horizontal hood piercing

I received a message from a woman inquiring about a genital piercing:

 I was on a piercing forum and a girl made a post about a "high HCH" piercing. She didn't really go into detail, just mentioned that she has it. While I sent her a message for more info, I figured that if anyone could shed light on the subject, it would be you. I can't find any pictures or   info on the piercing aside from people saying that they have it. I was wondering what makes a high HCH different from a regular HCH piercing? How is the procedure different and would it be a viable piercing since I already have a VCH?

I would appreciate any info that you can give me and I hope you come back to Philly to pierce soon since i missed you last time!

Thanks, J. 

My reply:

HI J.,
Thanks for your message.

I wrote an article about genital piercings and it appears on IntimateMedicine.com. This is the first article in a series that will be posted on that website. This one is essentially an introduction to genital piercings. Check it out!

I first received an email from this client in October of 2008. She was seeking a referral to a local piercer to get a horizontal clitoral hood piercing. But after speaking to me, she decided to wait until I visited California. I finally did her HCH piercing in the Spring of 20099, and now she wrote me again in April of 2010:

Hi Elayne,
Just wanted to tell you that it has been almost a year now since I came to Long Beach to have my piercing done by you and I'm loving it. It healed with no problems, I'm getting ready to experiment with new jewelry now.

My main reason for this e-mail is to tell you that I am thoroughly enjoying my piercing and I thank youso much, I feel very lucky to have had you for my piercer.
You're an angel.

Love ya,
A

My response:

Hi A.,

I'm so glad to hear that you had an uneventful healing period and that you're enjoying your piercing! I really appreciate you letting me know. It is much more common that people take the time to write a a letter when they have a complaint rather than a compliment, so thanks very much for taking the time to share your positive feedback. Enjoy!

Elayne

I got this message today:

My wife loved her HCH. Although she took it out to visit the Gynocologist. She then forgot to put it back in and subsequently grew shut in about 5 days. My question is-- can she get it done again? Will it have to be in a different spot above or below the original to avoid the scar tissue? Does she now get a VCH instead? Thanks for any and all suggestions.

Thanks,
Randy

Hi Randy,

How long did she have the HCH? Sometimes a piercer can use a tool called an insertion taper to reinsert jewelry, even when you cannot get it back in yourself. The smallest taper available (usually 18 gauge) should be attempted first. If the channel is open, it may not go back up right away to the gauge that she was wearing previously. But it can be stretched back up over time.

This is a brief passage from The Piercing Bible:

Will It Close?
Depending on the size, age, and location of a healed piercing, along with the course of stretching, if any, it may not seal up completely. Most holes contract fairly rapidly and can continue to shrink over time. Over the ensuing weeks, the area will stabilize and the channel is apt to remain in whatever state it has achieved within a month or two— smaller, or fully closed.

If it really needs to be repierced, everything will depend on whether there is significant scar tissue or not. If not, then it can likely go back in the same spot. She will need to be evaluated by a comptetent piercer.

I received this question from a piercee who hadn't been well informed by her piercer:

I got the horizontal hood piercing. I have a bead ring, Brenda the lady who pierced me said she couldn't use the barbell like the one in my tongue. I love my new piercing but Brenda is on vacation and I got some questions. I work in recieving and I'm constantly moving my ring always moves to the side; is that normal?? My period is coming cuz I could feel the cramps, do I need more than sea salt water and antibacterial soap to clean it?? And how how long do you have wait to have sex. My piercer said a week but I don't think that sounds right. Well these are my questions I hope to hear from you soon.. Thanks Christina

"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"