What's that ear piercing called?
Below are diagrams of some of the areas of the body that can be pierced. Please bare in mind this is not a comprehensive list, as there are a lot of variations to most things, and new piercings are thought up all the time.
If you don't see a piercing you were interested in, please ask us about it, as we will most likely be able to give you more information
Also, as this is an all ages website we do not have images of male/female intimate piercings. please feel free to call in to see us and ask about more information with these.
If you don't see a piercing you were interested in, please ask us about it, as we will most likely be able to give you more information
Also, as this is an all ages website we do not have images of male/female intimate piercings. please feel free to call in to see us and ask about more information with these.
The dangers of 'piercing guns'
ON PIERCING GUNS (And Why We Don’t Use Them)
Piercing guns are mechanical machines that fire spring-propelled studs into the earlobe with considerable force. Piercing guns have been around for decades, but don’t think that makes them completely safe or particularly suitable for their purpose. The fact is, even now in it’s evolved form, the piercing gun is a poor substitute for a sharp, single use needle.
Following is a list of potential complications that could arrive from the use of piercing guns:
Cross contamination is the act of contaminating a clean object by touching a dirty object, and then touching the clean object. Modern piercing guns are made from plastic, i.e. they are not possible to sterilize by autoclave (the preferred in-house sterilization method of most piercing studios, dentists and medical practitioners). They can be wiped down with an alcohol-based solution to decontaminate to some degree, but this still means that disease can be transferred through microscopic droplets of blood that touches obscure parts of the gun. By comparison, a sterile piercing needle is discarded in a safe manner immediately after piercing.
Swelling is normal with any trauma to tissues, and a little swelling is common with most piercings. The jewellery used compensates for this, by having a slightly longer “post” to allow for swelling (we use different amounts for different areas). However, piercing guns use generic 6mm butterfly back studs, which is often ok, but not in the case of swelling. Nor in the case of slightly thicker lobes than average. What happens in those cases can have varying degrees of complications. At least some pain is normal, often followed by inability for the piercing to drain as normal (due to the tight jewellery), which if left can cause infections, pain, and embedding of the jewellery.
Design might not seem important to you, but jewellery design definitely affects how a piercing will heal. The studs used by virtually every piercing gun on the market are 6mm “butterfly back studs”. With emphasis on the first word there, imagine what one of these studs look like. The post is used for the actual piercing, so it is semi-sharp, and can be uncomfortable when resting on it (i.e. it ‘digs’ into the neck behind the ear). The butterfly piece holds the stud in place, and this is the most critical area of the stud. Because of the many curves and corners on this piece, bacteria have an excellent hideout during the healing period. I can’t tell you how many times I have removed butterfly backs and found pus dating back weeks and months. Not a pretty sight, and I think the only reason people don’t worry about this down to the old adage ‘Out of sight out of mind.’ What’s more is that it’s clearly not a good environment to heal anything.
Piercing guns are mechanical machines that fire spring-propelled studs into the earlobe with considerable force. Piercing guns have been around for decades, but don’t think that makes them completely safe or particularly suitable for their purpose. The fact is, even now in it’s evolved form, the piercing gun is a poor substitute for a sharp, single use needle.
Following is a list of potential complications that could arrive from the use of piercing guns:
Cross contamination is the act of contaminating a clean object by touching a dirty object, and then touching the clean object. Modern piercing guns are made from plastic, i.e. they are not possible to sterilize by autoclave (the preferred in-house sterilization method of most piercing studios, dentists and medical practitioners). They can be wiped down with an alcohol-based solution to decontaminate to some degree, but this still means that disease can be transferred through microscopic droplets of blood that touches obscure parts of the gun. By comparison, a sterile piercing needle is discarded in a safe manner immediately after piercing.
Swelling is normal with any trauma to tissues, and a little swelling is common with most piercings. The jewellery used compensates for this, by having a slightly longer “post” to allow for swelling (we use different amounts for different areas). However, piercing guns use generic 6mm butterfly back studs, which is often ok, but not in the case of swelling. Nor in the case of slightly thicker lobes than average. What happens in those cases can have varying degrees of complications. At least some pain is normal, often followed by inability for the piercing to drain as normal (due to the tight jewellery), which if left can cause infections, pain, and embedding of the jewellery.
