About Body Art & Piercing
What is body art?
Body art is one of the earliest forms of artistic expression know to humankind.
It has been used to indicate status, religious devotion, desired protection against
evil and disease, and much more.
Today, people express many different reasons for getting various forms of body art.
Some of them are a means of personal expression, while others continue to decorate
their bodies as a means of commemorating an important event/time in their lives
(i.e., 21st birthday).
What are the different styles of body art?
Tattoo - procedure of permanently marking the skin with ink or dye; tatau
is the Polynesian word for "to strike" or "to mark." -
Branding/Scarification - procedure in which skin is seared with a
hot iron or cut with a scalpel or other sharp object to produce a raised
design; the darker the skin, the better the keloid.
-
Body Paint is a temporary form of body art which includes Mehndi. Mehndi
is the Indian tradition of decorating a woman's hands and feet with henna dye, originally
done to celebrate her wedding. The patterns are very intricate and usually take
several hours to complete. The dye lasts from 10 days to six weeks. The color can
vary from deep brown to reddish brown to orange, depending on the body's chemical
makeup.
|
Piercing - procedure in which a sharp instrument is passed through a fold
of skin or part of the body. -
Permanent Makeup is a form of tattooing. This makeup is most
commonly applied to eyebrows, upper and lower eyelids and lips. It can last
anywhere from four to six years.
-
Aesthetic Dentistry can include gold/silver/porcelain caps,
having a hole drilled into a tooth and implanting a jewel into the hole, and
filing teeth to a point to create the illusion of a fang.
-
Body Play or Shaping is the most severe form of body art. It
includes body suspension, waist/corset training, implanting foreign objects
under the skin, e.g., inserting metal spikes into the skull or inserting
marbles under the skin.
|
Things to
think about when getting a tattoo or a piercing
- I have no doubts about getting a tattoo or a piercing
.
- I think I will like the tattoo design in 10 years
.
- I consider tattoos to be permanent
.
- I want a tattoo for my own reasons
.
- I have thought about the design, location and effects it may have on others.
- I have made the decision without the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
- I fully understand the procedure.
Questions to ask the artist
Is the studio an established business? Have you spoken with previous
customers? How long has the business been in operation? -
What training does the artist have? Does the artist have any sort of
formal training on how to maintain a clean and sterile environment? Does
the artist have any background in the work that they are doing? Has the
artist participated in an apprenticeship program?
-
How much professional experience does the artist have?
-
Is the piercing done in a separate room? Every good studio should have
5 separate areas: - counter
- waiting room
- piercing room(s)
- bathroom
- sterilization room
-
Are new containers of ink used with each tattoo? The artist should not
be dipping into a large container of ink or dye with each customer.
-
What additional training does the artist have? (i.e., first aid
training)
-
Does the artist use an autoclave to clean equipment? This is the MOST
important thing you need to find out when you visit a studio. If they do not
have an autoclave, RUN AWAY! "Dry heat" is not considered an appropriate
sterilization technique for equipment used to tattoo or pierce. A spore
test is the only way to know that the autoclave is working properly. If
they do not run regular spore tests, do not let them tattoo or pierce you!
-
Are sterile needles used every time? Does the studio sterilize needles
every time? Make sure you see the artist place the used needles in a
"sharps" container. NEVER allow an artist to use a needle on you that was
soaked in liquid. All needles should be in individual packages and should
be opened while you are present.
-
Are you comfortable with the artist? Follow your instincts here. If
you are uncomfortable in any way, do not feel obligated to seek services at
the particular studio. If the studio seems more interested in your money
than in your health, it is a sure sign that the studio is not the best place
for you!
-
Are latex gloves used?
-
Does the artist use appropriate jewelry? There are many different types
of piercing so there should be a variety of jewelry. When referring to the
size of jewelry there are two measurements. One is the width of the ring or
length of the bar called the "diameter" of the jewelry. The other is the
thickness of the jewelry which is the "gauge." As a general rule, jewelry
no thinner than 14 gauge should be used below the neck. The smaller the
gauge number the thicker the jewelry.
-
Do they have an aftercare sheet that is up-to-date on industry
standards? Read this sheet BEFORE getting a piercing or tattoo. If it
tells you to clean your piercing or tattoo with an ointment or hydrogen
peroxide, the studio is clearly not keeping up with industry standards.
-
Does the studio have a license to operate? Many cities and states do
require that a studio have a license. In most cases the license means that
the studio meets minimum requirements and has passed an inspection. To find
if you area has established standards and inspections, call your local
health department. If the studio is illegally unlicensed, do take the time
to report them.
-
Is the studio recognized by the APP (Association of Professional
Piercers)? All APP piercers have a certificate that should be hanging on
the studio wall. The certificate has an expiration date on it; make sure it
is current. For a list of APP piercers you can check out
www.safepiercing.org or call
1-888-515-4APP.
-
Does the artist have a portfolio of his/her work?
Did You Know: Only certain metals are safe for jewelry.
- 14 or 18 karat solid gold
- titanium
- niobium
- platinum
- 316L surgical implant grade stainless steel
- Jewelry from other metals, i.e., nickel, may increase your risk for
allergic reaction or infection.
