Genital Piercing - Ritual or Aesthetic

Genital piercing goes back thousands of years. In some civilizations, it was a ritual that was instituted as boys and girls entered puberty. While this practice remains in place in some parts of the world today, in the developed world it is more frequently done for decoration. It is a practice that makes some cringe and others intrigued. Rather than the face, belly button or other areas of the body, genital piercings are done in parts of the body that are not seen by the public.
With names that indicate the area of the penis or vagina that the piercing is done, it appears to be growing in popularity in the world today.

The Hindu guide to love, the Kamasutra, refers to implants in the penis as well as for jewelry. This is the only evidence that it actually took place in Hindu society. There are also historical references from the Roman, Greek and Arab countries. They hit their peak of popularity in the 19th century. It is reported that the husband of Queen Victoria had a genital piercing. The reason for this was the popularity of the very tight Beau Brummel pants. By having genital piercings, the penis could be anchored to the left side and eliminate the bulge.

During the 1970's made a cultural debut in America and Europe. As punk fashion reached its peak, the gay communities and sadomasochist culture began to show a surge of interest in genital piercings. It has continued until this day and increasing in popularity.
Female genital piercing is most commonly the VCH. This is piercing of the clitoral hood. It is done primarily for sexual benefits. It is quick to heal and easy to perform. Another type of female piercing is the Christina. This is done on women with an excess of skin and extends from the pubic mound to the outer labia. As with other surface piercings, rejection is high with this type of piercing. There are other types of female piercings that include the labia and other areas within the genital area.

If the legend of the Prince Albert piercing set the precedent for male genital piercing, it has also become the most popular type of piercings for men. This particular piercing is done through the tip of the penis. It extends from the frenulum through the urethra. This has some precautions that should be used. Since it does go through the urethra, it is very slow healing and can easily become infected. Scrotum piercing, frenum piercing and horizontal piercing between the scrotum and anus are also popular types of male piercing.

Corset Piercings

If you have any stunning pictures of corset piercings, the subsequent description will seem familiar to you - a back (almost always a woman...come to think of it, I've never seen a male back with Corset Piercings) with rows of piercings straddling the spine, the piercings are evenly spaced to imitate corset eyelets, and the piercings are either surface bars, rings, or rings with string criss-crossing through them, resulting in a corset appearance. The pictures are gorgeous and so it's no surprise that many women toy with the idea of getting their back pierced.
I'm sorry to do this, but corset piercings, as the general public understands them, are a gross misconception. It is simply not possible for someone to get their back pierced for any length of time. The pictures you see are usually photoshopped (to eliminate the swelling and redness) and give no indication that the corset was put into place solely for the photograph. People are very mislead by these photographs. People who get Corset Piercings HAVE to remove their piercings promptly - this is not a piercing that can remain in the body for any length of time.
The back is too active - there are too many muscles constantly in motion - for any of the corset piercings to stand a chance at becoming long term. Most piercers take pictures of corset piercings to add to their portfolio, many photographers arrange for their models to have corset piercings specifically for a photo shoot, and many people in fetish and BDSM circles get corset piercings for a temporary amount of time. Corset piercings with string connecting them all are particularly only for short term purposes, because the string pulls the skin taunt and thus makes healing impossible. If left in too long, the piercings will be rejected, they will migrate, and they will leave scarring.
However, if the piercing is only for a very short amount of time, there will be no migration, rejection, or scarring. In fact, these piercings are so temporary that many piercers don't even remove the hypodermic needles used to pierce it in the first place! Technically it may be possible to have long lasting corset piercings, but the back is so involved with every movement that it would take supernatural vigilance and care to make it work. Furthermore, someone attempting to make corset piercings last can not get them pierced with captive rings and they can't be laced; only surface bars stand a small chance. I've never, ever, seen a corset piercing that lasted more than a week.
So if this piercing has such a short life span, you may be asking, why get it? Well, many people get it for the photo, it's true. Many people want corset piercings to indulge in their sexual fantasies or fetishes. Some people get it solely because they can, some want to try just "to see", and others do it for the endorphin and adrenaline rush. This piercing, when done by a professional, is not risky (and I reiterate: especially when it is taken out promptly) and has no side effects. The pain ranges more on the minimal side of the scale than intense, and some piercers may use topical anesthesia to numb the pain a little bit, even though it looks like it would be excruciating to endure. Like many good things in life, it's a fleeting enjoyment. Most wearers only keep them for a couple hours - anything more is really pushing the limits concerning migration and rejection.
Once the jewelry is removed they are open wounds, so clean them thoroughly and use common sense. They should heal quickly, and rarely are there complications IF proper aftercare is followed. If you love the thrill and adventure involved with body piercing, getting a corset piercing may be right for you.
Wearing corsets has been one of the biggest bondage turn-ons of all. But some people like me want to take it one step further. We love the feeling of corset lacing so much that we've decided to turn it into a part of our bodies. Enter the corset piercing.
I love the scene and the feeling of power so much that I decided to get a corset piercing. For those who don't know, a corset piercing is two rows of bilaterally symmetrical piercings on the back, which can be as few as four. They use captive bead rings as jewelry. I went with four eight piercings. These are mostly temporary piercings though, because of the risks associated with permanent piercing. But as a model, I took it upon myself to flash my body with a beauty that I believe is truly a part of me. Plus, my boyfriend really got excited from my pictures afterward.
've done it a few times and I've used ribbon, rope and chain to accompany my photoshoots. I only use my corset piercings for the duration of the shoot, or no more than 24 hours though. Like all piercings, a corset piercing is still an open wound that is subject to infection, irritation or cross contamination. But to its credit there is hardly any scarring from the removal of corset piercings from my body.
Although it's in theory possible to have a permanent corset piercing, I haven't tried it yet. There is a tremendous potential for a piercing to be infected or irritated in spite of the best care. Actually healing for a corset piercing is the same as healing in any body part, except that the strain on the body from a large amount of piercings can sometimes be too great.
Most people have probably seen photos of corset piercings online, though they are normally laced to appear like the laces on a corset. These photos depict, 99% of the time, play piercings or at least improperly done piercings that will reject.

