hood piercing

Here's a message I received from a woman who had gotten a VCH piercing and she had concerns about whether it was properly placed:

Hi there,

You seem to know exactly what you're talking about and I was wondering if you wouldn't mind answering a question for me. I got a VCH about a week ago, and there's still some stinging pain although no redness or anything to suggest infection... but what I'm wondering is if there's any chance of the piercing growing out? Like, not the ends of the barbell sliding through the hole, but the body actually growing the piercing out.

I'm nervous because I've never had a piercing down there and don't really know what I should look for. Obviously I should be able to tell if that's happening and the piece of the hood looks smaller to me than the first day or two, but I don't know if that's just swelling. Any answer or what I should watch for would be extremely helpful right now. Obviously I would contact the person that did the piercing but if it was done incorrectly I don't think I'd trust what she told me anyway. Thanks in advance. A.

A,
I'm afraid I'm limited in what I can tell you from a verbal description. But if you can send me a few clear, close up photos I can tell whether your piercing was placed properly, whether the jewelry is an appropriate size and fit, and if you appear to be healing normally or not.

If everything was done properly, and you were anatomically suited, then there is very little chance of rejection.

Feel free to send some pictures.

Angel

I just finished reading your article in Pain Mag this month not ten minutes ago. :) and before you are bombarded with comments and questions, let me just tell you how much I value your opinion, your ethics, and your procedures for piercing. I'm sure you hear this often, but YOU are a big reason I became a piercer. Thank you so much for being such a big part of this industry and being so open with your advice.

And are you going to be in Arizona anytime soon? I want my triangle done, but I do not trust anyone else to do it... even my fellow local piercers. ^_^

My reply:

Thanks so much for the positive feedback; I'm thrilled to hear that you find my information helpful.

I would be delighted to pierce you but I'm not entirely certain what my upcoming travel plans will be. If you would like to be notified when I make travel plans, please sign up for my newsletter in the box on the left lower portion of the page: http://piercingbible.com It is an "opt-in" list, so I can't add you mysef.

Feel free to send me some clear, close-up photos so I can give you an online consult to determine if you're anatomically suited to a triangle. Information on this page of my website: http://piercingbible.com/female-genital-piercings#Photos
explains the images I'll need to see.

If you would like to watch me performing piercings, you can see videos of me piercing at 
http://clips4sale.com/10557  They aren't "how-to" videos, per se, but you can see exactly how and where I place piercings, and how I do them.

I just got a fantastic email from one of the clients I pierced recently when I was on the road:

Hi Elayne!

Just wanted to thank you again so much for piercing me in Philly two weeks ago, and let you know how I'm doing. The difference between how I felt after this piercing and last time I tried to have my triangle done were night and day, as of course I expected since you did this one =) After grabbing frozen yogurt I actually felt alright enough that we walked back to the hotel from the piercing shop without a problem! Both the triangle and the VCH are healing beautifully; I have been salt soaking them and using the emu oil as you recommended - it is fabulous by the way! During the first week a particularly active day would have the piercings starting to feel a little pinchy and irritated but the emu oil helped that like a charm and let me stay active without feeling a thing. The swelling has gone down and everything feels great, no redness or discharge, and the rhinestones look just gorgeous. Don't worry though, I'm not letting the easy healing convince me to go easy on my hygiene or lure me into trying to 'play' too early =P I know I was a nervous wreck on the piercing table but you were very comforting. Thanks again for being so patient and supportive, and for giving me these beautiful piercings!

--N.

My reply:

I received this email today:

HELP what do I do??!!!  I recently (last week) got my hood pierced, I thought she knew what she was doing but obviously not!  It was done very poorly, it is shallow and so crooked (not straight at all) your first diagram of an incorrectly place piercing shows exactly what mine looks like... but mine is more crooked.  WHAT do I do?  it looks horrible, i don't like it at all! Should I just take it out, if so should I wait for it to heal?  Should I get it redone?  Do I go back to the same place and complain?  I am so affraid of removal and repiercing cause i do not want to get an infection.
Please help...

