- A -

A.P.P. - see "Association of Professional Piercers."

aftercare - can be used as a noun or a verb. Describes the manner in which a piercing is cared for after the initial hole is made, and also refers to any products being used when caring for the piercing. For more information, see our "aftercare" page.

age requirements - may vary per studio. In California, it is illegal for a tattoo artist to perform a tattoo on a person under the age of 18, or for a piercer to perform a genital piercing on a person under 18, regardless of parental consent. For other than genital piercings, requirements may vary depending on the piercing, so call Barbella for details.

alcohol, aftercare - using alcohol as piercing aftercare is not recommended. While it is true that alcohol kills many germs, using alcohol twice a day every day will dry and damage your skin, causing more trauma to your piercing which may ultimately lead to infection. Avoid any product containing alcohol -including Listerine! (see "Biotene")

alcohol, drinking - drinking alcohol should be avoided for at least 24 hours before getting pierced. Alcohol thins your blood, and can make you bleed when you get pierced, which can lead to messy and even dangerous situations. Even a small amount of alcohol, like one beer or a single shot, can thin your blood for hours.

allergies - Sometimes the problems people experience with their piercings or tattoos are actually allergies to a component used in the tattoo or piercing process, in their aftercare, or in their jewelry. Latex items, such as gloves, are often used during the tattoo or piercing process. If you have a known allergy to latex, let your artist know before the procedure. At Barbella, we always have nitrile non-latex gloves available for our piercers and tattoo artists to use when working on customers with sensitive skin. Most high quality piercing jewelry is made of surgical grade steel; some people who have problems with their piercings jump to the conclusion that they are allergic to surgical steel. However, this is extremely rare; so rare, in fact, that hospitals use this material for implants and hip joints without even testing the patient for allergic reactions before performing the surgery. However, not all surgical steel jewelry is high quality; for more info on jewelry, see "surgical steel." For information on soap allergies, see "antibacterial soap."

anti-eyebrow - (also known as teardrop) a surface piercing high on the cheek underneath the eye, performed with a small barbell.

antibacterial - an antibacterial product is one which kills an extensive variety of bacteria. Unless a product says it is antibacterial, it probably is not. The active ingredient in most antibacterial products is a chemical called Triclosan. It is not unusual for people with sensitive skin to experience dryness and irritation when Triclosan is used several times a day, so there are alternative products such as Satin brand soap and Provon which do not contain Triclosan.

antibacterial soap - All soaps are not created equal! Good antibacterial soaps for taking care of piercings are soaps with little or no dyes, fragrances, moisturizers, etc. A good example of a simple soap is orange Dial in the pump bottle. For some people with sensitive skin other products may work better, such as Satin (name-brand Satin, not SoftSoap!) or Provon, which are only available in piercing shops and sometimes medical supply stores. Dial is an excellent soap which contains Triclosan, which is not only antibacterial but also antimicrobial. However, remember that if you're using Dial and having problems with dryness and redness around your piercing your problem may be related to this chemical, and Barbella can recommend other soaps for you to try. There are organic options such as Dr. Bronner's, and alternatives to soap such as sea salt soaks and Tea Tree Oil.

antimicrobial - kills even more germs than antibacterial-only products. An example of an antibacterial/antimicrobial product is Dial hand soap.

Association of Professional Piercers - (also known as the APP) this non-profit organization monitors and guides the piercing industry, helping to educate piercers and the public about piercing safety. They work hard to educate, encourage, and facilitate the highest quality of work in the industry. Visit their web site at www.safepiercing.org for information and advice you can trust.

autoclave - a necessary sterilization appliance which no piercing or tattoo shop should ever be without. Also used in hospitals and dentist offices. Uses very hot steam and/or high pressure to sterilize equipment including tools, needles, tapers, gloves, trays, etc. Before you get pierced, make sure the equipment being used has been sterilized in an autoclave! (Piercing guns CANNOT be autoclaved!)

- B -

Bactine - not recommended piercing aftercare. Good for first aid, but can dry and irritate skin with daily use. See "antibacterial soap."

belly-button - see "navel."