Knowledgeable artists do not do play piercing over lasting ones unless that's what you specifically request. A well researched corset piercing will take more than 2 hours to draw, with good spacing and placement to limit piercing rejection, and an hour, at the very least and with a high pain threshold, to pierce. A special barbell, known as a surface bar, should be used on most surface piercings. These barbells are shaped like an upside down staple, with two sharp 90 degree angles on each side. These help keep it deeply beneath the skin and make it harder to push out.

Surface bars, dermal anchors or tygon tubing are currently the only appropriate items for a surface piercing that is not for temporary purposes. After the piercing heals, in about a year, the caps on the surface bar can be traded with a new cap that has a hoop on top. Ribbon or lace can be brought through these hoops and tied for the unique corset piercing look. This look is not for everyday wear though.

Corset piercings should only be done by an experienced piercing professional who has experience and success with other types of surface piercings. Preferably the artist would have success with surface piercings on the part of the body you want to have the corset done on. An experienced piercer will want to do regular checkups as well.

If you are not interested in a permanent corset piercing, but want something fancy for a special occasion, you can use captive bead rings. These allow the corset piercing to be laced immediately, though again, they should not be left laced for an extensive period of time. The entire piercing should be removed in under two weeks to minimize the signs of scarring or other damage.

Body Piercing Jewelry - Short History

Body piercing is one of the most popular forms of body art and it's done on a particular area of the body that is being pricked or punctured by using special techniques and tools. A jewelry item will be passed right through this piercing after wards in order to adorn the individual's natural beauty. The younger generations are using the unusual piercings in order to reveal their beliefs and personal statements.
This is one of the main reasons why the body piercing has gained so much popularity and special clans of body jewelry were designed in order to enhance the most unusual pierced parts. Body piercing finds its roots way back in the ancient cultures and rituals and back then, piercing was used in order to mark an individual's birth. It was carried out right from his/her birth and no discrimination was made.
Body piercing jewelry was used irrespective of one's gender. The ear and nose piercing are among the oldest trends that characterize this form of art. Some of the ancient societies, Egypt included, considered piercing as a sort of holy ritual that had to be performed on a constant basis. This ritual was associated with a wide range of spiritual gains and certain beliefs concerning the individual's future. Spirituality and piercing made a very good match that lead people into believing that they were having more powerful inner strength and resources than it was in fact. Even primitive tribes used body piercing in order to state their cultural differences and characteristics.
In our times, however, piercing has evolved to other areas of the human body, besides nose and ear. For instance, naval piercing, nipple piercing, tongue piercing, labret piercing and eyebrow piercing are among the most popular forms of piercing and they are used in order to enhance and even beautify the individual's natural looks. The personal image is customized more and more because body piercing can be used in order to make a genuine and individual statement when it comes to fashion and body art exhibition.
Even the materials that are used for piercing have evolved from natural elements such as claws, animal bones, shell and wood to more sophisticated materials such as steel, bronze, gold, silver, titanium and platinum. These highly elaborated elements are used along with many different precious materials. Diamonds and even semi precious stones are used in order to add extra value to the body piercing.
