Piercer Questions

I received this message from a Facebook friend:

A few years back I decided to go through a phlebotomy program at a local college. I was wondering (while I know one can not learn how to be a "piercer" through Phlebotomy, and that an apprenticeship is key, as I have done mine a while back) what you thought about the sterilization practices? Do you find the practices of a phlebotomist are condusive to the practices of a body piercer? Do you feel it could help, or hinder?  (I know that a lot of the medical field is anti body modification).
Thanks again for your time,
~S

Hi S.,

Ah. Well, obviously you're already into piercing, so I'm not concerned that a medical education of any type would turn you against it. So that's not an issue.

My concern is how poor the cross-contamination practices often are in medical settings--especially phlebotomy. When I get my blood drawn, I almost always have to request a glove change following the phlebotomist touching the sharps container and then trying to touch the site my stick, or some such.... I can say with certainty that the procedures we followed in my studio for hygiene and cross-contamination control are clearly much stricter than what is put into practice by most phlebotomists.

So, if you're able to maintain the level of sanitation and hygiene required of a safe piercer, then I'm sure additional experience with needles and bodies can only be a good thing!

I got this message from someone who wants to be a piercer but seems to have a misguided idea on how to go about it:

I want to become a piercer... well, I wanted to ask if you knew a great web site that sells good kit or tools especially for microdermals... It's hard to find something safe on the net... and when I think it's safe I can't buy cause I'm not a professionnal... Well, before to practice and learn I want to buy all that I need to start the project... hope you will help me, it's gonna be very appreciated...

Have a nice day!!

Hi there,

I'm afraid I can't advocate that course of action and there's are good reasons why quality piercing gear is not sold to individuals who are not professionals. Here's some information from The Piercing Bible:

Piercing: Not a Do-It-yourself (DIY) Hobby
At the beginning of the modern piercing movement, few competent practitioners were available. Lacking pros to help, people who felt the urge lanced their own bodies with heated sewing needles or common earrings. Even today, amateur or unethical hack piercers can be found who will pierce anything on anyone, badly. Young teenagers who cannot obtain parental permission for a piercing and those who cannot easily afford professional services in a studio often take this route.

Many online shops sell piercing kits, which advertise that they come with “complete instructions” and are “easy to use.” Wrong! These are no safer than a home root-canal kit and must be avoided. A DIY piercing is often poorly placed and has a greatly increased risk of infection and other problems. Piercing studios are common now, so there is no longer any excuse for shoddy piercings.

I received this email message from a reader:

Since long before any states had legislation to give piercers guidance, I always enforced a strong policy about piercing minors: Without exception, the parent or legal guardian must be present with the minor to sign the release form. Each party must have a valid photo ID* . If the parent's last name and/or address is different from the minor's, there must be legal documentation to prove the relationship. (Birth certificate, divorce papers, adoption papers, marriage certificate). Court papers are required to prove a relationship with a legal guardian. • I do not pierce minors below the neck with the exception of the navel. I will pierce earlobes only, on individuals between 12 and 16 years of age. •I will not pierce children under the age of 12. • If you are under 18 but legally married I can pierce you in the state of Louisiana. You need to bring your marriage license along with valid photo ID*. • If you are a legally emancipated minor I can pierce you in the state of Louisiana. You need to bring court papers along with a valid photo ID*. Some problems I have found with piercing minors:

I responded to this question:

"Which female genital piercing is less painful, more stimulation, heals easily and faster, and is most popular and fashionable? I'm interested in inner labia piercing, vertical & horizontal clitoral hood piercing. Which is the best..Thank u"

My reply:

The subject of body jewelry as it relates to airport security was discussed on the Travelite Blog. This is what it said by way of introducing me as the expert quoted in the article:

One person who would know is professional body piercer Elayne Angel. Elayne is not only covered in various forms of ink and metal herself, but she is also one of the pioneers in professional body piercing, a field she personally helped expand decades ago. Elayne has served multiple terms on the board of the Association of Professional Piercers as an advocate for field safety, and her most recent project has been authoring The Piercing Bible, the definitive guide for consumers and professional body piercers.

Check it out. There's lots of great information througout the site, and if you travel, be assured you'll find plenty of great tips and ideas.

I just received this email from a piercer:

I am a regular reader of your advice in Pain Magazine and I am a huge fan of your recent book.  You have made me a better piercer...

I'm one of the only piercers in my area not looking for a quick buck.  My question to you is, how do I stop all this negativity in the profession in my area?  I believe that what really matters in this is our clients. I want to see them get the safest best piercing the first time around. I am often fixing many of these piercings these guys are doing and coming to find out that I'm being bad talked about, but in the end, I'm the one who is fixing their work.  I appericiate your time and again your book was an amazing source of information that all piercees should read prior to getting pierced. Thanks again,   Jeff

This is my reply: Hi Jeff, Thanks for the positive feedback--I appreciate it, and I'm glad to know that my work has been helpful to you. Unfortunately, the problem you describe is very common. I actually had a nearby piercer telling people that my studio reused needles and didn't sterilize anything, and that we were filthy and didn't know what we were doing! He told people that if they'd been pierced in my studio, they probably had AIDS and Hepatitis from it! My "bad neighbor" piercer had actually maligned me so much that I had people who had been fed the slanderous statements sign affidavits about what he said, and contacted an attorney who issued him a "cease and desist" letter! When people came in--sometimes concerned about what they'd been told, I simply behaved my usual professional way and educated them about the hygiene and sterilization procedures that were used in the studio.