Biotene - a hospital-grade, dentist-recommended alcohol-free mouthwash which is antibacterial and antimicrobial. Highly recommended for oral piercing care. Available at piercing shops, Rite-Aid, Sav-On, and most drug and food stores.

bleeding - most piercings do not bleed at all, when they are performed correctly by a professional piercer. Bleeding may increase if the person getting pierced is anemic, has been drinking alcohol in the last 24 hours, or is taking prescription medicine which thins the blood. Some particular piercings, especially genital piercings, often lightly bleed and may continue to do so for a day or two, due to the number of blood vessels in those areas. If a piercing will not stop bleeding, seek the help of a professional piercer or a doctor.

bridge - (also known as earl) a piercing through the bridge of the nose between the eyes, usually done with a barbell. Does not pass through or under the bone, but only through the surface skin.

bump - see "hypotrophic scarring."

- C -

Captive Bead Ring - the simplest and most common style of body jewelry, also known as a CBR. Consists of a curved piece of surgical steel wire with a bead clamped between the ends, making a closed ring. Used in a vast variety of body piercings.

CBR - see "captive bead ring."

cheek - (also known as dimples) piercing through the side of the cheek to the inside of the mouth, similar to a labret. Usually both sides are done symetrically.

clamp - used in most piercing procedures. Clamps hold the skin in place to help with accuracy and safety during piercing. Some piercers use few or no clamps, which is fine IF the piercer has a lot of experience.

conch - the area in the center of the ear which is bowl-shaped, immediately behind the entrance to the ear canal. Commonly pierced with small-gauge plugs or large-diameter hoops.

cork - sometimes a piercer puts a cork on the end of the needle after performing a piercing, to avoid accidentally poking you with the needle, and for their own safety as well.

corkscrew - see "twister."

crustiness - see "scabs".

- D -

Dial soap - see "antibacterial soap."

dimples - see "cheek."

dydak - a vertical piercing in the center of the lower lip. Usually performed with a small curved barbell.

- E -

earl - see "bridge."

earlobe - the soft lower part of the ear, below the cartilege. Probably the most common piercing in the world.

externally threaded jewelry - refers to jewelry which has threads on the post of the jewelry. High quality external jewelry has "reduced" threads, meaning the part of the bar with threads on it is smaller than the rest of the bar, allowing for easier jewelry insertion immediately after piercing. See "surgical grade steel" for more information on jewelry quality.

- F -

flash art - samples of artwork which may be used in tattoos. The flash art in a tattoo studio may be the original work of one of the studio's artists, or may be generic art used for inspiration.

flesh staple - see "staple."

- G -

gauge - a method of measurement used for thickness of wire. Body jewelry is made of surgical steel wire in different thicknesses measured by gauge. The actual thickness of the wire increases as the numbers go lower. For example, a typical tongue piercing is done with a 14 gauge barbell, whereas a typical eyebrow piercing is done with a thinner 16 gauge barbell. Softer tissue (tongues, genitals, oral, etc.) should be pierced with at least 14 gauge jewelry to help prevent tearing. Ear plugs can range in size from 16 gauge to 2 inches and sometimes even larger.

gaugeing - see "stretching."

gold - gold is a material which is good for body piercing, but since it is so soft it must be mixed with harder metals to maintain its shape. Frequently, the other metals gold is mixed with are inappropriate for body jewelry, so care must be taken in choosing gold body jewelry. Truly high quality gold body jewelry is mixed with palladium and is not coated but is made entirely of this gold-palladium mixture. Because this method of jewelry making is so specific to the piercing industry and because palladium is actually even more valuable than the gold itself, high quality gold body jewelry can be very expensive, but it is worth the extra cost. Companies which manufacture high-quality gold body jewelry usually also offer body jewelry set with real gems and diamonds.

- H -

hoop - see "captive bead ring."

hydrogen peroxide - using hydrogen peroxide on your piercing may have the same effect as using alcohol. See "alcohol, aftercare".

hypotrophic scarring - this type of scarring occurs in and around a piercing which is being irritated, whether by repeated touching or tearing, or by inadequate cleaning. It generally appears as a bump or blister of skin at the opening of the piercing. This bump is actually a buildup of scar tissue which your body is moving out of the piercing. A good piercer can advise you on how to take care of this problem, and most of the time the jewelry does not need to be removed. This condition is also commonly known as a "keloid" although this is technically incorrect. See also "tea tree oil."