Professionals have become fully aware of the threats that may be involved by certain materials such as the ones having nickel. Such materials can cause severe infections and there are certain body parts that will not accept their presence. The body parts urge for solid gold of either 14 or 18 karats because this seems to be the most suitable material that can be used for piercing. The labret or naval piercing can urge for jewelry coming in the shape of tapers, tunnels, tusks, spirals and twists claws. Pyrex glass is another material that is used for piercing because it comes in opaque transparency and transparent colors.Regardless of your ultimate choice, you will have to pay attention to some general aspects in order to make sure the whole operation will be a perfectly safe one. The tools MUST be sterilized right before the execution. The allergic reactions, bacterial infections and nerve damage will be avoided by using the properly sterilized piercing tools. You should also opt for quality jewelry in order to avoid the possible risks that may appear soon after the procedure has taken place. And you must remember that the safest way for you is to only go to real professionals to have the piercing done in the safest way and without any risks. Body piercing is the right thing for you especially if you love adorning your natural beauty with all kinds of exquisite pieces of jewelry. Now sit back and relax while browsing through our wide range of products at Funky Town Mall. You will be impressed by our beautiful line of very unique, yet surprisingly affordable quality jewelry pieces, mostly in durable stainless steel. You will also find unique rings, pendants, and a huge selection of affordable body jewelry.

Body piercing is all the rage now! From Paris Hilton and Rihanna to Lindsay Lohan and Madonna, most of the celebrated Hollywood hotties have now jumped into the hottest trend of body piercing. However, there still exist a number of myths and doubts when it comes to body piercing. Here are a few frequently asked questions that will serve as an eye opener giving you enough information on body piercing and body piercing jewelry.

Where on my body can I get pierced? There are quite a lot of places on your body where you can get pierced. Some of the hottest places, include navel, tongue, eyebrow, ear lobe, nose, and lips. Piercing in your navel may take a long time to heal though.

Will body piercing be painful? It wouldn't really be as painful as most people expect it to be. Most of you don't realize that the pain is going to last only for a fraction of a second.

Does it take a long time to heal? It completely depends on the area where you have chosen to get pierced. For instance, if you try putting on navel body piercing jewelry, then it may take around 6 months to even 1 year. Lip, ear, and eyebrow piercing may require 6 to 8 weeks to heal completely.

Extreme Body Piercing for Young Boy

Extreme Body Piercing All Over

Tongue Piercing Informations

Tongue piercing is not a painful task as tongue is a striated muscle, so the needle just slips in between these striations. The tongue do swells up after piercing but regains its original form after few days. Tongue is first pierced with the long barbell; after the swelling subsides it is replaced by a proper size barbell. Usually tongue has a dimple in the front region and it is considered to be the perfect place for piercing. After piercing you won’t be able to talk or eat solid food properly for some days. This sometimes may lead to short time depressions. You need to plan your tongue piercing time according to your job requirements, big weekends or vacations.
Barbell is the most common type of jewelry used for tongue piercing. These barbells are available in colored plastic, gold plated surgical steel and surgical steel. After the tongue is healed, the long barbell can be replaced by small balls, tongue retainers or labret studs. There is a large variety of jewelry options for tongue piercing. You can go for jewelry like large or small balls in gemstone, UV that glows in the dark, glitter, colored Acrylic, surgical steel and gold plated surgical steel. If you want to hide your tongue piercing then you can try flat top, painted in flesh colored.

