How to care for ebony jewelry?

Thursday June 26th, 2008 @ 7:05 PM

Filed under: Ear

I have a pair of 00g ebony spirals and have no clue how to clean them. Any help would be great. Thanks

Darren

If you are the only person who has ever warn the jewelry, and you are storing the spirals in a clean place when you aren’t wearing them, there really shouldn’t be a need to actually “clean” them. If they get dust or debris on them, wiping them with a dry (or even mildly damp) cloth should do the trick. If you really feel the need to clean them, most manufacturers of wood jewelry suggest a brief washing with a mild soap and water.

More important than actually “cleaning” them is oiling them to help keep them moisturized and to help reduce the likelihood of cracks forming. There are a variety of different types of oils you can use on organic jewelry. I am personally a fan of jajoba oil…it is also the oil that most of the wood manufacturers I deal with suggest. If you are sensitive/allergic to nuts, you may want to avoid jajoba oil.

If you can avoid submerging your spirals and avoid wearing them in the shower, you will go a long way to prolong the life of the jewelry.

Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | Comments

Ear lobe stretching using Darkside Acrylic Stretching Taper

Wednesday June 25th, 2008 @ 8:30 AM

Filed under: Ear

Hi there,

I have an enquiry regarding a ear lobe stretching taper i found at http://www.bodyjewelleryshop.com/online_store/darkside_acrylic_stretching_taper_9858476.cfm

I really am looking forward to buy this, though not before I know how to use it the correct way. This taper actually stretches several stages at one go, so it’s stretched over 2 or 3 different sessions per taper.

My question is:

How do I stretch my ear lobe using this taper to insert a non-flared tunnel right after?

E.g. the 11-16 mm taper.

Since I could only go 2mm per stretch, I’d be stretching my left lobe from 12mm to 14mm.

Question is, how do I insert my 14mm tunnel - other than the crazy idea of removing the taper from my ear lobe once it slids to the 14mm diameter, and quickly insert the 14mm tunnel into the naked ear lobe?

Wouldn’t the ‘fresh’ 14mm hole close back so fast that it’s impossible to insert the 14mm tunnel in time? Not to mention, the agony and the pain caused by the pressure in doing so.

Also, I have been reading that arcylic taper that they’re no good to be left inside piercing to gradually stretch them. Would this fact be correct or otherwise?

Many thanks in advanced!

I honestly hope you did not already purchase the said piece. If you have, well, I am truly sorry for your botched purchase.

It really grinds my gears Quahog when the following is stated:

“It’s important to only stretch your piercing up one size at a time and to leave at least 2 weeks between each stretch to avoid tearing the flesh. Some jewellery can be left in and gradually pushed along to stretch the piercing over a longer period of time”

As you said the reality is Acrylic is not safe for autoclaving and thus will usually melt when placed in an autoclave. Which means even if you: wipe it down with alcohol, boil it in oil, buy jesus juice and rub it all over it,etc it will not be safe to wear while tissue is healing.

When you simply cram jewelry in your ears and “wait two weeks”, quite often that’s simply not enough time. The result in this is micro-tears that can occur within your fistula. These micro-tears can cause scar tissue build up, blow outs and with a “dirty” (not sterile) item, can lead to a potential infection.

These items were simply taken out of the piercing studios and sold because impatient people simply lack the ability to wait. What was hopefully used responsibly and properly by the actual professionals is now easily obtainable by the uninformed public, to use whatever way they deem to be proper.

In order to PROPERLY increase the size of your lobes, you simply need to be patient and wait. It might take 2 months, 3 months, personally I say wait 6 months up to a year (sometimes even longer); before attempt to go to the next size up (ideal to only go 1mm a a time).

By waiting these, what impatient people call, “long periods” of time, you’re enabling your lobes to become relaxed and healthy. This would increase the elasticity of the lobe tissue and enable you to safely increase the size of your piercings, without damaging the fistula.

Also know that if you were planning to ignore all this and stretch it anyways using something that ends at 16mm would not help your cause whatsoever. Because as soon as you insert and then remove the taper to pass the 14mm one through, you’re going to have difficulties. If you NEED to stretch it and cannot wait because you’re impatient then what you’re looking for is a taper that ends at 14mm, nothing larger. That way the jewelry is the same size as the taper and insertion should most likely be a lot easier that way.

Posted by Warren Hiller | Permalink | 2 Comments

Suspension groups

Wednesday June 25th, 2008 @ 8:15 AM

Filed under: Suspension

Hello,

I’ve been looking around for a suspension group in or around Pittsburgh PA. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Also are there certain styles of suspensions you think people should just not attempt for there first time?