- I -

ibuprofen - see "swelling".

industrial - a single bar connecting two piercings along the ridge of the ear cartilege. Variations include vertical industrials through the conch; dathe industrials through the dathe and cartilege; tragus industrials through the tragus and cartilege, and many more. Industrials can be done many different ways on different people because ear shape varies greatly from person to person. Ask a good piercer which industrial they can do for you!

infection - Infections aren't nearly as common as people think. If you think you have an infection, you should talk to your piercer about it. Most of the time when a piercing seems unhealthy it is irritated due to handling, improper jewelry, lack of proper daily cleansing, and other reasons. Indications of an infection include a dark color around the piercing, pain, a bad smell coming from the piercing or a green or dark yellow discharge. White or vanilla colored discharge isn't an infection, but is a natural part of the healing process.

internally threaded jewelry - refers to jewelry which has no threads on the outside of the post, but the ball has a tiny threaded post attatched to it.

- J -

j-curve - a special kind of jewelry used in belly buttons of a particular shape. Some navels need to be pierced at an angle which makes it difficult to see the bottom ball. A barbell in a J shape makes it possible to see both the top and bottom balls easily, and can look nicer.

- K -

keloid - see "hypotrophic scarring."

- L -

labret (n) - Pron. "luh-bret" A piercing placed low on the bottom lip, just above the chin, usually with a labret stud.

labret stud - a piece of threaded jewelry used in the labret. Similar to a small barbell, but one end is a disk instead of a ball. The disk goes on the inside of the lower lip to prevent damage to teeth and gums.

ladder - Multiple barbells placed horizontally, creating two vertical rows of visible steel balls. Most common in frenum piercings and nape piercings, but can be performed in many places on the body.

latex - most piercers use latex gloves during procedures, so if you're allergic to latex let your piercer know right away. Your piercer should have alternative non-latex gloves.

- M -

madison (n) - Surface piercing in the dimple below the neck where collarbones meet. Can be vertical or horizontal. Usually pierced with a curved barbell.

madonna - see "marilyn."

makeup - should be blended in such a way that makeup does not get into a fresh piercing.

marilyn - (also known as monroe, marilyn monroe, madonna) a piercing through the upper lip to either side of the nose. Resembles a beauty mark.

medusa - a piercing through the cleft in the upper lip, similar to a labret piercing. Usually performed with a labret stud.

monroe - see "marilyn."

mouthwash - it is important to rinse with a good alcohol-free, antibacterial mouthwash 3-5 times a day after getting a new oral piercing. Examples are Biotene, which is available in most major drugs stores, and Tech-2000, which is available in professional piercing studios and dentist offices. Using products which contain alcohol (such as Listerine and Scope) may dry out and irritate a fresh piercing and prolong healing time.

- N -

nape - a horizontal surface piercing on the back of the neck, usually performed with a staple or surface barbell. Multiple nape piercings can result in a "ladder" effect.

navel - one of the most common piercings, though the skin around the navel opening. Usually this piercing is performed with a CBR (hoop) or barbell through the top of the navel. Occasionally the bottom or sides of the navel can be pierced if the navel has a good shape for the piercing, but this is less common. Every person has a different navel, and some are better for piercing than others. If a navel is too flat or has no extra skin around the opening, sometimes it cannot be pierced at all. Ask a good piercer what is best for you!

needle - professional piercers use only sterile needles to pierce with, and they use them only once. Needles should be made of surgical steel and should be autoclaved prior to use. Needles should never be used more than once, even on the same person. Make sure your piercer is using new, sterile needles, which they dispose of in a sharps container.

Neosporin - not recommended piercing aftercare. Good for first aid, but with daily use can make piercings gooey, attracting dust and bacteria. See "antibacterial soap."

nose bone - a type of nostril jewelry which resembles a tiny metal post with decoration on one end and a bead of metal on the other. The bead is popped through the piercing to the inside of the nostril, holding the jewelry in place. This type of jewelry can damage new or unhealed piercings because the metal bead stretches and tears the tender tissue. This jewelry can be used for fully healed piercings, but if the jewelry is frequently removed and re-inserted the metal bead will stretch the piercing. See "stretching."

nostril screw - recommended jewelry for the nostril. This jewelry resembles thin steel post which is bent into an L-shape and then curved. The post should be made of surgical-grade steel. Some piercers use straight nostril screws which they bend by hand to custom fit a client's nostril, because anatomy varies from person to person.

