Body piercing

Body piercing is the practice of piercing a part of human body, and subsequently inserting and keeping a foreign object in the opening until the wound heals and a tunnel of skin forms around the foreign object, thus creating a suitable place for wearing different types of jewelry. The most common example of the process is the common ear piercing, but this is an extremely simple and mainstream example, and as such is not commonly considered to be a body piercing. The practice is common among many indigenous peoples, but was almost unknown in industrialized civilizations until popularized by Jim Ward and his piercing shop, The Gauntlet in New York City. Piercing the body carriers with it a number of risks. The risk of infection is considerable especially with do it yourself piercing. An infection in the cartilage of the upper ear can lead to a permanent lump forming called a keloi. All piercing should be kept clean until it is healed. The piercing healing time varies depending on what sort of piercing has been chosen. Some cultures practice piercing as part of religious traditions. In industrialized countries, most piercing is performed for ornamental or sexual reasons.

The Origins of Piercing

Piercing has ancient origins. The oldest mummified body in the world discovered in an Austrian glacier was found to have ear-piercing 7-11 mm in diameter. Nose piercing is mentioned in the Bible. In Genesis 24:22 Abraham gave a nose-ring to Rebekah wife of his son Isaac. Nose piercing reached India in the 16th century and rapidly became accepted. Tongue piercing was popular with the Aztecs and Mayas and was carried out as part of a religious ceremony. Nipple piercing became popular in 14th century England and this decoration can clearly be seen in Dreamtime by Hans Peter Duerr. On many websites it is claimed that the Romans invented nipple piercing and that soldiers attached their capes to the piercings. This is just a myth and in reality the capes were hung from rings attached to their armour.

Piercing in Industrialized Civilizations

Some regard body piercing a kind of artistic expression, other a form of sexual expression and/or stimulation. Genital piercings are some of the most common, and some piercers report that the Prince Albert piercing is the most popular of all. Many wearers of genital piercings keep their jewelry in during sexual intercourse and other sexual activities, but others find it uncomfortable. It depends to a large degree on the design of the jewelry and the type of sexual activity.

Healing

Different types of piercing take different amount of times to heal. Below is a rough guide to the times taken for some different types of body piercing to heal.

• nostril piercing (6 months-12 months)
• septum piercing (6-8 weeks)
• ear piercing - lobe (6-8 weeks)
• ear piercing - cartilage (2-4 months)
• lip piercing (8-10 weeks)
• cheek piercing (10-12 weeks)
• tongue piercing (4-6 weeks)
• bridge piercing (8-10 weeks)
• nipple piercing male (2-4 months)
• nipple piercing female (4-6 months)
• navel piercing (6 months)

Facial Piercings :

• nostril piercing
• septum piercing
• ear piercing
• lip piercing
• cheek piercing
• tongue piercing
• bridge piercing
• brow piercing

Body Piercings:

• nipple piercing
• navel piercing

Male Genital Piercings:

• apadrayva piercing
• ampallang piercing
• Prince Albert piercing
• frenum piercing
• Guiche piercing
• Dydoe piercing

Female Genital Piercings:

• hood piercing
• labia piercing

Specialty Jewelery:

• Prince's Wand