The History Of Tongue Piercing

Tongue piercing is the most common and popular form of piercing. In fact it is not a new practice. It is being practiced since ages. Tongue piercing was a common ritual among people of ancient Aztecs and Mayas of Central America. Haida, Kwakiutul, and Tlinglit tribes who belong to American Northwest also used to practice tongue piercing.

Tongue piercing was done in order to draw blood to please the deities. Also, tongue piercing is done to create an altered state of consciousness so that the priest known as shaman those days could communicate with the higher spirits.
However, the purpose of tongue piercing in the present days is to show of the jewelry as a style statement and also to increase pleasure during oral sex.

With change in times there is change in meaning and purpose of the piercing. However, one should be very careful when getting a tongue piercing done. Regular aftercare and medication will ensure a safe piercing experience.

Navel Piercing Techniques

This is considered as one of the popular form of surface piercings as it is done on the flat surface of the skin. Many teenagers love to flaunt their navel piercing with different kinds of jewelries. The insertion of a curved barbell through the skin present right below the navel is considered as the standard form of navel piercing. Teenagers experiment with different kinds of jewelries on the barbells that dangle over the navel.

The following are various important techniques and procedures of navel piercing:

1. The piercer will direct the individual who wishes to have this piercing to bare the area near the navel.
2. The navel will then be cleaned with a sterile solution (generally iodine) by the piercer.
3. While an individual on whom the piercing is done is standing up, the piercer will identify the entrance and exit holes for the piercing.
4. After that the individual will have to get into a lying posture.
5. The piercer will put a clamp on the navel and will align this, in order that the marks that have been made are in the middle of the clamp.
6. The piercer will insert the needle through the clamp and will then take off the clamp.
7. The jewelry will trail on from the rear of the needle.
8. Finally the piercer usually puts a bandage above the top of the piercing.

Popular Navel Piercings for Women

Navel piercing is a sort of body piercing. It is far more prevalent among women than men. In belly button piercing the skin near the navel is pierced and jewelry is appended.

Based on the quantity of skin obtainable for navel piercing, the time taken for healing may be less without much problem and identical to an ear piercing. Occasionally the healing period may be similar to a surface piercing, with the related rejection risks and prolonged healing time.

Piercing does not affect the actual navel during a navel piercing. The most widespread type of navel piercing is performed through the upper edge of the navel. A genuine navel piercing necessitates the person being pierced to possess an “outie” navel to some extent, and is exceedingly uncommon. The majority types of ring or bar jewelry can be employed in a navel piercing, although they are generally pierced by means of a captive bead ring, which is worn until the piercing has completely healed.

An extensive range of ornamental jewelry is obtainable for navel piercings, frequently consisting of valuable metals or stones. In spite of the potential long time of healing and rejection, this piercing is one of the most widespread and well-liked body piercings at present.

Nipple Piercing Informations

The nipple is one of the most popular body piercing sites for both men and women. Nipple jewellery can be made from gold, white gold, steel or gold-plated steel. Popular varieties include a ring (with or without a bead or pendant threaded through it), a dumbbell and a D-shaped ring with the straight side through the nipple.

It is important to choose an experienced piercer in order to reduce the risk of infection. Hygiene is crucial. For example, if the instruments aren't properly sterilised between clients, you may catch a blood-borne disease, such as hepatitis B.

Nipple Piercing Care

• Don't touch or handle the piercing unnecessarily.
• Don't twirl or turn the jewellery unnecessarily for the first month or so.
• Clean and disinfect daily and turn ring from one end to the other. Scabs that form on either end of the piercing should be left alone. During the first 3 weeks avoid swimming, long hot baths and sauna due to a raised chance of infection from tissue softening.
• Cover with gauze during sun tanning. During the healing process a scab will form and the puncture site may ooze slightly (lymph). The oozing may get onto the ring and when dry is like a scab. This should be removed from the ring using warm water and slowly turning the ring. This is done best under the shower.
• During sleep or exercise, keep jewellery in place and the piercing intact by either covering with sticking plaster or wearing a bra.

Healing

For women who opt for nipple piercing, healing period runs six to twelve months. This is a crucial piercing, regarded as a deep tissue injury in technical term. The piercing heals from the external limits back towards the middle and can frequently take a great deal of time to become properly established.