Design might not seem important to you, but jewellery design definitely affects how a piercing will heal. The studs used by virtually every piercing gun on the market are 6mm “butterfly back studs”. With emphasis on the first word there, imagine what one of these studs look like. The post is used for the actual piercing, so it is semi-sharp, and can be uncomfortable when resting on it (i.e. it ‘digs’ into the neck behind the ear). The butterfly piece holds the stud in place, and this is the most critical area of the stud. Because of the many curves and corners on this piece, bacteria have an excellent hideout during the healing period. I can’t tell you how many times I have removed butterfly backs and found pus dating back weeks and months. Not a pretty sight, and I think the only reason people don’t worry about this down to the old adage ‘Out of sight out of mind.’ What’s more is that it’s clearly not a good environment to heal anything.
PLEASE TAKE CARE WHEN CHOOSING A PIERCER.
When Choosing a Studio for a Piercing there are a few factors to consider.
1) IS THE STUDIO CLEAN?
Visit the studio, does it smell clean? ask to see where things are done, are the areas all wipeable? are the tools used Sterile packed? are the needles single use? is the jewellery packed in sterile packets? Ask to see their Steriliser(an Autoclave sterilizer is a bench top boxy thing to sterilize all tools, and is a must). Does the Piercer have piercings? do they look well healed?
2) ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS.
ask a lot of questions, if they cant answer them, then leave! ask about healing times, procedures for piercing etc, ask about possible complications. A good piercer should be able to answer all but the silliest of questions.
Many Studios will adopt 'cheap and easy' methods of piercing as a way to increase their profit: using 'piercing guns' on cartilage or nostrils, using Dermal punches(think of a sharp apple corer) for implants, and using inferior materials for piercing(cheap plastic jewellery or surgical steel).
3) ASK YOUR FRIENDS.
Assume anything the piercer says could be rubbish! Many Piercers will make bold statements about their skill, and the reasons why what they do it 'best', they aren't going to say a rival is better, so research the facts about what they say...... For instance, If they say 'piercing with a gun is better than a needle', go home and google it, see if thats true(its not!).......It is not a bad idea to go away and research what you have been told, and see if it adds up.
4) DOES YOUR MONEY SEEM MORE IMPORTANT TO THEM?
A good piercer should make the effort to give you facts, and help with deciding on a piercing. they Wont say things like ''im better than xxxxx piercer'' or ''go on, it wont hurt''. A piercing is your decision, you should never feel like you are being persuaded to have it done, or being told not to go elsewhere. At the end of the day, if they seem good, you will come back to them!
5) WEIGH IT ALL UP.
It is acceptable to think you want your piercing for MANY years, so don't rush your decision, research whether what you are being told is FACT, or if they are using 'tech talk' to baffle you! Ask many questions, and if you arent happy with the answers, leave. Don't automatically choose the Cheapest option, remember this is your health we are dealing with.
1) IS THE STUDIO CLEAN?
Visit the studio, does it smell clean? ask to see where things are done, are the areas all wipeable? are the tools used Sterile packed? are the needles single use? is the jewellery packed in sterile packets? Ask to see their Steriliser(an Autoclave sterilizer is a bench top boxy thing to sterilize all tools, and is a must). Does the Piercer have piercings? do they look well healed?
2) ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS.
ask a lot of questions, if they cant answer them, then leave! ask about healing times, procedures for piercing etc, ask about possible complications. A good piercer should be able to answer all but the silliest of questions.
Many Studios will adopt 'cheap and easy' methods of piercing as a way to increase their profit: using 'piercing guns' on cartilage or nostrils, using Dermal punches(think of a sharp apple corer) for implants, and using inferior materials for piercing(cheap plastic jewellery or surgical steel).
3) ASK YOUR FRIENDS.
Assume anything the piercer says could be rubbish! Many Piercers will make bold statements about their skill, and the reasons why what they do it 'best', they aren't going to say a rival is better, so research the facts about what they say...... For instance, If they say 'piercing with a gun is better than a needle', go home and google it, see if thats true(its not!).......It is not a bad idea to go away and research what you have been told, and see if it adds up.
4) DOES YOUR MONEY SEEM MORE IMPORTANT TO THEM?
A good piercer should make the effort to give you facts, and help with deciding on a piercing. they Wont say things like ''im better than xxxxx piercer'' or ''go on, it wont hurt''. A piercing is your decision, you should never feel like you are being persuaded to have it done, or being told not to go elsewhere. At the end of the day, if they seem good, you will come back to them!
5) WEIGH IT ALL UP.
It is acceptable to think you want your piercing for MANY years, so don't rush your decision, research whether what you are being told is FACT, or if they are using 'tech talk' to baffle you! Ask many questions, and if you arent happy with the answers, leave. Don't automatically choose the Cheapest option, remember this is your health we are dealing with.