by Lucky Sevin

Created on: December 11, 2006   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

*Clamp*Poke*Ouch*

Piercings are not for carefree irresponsible people. They require constant and careful maintainance during the healing process, and overlooking this can lead to potentially dangerous infection. As a recipient of over 7 I consider myself near-expert level on this subject.

When you get your piercing consider the area of the body you are getting it on or should I say "in". Certain parts of the body gather more dirt and germs than others and are much higher infection risks, such as bellybuttons, mouths, and below-the-belt. These areas are usually also more sensitive to pain, so a mix of strong sea salt dissolved in warm water is best. Avoid using alcohol, or peroxide solutions, as they destroy cell tissue as well as bacteria and cause noticable scarring. Other body parts still require maintainance, but a bit less often.

For a bellybutton, tip a shotglass of saltwater on the area 3 times a day, and clean the inside of your navel with a q-tip. move jewelry back and forth to make sure the solution gets inside.

For mouths, (tongue,lip,etc) Salt water simply doesn't destroy enough of the harmful bacteria. Carry a bottle of listerine (original flavor, no mint or citrus) and swish as often as you like, particularly after eting, and cigarettes.

Below the belt, apply salt water solution to the area 3 times a day, very gingerly, and move the jewelry to ensure it gets inside the piercing. Avoid contact with other bodily fluids and any lotions or lubricants.

Ears, nose, cartilege, use salt water solution twice a day, cleaning the little granules away, and move jewelry to eb sure the solution cleans inside

Flesh piercings, (eyebrow, nipple, other) surface piercings require twice a day cleaning using the salt solution, and movement of the jewelry for thorough sterilization. Do this carefully as some flesh piercings are not done deep enough and can be torn out if infected

Recieving a piercing and keeping it is a right that you earn through pain and care. If you cannot handle the pain, or the tedious maintanance, a piercing is probably not for you. Enjoy becoming a pincushion!

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