Thanks alot

Laura

You can potentially try here:BME’s list/gallery of Suspension Groups

You might be able to locate a group close to you via BME or other searches elsewhere. Or what you might be up for doing, as many of us did this a lot back in the day, is visiting one of the suspension crews that perhaps host bigger events? iHung (I think iHUNG tends to cover the Ohio, PA,etc area often), Rites Of Passage,etc.

There’s many groups all over North America, they spring up like wildfire, so with enough searching through BMEZine, I think you’ll be able to locate either a group near you or one that’s putting on an event that you could perhaps travel to. Just make sure the group you choose is a fully experienced suspension group as sadly many people have this mentality that “if you can pierce, you can throw a hook and suspend somebody” which is completely far away from the reality of it.

As for certain styles of suspensions that I think people should just not attempt for their first time, I personally don’t believe that at all.

Many people might suggest attempting to do a “simple” pull first so you can get used to it. Then others might suggest “Suicide” or “Super(wo)man” or a “Coma”,etc. The reality is each of these is unique all by itself and only the individual can decide what he or she truly wants.

Whatever suspension method you attempt, you just need to know that whatever you do, its going to be intense. Expect joy, Expect fear. Expect EVERYTHING all at once, or don’t have any expectations and go in a blank/clean slate The only thing you need to keep in your head is that it’s going to be a roller coaster of a ride from before you get suspended, to well after you are no longer suspending and its even been a couple days/weeks after.

Posted by Warren Hiller | Permalink | Comments

Scarification andpasty white skin

Wednesday June 25th, 2008 @ 3:28 AM

Filed under: Scarification

Since I discover BME a few years ago I’ve been in love with the idea of a scarification piece, however I have pasty white skin that bruises easily but doesn’t hold scars very long. Even scars from burns don’t last very long. In fact the only scars on my body are a few stretch marks and a very small one on my nose. Is there a particular method of scarring that is better suited to those of us who glow in the dark? Thank you for your time.

As a pasty white chick who notoriously doesn’t scar and has experimented with (and endured) several attempts at scarification (including electrocautery branding, simple cutting, and flesh removal) with practically no scarring to show for it, my advice is this: if you KNOW you don’t scar much, personally, I wouldn’t bother wasting my time with scarification, unless you’re really just into the process and not so much the end result. Successful scarification has far more to do with the wearer’s genetics than the artist’s techniques, IMHO.

Posted by Lori St.Leone | Permalink | 3 Comments

Microdermal horn’s

Tuesday June 24th, 2008 @ 10:46 PM

Filed under: Surface/Unusual

I just wondered, how big is the chance of microdermal horn’s like this will heal and look good? Are there anything I should considering after I gotten mine done?

I think the main thing you will have to consider is what kinds of foods you are going to skewer on the giant spikes you will undoubtedly put on them.

Many of the same factors that have to be considered with surface piercings have to be considered with microdermals. If they are put into an area where the skin is very tight (which can definitely be true with this placment), there is probably a higher chance of problems. If you put them in an area with a lot of movement, you are more likely to have problems with them. If they are going to get a lot of friction from hats, that could definitely be a problem. Are you going to be able to keep hair products out of them? These are all things you should think about and things you should discuss with your piercer.

Other than that, you will simply have to be as careful as possible while they are healing. The more they get knocked around, the harder time you are going to have with them, and the more likely they will need to be removed.

I vote for kiwis, myself.

Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | 3 Comments

Dangers of wrist tattoo?

Tuesday June 24th, 2008 @ 10:40 PM

Filed under: Tattoos

Hello! (:

For my sixteenth birthday, my parents have decided to allow me to get my first tattoo. I’m decided on a design, and I think it would look best on my inner wrist, however, my father believes that his is dangerous and refuses to allow me to get it done there.

I’m going to try and talk to him again about it tomorrow, but is it really as dangerous to get a tattoo on your inner wrist? I always thought that it was just as dangerous there as it is on any part of the body.

Some facts would be helpful, since I’m getting conflicting reports on internet searches.

Thanks.

Dangerous how? As in, it will puncture blood vessels and you will bleed to death? Dangerous as in it might be harder to get a “professional” job with a more visible tattoo?Dangerous as in you might get the “wrong” tattoo without knowing it and you will be slaughtered by a band of angry ninjas while you sleep? I’m guessing it’s the last one he’s worried about.

