BODY PIERCING INFOBODY PIERCING INFO
QDOES IT HURT?
A piercing can hurt if it is performed improperly. However a piercing performed by a PROFESSIONAL will only take one to two seconds, which means the pain is very minimal. It is quite similar to a prick of a needle in a blood test. We do not use anaesthesia, as the administration would be as painful, if not more, than the actual piercing. Remember that anaesthesia is administered via a hypodermic needle. In the time that it takes to administer the anaesthesia a professionally trained piercer will have completed both the piercing and the jewellery placement.
Anaesthesia is both unnecessary and harmful as it can prolong the healing time, can cause excessive and unnecessary bleeding and can cause after pain. Most important, we are not licensed to administer anaesthetics and unlicensed use is illegal. An allergic reaction to the drug could be harmful to the human body and fatal if not supervised by a medically trained anaesthetist.
When a piercing is performed the body will respond normally by releasing endorphins a naturally produced peptide, which raises the individuals pain tolerance, using specific opiate receptors in the central nervous system this reaction will subside any feeling of pain or anxiety.
(NOTE:- Any recreational drugs such as pain killers, marijuana, hashish, heroin, speed, cocaine, ecstasy, LSD, etc., should be avoided within 24hrs of any piercing. They will only intensify the sensation of pain, alcohol will cause unnecessary and excessive bleeding all of these narcotics should be avoided before and after a piercing for a 24hr period.
FDO YOU USE A GUN?
No! A gun should never be used for a body or facial piercing. Piercing guns are inaccurate, more painful and less safe than properly sterilised piercing needles, since guns cannot be sterilised properly they are sprayed with alcohol, which will not kill HIV, hepatitis or other viruses.
IHOW IS A PIERCING DONE?
The procedure is quite simple, but the proper knowledge is important. The installation equipment and jewellery must be sterilised by an autoclave (wet steam) for a period of 30 minutes at 15-18 pounds of pressure(270f / 126c). This is necessary to destroy any form of infectious bacteria,germs and especially viruses. Boiling, rubbing alcohol sterilon or dettol will not accomplish this. To insure thorough sterilisation, the tools used at SPIKES are sterilised using a three step process. (1) 24hr cold soak solution (2) chemical bleach and scrub. (3) WMBC approved autoclave (done a minimum of three different times).
The area of skin to be pierced must be cleaned thoroughly with a medical skin disinfectant. Installation is best achieved using sterile Pennington stainless steel forceps and a stainless steel sterilised hypodermic needle modified for piercing. Marking a precise spot for the piercing itself is very important for health reasons and for the overall look. Improper placement can cause rejections, tears, scarring, bleeding, paralysation or nerve damage. Our staff have been specifically trained in proper placement and will only perform safe piercings. After the area is marked and the piercing has been made, the jewellery is then pressed to the back of a specifically designed needle and guided in without further discomfort. The finished piercing is then treated with a germicidal as well as an antiseptic solution.
LWHY CAN'T I GET PIERCED?
Spikes reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. In addition the following are reasons or conditions under which we will not recommend a piercing to be done:
NYou are on certain medication, or have an allergic reaction to medication, soap, metals, antibiotics, or you have health problems that may interfere with your healing. If any of these conditions apply to you consult your physician first.
NYou are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. We will not service a client we believe to be under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or any other narcotic, as these substances tend to negatively intensify the piercing experience and may create dangerous consequences.
NYou request a piercing in an area that may reject the ring (as determined by the piercer) or may pose a health risk.
NYou request more than one piercing to be done at one time. We believe that additional piercing should not be done until the previous piercing has sufficiently healed, although we will make some exceptions. We especially do not recommend multiple piercings when one or both of the piercing has a long healing period. (see healing table below.)
If you are under 18 you will need to bring a parent or guardian to the studio with you for consent.
AWILL IT AFFECT MY LIFESTYLE?
In a positive way. You will see your body with a different appreciation. In no way will you be limited in your daily routine. You will still be able to participate in work and physical activities. Genital and oral piercings may affect your current lifestyle as sexual contact should be avoided during the healing period This is to ensure proper healing and safety for your physical well being and your new genital piercing.
3WHY DO I HAVE TO SIGN A RELEASE FORM?
The release form is a form of communication as well as a consent. By signing the form you are letting us know that:
1) You understand the seriousness of the piercing.
2) You are in good physical and personal health.
3) You are at the age of consent (or have parent/guardian consent)
4) You intend to follow the aftercare procedures as prescribed by SPIKES staff.