BTW, your site is soo helpful and I will try to donate to your paypal as soon as my finances permit, well worth it!!!

I thought it would b best if I attached a picture... thanks in advance.  I have to pick up your book as I love body piercings and am interested in getting more.  If you feel these pictures would be helpful to others please feel free to post on your blog ANONYMOUSLY.

My Response:

I just got back from my piercing visit at Infinite Body Piercing in Philadelphia. It was absolutely amazing! I had SO much fun. The studio is incredibly well-run, well-stocked, and highly professional. Every member of the staff there pitched in and worked hard to make sure that my guest piercing visit ran seamlessly and smoothly. They were fantastic.

I can't wait to go back there again. I know I will, so if you're interested in getting pierced the next time I come to Philly, please sign up for my free newsletter on the home page of my site in the box on the left lower corner. Then you'll automatically be notified when I travel.

I pierced non-stop for 4 full days and did 67 piercings on people from 12 different states including NY, MA, WI, NJ, CT, VA, OH, RI, DE, MD, IN, and of course, PA. I had so much fun!

I have already received some great feedback from my clients there. I guess I proved to be an inspiration to this gal:

I received this email from a woman in the UK who had questions about her VCH piercing and jewelry:

Hi Elayne
 
I have emailed you at this address rather than sending it from your webpage as I wasnt sure how to upload pictures.  If for any reason you want to put this, including the pictures on your website I have no objections.  I also understand if you are not able to or do not have time to answer the millions of questions I have just sent you.
 
I can't phone my piercer as he is out of the country for a couple of weeks, but I will be making the 300 mile drive to see him after that to change the bits I want him to.  I also thought he may not remember what my lady bits looked like if I emailed him, so wouldn't be able to answer my questions without seeing me, and I would be reluctant to email photos to him (it seems different sending them to you).
 

I just receieved this message:

Elayne,

I just wanted to drop you a note and say thanks for the VCH you did for me last Saturday in NOLA. It's been healing wonderfully and already feels so comfortable I'm having trouble keeping from playing with it.  I can't wait for it to be fully healed so I can start experimenting with different jewelry.

I also loved your book and read it cover to cover.  The technical information is wonderful but the personal stories really make the book.  I'm trying to decide what my next hole will be since the book has filled my head with so many interesting possibilities.

Best,

S.

My reply:

S.,

Thanks so much for the positive feedback. I really appreciate it and I'm glad that you enjoyed my book!

I'm delighted to hear that you're healing so well.

If you would like to be notified when I make new travel plans, please sign up for my newsletter in the box on the left lower portion of the page: http://piercingbible.com It is an "opt-in" list, so I can't add you myself. Please keep in touch and let me know what you want to get pierced next time!

Sincerely,
Elayne

Elayne Angel, Author
The Piercing Bible--The Definitive Guide to Safe Body Piercing
Medical Liaison, Association of Professional Piercers

elayneangel@piercingbible.com
http://piercingbible.com/
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http://www.linkedin.com/in/authorelayneangel

I received a message from a woman who was concerned that her second VCH piercing was still not properly placed. Turns out, she was right.

I had been so excited about getting my VCH, I've read stories, looked at pictures, everything! There was a limited number of shops where I'm living at the moment, and going to a bigger city was out of the question! I called the only shop who has a piercer at the moment, talked to the guy, he has 14 years experience piercing, and he told me he has done 100's of hood piercings. And because of this I trusted him and was actually excited about going!

The only thing is, now that I'm home and really taking a good look at it, it looks like it was done wrong!Well I took your advice, thought long and hard about taking out my surface hood piercing, and did. I waited, and got it re-pierced. This time however, I had a bit of trouble with healing as it swollen for about a week straight and slightly red. Its absolutely fine now, and I love it.