In reality though…there are no more risks associated with getting a tattoo on your wrist than getting one anywhere else on your body. I think how it might affect your future is definitely something to keep in mind, but that’s not really a danger, per se.

Have your dad take a look around the city you live in or hop on the Internet and look at all the tattooed folks that are out there. If it were that dangerous, would so many people get it done? And wouldn’t he hear about all the people getting sick or dying from it?

Best of luck with your first tattoo.

Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | 2 Comments

Can’t get plug through after stretching

Tuesday June 24th, 2008 @ 10:26 PM

Filed under: Ear

After being at a 4g for about 3 1/2 months, I attempted to stretch my right ear to a 2g. The taper went through no problem, but I was only able to get the plug about halfway through. The back of my ear just doesn’t want to cooperate, and I’m not sure why. I gave up after a few attempts, didn’t want to irritate my ear too much. After waiting about a month, I tried again with the same results.

My ears have never really been that loose (my left ear wouldn’t take the taper at all), but Ive never had any issues stretching before now(no pain, blow outs, blood etc) and have no idea why my ear will take the taper but not the plug.

Is there anything I could do to get this plug in my right ear? After reading an older question, I saw “surprised to find out that you sleep on that side more often and/or use the phone on that side more often. Those sorts of things cause additional irritation, which can cause scar tissue build-up.” I sleep on my right ear, is it possible that scar tissue build could be the problem?

Thanks for any help you can give

There are a few things to keep in mind:

As you stretch, it is very common for stretches to become more challenging. It’s also very common for people to need to wait longer between stretches. While 3-1/2 months, or even 2 months, may have been long enough between your last stretch, it may not be long enough this time. There are a variety of factors that can contribute to this, but why it happens isn’t all that important. Listening to your body and not tearing your ear is really the important thing.

Another very real possibility is that the jewelry you are trying to insert is actually a bit bigger (even a fraction of an inch) than the taper you are stretching with. If that is the case, it’s very easy for the jewelry to get hung up on the tissue even if the taper goes in just fine. You may want to try and find a different piece of jewelry to put in immediately after the stretch.

It’s also possible that you simply don’t have a good angle for the insertion. As an experienced piercer, there are still times where inserting jewelry behind a stretching taper can be challenging. Trying to do it on yourself, especially if you have a piece of jewelry that is a bit too large, can be nearly impossible.

Most people do have one ear that stretches more easily than the other. I think all the theories behind why it happens are really just that…theories. They may in fact be right….or the very least, very well-educated guesses, but I don’t think anyone really knows for sure.

Best of luck. Just remember to not force it.

Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | 1 Comment

wrist piercing

Tuesday June 24th, 2008 @ 11:26 AM

Filed under: Uncategorized

I went and got my wrist pierced today and i’m really pleased with it. However, i was just wondering what the chances are of it getting infected, or my body rejecting it? I had my nose pierced a while back and had a tiny lump come on it a few months after it went after while, i’ve had my ears done about 8 times and they have all been fine. Thanks

I can’t give you specific answers to your questions. The answers depend on a number of factors - how you were pierced, the jewellery that was used, the aftercare regime you were advised to follow, lifestyle, general state of health etc etc. These are all questions that you should have asked your piercer BEFORE you were pierced!

Posted by Tiff Badhairdo | Permalink | 3 Comments

Tattoo Cover-up

Monday June 23rd, 2008 @ 7:55 PM

Filed under: Tattoos

Is there any particular make-up brand I could use to cover up a tattoo I have on my ribcage for when I’m wearing a low cut dress?

One that is commonly used is a brand called DERMABLEND.
Going to someplace like SEPHORA might be in order, as their staff can not only sell you a product but give you tips on blending and all that. I’ve just put a message out to a makeup artist friend of mine- her response will be posted in the comments field.

Posted by Shawn Porter | Permalink | 1 Comment

Ear lobe reconstruction?

Monday June 23rd, 2008 @ 3:28 PM

Filed under: Uncategorized

Hi,

My earlobes are stretched to 1 1/4″ and I would like to either shrink them considerably (to perhaps 1/4″ or less) or close them completely. What are my options for ear reconstruction? Can you recommend anyone in the New York area?

Thank you.

Your only real options are going to have them surgically altered. This has become a very common, and not terribly expensive procedure, performed by plastic surgeons. There are a variety of non-medical practitioners that offer this service as well.

You may want to contact Brian Decker. He is modification practitioner in New York City and should be able to provide you some additional information.

Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | 1 Comment