The form is also our way of conveying to you the time care and work, we at SPIKES, have invested to insure you a safe proper piercing.
uWHAT KIND OF JEWELLERY SHOULD I USE?
The type of metal used in producing body jewellery is of great importance. The metal must be hypo-allergenic and be unaffected by contact with body fluids and tissues, fresh and salt waters, oils and other lubricants, soaps, shampoos etc. Body jewellery should be polished to a high mirror finish which will not tarnish or corrode. The finished surface should be virtually non-porous which help retard growth of bacteria and germs. Surgical stainless steel is the ideal metal for use in the body. SPIKES use 316L surgical stainless steel, the grade used by hospitals for surgery.Surgical stainless steel is silver in colour and meets all of the above requirements.
MFine and sterling silver do not meet the above requirements, so we do not use them for piercing.
Gold and Platinum meet the requirement but are more expensive.
Once you have selected the type of jewellery you want, the piercer will determine the appropriate thickness (gauge) and diameter (width). Correct measurements are important for proper healing.
AHOW DO I TAKE CARE OF IT?
You will be given an aftercare info sheet following your piercing. One of our staff will thoroughly explain the procedures. It is very important that you follow the aftercare procedures as this will directly affect the health and healing time of your new piercing.
Please do not seek advice from your friends or anyone who is not a professional body piercer, as the advice may not be right for you. Care for your piercing will take about half an hour per day. The healing time of a new body piercing varies with each individual are affected by jewellery placement, location on the body, physical health and daily activities. Personal cleanliness is a MUST!! Bandaging the area is not recommended, as the area needs oxygen. Please keep the piercing dry and avoid dirty clothing. The piercing should be acknowledged as a deep puncture wound, and treated accordingly. It should be cleaned with one of the advised solutions, in the manner prescribed.Throughout the day in-between cleaning with an antiseptic solution (not Sterilon) will be necessary. These steps should be followed throughout the entire healing period. The aftercare instructions are based on common sense, but have been refined over years of experience.
IWHAT SHOULD I DO IN CASE OF AN INFECTION?
Infections rarely occur if the guidelines are followed correctly. However, if they do occur, we are here to help you. If you do get an infection, it is important that you leave the jewellery in place. If the jewellery is removed while the piercing is infected, the piercing will close and the infection sealed in. Check-ups are free with our service, and if you develop an infection, we are most likely be able to determine the cause and find a solution. Any questions, consultations or additional check-ups are welcomed. We will help and advise in any way we can.
£$WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE?
We use only the best jewellery for the piercing to help prevent infections and discolourations. The fee includes a private cleaning room, needles, gloves and tools (all sterilised), Sterilisation of the jewellery you have chosen and any aftercare you may need.
6DO I NEED AN APPOINTMENT?
Appointments are not necessary unless you have a special request. To make an appointment telephone or call into our Wolverhampton Studio, but we do require a deposit for appointments otherwise our clients are served in a first come, first served basis during opening hours.
OUR HOURS ARE: 11am - 7pm Mon - Sat
We encourage people to come to our studio anytime during our opening hours, to browse or to ask questions. Our piercers are competent, private and professional.
We also offer a mobile piercing service.
If you have any further questions regarding SPIKES or piercing in general feel free to call the studio on 44 (0)1902 713440 or come by.
The list below represents estimated healing times. Your body make take more or less time to heal. You should not experience soreness for the entire healing period. however, your general health, level of stress and other mental or physical factors may lengthen the healing period.
EARS........................6-9 WEEKS
CARTILAGE.........6-9 MONTHS
NOSE (NOSTRIL & SEPTUM)....7-9 WEEKS
NIPPLES..........................3-9 MONTHS
NAVEL........................6-9 MONTHS
LABIA/CLITORAL HOOD....................4-6 WEEKS
PRINCE ALBERT.........................4-6 WEEKS
CLITORIS, FRENUM...............6-8 WEEKS
FORESKIN, HAFADA........................6-8 WEEKS
EYEBROW.........................6-8 WEEKS
TONGUE.................................4-6 WEEKS
LABIA, MAJORA, DYDOE........................3-6 MONTHS
GUICHE, AMPALLANG,APADRAVYA.................3-6 MONTHS
LIP........................................................6-8 WEEKS
JEWELLERY SHOULD BE WORN IN PIERCING AT ALL TIMES DURING THE HEALING PERIOD.