External, Internal or Threadless?
Externally Threaded Jewellery has the threads on the ends of the barbell or shaft (male end) and therefore the ball has a female end. Externally threaded body jewellery although readily available has the issue of having the exposed threads being pushed or pulled through the delicate tissue, damaging the tissue in some circumstances.
Internally Threaded Jewellery has the threads are on the attachment itself (ball, cone etc) which results in the threading going inside the barbell or shaft of the body jewellery. When you remove the attachment, the shaft will have the female end while the attachment will have the male end.
Threadless Jewellery does not have a thread, instead it uses a slightly bent external pin which is connected to the attachment, this is inserted into the hollow shaft of the body jewellery. The tension created by the bend in the external pin secures the attachment to the shaft. As with internally threaded body jewellery, the threadless type has a nice smooth surface on the shaft of the body jewellery that will pass through the piercing, avoiding damage to tissue and less places for bacteria to accumulate.
We recommend Internally Threaded and Threadless Jewellery because:
- Smooth edges pass through the piercing avoiding any tissue being scraped by sharp edges.
- Less chance of bacteria being carried by the internal threads compared to external threads.
- Always apply water based lube or moisteriser to the end of your jewellery when inserting it into the piercing site. This helps the post slide into the channel without undue trauma. Do Not use vaseline, this can harbor bacteria and leaves a residue that does not readily breakdown.
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How do I prepare for a piercing?
- Eat an hour before your appointment. This boosts your blood sugar levels and is an easy “feel good” pre-piercing preparation.
- We always welcome “walk-ins”, but appointments are strongly advised so you won’t have a long wait.
- If you have any health issues which might impact on your ability to heal, please consult your Doctor before you get a piercing.
- Avoid the use of alcohol or mind altering drugs. They will not help you, but may make you feel worse.
- Some people like to make an occasion of their piercing, so feel free to bring a friend along to witness the event!
Does it hurt to get pierced?
Yes, but for less than a second and significantly less than most people anticipate. Responses are often “is that it?”, “I thought it would hurt more”, and “this is addictive! We are consistent in our techniques to make the experience as comfortable as possible.
Can you numb the area to be pierced?
The answer is NO! At Flesh Wound we use a deep, slow breathing technique to help you relax and prepare for the piercing. Only licensed medical professionals can administer injectable anaesthetics. When a piercing is performed by a skilled, professional piercer, the actual piercing is quicker and considerably less painful than an injection would be. An injection also distorts the tissue around the area to be pierced, which can result in a crooked or misshapen piercing. Topical anaesthetics cannot penetrate deeply enough to provide any significant numbing.
How long does it take to heal?
Healing times vary from piercing to piercing and person to person, and can be affected by the after-care the piercing receives.
Touching a healing piercing with dirty hands, contact with body fluids, rough treatment, and the use of inappropriate cleaning agents can cause problems and lengthen healing times. Refer to our rates page for our estimates of healing times when our aftercare is followed.
Will it hurt after it is healed?
The discomfort and tenderness present around a new piercing diminishes through the initial healing period. Each person is different. Some find no discomfort from a new piercing, while others have a few days discomfort, yet others find the discomfort pleasurable. Healed piercings often bring people a great deal of pleasure in addition to the aesthetic appeal.
There are two stages to healing a piercing. The initial stage seals the piercing and reduces the chances of infection dramatically. The second stage is longer and is the time it takes for the piercing to “tighten up”. During and after the second stage, jewellery can be removed for varying lengths of time.
The piercing will begin to shrink as soon as you remove the jewellery. How long it takes to shrink to a degree where you cannot reinsert the jewellery varies. Use a little water based lube or moisturiser on the tip of your jewellery to glide it thru the piercing channel. Never force jewellery into a piercing that has shrunk. Come to Flesh Wound and have an insertion taper used to reinsert your jewellery.
What are the chances of infection?
If you are pierced at Flesh Wound, and follow our after-care instructions faithfully, and continue the regular cleaning until the piercing has COMPLETELY HEALED, then the chances of infection are virtually non-existent. We take rigid protocols of care to ensure that all piercings are performed in an appropriately clean environment using sterilised equipment. After that, it is up to you.
We will never discourage you from consulting your physician if you believe you have an infection. There are however many conditions which are not infections, and may be mistaken as such. They include reaction to the metal or more commonly to the cleaning agents you are using. The best idea if you have any doubts or worries about your piercing is to come see us at Flesh Wound, and we will be able to advise you on the problem and the best way to solve it.
