What its made of _316 LVM surgical
grade stainless steel-that highest quality made for body jewelry and what
piercers- good piercers- require.All of our stainless is made with 316LVM.Durable, relatively inexpensive and very
few people have adverse reactions, therefore, the most popular.
_Niobium-not an
alloy, its elemental. Colors are created by a process of anodizing,
not dyeing or with pigments. the anodized oxide layer is somewhat thin,
so should not be worn where it is constantly rubbed.Color will eventually wear off when worn in the mouth.
_14k gold- safe
for most people, however it is more porous and requires extra care. It
is popular for piercings that are not changed often. We carry both sold
14 kt gold and 14 kt gold plate.
_Titanium- a
lighter metal than niobium, also virtually no allergic reactions to titanium.
Also it can hold color extremely well for colored barbell balls ( all our color barbell balls are titanium) and is stronger
than niobium. Color will still eventually turn if worn in the mouth.
_Acrylic and lucite-
the plastic looking jewelry. Lucite can be bent and hold up in thinner
gauges. Cannot be autoclaved.
_Jeweled balls- All our jeweled bananabell balls are drilled, not glued in.
Some other manufacturers glue them in, thus they are cheaper. We don't carry those. Do not autoclave jeweled balls.
Sizes Body jewelry is sized by length/diameter and
gauge(thickness of metal). The higher the gauge number, the thinner the
metal. If extremely thin jewelry is tugged on or caught, it can tear through
the skin.
Cleaning All piercings require great care to prevent infection.
Use bactine or a sea salt solution (1 tsp sea salt with 8 oz. of warm water).
If you see signs of infection, remove any jewelry that is gold, lucite
or niobium and replace with a stainless piece of body jewelry
until it clears up.
Piercing and jewelry guide
Ear lobe-Commonly placed in line
with the curve of the ear Initial piercing- piercing stud, captive, circular
barbell
Gauges- 18, 16, and 14 gauge in 5/16, 7/16,
1/2, sometimes 5/8
Healing time- 9-12 months
Care:Clean at least twice a day with piercing cleaning solution.
Tragus-Before ear canal opening,
in the fold where the ear meets your face
Initial piercing- captive ring, circular barbell
Gauges- 18, 16 gauge, 5/16 to 5/8- though that
would be extremely large!
Healing time- 6-12 months
Clean a few times a day with cleaning solution or sea salt mixture,trying to keep solution on outside of ear.
Nostril- very common, best located
in the crease of the nose
Initial piercing- captive ring
Gauges- 20, 18 gauge, 5/16-1/2
Healing time- 6-8 weeks
Care:Clean often- up to 5 times daily- with bactine
or sea salt solution( 1tsp. sea salt with 8oz. warm water)
Septum- inner nose, placement through
the thin membrane behind the cartilage- a ring should hang freely
Initial piercing- captive ring, circular barbell,septum
retainer
Gauges- 16, 14, 12 gauge( 14 most common),3/8-5/8
Healing time- 4-6 weeks
Care: See nostril
Eyebrow-can be pierced anywhere
along its length, though the outer corner above eyebrow is most popular.
It should not contain alot of skin past the actual brow hair
Initial piercing- captive ring, curved barbell,
barbell
Gauges- 18, 16 gauge (16g is recommended), 3/8-7/16
Healing time- 6-8 weeks
Care: Clean same as nostril. Be sure not to turn or twist the jewelry.
Tongue-located approximately one
inch from tip along the center line to avoid large veins
Initial piercing- barbell most recommended 14
gauge 3/4
Gauges- 16, 14, 12 gauge, 3/4, 5/8, 9/16,1/2
Healing time- 4-6 weeks
Care- no alcohol or oral contact for at least
2 weeks. Smoking is not recommended. Cleanse with salt water and/or Listerine
diluted with 50% water after all meals. Brush tongue frequently also.
Lip-placed to individual taste
anywhere around the lip, just beyond lip line
Initial piercing- captive ring, barbell, usually
curved
Gauges- 18,16 gauge, 3/8-1/2
Healing time- 6-8 weeks
Care- same as tongue; apply Bactine or gly-oxide
to the outside to speed healing process
Navel-only innies, not outies can
be done, about 3/8 above the navels edge. This piercing, if not done
correctly, is prone to rejection.
Initial piercing- captive ring, circular barbell
Gauges- 16 to 12 gauge(most common 14 gauge),
3/8-1/2
Healing time- 9-12 months
Care- clean with antibacterial soap and sea salt
solution- avoid touching or turning ring during times of redness and irritation.
Cheek/labret- can be located anywhere
opposite the mouth cavity- mostly personal taste
Initial piercing- labret stud
Gauges- 16, 14g (14 gauge most common), 3/8-1/2
Healing time- 6-8 weeks
Care- same as lip care
Nipples Initial piercing- captive ring, curved barbells,
mini barbells
Gauges- 16g, 14g, 12 gauge, 5/8 and 3/4 for
nipples
Healing time- 6-8 weeks
Care- same as navel
Other body parts Its best to discuss possible piercings with
a trusted piercer. Piercing is not just another hole! Be sure the
piercer is someone who is trained and can give you references for previous
piercing.
