Archive-name: bodyart/piercing-faq/part2 Last-modified: April 19, 1995 Posting-frequency: Monthly The rec.arts.bodyart Piercing FAQ is broken up into 9 parts: 1--Introduction 2--Piercings & Jewelry <---YOU ARE READING THIS FILE 3--Getting A New Pierce 4--Professional Piercers 5--Care Of A New Pierce 6--Problems And Hazards 7--Healed Pierces 8--Misc. Info 9--Resource List What's in this section: 2--Piercings & Jewelry 1. Suggested Metals For Body Piercings 1a. Surgical Steel for Body Jewelry" by Bart Z. Lederman 2. Jewelry Sizes 2a. Gauges And Equivalents 3. Jewelry Designs 4. Piercing Types And Their Suggested Jewelry 4a. Female Genital Piercings 4b. Male Genital Piercings 1. SUGGESTED METALS FOR BODY PIERCINGS------------- To heal a body piercing successfully, the jewelry worn must be of suitable material and design. The more inert the material, the less the chance of metal allergy. The following are the recommended metals used for body piercing jewelry, in alphabetical order: *Acrylic* Used where a more flexible piece of jewelry is desired. *Gold* Solid gold of at least 14 karat. Gold-plated or gold-filled jewelry is not acceptable, as plating can eventually rub away or flake. *Niobium* An elemental metal, strong yet flexible, the wide array of colors achieved through anodizing, not dyeing. *Surgical Stainless Steel* The highest quality and most suitable body jewelry developed thus far is made of 316 L or LVM Surgical Stainless Steel. The jewelry should be polished to a reflective shine and free from pitting and rough edges and should be annealed to be somewhat flexible and to resist metal fatigue. *Titanium* An extremely lightweight elemental metal similar to Niobium, also available in a range of colors through anodizing. Polishes to a matte finish. Often used in permanent surgical implants. 1a. Stainless Steel for Body Jewelry------------------ by Bart Z. Lederman lederman@eisner.decus.org There are literally thousands of different metal alloys; and scores of corrosion resistant, or "Stainless" steels. Different stainless steels are used for such diverse applications as the turbine blades in jet engines, automobile exhaust systems, medical instruments, and table ware; and the different types are not interchangeable. A steel which will withstand the heat of a jet blast might corrode if used in a kitchen knife or lawn furniture. And while nearly any stainless steel would probably be suitable for jewelry worn externally, such as a bracelet or finger ring, when it comes to putting it inside your body in a new piercing you should be much more selective about which metal is used. The environment inside the human body is actually quite harsh and will corrode most metals, but there are some which are resistant enough to be used for medical implants. As a result, when discussing metals in r.a.b. people often refer to "surgical stainless steel". It turns out that there is really no such thing: at least, none of the industry references or selection guides I can find use that term. There is, however, one steel which is preferred due to it's outstanding resistance to corrosion: it is commonly known as 316L. The steel selection guides I have consulted list 316 and 316L as the metals of choice for applications where corrosion resistance is important, and where it is important that whatever comes in contact with the metal, such as pharmaceuticals, are not contaminated. This makes it a good choice for body jewelry. Another alloy sometimes mentioned is 440C. This is very much less resistant to corrosion than 316. It's used for cutlery because it can be hardened, and could be a good choice for scalpels and needles. But these things are in contact with the body for only a very brief period of time, and often are discarded after one use. 440C will not even resist salt water, and probably shouldn't be used in piercings. [Optional technical stuff: when most metals are exposed to oxygen in air or water or body fluids, they will combine with it to form an oxide. On common steels this is iron oxide or rust, and it flakes off: so the metal underneath rusts, and the process keeps going. Stainless Steels contain chromium, and often other metals. When stainless steel is exposed to oxygen a thin tough layer of chromium oxide forms on the surface and adheres tightly, protecting the metal underneath from any further reaction. If the oxide is scratched off, a new layer forms almost instantly. The metal is protected from the environment, and no metal leaches out into whatever is in contact with it (like your body). 