The percentage of people who get infections in our piercings is extremely small, and these are usually the result of inappropriate after-care practices.
What metals are safe for jewellery?
Implant Grade Titanium is the best!
316L surgical implant grade stainless steel, solid gold (14 or 18 carat) or niobium are also bio-compatible.
Avoid sterling silver, gold plated or gold filled, brass, bronze or copper. They are not suitable for a new or even healed piercing.
Do you use a piercing gun / Cartridge?
NEVER! Professionals never use a piercing gun / cartridge – even on an earlobe.
Piercing Guns cannot be adequately sterilised between uses. Additionally the jewellery designed for guns / cartridges is inappropriate (even for lobes) as the pointed tip is dull, which tears the piercing site and causes undue trauma. The post is too short to allow for swelling or proper cleaning, and the backing traps infectious matter close to the piercing.
Many people imagine that being pierced by a gun / cartridge would hurt less than being pierced by a needle; this is not so. With a gun / cartridge the piercing is accomplished by forcing a blunt stud through the tissue – a considerably harsher method than a professionally performed piercing.
Will I set off metal detectors?
Probably not unless you are wearing a large watch, steel-capped boots, clothing with a lot of metal fittings, have a large concentration of piercings in one area, or if your piercing jewellery is of a very thick gauge.
How will exercise and sweat affect a new piercing?
For most people this does not cause problems. Riding a bicycle should be avoided with guiche or fourchette piercing. Tight waist bands and excessive movement against a navel piercing causes pressure. Rubbing against any healing piercing causes irritation.
While your own urine and sweat are technically sterile to your own body it is a good idea to clean your piercing after a workout and wearing clean absorbent clothing with a minimum of dyes can be helpful.
What about swimming?
Pools, hot tubs, and natural bodies of water are teeming with potentially harmful organisms. For the first month of healing, your piercing will not be healed enough to protect you from harmful invaders.
A waterproof dressing called ‘Tegaderm’ is available from the chemist, or ‘Nexus Water Proof’ dressing is available in the supermarket. Both will provide a measure of protection.
If you must go swimming within the first few months of healing without a waterproof dressing then ensure you clean your piercing immediately after you finish swimming.
Do piercings usually grow out?
Placement and after-care have a lot to do with the success of piercings. Navel and eyebrow piercings have the greatest tendency to grow out.
Having your piercing done by a professional at Flesh Wound greatly minimises this problem and following the after-care advice given to you after you are pierced will help avoid problems.
Are the piercing needles used repeatedly?
A professional piercer would NEVER use a needle on more than one person. If you are having multiple piercings done, we use a new needle for each. We never use the same needle twice.
At Flesh Wound the needles are sterile packaged and opened only when a tray set-up is being prepared for your piercing. Used Needles are immediately disposed of in a medical sharps container , while you watch.
How many piercings can be done in one session?
Any more than 3 piercings in one session can be too stressful for the body to cope with and can prolong your healing time.
Can I lose sensation in the pierced area?
For most people a piercing increases sensation, for nipples and genitals. That is one of the main reasons people get these areas pierced. The number of people who have reported no change or loss of sensation is actually very small.
What about sex and genital piercings?
Anyone’s body fluids apart from possibly your own can be a source of infection. The use of condoms (Ansell Lifestyle Flared Condoms are very comfortable), dental dams, and latex gloves should always be used for sexual activity when a piercing is healing.
Do not have rough sex with a new piercing. Genital piercings are intended to enhance sex, not interfere with it, so allowing it to heal with no problems is a good idea.
Can I get pierced while pregnant?
The most important thing is ensuring that you are taking care of yourself and your growing baby and all efforts should be put towards that. It is not wise to cause your body or baby any undue stress and therefore, we at Flesh Wound will not pierce anyone who is pregnant.
Do nipple piercings affect breast feeding?
Since the nipple secretes milk through hundreds of ducts which are not blocked by a nipple piercing a healed piercing should not interfere. A piercing in the process of healing would be problematic. We strongly suggest that the mother remove her jewellery while feeding her baby.
Why can't I have a smaller ring?
Sometimes what you imagine will look best will not work best. Your preferences in look and play aside, the size needs to be tailored to your body’s individual structure, and most importantly, what will be most comfortable and promote carefree healing. We are the professionals so please, trust us when we advise what will or will not work for your body during the healing phase and the final result.
What size jewellery is standard?
Some piercings do have “standard” sizes which work for most people and often there is a minimum size. Jewellery must fit the piercing for the healing process to work and function properly.