Trendy Cartilage Piercing

It is undeniable that earrings are one of the most fashionable accessories. It is also used in other parts of the body and introduction is termed as body piercing. Among all types of piercing, ear piercing is the most popular one. Sometimes, because of the aesthetics and fashion sense of the young generation, piercing can reach up to the cartilage. Cartilage piercing is different from ear lobe piercing. The latter is punctured in the skin while the previous is holed in the cartilage which is composed of elastic tissues. Because of the toughness of the elastic tissues, it’s hard to pierce in the cartilage area and healing takes time. Also, cartilage piercing infection may occur especially if the procedure was not done in the right and clean way.

Detriments of Cartilage Piercing

Many people are scared of getting cartilage piercings on their ears and nose because of the bumps that come after the piercing and also the small scars that develop around the exit holes. Sometimes, the piercing may also lead to abscesses, a pain pocket of pus.

The primary detriments of cartilage piercing are:

Infection: The infection happens from different sources. The person might get infection from unhygienic earrings and from the environment you choose for piercing.

Scarring: Scarring happen when tissues in the piercing area are affected. The person might get a ridge or a bump on the area when it is done wrongly.

The person who is getting a cartilage piercing might not prefer a cartilage gun to pierce the ear. This might take a long time to heal. It might also create prolonged pain and scarring. This happens because the guns are not meant to pierce the cartilage. So it might upset the cartilage and create difficulties.

Aftercare Tips and Healing of Nose Piercing

Aftercare Tips

You must at all times make it a point to keep your hands clean prior to touching your nose piercing. You need to do this to ensure that your hands are not the source of contamination for the area that has been pierced. The use of sterile cotton, cotton gauze or other disinfected material should be used for cleaning from the second night onwards.

Healing Nose Piercing

The curing of an ordinary wound and the healing of a nose piercing is significantly dissimilar. For a normal wound the body simply has to restore and rejoin the injured tissue, but with nose piercing, this process is made difficult by the presence of an unfamiliar substance, the jewelry.

The healing period for nostril and septum piercings can take between six and twelve weeks.

About Nose Piercing

Nose piercing is one of the most popular types of body piercing that has been practiced in diverse cultures.

The most widespread location for piercing the nose is by means of the curve of one of the nostrils. Positioning can be done anywhere on the length of the nostril, based on the choice of the wearer. Generally a cork is placed into the nostril to capture the end of the needle, and a straight needle is just pressed thorough. It is vital for individuals to take the help of expert piercers and not permit equipments such as ear piercing guns to be employed. The reason why piercing guns should be avoided for piercings is that most of them are not disinfected making them likely to transmit body fluid-borne ailments and infections, such as hepatitis and HIV.

Healing of nose piercings can be achieved by means of either a stud-style piece of jewelry or a ring. Studs are maintained in position either by means of minute backings like stud earrings or a nostril screw.

A very widespread position for a nose piercing is through the septum, the part of tissue that divides the two sides of the nose. It is vital to avert the major part of cartilage in the rear of the nose and to make use of the softer tissue. Position must also be taken into account while choosing ring-style jewelry to ensure that the basic piercing is not located extremely low. Generally a small ring is utilized in this piercing.

Techniques and Healing of Eyebrow Piercing

Techniques of eyebrow piercing

Below are the various commonly used eyebrow piercing techniques and procedures

• Eyebrow piercing is performed by creating an opening with the help of a hollow medical needle.
• The needle is put into the part of the body being pierced, but it does not penetrate all the way through.
• When it is in the eyebrow, the jewelry to be worn in the piercing initially is shoved through the opening, trailing the rear of the needle.

Healing after eyebrow piercing

• Generally eyebrow piercings take 6-8 weeks for healing, but can give rise to irritation, frequently by careless touches on the part of the bearer.
• This can lead to a much longer healing period or can cause migration.
• Makeup or other beauty products that are used on the face can also be a source of irritation for piercing or result in infection.

Different Types of Facial Piercings

The following is different types of facial piercings which are commonly seen nowadays. Even you must have seen them on your friends and are longing for the same, but aren't sure of how to get them. This popular facial piercings list will provide you with all the information you need.

