Body piercing

Body piercing usually refers to the piercing of a part of the human body for the purpose of wearing jewelry in the opening created. Body piercing is a form of body modification. The word "piercing" can refer to the act or practice of body piercing, or to a specific pierced opening in the body.

Modern piercing procedure

All piercings require creating an opening in the body. Piercings that will be worn longterm (that is, those that are intended to be more or less permanent, as opposed to play piercings) are created by forcing a sharp object through the area to be pierced. In most modern Western contexts, a hollow medical needle is used to create the hole into which the jewelry is placed, and the procedure is carried out in a sterile manner. When done professionally, jewelry and equipment are usually autoclaved before use, and other precautions taken.

Related Topics:
Play piercing - Autoclave

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Indwelling cannula method

Many European (and other) piercers use a needle containing a cannula (hollow plastic tube placed at the end of the needle). The needle is partly withdrawn, and the jewelery inserted into the other end of the cannula. The cannula is used to pull the jewelry through the newly created opening

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Piercing guns

Another technique common in modern Western piercing is the use of a piercing gun, to force a semi-blunt piercing stud through the region to be pierced. This technique results in greater trauma than needle piercing, and is more likely to result in an unsatisfactory piercing. The manufacturers of ear piercing instruments warn that these devices should not be used to pierce anything other than ears, and most professional body piercers strongly recommend against their use altogether.

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Expansion of body piercings

Some people with piercings expand them beyond the initial narrow gauge they are pierced with. This may be done gradually, by stretching, or rapidly by scalpelling.

Related Topics:
Stretching - Scalpelling

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