I have been a fan of body art for as long as I can remember, and I personally have had a variety of piercings ranging from ears, nostril, tongue, and many others.  Body piercing can be seen in cultures throughout the world, and it dates back in history to even the earliest known civilizations such as the ancient Egyptians. 

Why Choose Body Piercing?

Body piercing is done for a variety of reasons.  Some people choose it for purely aesthetic beauty, while others may choose to do it for more spiritual reasons.  Others even boast sexual enhancement and pleasure derived both from the experience of the piercing and the utility of the studded jewelry during sex.

There is no doubt that body piercing is a popular part of American culture.  It is very unusual today to see a female without at least one piercing in each ear, and often much more than that.  The real question is when it comes to health is, how safe is body piercing?

Is Body Piercing Safe?

The simple fact is that any time a foreign objects passes the barrier of your skin, you are taking a risk.  Your skin acts as a barrier to all of the pollutants, germs, and bacteria in the world.  Once you breach this barrier, such as when a piercing needle enters your body, you are at risk for infection.  A small infection can usually be treated, but if left untreated it can result in major health complications and even death.

The most important thing to keep in mind when considering a body piercing is the level of risk.  Surgeons successfully open people up every day, exposing their internal organs to the world, and usually with no complications.  There is always an element of risk, but it must be minimalized so that the piercing is as safe as possible.

Don’t Pierce Yourself!

If you are not experienced and educated about body piercing, DO NOT attempt to pierce yourself!  Without proper sterilization and maintenance of the piercing, you are asking for a nasty infection.  Sterile needles, gloves, and antibacterial solutions must be used to ensure there is a very minimal risk of contamination.  Find a reputable body piercing studio or tattoo shop, and inquire about their sterile procedure before you even consider getting a piercing.  A good body piercer will be more than happy to educate you about the whole piercing process, along with giving you tips for aftercare of the piercing.

Remember, the cost of going to the hospital with an infection is thousands of times more than the cost of visiting an experienced and knowledgeable body piercer. If you take proper precautions and educate yourself, you can have an amazing experience during your piercings, and you can walk away knowing that you will be healthy and happy with your new body art!