Wednesday, April 21, 2010

18. Guest Spot!

Time to get some traveling done! Looks like I'll be in New England next month. :D

I'm working at Zaza Ink (website, myspace) in West Boylston, MA from May 25-28. My hours are from 12 - 9, and piercings range from $40 - $50. You will have to make an appointment with the front desk to get a piercing, so don't forget! If you walk in, you may have to make an appointment and come back. :)

I'm very excited. This is my first guest spot on the east coast! I hope to hang out a little and meet some new friends while I'm there too. If you want to meet up, let me know!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

17. Extreme Industrial Scarring

This industrial is about 6 months old, and apparently this scarring has been around for most of its life. She said she didn't take the advice of the piercer, and began to remove the jewelry after a couple weeks, once every other day for school sports, because she had to. She says "I'm sure that's what caused the bumps, but lately it is so painful all of the time, when I take it out or when I sleep. I've had piercers say I should take it out, but I don't want to! I love my piercing!"

This is probably some of the worst scarring I have ever seen on an industrial piercing in person. Despite everything I said to her while she was in my shop, she left here with the jewelry in and will probably continue to not take care of it. Even if the jewelry was removed, I don't think this scarring will dissipate much, if at all. But by leaving the jewelry in, it's likely her scarring will continue to grow. It's unfortunate to see something like this, as it makes the industry look bad.

This is what happens when you disregard the aftercare of a professional and don't take care of your healing piercing. Ear piercings can be sensitive and proper aftercare should be given. There is a reason why we tell you to not move or remove the jewelry for a certain period of time. Severe scarring and/or keloiding can happen to anyone who takes advantage of a fragile piercing.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

16. Septum Stretch

Look at my septum piercing! I stretched it from 10g to 8g last night. Today I have very little discomfort and I'm loving the jewelry as I usually don't wear it down. I also ordered a small glass pincher in black from bodyartforms.com. I will post a picture of it installed when it arrives!

My septum was originally pierced at 16g and it's taken me about three years to get to this size. I never intended to stretch my septum, but somehow I have found myself doing it. I think I want to go to 6g and stay there. If it were any bigger, it may not look right on my face. :)

Sunday, April 11, 2010

15. Leg Play Piercing

Here is a 10 point play piercing on my legs, and it came out pretty cute! I was going to use ribbon, but once I had the needles in I realized that I had no ribbon around! However, I did find some yarn, so here is the creation I came up with! I'm an avid knitter, so it kind of suits me. :D


Wednesday, April 7, 2010

14. Skin Diver Experiment

Skin divers are a little different than your standard dermal anchor. They look more like a tiny lip stud and the foot has no holes to for the skin to anchor to. Because of this, many people cannot keep a skin diver in the skin for longer than a few days to a few weeks (in most cases). I wanted to experiment with one on my willing fiance, so I installed it in a tattoo on his chest. I made him wear a band aid every day for the first week to ensure a proper setting, but I was not convinced that this would keep the diver in. I assumed that it would fall out after awhile.

To my surprise, here it is after 4 1/2 months. It's very happy and healthy. There has been no flaring up or migration, even after a a few good snags. I can't believe it's lasted this long!

Sunday, April 4, 2010

13. X Marks The Spot

Here's a cool set of nipple piercings I did, double angled piercings in the design of an X. We did the first set, and after a month she came in for the second set (it wouldn't be nice to have done both piercings at once on each nipple, haha). Here is the final product, with fitted jewelry and all!