What are the
health risks associated with body art?
Body piercings may cause staph infections and contact dermatitis which is picked
up from the nickel composition of the piercing jewelry. Dermatitis is an allergic
reaction which does not allow the pierced area to heal properly causing the skin
to fester, swell, and become sore. Pull through injuries are also common with body piercings
and may require
surgery, i.e., eyebrow pull-through injury.
A piercing in a location such as the tongue involves additional health issues
including hygiene. Teeth may be easily cracked, chipped or knocked out with the added weight of a spike or stud.
According to the American Medical Association (AMA), "the application of tattoos
may present the risk of acquiring a bacterial or viral infection and other complications
including allergic reactions to inks and dyes."
People do not realize that constantly touching and playing with a new
piercing or a healing tattoo may
cause bacteria to develop which can lead to infection.
Some tattooists use commercially packaged, premixed colors made from plastic-based
pigments, which may also cause allergic reactions. The metallic salts in certain tattoo inks and dyes can cause a slight irritation
in some people.
Keep in mind... it can hurt! Your body's natural reaction is to reject
a foreign object. Be aware of your threshold for pain because you may experience
pain or discomfort during a procedure, and/or the
recovery process.
How
long will it take to heal?
Depending on the type of procedure and where it is located, healing time varies.
Below are examples of common piercings and their estimated healing times.
| Cheek |
2 to 4 months |
| Ear Cartilage |
2 months to 1 year |
| Eyebrow |
2 months to 1 year |
| Labret |
6 weeks to 2 months |
| Navel |
6 months to 2 years |
| Nipple |
2 to 6 months |
| Nostril |
2 months to 1 year |
| Tongue |
1 month to 6 weeks |
Tattoos
Depending on the size of the piece, you need to leave the bandage on the
tattoo for anywhere from four hours to overnight. Once the bandage is open to germs,
the tattoo area must be cleaned regularly with cold water. Great care and caution
must be taken in caring for a tattoo. Only fingertips may be used to wash the area,
as any removal of skin or scabs will pull the ink out of the design.
What are the reasons why someone would want to remove a piercing or tattoo?
Regret. Many tattoo and piercing studios offer walk-in appointments which
encourages more "spur of the moment" decisions rather than a more comprehensive,
thought-out process. -
Starting a professional job. Many places of employment discourage their employees
from having visible tattoos or piercing; there are many stories of people who chose
to have a tattoo or piercing in a place that compromises their ability to get a
job or maintain a job because of a company's policies or expectations of their
employees.
-
Romance ends. NEVER put someone's name on your body...it's just not good
practice!
-
Bad Workmanship. The artists who provide bad work are called "scratchers"
in the field. Poor placement, design and painful effects of a tattooing or piercing
can result in dissatisfaction with the outcome.
-
Change in lifestyle. As you age, you may become bored with the tattoo or
piercing OR you may become more conservative as you start a family or achieve professional
positions in the workplace OR your physical appearance changes in a way that changes
the appeal of having a tattoo or piercing.
-
Allergic reaction. Coloring and tattoo pigments may create a physical or
chemical reaction that prevents someone from being able to maintain the tattoo.
Are there
any issues involved with removing a piercing?
Most importantly, if a person is considering removing a piercing, he/she should
be sure that the pierced area is not infected. If infected, as soon as the piercing
begins to close, the infection spreads throughout the body. It is SO important to
visit a health care professional if you are unsure of whether or not you have an
infection, so that you can be treated for the infection before removing the piercing.
Nostril piercings, in particular, can be very dangerous when infected.
Also, when a piercing is removed, a keloid may form over the area in which the skin
was pierced. The keloid may be very small and unnoticeable. However, in certain
areas, the keloid may draw more attention and may serve as a permanent reminder
of the piercing. For example, many people who allow eyebrow or nostril piercings
to close will have a keloid form in its place. So, you need to consider where your
piercing is going to be, the potential for infection, and what the consequences
could be upon removal.
How is a
tattoo removed?
Tattoos can be removed in a number of ways, most of which are painful and/or costly.
When considering a tattoo it is important that the person considers the tattoo to
be permanent, as the process of removal can be quite an experience!
Below are the methods of tattoo removal being used today:
Laser removal. Most expensive of the three procedures. Can take multiple
sessions to remove the tattoo in part or in its entirety. Laser removal procedures
do not guarantee to completely rid the body of the tattoo. Laser treatment carries
a minor amount of pain in the process. Painful recovery can occur. -
Dermabrasion. Process in which the tattoo is "cut out" of the skin. It is
a painful procedure.
-
Salabrasion. Process in which tattoo is "scraped off" the skin using a rubbing
salt and rock. It is a painful procedure.
What
are the laws and regulations governing body art practices?
There are no federal laws concerning any of the procedures and practices associated
with body art. Some states have absolutely no laws regarding body art and safe procedures,
while others only regulate according to age, making it against the law to tattoo,
pierce or brand anyone under the age of 18 without parental consent. Tattooing has
been outlawed in Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Vermont
and Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is important that you contact your local health
department to find more information regarding the regulations in your state. For
Pennsylvania, you may visit www.health.state.pa.us.
Where can I find
more information about body art?
Websites for More Information
|