316 contains a high percentage of chromium, plus nickel, manganese and molybdenum, and forms a protective oxide better than most other alloys. 316L is the same except for less carbon, making it easier to weld. 440C has less chromium, no nickel, and less of other elements, and the oxide layer isn't as resistant to corrosive environments.] 316L has other useful properties. It's fairly strong, is reasonably easy to work with (bend, cut threads in, etc.), and won't lose it's corrosion resistance if heated during normal bending, soldering or welding. It can be made into springs, so it can form jewelry which can be bent moderately for fitting and will return to it's proper shape. Care: there is little that should have to be done to keep stainless steel jewelry looking good. Anything that gets on it (like "crusties") should wash off with soap or detergent. However, there is one thing you should NOT do: DO NOT USE STEEL WOOL ON STAINLESS STEEL. If you use steel wool or kitchen scouring pads, little bits of iron or steel (possibly too small to see) could become embedded in the stainless steel. They will rust, and the corrosion could spread under the protective oxide. This can be fixed by etching with nitric acid (which is dangerous), or by polishing off the surface with a safe abrasive. Obviously, it's better to not use steel wool in the first place. How To Tell If You Have The Right Kind Of Stainless Steel: Unfortunately, they all look very much alike. Only a chemical test can really distinguish one from another. However: if the metal is strongly attracted to a magnet, it is definitely the wrong kind (such as 440). Unfortunately, just because it isn't attracted to a magnet doesn't mean it's the right kind. The best thing to do is to ask the person who makes or sells it exactly what it's made of: if they can't positively identify it as 316L or SAE 30316L or UNI S31603, buy your jewelry somewhere else. It shouldn't be made from welding rod either: the alloy used to weld 316L may not have the same composition as real 316L, plus it may be coated with a flux containing things you really don't want in your body. The bottom line: you are probably getting a piercing to make yourself look better, or to make yourself feel better, or both. An infected piercing won't look or feel good, and you only have one body. You should be selective about what you put in it. [More optional technical stuff: Because there are so many different metal alloys on the market, industry groups such as the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) have set up a numbering system to identify them. 316L is from the old SAE system. The newer SAE number is 30316L, and the even newer Unified Numbering System (UNI) number is S31603: but most people recognize the old 316L designation so I have used it here.] [Optional Trivia: I learned that "Stainless Steel" originally was a trade term for a family of steels developed around 1916 for use in cutlery. "Corrosion Resistant" is a better general term, but stainless seems embedded in the language now.] Resources: "Design Guidelines for the Selection and Use of Stainless Steel", April 1977, Committee of Stainless Steel Producers, American Iron & Steel Institute; SS 601-477-25M-GP. "Machinery's Handbook Revised", 21st Edition, Library of Congress #72-622276 2. JEWELRY SIZES---------------------- For most piercings, rings facilitate easier cleaning and allow for swelling. For piercings made in flatter areas of the body (ie. where the entrance and exit holes are not through parallel planes), the straighter the section of jewelry that passes through the piercing the less likely the piercing is to migrate or "grow out." Thus, the basic guideline for sizing jewelry is to allow the inside diameter of the ring to be at least 1/16" to 1/8" wider than the length of the piercing. Jewelry is measured by gauge (thickness) and inside diameter in the case of rings or length from ball to ball in the case of studs. The higher the gauge number, the thinner the jewelry. When getting pierced, the needle and jewelry must be of the same gauge; thus it is important to stay within the same gauge system. If mixing gauges cannot be avoided, a needle of a thicker gauge than that of the jewelry should be used. Most jewelry manufactured in the US is gauged according to the Brown & Sharpe system. Note that Silver Anchor uses its own gauge system. Jewelry from the UK and Europe are manufactured by metric gauge. 