Eyebrow Piercing: Eyebrow piercing is on top of the facial piercings list because, it is the most common and popular facial piercing. An eyebrow piercing catches one's attention immediately. This is the latest fashion of attracting attention to your eyes! Eyebrow piercing is said to have been first done by an American tattooist. You can experiment a lot with eyebrow piercing as the position of the stud is not fixed. You can have it anywhere on the brow. There are three types of eyebrow piercings: horizontal eyebrow piercing, vertical eyebrow piercing and anti-eyebrow piercing. Out of these, horizontal eyebrow piercing is most common. Anti-eyebrow is not exactly on the eyebrow, it is positioned around the eyebrow. Eyebrow piercing generally takes six to eight weeks to heal. These have to be done by a sterilized piercing needle only. Barbells, rings, and hoops are common eyebrow piercing jewelry. Hoops are more popular with girls, while guys tend to prefer barbells.

Ear Piercing: Earlier, ear piercing was popular only with girls. But now, it has also become quite common with guys. You can have a variety of ear piercings as there are more than 10 different types of ear piercings! Here is a list of some of the common ear piercings:

• Ear Lobe Piercing: Ear lobe piercing is extremely common and has been prevalent since centuries. Ear lobe piercing can be done on both ears or one ear. Healing time for ear lobe piercing is six to eight weeks. The latest trend in ear lobe piercing is gauging your piercing. The term gauging refers to stretching of the ear lobe to put heavy earrings. Larger the gauge, smaller the number. For example, a 5 gauge is bigger in size than a 10 gauge.
• Helix Piercing: Helix piercing is done on the outer ridge, on the upper part of the ear (generally the cartilage). Helix piercing can take six to eight months to heal. Helix piercing should be done only with a piercing needle. Twelve to fourteen gauge jewelry is ideal.
• Industrial Piercing: Piercing done on the upper part of the ear, from one cartilage to the other, is called industrial piercing. Four to eight months are required for an industrial piercing to heal. It can be quite painful, so extra care has to be taken. Do not use any cheap industrial piercing jewelry, use good sterilized jewelry so as to avoid ear infections. Fourteen gauge jewelry is recommended. Read more on industrial piercing care.
• Rook Piercing: Rook piercing is done in the inner upper part of the ear, namely the anti-helix. Rook piercing can hurt a lot as the flesh at the anti-helix is thick. Rook piercing takes four to nine months to heal. Sixteen gauge jewelry should be worn in this piercing.
• Daith Piercing: For daith piercing, the inner cartilage, below the rook, is pierced. Daith piercing is uncommon. The healing time for daith piercing may vary from three to eight months. Sixteen gauge jewelry is the ideal jewelry for daith piercing.
• Tragus Piercing: Tragus piercing is placed on the outer ear, below the daith piercing. Tragus piercing is done opposite the ear canal (the place which supports a ear phone!) Jewelry of sixteen gauge is advisable. Tragus piercings take about two months to one year to heal.
• Anti-Tragus Piercing: Anti-tragus piercing is done opposite the tragus, the cartilage inside the ear just above the ear lobe. It is a rare kind of piercing. Anti-tragus piercings can take about a year to heal. Proper care should be taken or like other ear piercing infections, you could have an anti-tragus piercing infection.
• Conch Piercing: Conch piercing got it's name from the conch shell. This piercing is done in two locations, namely, inner conch and outer conch. The outer conch is done on the outer rim of the ear, above the ear lobe. The difference between anti-tragus and outer conch is that conch piercing is done on the cartilage outside the ear, unlike the anti-tragus. Inner conch is above the anti-tragus. It takes a year for conch piercings to heal. Light jewelry should be worn in conch piercings.

Nose Piercing: Nose piercings are one of the most common facial piercings. Especially in some of the Asian countries, nose piercing is regarded as a part of tradition. A nose piercing is located in the middle of the nostril. Both the nostrils can be pierced. Healing time for nose piercings range from about three to six months. Nostril piercing has to be cleaned regularly as there are very high chances of an infection. For nose jewelry, you can try rings or studs.

