Piercing FAQ

Losing or swallowing part or all of a barbell, CBR or other piece of body jewelry is very common but can still result in a moment of panic. Learn ways to save your piercing and find out what to do if you accidentally swallow your jewelry.

What is stretching and how is it done?

Definition of the word fistula and how it applies to body piercings.

What are claws and talons and why are they tapered? What are they used for?

What is taping and how does it help to stretch a piercing?

What is scalpelling and how is it used to stretch a piercing?

What are weights and how are they used to stretch a piercing?

What is tapering and how is it done?

Piercing FAQ Piercing aftercare - If you've had a piercing for a couple of weeks and it already feels healed, is it okay to stop cleaning it?

A home piercing kit with basic instructions are available to anyone, not just professionals. But does that mean they're safe?

Nose Piercings, user submitted question about the use of an earring in a nose piercing. The quality of the jewelry in question is far from what is necessary for a healing piercing.

If you had to take your cbr / captive bead ring jewelry out or the ball bead popped out somehow, putting them back in can be tricky, but it can be done.

Sensitive Skin, will it be possible for you to get a nose piercing if you have sensitive skin? What if your ear piercings always get infected? Does that mean you can't get anything pierced?

If you've had ear gauges, or stretched a piercing, but want it to shrink back, there are a few things to consider to figure out whether or not that is possible.

Piercing FAQ - Is used body jewelry safe to use as long as it's been sterilized in an autoclave?

Piercing FAQ - Body Jewelry Gauges. Find out what a guage is, what size jewelry is common for most piercings and how to figure out what gauge your piercing or jewelry is.

Ear Piercings - Is it possible to fit multiple piercings on the soft tissue of the ear lobe before running into cartilage?

Apprenticeships, How much is a reasonable amount for a piercing apprenticeship? How much money can you expect training to cost?

Body Jewelry, Find out why your doctor or dentist will ask you to remove your body jewelry before they take x-rays.

Is organic body jewelry safe for new piercings? Is it okay to wear them for long periods of time?

Piercing Bumps, If you have a bump or sore around your piercing, it is more than likely not a keloid and it is easily removable. Find out what it could be and how to get rid of it.

Is it safe to get a piercing from a friend who is using a kit? Is it safe to be pierced by your friends, if they are not professionals? What risks might be associated with allowing someone other than a professional to pierce you?

Do tongue piercings bleed a lot? Do you have to worry about waking up in the morning with a mouth full of blood?

Nose Piercings, what are your jewelry options. A lot of piercers will automatically use captive bead ring (CBR) jewelry for a new nostril piercing. Does it have to be done with a ring or can it be pierced with a nostril screw or nose bone?

What is a keloid? Keloids are actual scar tissue that forms because the body over-defends itself as a result of trauma, surgical incisions, or piercings. What can you do if one developes?

Does body jewelry attract lightning? Are you a target in a storm if you have body piercings?

Can body jewelry set off metal detectors at airports and other security stations?

If you have an infected piercing, should you remove the jewelry? Mild infections can be treated easily enough at home. If it's just a little irritated, slightly red or warm, you can try a few things to clear it up on your own:

Explanation of the yellow ooze that leaks from piercings and dries hard.

Piercing Healing, Should body jewelry be rotated during cleaning or not? Get the answer to this question.

Is it safe to get a piercing if your sick with a cold or other illness?

Piercing Healing. Can working out with a new piercing cause healing problems? Sweat can, however, irritate a piercing and introduce germs and bacteria into the wound. It's important that you

What piercing? Answer to the commonly asked question - what piercing would be best for you to get? No one can make that decision for you. You might, however, find out

Should you tip your piercing artist? Get the answer here.

Piercing Cost, Answer to the commonly asked question - how much do body piercings cost? There are a lot of factors that determine price of a piercing. The type and location of a piercing will obviously make a difference.

Answer to the common question - can numbing cream be used before a piercing?

Piercing Hurt, Answer to the commonly asked question do body piercings hurt?

Answer to the commonly asked question about what to expect when you go to get a body piercing.

Are body piercings safe? Most of them, especially when performed by a professional. There are some areas of the body that can be severely damaged

If used body jewelry has been autoclave sterilized, would it be safe to re-sell or buy?

Male genital piercings may or may not enhance the sexual experience. It depends upon several factors listed in this article, and can have a very different result from one person to the next.

There seems to be some confusion about just how much a piercing can actually enhance the sexual experience. Part 1 of this mini-series addresses female genital piercings and how they may or may not affect sexual stimulation.

Answers to the most commonly asked questions about nipple piercings.

The (almost) complete guide to body piercings - includes information on proper names, locations, starter jewelry recommendations, expected healing times and answers to the most common piercing questions.

Coming across a security metal detector can be ominous if you have piercings you don't want anyone else to know about. What are the chances your piercing will set off the alarm?

The piercing gun is widely used in mall and department stores - and professional piercing artists want to see it BANNED. Why? Find out why the gun is so dangerous and how the needle compares.

Anyone can be subject to frostbite if exposed to extreme cold, but those with piercings are even more at risk. Find out why and how you can prevent it.

Should you tip your tattoo or piercing artist, and if so, how much? See what the professionals say and get some ideas from tipping customers.

A 17 year-old was hit by lightening and doctors blamed his tongue ring. Is this possible? Pediactrics guide, Vincent Iannelli, M.D., separates fact from fiction.

See what others thought of their piercing experience. Read their personal thoughts on the process, pain, and healing.

Answers to commonly asked questions. Discussion on the piercing gun versus the needle.

Extensive information on the different styles and designs of piercing jewelry, and the differences between gauge sizes in metric and U.S. standard measurements.

Tribalectic is a new and exciting ezine dedicated to the piercing community. With articles, information, piercing-friendly employers and physicians and so much more, this is a community you will want to be part of.

Detailed descriptions of different materials used, both metal and non-metal. Also warns against the new and popular "glow in the dark" jewelry.