2a. Gauges and Equivalents Brown and Sharpe (used by most American manufacturers) ------------------------------------------------------ gauge inches millimeters ----------------------------------- 20 0.032 0.813 18 0.040 1.024 16 0.051 1.290 14 0.064 1.629 12 0.081 2.052 10 0.102 2.588 8 0.128 3.264 6 0.162 4.111 4 0.204 5.189 2 0.257 6.543 0 0.324 8.230 00 0.364 9.246 Silver Anchor ------------------------------------------------------ gauge inches millimeters ---------------------------------------- 20 1/32 = 0.03125 16 3/64 = 0.046875 1.19 14 1/16 = 0.0625 1.59 12 3/32 = 0.09375 2.38 8 1/8 = 0.125 3.18 6 5/32 = 0.15625 3.97 4 3/16 = 0.1875 4.76 2 1/4 = 0.25 6.35 0 5/16 = 0.3125 7.94 3. JEWELRY DESIGNS-------------- *Captive Bead Ring* The basic ring design is the captive bead ring, or ball closure ring. The bead is not attached to the ring--the tension of the ring holds the bead "captive." With thinner gauges and larger diameter rings, finger strength may be all that is necessary to remove the bead. Otherwise, ring expanding pliers are used to release the bead. Rings can be fitted with a wide assortment of beads: Cubes, skulls, hearts, coils, and tubes in steel, gold and niobium and beads in semi-precious stones are just a few of the options. In the case of gemstones, malachite and lapis should not be used with genital piercings, as urine can break down the stone and release copper. Also, gold and sterling can be discolored by cleaning products, most notably Betadine, and chemical sterilization liquids. *Bead Ring* Another basic ring design is the bead ring. The bead is soldered to one end of the ring with a hole drilled into the other side of the bead to receive the other end of the ring. The disadvantage to the bead ring is that it must be twisted sideways to open and close, which can eventually cause metal fatigue, especially in the case of gold. Bead rings are best used for more permanent wear. *Seamless Rings* "Seamless" rings are rings in which the ends are flat and matched up as closely as possible. Inserting these rings into a new piercing can be very difficult, and closing the rings sometimes next to impossible. *Circular Barbells* Circular barbells are useful for those anticipating changing jewelry often. In the larger gauges circular barbells can be heavy. Barbells and other studs are available with various designs of threading: Internally threaded studs: The bar is threaded internally, and there is no risk of the threads damaging or getting caught on the inside of the piercing. When inserted initially, a guide wire or taper inserted into the needle and the bar will maintain the connection between needle and jewelry for easier insertion. Externally threaded studs: The threads are exposed and can irritate the piercing. With some externally threaded studs, the threaded section can be inserted into the end of the needle. Otherwise, the threads can be dipped in hot wax to minimize friction. More unique jewelry designs intended for healed piercings are available from various manufacturers - septum tusks, labret and nostril spikes, jeweled rings, nipple retainers, nipple stretchers, nipple shields, teardrop rings, nipple spreaders, octagonal rings, Prince Albert "Bangers" and urethra tubes...for more information on these and many more designs please see the FAQ Address List for a listing of jewelry manufacturers. 4. PIERCING TYPES AND THEIR SUGGESTED JEWELRY---------- The following contains brief descriptions of each piercing and suggested jewelry, as well as references to publications available detailing the history and origin of specific piercings. *Ear Lobe* Usually, the ear lobe is the least sensitive piercing, in terms of metals that can be worn after healing. Lobe piercings can be stretched quite easily. The stretching process should, however, be a gradual one. Eyelets can be worn to maintain a stretched piercing. Ear lobe piercings heal better and faster if a ring is the initial jewelry. Sleeper studs installed with a piercing gun are collection sites for bacteria and are difficult to clean. They are also of one size, and one size does not fit all, especially if the earlobes swell beyond the capacity of the stud. Studs also have a tendency to clog/twist with hair, embedding the hair in the piercing. Piercing studs tear a hole into the ear tissue whereas piercing needles cut a clean hole. Also, the cleanliness of the piercing gun method is questionable, as they cannot be sterilized and are therefore possible sites for disease transmission between clients and piercer. Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings, barbells, circular barbells (in the case of larger gauges, circular barbells may not be best initially, as the weight of the jewelry may prolong healing and be uncomfortable); 3/8" to 1/2" in diameter, from 20 to 10ga. *Cartilage* Should be pierced using a needle one gauge larger than the jewelry to be worn (e.g. 20 gauge bead ring, 19 gauge needle) or a dermal punch to allow for new tissue to form around the inside of the pierce and for easier cleaning. This piercing is often done with a gun; however, the stud installed can be too short for the piercing, and both sides of the stud are collection sites for bacteria. An ear cartilage piercing should be treated as a body piercing. Some people may encounter no irritation from sterling and other metals, if worn for a short period of time. Cartilage piercings should not be stretched more than a gauge larger. Cartilage piercings have a tendency to develop Keloid scar tissue in some people. Thus, it is best not to make multiple piercings too close together in one session. Tragus: The prominence of cartilage in front of the opening of the ear canal. Ear cartilage suggestions follow here. Care must be taken when cleaning this and other interior cartilage piercings such as the Rook, Doth, and Conch - cleaning solutions must not be allowed to drip into the ear canal, as this could lead to permanent loss of hearing. Of the interior ear cartilage piercings, the Daith is usually the most successful, as it is not subject to pressure from sleeping and irritation from daily activities. Rook piercings are more prone to rejection. Provided by Shannon Larrat ( glider@io.org): _,------------._ ,-' 6 `-. ,' ,------------._ \ 1 is the rook (topmost inner -' | 4 `. ` fold of the ear shell) 6 , '--._ | | ,' ` `1 \ \ 2 is a tragus (that triangle) | ` `-. | | `-. . | | 3 is a daith (through the fold of `-._ 4` | | cartilage tissue just above ,-----. 3_ `-- | | the ear opening) `-. `---. | | 2 | 4 ,' ; 4 is a conch piercing ,' ,--' ,' ,-' 4 4,-' ,' | ___ ,--' ,' `------' 7 5 ; 5 / 5 is a lobe piercing -. 5 5 _,' 6 is a helix piercing `. ,' ` _.--' ` ----' 7 is an Anti-Tragus *Nostril* Nostril Screws are the optimum jewelry choice for those wishing the look of a stud. They feature a small curved "tail" at a right angle to the stud that holds the jewelry in place without the need for a clasp on the inside of the nose. Because nostril screws are more difficult to clean and may not accommodate swelling associated with a fresh piercing, it is recommended that the piercing be well-healed before a screw is worn. Otherwise opt for a screw with a longer shaft, between 5/16" and 3/8". Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings in 20 to 14 gauge, 3/8" to 1/2" inside diameter. As with ear cartilage piercings, nostril piercings should be done with a piercing needle a gauge larger than that of the jewelry to be worn. *Septum* The piercing should pass through the thin layer of tissue between the alar cartilage (outer) and the quadrangular cartilage (separating the nostrils). This area is usually at its roomiest towards the tip of the nose. This piercing can be stretched after healing to accommodate eyelets. Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings, circular barbells, septum retainers in 20 to 10 gauge, 3/8" to 1/2" inside diameter. U-shaped septum retainers are available for those who need to hide the piercing. Rings are, however, easier to clean during healing. *Eyebrow* The chance of the piercing growing out or migrating may be reduced by reshaping the ring into an oval. This piercing is usually made vertically, so that the ring encircles the eyebrow. Elayne "Angel" Binnie offers a hallmark alternative eyebrow piercing, made horizontally just beneath the hairline of the eyebrow. Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings in 18 to 14 gauge, 3/8" to 7/16" inside diameter; barbells 3/8" to 7/16" post length. Rings should be at least 1/16" larger in diameter than the length of the piercing. *Nieburh or Erle* This piercing is made through the tissue between the eyes (bridge of the nose). This piercing can be both difficult to both perform and heal. This piercing cannot be made too deep but must be deep enough that the piercing does not migrate out/reject. Initial jewelry: Barbell studs or curved barbells in 14 - 12 gauge, 3/8" to 5/8" in length, depending on the length of the piercing. *Lip & Labret* Traditionally, the Labret piercing is usually made about 3/8" to 1/2" below the middle of the lower lip, through or just above the cleft of the chin, although lip piercings can be made anywhere along the outside of the lip. A labret stud should be used to heal the piercing to avoid tearing, and a ring can be worn after healing. A thinner gauge of ring may have a tendency to tear the inside of the lip, especially on new piercings. Labret studs and barbells tend to cause deterioration of the inside of the lip and of the gumline; this deterioration is, in most cases, minimal, and will only continue until a niche has been formed for the ball or disc. Fishtail Labrets were invented to counter this problem. Some piercers prefer to angle the Labret piercing so that the disc/inside ball is above the teeth line. This placement will avoid gum/lip deterioration, but may present problems with biting down on the jewelry inadvertantly.Please see Body Play, Vol. 2 #4, for a very good feature on the Labret; PFIQ "Pierce with a Pro, Part 19". Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings, barbell studs, Labret studs (inserted from the inside, a barbell with a disc in place of the inside ball), Fishtail Labrets (a stud with a "tail" at a right-angle to the stud which has a slight curve to follow the curve of the gumline); gold and surgical steel in 18 to 14 gauge, 3/8" to 1/2" inside diameter and post length. The initial stud should be at least 1/16" longer than the width of the area to be pierced to accommodate swelling. *Cheek* Initial jewelry: Labret studs; gold and surgical steel in 16 - 10 gauge, usually at least 3/8" in length. Precise measurements are necessary to prevent nesting. *Tongue* Initial jewelry: Barbell studs; gold and surgical steel in 14 to 10 gauge. The initial stud should be at least 1/4" to 1/2" longer than the tongue at its thickest to accommodate swelling. Too short a barbell can lead to "nesting" of the balls. Please see PFIQ "Pierce with a Pro, Part 11" and PFIQ #38 for "Pierce with a Pro, Part 25: Update". If a large frenulum is present (web of tissue which runs lengthwise along the underside of the tongue, usually present in most people to some degree), the piercing should be made in front of it. Tongue piercings made through the front and side edges of the tongue using rings have been sudccessful for some people, but for most the presence of a ring impedes eating and speaking. If such a piercing is desired it is important to use an initial ring large enough to allow for swelling and to avoid piercing any large blood vessels which may be present. *Navel* The upper rim of the navel is usually pierced, unless the lower is more prominent. The navel piercing is one of the most difficult to heal, but also one of the most popular. Tight waistbands, belts, and a high level of activity involving bending at the waist can lengthen healing time. This piercing is also subject to migrating, rejection, or "growing out." In most cases, the piercing will remain red and discharge considerably during the entirety of the healing process. Occasionally, a ring of tissue will form around the entrance or exit wound, usually during the second or third month of healing, most likely due to irritation from clothing and/or daily activities rather than an infection. If this occurs, do not overclean. Usually the "growth" will diminish on its own. Soaking the piercing in warm salt water in place of a morning or evening cleaning often helps. Please see PFIQ "Pierce with a Pro, Part 18". Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings, circular barbells, curved or "L" bars in 14 to 12 gauge, 3/8" to 5/8" inside diameter; 3/8" to 5/8" length for curved barbells. *Nipples* Nipple piercings can be made horizontally or vertically. Rings are usually the initial jewelry in horizontal piercings. Some piercers prefer to install a barbell initially, as this may decrease the chance of the piercing migrating downwards due to the weight and curve of a ring. If a barbell is to be used, it should be at least 1/4" longer than the length of the piercing to facilitate thorough cleaning. Barbells of the same length as the piercing can be worn after the piercing is healed. The effect of gravity on a nipple ring while healing can be countered by wearing the ring flipped up for 12 hours a day, when the piercing is healed