Lip Piercings: Monroe and Medusa are two different lip piercings. Monroe, as the name suggests, is named after the gorgeous Marilyn Monroe's famous beauty spot! Monroe piercing is done on the the upper lip. It is also called Crawford piercing (after Cindy Crawford). Monroe piercing is less risky compared to other piercings, and also takes less time to heal. Fourteen to eighteen gauge labret can be worn in a Monroe piercing. Monroe piercings take six to eight weeks to heal. Monroe piercing is getting famous with guys as well, with celebrities like Trace Cyrus and Travis McCoy getting Monroe piercings! Medusa piercings are located exactly above the upper lip, below the septum. It takes about six to eleven weeks for a Medusa piercing to heal. The next common facial piercing is labret piercing. Labret piercing is done below the lower lip, mostly in the center, though it can also be off center. Labret piercing is located just opposite the medusa piercing, and so the same amount of care and healing time is required for labret piercing. Labret stud is the most common jewelry used for both these piercings. Lowbret is another lip piercing which is done far below the lip. Generally studs are used for lowbrets.

The History of Body Piercings

The history of body piercing can be traced back to the ancient times when the primitive tribes and clans practiced this unique art of body modification. The exclusive practice of body piercing was prevalent among the jungle tribes in South America, Africa and Indonesia. The religious castes of India and the Pharahos of Egypt too indulged in this practice.

Body piercing has existed since time immemorial and the practice is believed to be over thousands of years old. It was in the past used as a means to mirror personal expression and was an integral part of religious ritual. Body piercing was also used as a symbol that distinguished the royals from the common people. In recent times body piercing is closely linked to fashion trends.

The Egyptians were fond of embellishing themselves richly, and specific kinds of body piercing were considered to be the exclusive privilege of the royal family. In reality, apart from the pharaoh none could get his navel pierced. Any one found guilty of attempting to acquire a belly button ring could face the death penalty. It was common practice for all wealthy Egyptians to wear earrings which was an ostentatious attempt to exhibit their affluence and highlight their beauty. Intricate enameled and gold earrings often depicted elements of nature.

Romans practiced the art of body piercing with specific aims in view. Roman centurions pierced their nipples not for its appeal, but to indicate their vigor and potency. It was a mark of distinction that confirmed the centurion’s commitment to the Roman Empire. As a sign, it was vital and performed a definite role, uniting and linking the army. Julius Caesar too had his nipples pierced to display his prowess and his association with his men.

Gladiators who were regarded as slaves had their genital pierced through the head of the penis. This was done with a definite purpose. The ring that was placed around the head of the penis was utilized in fastening the organ back to the testicles by means of a strip of leather. In gladiatorial contests, this helped in averting severe injuries. A fairly big ring or bar in place also ensured that the slave could not indulge in sex without the master’s approval.

The ancient Aztecs, Maya and a number of American Indians indulged in the custom of tongue piercing which was closely associated with their religious ceremonies. It was considered as a means of appeasing their gods and in the process getting closer to them. It was also deemed as a form of ceremonial blood-offering. The Aztec and Maya were known for their skills as great warriors and they indulged in septum piercing so that they seemed more ferocious to their enemies.

The unique art of body piercing was prevalent among the primitive tribes of New Guinea and the Solomon Islands who generally used bones, tusks and feathers to embellish their bodies in a grand manner.

Hip Piercing Informations

Many people are looking for new and exciting ways to adorn their bodies with cosmetic jewelry. Recently, surface piercings have become more popular than ever. One specific variety involving this method of skin puncture is the hip piercing.

A hip piercing is located on the pelvic region of the wearer. Part of the jewelry is fitted under the surface of the skin right above the pelvic hip bones. After a hole is punctured by means of a dermal punch and taper process or a surgical needle, a barbell is set beneath the surface. The top metal posts of the jewelry are attached and screwed into the barbell post and left to sit on the surface adorning the skin. Some piercers recommend forgoing the classic needle in this style of piercing, as surface piercings have a better chance of lasting and healing properly with the dermal punch. Ultimately it depends on your piercer and what he or she feels confident about performing. This style of piercing is usually done in pairs since the wearer usually opts for the same piercing above each pelvic bone for symmetry and aesthetic appeal.

The name ‘hip piercing’ is kind of misleading as the piercing is not really on your hips but instead place on your stomach just above your hips. Typically surface barbells are used for hip piercings but tygon jewelry has also been known to be used during the healing process to reduce stress.

A hip piercing is, of course, a surface piercing and careful consideration should be given to any surface piercing. Surface piercings have a high rate of rejection and the slightest trauma can start the rejection process at any time, even years after the piercing has healed. I could ramble on and elaborate more on surface piercings, but I already wrote a detailed article on surface piercings.