is released, and this, (not pain) is what causes people to feel lightheaded.  The most common response is a quick “Aaah!” followed by a nervous giggle.  A lot of adrenaline masks any pain (Delaney).
 

	Gary Miller,  the photographer...
...has been bitten  by the piercing bug too...

   After the piercing is performed, the piercer should instruct the client on how to take care of the new piercing and any risks of infection...
        The best time to clean the piercing is in the shower because the water runs down the body.  Applying Dial anti-bacterial soap to your fingertips and gently rubbing and rotating the ring/barbell and the wound is the appropriate way to clean the piercing.  Do not apply Neosporin, alcohol, peroxide or any topical solution to piercing.
        Do not touch or play with the piercing unless cleaning (Buddahs)

     Some common problems associated with piercings after the procedure include...
        Infection (prolonged redness, excessive secretions of yellow liquid)
        Allergic reactions
        Rejections
        Keloids (scars)

        Doctors say the most common complications of piercing are bleeding, local infection, and (as reported in dental journals), oral piercings can lead to toxic shock syndrome or least common, HIV.  It is important to remember these infections are not the norm, but rare.

    Since this fad is on the rise, many clinicians will be confronted with a medical emergency where the jewelry must be removed for radiography or speedy treatment in the pierced area.  The horrific fact I discovered was only 6 in 28 emergency physicians surveyed knew how to remove the jewelry used for piercing.

    Though piercing has a few risks involved, overall, it can be quite pleasing to the individual.  If we know why people get pierced, what happens during the procedure, and how to care for it, we will have an appreciation for the process.
       Everyone's body is beautiful.  Piercing, like highlighting one’s hair, getting breast implants, or tattoos, is about pleasing oneself with something new about their overall appearance.  

                                                                   If you're in the market wholesale jewelry, including wholesale sterling silver, then maybe Teeda.com is right for you.
 
 

Credits:
Buddah’s Body Art.  Piercing Care.
Jim, at the Voyeur.  Interview.
Delaney, Jim.  PRIME Magazine.  “Piercing For Beginners”.  Issue 3, September 26th, 1995
Clinician Reviews.  “When Body Jewelry Must Be Removed”.  Issue February 2000
Chann, Doctor Laura.  (http.//www.adrchann.dynamic.com)