Pierceit - Body Modification Journal

Q. Why do it in the first place?
A. There are as many answers to that one as there are people that do it, some do it as a statement while others see it as a rite of passage and some even do it as a fashion statement. If you would like a fuller explanation check-out the ‘Why’ page.

Q. Does it hurt?
A. This is a difficult one, I can only tell you how It felt to me, there WAS a sensation I wouldn’t call it pain and after 500ms it was gone so you can’t say that it is drawn out. This was my tongue as for the P.A. (Prince Albert) the same applies, but the nipple is one of the most painful (or so I’m told) piercings, I had mine done with no anaesthetic, it was intense, but it was manageable.

Q. Where do I get it done?
A. Well I would say that going to a piercing studio (i.e.. a place that only does piercing) is the best option, but always go and talk to the piercer to see if you like their attitude. Remember it’s your body and you don’t get a second chance, yeah it’s a pisser if you get an infection but if you get HIV/Hepatitis you’re fucked, and saying “it wont happen to me” is not a good indemnity plan.

Ask a few questions:
IS THE STUDIO CLEAN / TIDY?
ARE THE STAFF CLEAN / TIDY?
DO THEY HAVE AN AUTOCLAVE, AND CAN YOU INSPECT THE SPORE TEST?
DO THEY ONLY USE DISPOSABLE NEEDLES?
IS THE STUDIO HEALTH REGISTERED?
IS THE PIERCER A MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL PIERCERS?
DOES THE STUDIO ISSUE WRITTEN AFTERCARE GUIDELINES?
IS THE PIERCER COMPETENT?
DO THEY HAVE A PORTFOLIO OF THEIR WORK?
ARE THE STAFF HELPFUL / FRIENDLY?

If you can answer YES to all the above then your on the right track, but don’t rely on the above, ask around, find out if others have had piercings performed where you intend to have yours done, did they have problems? And if so was the studio helpful?

REMEMBER a little time spent doing some research, can save a lot of trouble later on!

Q. How do I deal with my parents?
A. Tricky question, I suppose it depends on how old you are, once you are 18 you can do as you wish so if your sure you want it done, go for it your parents will come round to the idea once they have seen it and talked about it (let’s face it once you’ve done it they can only say they don’t like it). If your under 18 you will need your parents consent, this needs a more considered plan of action, you may want to ease them into piercing by talking about it first and gradually getting them used to it, you could always try to shock them by saying that you want your septum pierced and you are going to do it whatever they say, then say you will drop that idea if you can have your whatever pierced. It does work as someone I know used it on their parents, why not look on my parents page, your not the only one with parents that hate piercing, for instance it’s the only thing my parents could both agree on (and it’s been years since they have done that) abhorring.

Q. I really want to get pierced, but I’m frightened.
A. You’ve done the most important thing, admitting your frightened, fear is good and normal, I was nervous the first time (about getting my dick out, more than anything else) and I think that’s what makes piercing special, you choose to have it done and you overcome your fears and you have something nice to show for it (like a medal really). Thing’s you can do to help are very personal, but here’s my suggestions; take a friend/partner someone to talk to and take your mind of the subject, try to relax, above all think positive and just picture how good you will look/feel with the piercing in place. For me the whole experience was superb even the needle passing through my skin, sounds weird ha? All I can say is don’t let fear of the sensation (notice I don’t call it pain) put you off having something you really want, because life’s far too short to as it is and the more you put it off the less time you will have to enjoy your piercing/s.

Q. I’m really shy, how do I show a stranger my body?
A. Yes, I alluded to this in the last answer, believe me you can’t possibly be as bad as I was, I think the only person that ever got to see me naked was my girlfriend and I felt uncomfortable then. So why go through with it then and more importantly how did I deal with it? Put simply; the benefits outweighed the negative factors. I wanted to make sex even better for my girlfriend (and me) that I would do anything and I liked the idea of being better than most other guy’s. So this is how I got my head round it (no pun intended) the piercer is a professional much like a doctor and they’ve seen it all before, I feel that it’s harder for guy’s to deal with because of the size issue even I (having been with loads of girls, and being pretty confident about little stu’s proportions) started to feel nervous about getting it out (remember it’s in sleep mode and they do a good impression of a frightened turtle) specially in front of a guy, but for me it was better that a guy did it because there’s no sexual element involved (imagine if some real nice woman were to do it imagine the pressure, if it wakes up, total embarrassment, if not you start to feel there might be something wrong with you, but these were my thoughts (most of the people I’ve spoken to since say the same things about themselves). I don’t think most women feel the same about showing there bodies, my girlfriend is considering having a vertical clitoris hood piercing and her main concern (apart from the needle) is do I mind a guy looking at her pussy. But if you want a piercing and are to embarrassed to get it done, do what I did look at the whole thing objectively, lets face it we all have genitals, nipples or whatever and the piercer has seen them many, many times before.

Q. I heard that piercings take a long time to heal. . .
A. Well my tongue for instance took about three weeks to heal fully, I didn’t talk for the first three days and ate soft food for a week, and used a 50/50 Listerine/water mix after meals and no kissing (with tongue’s) for three weeks. Now if that sounds like hassle maybe piercing isn’t for you, my point is if you take care of your piercings they will heal in a reasonable time (weeks normally) as I’ve said before FOLLOW THE PIERCER’S GUIDELINES they should run through them with you before the piercing, if not ASK, if they don’t, walk away! Also stick with it I know it’s hard but it’s behoves you to do so. Even so piercings like the Ampallang can take up to six months to heal fully, but most other piercings only take one month or so, there are a lot of variables to take into consideration, general health/fitness, diet, etc.
The bottom line: Everybody is different, just because you friend’s piercing was fully healed in six weeks, does not mean you will be the same! Better piercing studio’s normally have a written aftercare guide, if so READ IT!

Q. How much does it cost?
A. Well for this one I’ve looked around at four U.K. piercing studio’s around the country, all the piercings are the same i.e. with your tongue piercing you get a free barbell change after 2-3 weeks and this goes for all the piercings which require change of barbell. The price format is from lowest to highest and in pounds.

TONGUE £20 - £30
P.A. £20 - £35
NIPPLE £20 - £30
NAVEL £20 - £25
V.C.H £20 - £30
I/O LABIA £20 - £35
AMPALLANG £30 - £45

*This is just a rough guide and not a definitive list and is accurate as at 10/1/00.

Q: How do I become a piercer?
A:Being a professional body piercer is not an overnight/day course thing. Just as you don’t become a brain surgeon/rocket scientist overnight or by taking a day course!

The best way to become a piercer is to find a competent piercing studio and ask if they have any positions for an apprentice. You may have to hunt around and leave your name with them, as they may not have any immediate vacancies.