Monday, June 19, 2006 10:53 AM CDT
Under your skin: A deeper look at body piercing and the bodies behind it
By Dawn Schabbing, Features Writer
“Take a deep breath.”
Professional piercer Chris Miller of Mattoon spoke calmly as he carefully placed the 14-gauge needle beneath the skin on Joshua Ellis’ arm.
Ellis, 29, of Mattoon sat mostly relaxed — but at times appeared a bit uncomfortable — in the chair at the Finishing Touch Ink Tattoo and Piercing, 621 Charleston Ave. in Mattoon.
But, this wasn’t his first time at the hands of a piercer. Ellis has had at least nine other piercings prior to this most recent elaborate set of six on his left upper arm, just below his shoulder.
Once healed in the next several weeks he wants to replace the six surface barbells with six captive bead rings and then string lace through the pattern of metal.
Just before making the first poke of Ellis’ flesh, Miller, 34, had scrubbed up and slipped into sterile surgical gloves. His sterilized surgical instruments carefully placed nearby included tiny forceps, jewelry, clean needles, surgical lubricant, sterile surgical marker and a cork.
The small, mostly white room inside the tattoo and piercing parlor quickly filled with the aroma of alcohol as Ellis’ shoulder area was prepped and a purple grid was drawn on the skin to guide where the series of skin piercings would be.
Through the years, Ellis, a tattooist at the same shop, has had his forearm pierced, the back of his neck pierced, various parts of his ears pierced, his tongue pierced and his frenum (male genitalia) pierced.
“I was 11 when I got my first ear piercing. It was a fad at that time,” Ellis said. “Everything else has been done during the past three years. Piercing is a happy thing, in a weird way.”
Justin Nihiser, owner of Finishing Touch Ink Tattoo and Piercing, said the Mattoon shop only uses new needles and sterile equipment. Proper disposal of used needles, gloves and gauze material is done throughout the process.
Also, before work begins each customer is required to sign a waiver releasing the shop of any liability.
The staff discusses with the customer the possible risks and the proper way to care for the new piercing or tattoo. Sheets explaining the aftercare also are sent home with the customer. Recommended aftercare products are available at the shop.
“This life is going to change us and I want a personal hand in this,” Ellis said. “When it comes to body alterations like plastic surgery, liposuction and sex changes, this is nothing. It isn’t permanent and it can be undone by just removing the jewelry.”
While body piercing might not be for everyone, Miller, a piercer for six years, said he handles between five to 20 piercings each day.
“It is more widely accepted now. I have given nose piercings to customers as young as teenagers to as old as 70,” he said.
Finishing Touch typically uses a 316 L surgical steel needle and jewelry, he said. Miller said he never recommends piercing with a “piercing gun” because the tool cannot be completely sterilized and it is used repeatedly on customers.
Healing time for a body piercing varies depending on the area, the type of jewelry worn and how well it is cared for. The minimum for any piercing is four weeks of healing, and some can expect to require as long as 12 months.
The costs for a piercing also depends on the piercing the customer wants. More traditional ear piercing and nose piercing cost about $25 and the cost includes the jewelry. But, more elaborate piercing or those that involve genitalia cost $50 or more.
He says body piercing is becoming more common in recent years.
“It used to be people wanted piercings to be an outcast or to shock people, but any more it is almost to be the same as other people. But, the type of piercing is becoming more extreme,” Miller said.
While some choose more traditional ear piercing and popular belly button piercing, many still want an oral piercing such as tongue or lips, labret (below the lip), or a nose ring, eyebrow piercing, nipple piercing (both genders) or male or female genitalia piercing.
“My first ‘unusual’ piercing was done on my right forearm. It didn’t work out too well. I did it because I was in a bad mood at the time,” Ellis said.
Miller explained that as a professional he makes sure the customer is aware of how to care for the new jewelry and the fresh wound required to receive it.
“Surface piercing is a little different,” Ellis said. “If you don’t take good care of it, you could have some trouble healing.”
He said piercing, like tattooing, gives the customer a natural rush. “Doing this gives an endorphin rush. It is incredible.
“Some people want different piercings for fashion or to be unique or to prove that it’s your body and you can do as you want with it. Others find it to be a tension reliever,” he said.
And the store owner has his reasons for the piercing popularity.
“It’s addicting,” Nihiser said.
Contact Dawn Schabbing at dschabbing@jg-tc.com or 238-6864.
SIDEBAR: Arts of body piercing not without risks
Body piercing is considered a form of body art that has become increasingly more popular in recent years, according to Chris Miller, piercer at Finishing Touch Ink Tattoo and Piercing in Mattoon.
Whether people have pierced ears, lips, nostrils, eyebrows, belly button or tongue, often someone with a piercing has multiple ones.
It is important to remember a piercing could come with complications.
The Center for Young Women’s Health Web site explains that many different cultures have used body piercing for centuries.
History shows Egyptians, Greeks and Romans believed in body art such as piercing and tattooing. Some piercings then were to show the person’s importance in a group or because they believed it protected them from evil, according to the site.
But today it is known there are risks involved. Infections are possible, allergic reactions could happen, and oral piercing can damage teeth. Serious infections such as hepatitis, HIV and tetanus also can occur from body piercing.
The amount of pain and how long it hurts depends on what is being pierced. Also, the time it will take to heal depends on where the jewelry is worn and how well it is being cared for.
When shopping around for a piercing shop, Miller recommends to be sure the shop always uses an autoclave (sterilization machine) and that instruments are kept in sealed packets. Needles should only be used once and then disposed of properly in a sealed sharps container for used needles.
As is recommended, Miller is tested yearly for diseases such as HIV and hepatitis. He is certified in first aid and CPR, in case one should need attention during a piercing procedure.
“Make sure that the one doing the piercing is sterile. Make sure you know that the proper jewelry is being used for the particular body part you want pierced,” Miller said. “Watch that the needles are being disposed of properly. If you don’t see the autoclave in the shop, go to another shop.”
Finishing Touch Ink Tattoo and Piercing will not pierce a customer under the age of 18 years without a consent form signed by a parent or legal guardian. The adult also must provide its identification as well.
In some cases, even with a parent’s consent they do refuse customers if the staff believes the young person isn’t emotionally or physically ready.
— Dawn Schabbing
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