A belly button piercing is properly performed by a professional piercer using a needle, unlike ear piercings which may be performed with a piercing gun.
A surface piercing needs to be performed by an experienced piercer who can accurately judge the size and depth of the piercing, which often requires customized jewelry.
All body piercings should be carefully researched and discussed with a piercer beforehand, but this rule is especially important in the case of unusual body piercings.
Also, you should not change the jewelry at all during this period unless it is under the direct supervision of your piercer using jewelry that has been autoclaved and is made of an appropriate material.
Always check with your piercer first when considering an alternative to standard piercing jewelry.
Always check your piercer's background before being pierced, and don't be afraid to ask questions.
An experienced piercer will be able to tell if a person is suitable for this type of piercing, as not every person will be a good candidate for a sternum piercing.
Apprenticing with a skilled body piercer is the best way to gain confidence while furthering your knowledge of the craft.
Before being pierced, ask to see your piercer's portfolio of both fresh and healed surface piercings so that you can accurately judge their experience.
Before being pierced, ask your piercer about the success rate of the piercing.
C. Borner has stated that the unpaired piercer is attached directly to the base of the left maxilla.
Certain body types and shapes may not be suitable for all piercings, so your piercer's judgement on placement will be invaluable.
Check your piercer's portfolio for the body piercing you're looking to acquire.
Exotic body modifications should not be undertaken by the inexperienced piercer without direct supervision from a piercer who has mastered the technique.
Exotic body piercings should be carefully researched before you attempt to have a piercer perform the procedure.
Finally, perhaps the best place to get jewelry for your body piercing is from your piercing shop itself - your piercer will know the best jewelry for your modification.
First, the piercer will prepare the area by swabbing it with an antibacterial agent such as Hibiclens or rubbing alcohol.
Follow the instructions you are given by your piercer regarding how to care for the particular modification you have.
For the best chance of successful healing, research your chosen piercing carefully and check your piercer's credentials before making the commitment.
Getting good information from your piercer about how to heal your new piercing will help ensure it settles down and looks good quickly.
Here are some questions to ask your piercer before attempting a new piercing.
Hinds believe that the paired piercers are the inner lobes of the maxillae, and the unpaired piercer the left mandible, the right mandible being absent.
Ia, frons; b, clypeus (the pointed labrum beneath it); II, mandible; III, first maxilla; (a, base; b, sheath; c, piercer), III', inner view of sheath; IV, second maxillae forming rostrum (b, mentum; c, ligula).
If the after versions are cleanly healed with no redness and swelling, you can be confident that your piercer has the experience necessary to perform this piercing.
If this is your first piercing, or if you are planning on getting a piercing that is in a tricky or unusual spot, it is also a good idea to stop by and talk to your piercer before getting anything done.
If you are choosing a navel project as your next body modification, speak to your piercer well in advance to plan your placement and jewelry choices.
If you experience any problems with a piercing, check with your piercer or a medical professional for help immediately.
If you experience pain, swelling or tenderness, see your piercer immediately.
If you have reservations about your piercing, you can discuss the process with your piercer.
If your piercer has performed the piercing in the past, check for photos of that piercing - both after piercing and after healing is complete.
If your piercing begins to swell, do not take the jewelry out; instead, go and see your piercer for longer jewelry.
In many bloodsucking flies, for example, the galea is absent, while the lacinia becomes a strong knife-like piercer and the palp is well developed.
In many cases, you can prevent an infection or take care of one yourself by following the guidelines the piercer gives you when you have your tongue pierced along with rinsing with salt water.
In other words, a customer suffering from a debilitating infection from a body piercing may not be able to sue the piercer if the customer signed medical release forms beforehand.
In scalpelling, a standard piercing is enlarged using a medical grade scalpel, allowing the piercer to insert larger sized jewelry.
Instead, invest in a professional nail piercer which can be found at most drugstores or beauty supply shops.
Keeping these guidelines in mind will help you to choose your piercing and piercer well, giving your unusual piercings the best possible start.
Make sure that your piercer is prepared to use proper jewelry and discuss aftercare and potential complications with you before piercing.
Mandibles fused into a piercer; first maxillae developed as piercers; palps of both pairs of maxillae present; hypopharynx wanting.
Most of the risk can be alleviated by selecting a professional and hygienic piercer and following a proper aftercare procedure.
On the flipside, many alternative salons have a tattooist or piercer on board for their adventurous clients.
Once the areas are marked, the piercer will clamp the marked area with a forceps, and then insert the needle.
Since body piercing is passed from master piercer to apprentice, aftercare knowledge is not standardized across the piercing industry.
Surface piercings must be carefully measured and performed by a professional piercer well versed in the technique of inserting the special jewelry, known as a surface bar.
The piercer him/herself should be wearing protective gloves, and the needles and other instruments should be clearly sterilized or single use.
The piercer uses hooks to pierce through specific parts of the body; these hooks are attached to pulleys or another mechanism and used to lift the piercee off of the ground for a period of time.
The piercing site is prepared and cleaned, and the piercer will use a single use surgical marker or a small dot of Gentian violet antiseptic to mark the piercing's placement.
The piercing site will be marked with the single use marker, and your piercer will ask you to verify the placement.
They may also be illegal in your area; ask to see your piercer's portfolio and check for healed versions of your piercing to see what kind of success rate the piercer experiences, and only visit reputable, licensed piercers.
They should only be performed by a master piercer.
This is a potentially serious situation since it implies that there is a problem with the piercer or his/her sterilization techniques.
This stabilizes the area where the needle will pass through, and it helps the piercer create a straight piercing.
When looking into any piercing, especially the more extreme piercings named in this article, research both the procedure and the piercer.
While body piercing licensing and laws vary state by state, there are several programs and courses that you can enroll in as you embark on the journey of becoming a professional body piercer.
You can also ask your piercer about what type of aftercare they prefer.
Your piercer will also be able to help you with any concerns you might have about your tongue piercing aftercare.
Your piercer will be a valuable source of information on jewelry.
Your piercer will either provide you with the type of antiseptic solution he or she prefers you to rinse your tongue with or give you directions on where you can purchase it.
Your piercer will evaluate your belly button placement and size before selecting the proper sized jewelry.
Your piercer will gently clean the area and apply a bandage that should be left on for several hours after the initial piercing.
Your piercer will give you specific aftercare instructions, and it is important that these instructions are followed.
Your piercer will use an antiseptic solution to thoroughly cleanse the area around your navel.
Your tongue may swell, and your piercer should have compensated for this by giving you longer initial jewelry.