enough that it is not painful (usually after 3 weeks). Be sure to remove any discharge and lubricate the piercing thoroughly before altering its position. Barbells are used for vertical piercings, as a ring will tend to stick out, and, if taped to one side or the other, can cause the piercing to migrate diagonally. For heavy play (chains, pendants, weights, etc.) captive bead rings smaller than 14 gauge should not be worn, as the bead may pop off. Also, the larger the gauge, the less likely the jewelry is to tear the piercing. Please see PFIQ #34 for "Pierce with a Pro, Part 21: Female Nipple Update"; PFIQ "Pierce with a Pro, Part 17"; PFIQ #40 for "Pierce with a Pro, Part 27: Male Nipple Update". Multiple nipple piercings are not uncommon. These can be crisscross (alternating horizontal and vertical piercings) or all be in the same direction. Before attempting a second piercing the first piercing should be allowed to completely heal. There should be at least 1/8" of tissue (depth) between the piercings to prevent pressure from the innermost piercing from causing the outermost piercing to migrate out. Some women may experience irritation or a delay in healing before and during their period, or if they are subject to PMS. Water retention may cause the nerves in the nipple to become pinched against the jewelry. Most piercers maintain that nipple piercings will not interfere with breast feeding, provided there is not a large amount of scar tissue growth. One reader reported that the jewelry became extremely uncomfortable during the final tri-mester, which forced her to remove the rings. Another reader reported having her nipples pierced 6 years after she gave birth, and the resulting stimulation caused her to begin lactating again (she said she had never completely dried up). Please see PFIQ #16 for a first hand account. Men, on average, have more difficulty with nipple piercings migrating or rejecting. If a nipple is to be repierced after the initial piercing has rejected, the first wound should be allowed to heal completely. If a large amount of scar tissue is present, it may be advisable to wait at least 6 months to allow the area to recover. The repierce should be made behind the scar tissue from the initial piercing. Piercing through the scar tissue is usually difficult, painful, and can lead to more scar tissue growth. In the case of fresh/healing women's nipple piercings, applying halved-panty liners to the inside of the bra cups will keep the piercing clean and the bra free from discharge and/or blood. Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings, circular barbells in 14 to 12 gauge; men - 1/2" inside diameter or larger, women - 5/8" inside diameter or larger. The inside diameter of the ring should be at least 1/8" wider than the length of the piercing, especially in initial jewelry. *Handweb* Most piercers consider this piercing to be rather a novelty. The piercing is usually made through the web of skin between the thumb and forefinger (it must not intersect the muscle tissue). Rate of infection is extremely high, due to the exposure to bacteria during daily activities. Rate of rejection and migration is also high, due to the nature of the tissue and hand movements. Please see PFIQ #23 for "Pierce with a Pro, Part 13". Initial jewelry: Barbells in 14-12 gauge, at least 1/2" in length to accommodate swelling. Part 4a. FEMALE PIERCINGS ------------------------- *Outer Labia, or Labia Majora* Labia piercings can be stretched considerably after healing. For infibulation (chastity) or heavy play (ie. chains, pendants, weights), captive bead rings smaller than 14 gauge should not be worn, as the bead may pop off. Also, the larger the gauge, the less likely the jewelry is to tear the piercing. Please see PFIQ "Pierce with a Pro, Part 5". Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings, circular barbells in 14 to 12 gauge, 1/2" to 5/8" in diameter. The inside diameter of the ring should be at least 1/8" wider than the length of the piercing. *Inner Labia, or Labia Minora* The amount of inner labia present varies with the individual - some women may have flaps of tissue an inch or so wide, while others may have the barest, thinnest inner labia, too thin to hold jewelry. Please see PFIQ #37 for "Pierce with a Pro, Part 24". Some women experience tearing or rapid outward migration of the piercing due to the jewelry being pulled during daily activities. Sometimes switching to short barbells (provided the holes have not stretched so much that the balls pass through the piercing) will eliminate tearing or stretching. Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings, circular barbells in 14 to 12 gauge, 1/2" to 5/8" in diameter. *Clitoral Hood, or Prepuce* Horizontal Piercing: If a circular barbell is chosen, the piercing should be placed so that the clitoris is not pinched between the balls. The horizontal piercing stimulates the clitoris indirectly - the jewelry is positioned so that the bead rests on the tip of the clitoris. Please see PFIQ #41 for "Pierce with a Pro, Part 28". Women with heavy outer labia which cover the hood completely may find a tear-drop shaped ring more suitable, as the tapered end of the ring prevents it from getting caught between the labia and twisted, causing the piercing to heal crooked or migrate out. Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings or bead rings in 16 to 12 gauge, 3/8" to 5/8" inside diameter, depending on the depth of the piercing. The inside diameter should be at least 1/16" wider than the length of the piercing. Vertical Piercing: The vertical hood piercing stimulates the clitoris directly - the jewelry is in constant contact with the clitoris. Some women have reported undue irritation and apparent desensitization of the clitoris from the vertical piercing, if the hood is too tight around the ring and the clitoris. Please see PFIQ "Pierce with a Pro, Part 22". Initial Jewelry: Same as above; barbells, curved barbells in 16 to 14 gauge, 3/8" to 1/2" long. Vertical piercings are best done using an insertion tube, inserted between the hood and the clitoris. *Clitoral Triangle Piercing* This piercing is made through the tissue beneath the shaft of the clitoris and above the juncture of the inner labia. The area to be pierced can be felt as a triangular shape beneath the shaft when the area is pinched with the fingers. Not every woman is suited for this piercing. Please see PFIQ #37 for a feature article. Initial jewelry: Bead rings or captive bead rings in 14 to 12 gauge, 5/8" to 3/4" inside diameter, with allowance for swelling. *Isabella* This relatively new piercing documented by Piercing World Magazine is the vertical accompaniment to the Triangle piercing. It is made beneath the clitoris, entering beneath the clitoris and exiting above the hood. Initial jewelry: Recommended jewelry is a slightly curve d barbell, measured to fit the piercing. Flexible nylon barbells have been recommended as well. *Fourchette* This piercing is a relatively new piercing. It is made through the web of tissue at the back rim of the vaginal opening. Initial jewelry: Rings of at least 12 gauge; better suited jewelry may be a curved barbell of 12 gauge, 1/2" - 5/8" in length. Please see PFIQ #37 for a feature article. *Clitoris* Mini- or dydoe barbells, barbell studs in 16 to 14 gauge, 3/8" to 1/2" in length. Captive bead or bead rings in 16 to 14 gauge, 3/8" to 1/2" inside diameter. Barbells are suitable for vertical or horizontal piercings; rings are suitable only for horizontal piercings. To be successfully pierced, the clitoris should be at least 1/4" wide and loosely hooded. If the hood is too tight, the piercing will most likely migrate out or be continuously irritated by the pressure of the hood. The ring works best in a clitoris that is exposed. Please see PFIQ "Pierce with a Pro, Part 7". *Princess Albertina* Another relatively new and experimental piercing, this piercing passes through the back wall of the urethra. In the piercing documented by Piercing World magazine, a captive bead ring was used. Please see Piercing World #19. 4b. MALE GENITAL PIERCINGS---------------- *Frenum* This piercing is made through the skin layer along the shaft of the penis, usually along the underside, about 1/4" from the ridge of the glans. A series of frenum piercings - called a "Frenum Ladder" - can be made as well. A frenum piercing made at the base of the penis has acquired the name "Lorum," short for "lower frenum." Please see PFIQ "Pierce with a Pro, Part 20: Update" Initial jewelry: Barbells in 14 to 10 gauge, 1/2" to 5/8" in length, determined by measuring the length of the piercing; captive bead rings in 14 to 10 gauge, 1/2" to 5/8" in diameter; after the piercing is healed, a ring measured to fit around the erect penis just behind the ridge of the glans can be worn. *Prince Albert & Reverse Prince Albert* This piercing is performed with the aid of a needle-receptor tube or a cotton-swab inserted into the urethra to "receive" the needle tip. Please see PFIQ #6 for feature article; PFIQ #39 for "Pierce with a Pro, Part 26: Update". It is possible to have a Prince Albert with an intact foreskin, provided the foreskin is not too tight and that the wearer can retract the foreskin during healing. Another option is to have the bottom edge of the foreskin cut lengthwise to give the piercing "breathing room." This procedure should be performed by a physician and the foreskin allowed to heal before the piercing is made. Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings, circular or curved barbells in 12 gauge or larger, 5/8" inside diameter or larger, depending on the depth of the piercing. The diameter of the ring is determined by measuring the length between the piercing to the bottom edge of the urethra. For curved barbells, measure from the point of piercing to the top edge of the urethra. *Ampallang* The Ampallang is made horizontally through the glans (head). A piercing intersecting the urethra (in effect two piercings) allows urine to irrigate through the piercings and thus tends to heal faster and be stronger than a piercing made above the urethra. Please see PFIQ #11 for "Pierce with a Pro, Part 6". Initial jewelry: Barbells in 14 to 10 gauge; the length of the barbell must be determined by measuring the penis while it is erect, using calipers. *Apadravya* The Apadravya is made vertically through the glans, and is often a continuation of the Prince Albert. Please see PFIQ "Pierce with a Pro, Part 16". With both the Ampallang and Apadravya, correct positioning is important to avoid intersecting the corpora cavernosa, the two channels of tissue which fill with blood during an erection, and more importantly, the numerous large blood vessels which run the length of the penis. Bothe the Ampallang and Apadravya will bleed considerably during the first week, and usually take 6 to 12 months to completely heal. *Dydoe* Not every man has enough ridge development for dydoe piercings. Healing time can be lengthy, and this piercing can be subject to migrating or growing out. Healing time can be lengthy, and this piercing is prone to migrating or growing out. Please see PFIQ "Pierce with a Pro, Part 8". Dydoe piercings are usually done as a pair, at the 10:00 and 2:00 positions through the ridge of the glans. Initial jewelry: Mini- or dydoe barbell studs in 16 or 14 gauge, at least 3/8" post length. *Foreskin* This piercing can be very stimulating as the jewelry rubs against the glans during sex. One large-diameter ring can be worn through 2 piercings made on either side for infibulation. A series of foreskin piercings can be made and barbells worn, keeping the foreskin retracted. Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings, circular barbells in 14 to 12 gauge, 1/2" inside diameter or larger. *Hafada (Scrotum)* Of all the male genital piercings, this piercing can be one of the most difficult to heal because of the constant contact with clothing and lack of ventilation. Piercings can be made anywhere on the scrotum, though piercings made through forward fold of skin may decrease the likelihood of rejection or migration. Care must be taken not to puncture the testicle sac itself, which can lead to very serious infection. Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings, circular barbells in 14 to 12 gauge, 1/2" to 5/8" in diameter. *Guiche* This piercing is made at the base of the scrotum, where the inseam of a pair of pants is positioned. Attaching weights to this piercing is said to be extremely stimulating. This piercing is particularly prone to migration/rejection. Please see PFIQ #5 for "Pierce with a Pro, Part 3" feature. Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings, circular barbells in steel (gold and niobium tend to be too flexible to maintain ring shape) in 12 gauge, 5/8" inside diameter - the inside diameter of the ring should be at least 1/8" larger than the length of the piercing. Some men may find a curved barbell to be more comfortable than a ring. *Pubic* Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings, circular barbells in 14 to 10 gauge, 5/8" diameter or larger - the inside diameter of the ring should be at least 1/8" larger than the length of the piercing. -- * Ardvark * Anne Greenblatt Piercing FAQ Manager for rec.arts.bodyart > Proprietor of Piercing Exquisite, Richmond, VA < NEW ADDRESS - ardvark@richmond.infi.net