- O -

o-ring - small ring of silicone rubber used to hold plugs on. O-rings are inexpensive but easy to lose. Some people find o-rings to be very annoying and avoid using them at all by wearing "flared" and "double flared" plugs, meaning the plugs widen a little at one or both ends to prevent the plug from falling out of the piercing.

oral piercing - refers to any piercing inside the mouth such as tongue, web, scrumper, etc. Oral piercings heal faster than any other type, and are some of the least painful. Piercings which enter the mouth from the outside, such as labret, cheeks, and marilyn, are a little different from completely oral piercings, in that the outside (skin) part of the piercing should heal in six to eight weeks but the inside (oral) part of the piercing should heal in thirty days, and both sides of the piercing should be cared for appropriately. Piercings which are entirely oral (i.e. tongue) should always be pierced at 14 gauge or larger, to prevent tearing. For oral aftercare, see our "aftercare" page.

orbital - a single CBR (hoop) passing through two piercings, usually on the ear. There are many creative variations of this piercing. Ask a good piercer what would be best for you!

- P -

P.A. - also known as a Prince Albert piercing; male genital piercing, usually performed with a hoop, entering the urethra and exiting through the bottom of the head of the penis.

piercing gun - used in malls and accessory shops around the world to perform unsterile piercings. Guns cannot be autoclaved, and are usually "sanitized" with spray-on cleansers or alcohol which do not kill bacteria or viruses, including HIV and hepatitus. Guns use the jewelry itself (which is sometimes sterile but becomes unsterile as soon as it is placed into the unsterile gun) to puncture a hole. The jewelry is pointed at the end to help create the hole, but is not sharp, which results in a puncture wound which is difficult to heal. This process is disruptive to tissue and is much more painful than the use of a needle. For more information, contact us for a full report on the dangers of piercing guns or go to www.safepiercing.org

plug - a cylindrical shaped piece of jewelry, usually worn in the earlobe or labret. Most plugs require a piercing to be "stretched" to fit. Plugs are made of many different materials, including acrylic, steel, glass, organic and natural materials.

pyrex - a brand name for items made of borosilicate glass. See "borosilicate glass."

- Q -

q-tips - q-tips can be a valuable aid to cleaning hard-to-reach piercings, such as the inside of a nostril. However, q-tips only cover a tiny area, and the more area you clean the more germs you kill, so wash your hands well with antibacterial soap and use your fingers to clean your piercing when you can.

- R -

removing jewelry - is not always the best answer to a piercing problem, and should not be attempted without the help of a professional piercer. Removing jewelry from an infected piercing can cause the area around the infection to heal, sealing the infection in. If you have a problem, try to find a solution before taking out the jewelry.

retainer - a clear or flesh-toned piece of high-grade acrylic used to conceal a piercing or to replace steel jewelry during surgery or x-rays.

- S -

S.T.D. - see "sexually transmitted diseases".

scabs - a white or light yellow crusty scab (or "crusties") forming on a new piercing is very common and is part of the healing process. This substance is a buildup of sweat, dead cells, dust, and other debris your body is expelling from the piercing in order to heal, and is also a barrier against infection. It should be gently washed off during daily cleaning, but don't pick at it. It is just like picking any other scab, and will lead to scarring and irritation. If the scab is dark yellow, greenish or brown in color, it may be a sign of infection (see "infection").

scar - There are different kinds of scarring which may occur as a result of a piercing, for different reasons. The most common kind is a small bump which may grow with time (see "hypotrophic scarring"). Other kinds of scars appear as small discolorations in the skin or tiny raised or dimpled patches of skin which generally disappear over time. Most of the time a scar occuring from a healthy piercing is not permanent, but everyone is different! Some people scar more easily than others. Unhealthy piercings or badly performed piercings may result in more scarring than normal. For a product you can use to dissipate scarring, see "Tea tree oil."

scrumper - (also known as: smiley, wackadoo) an oral piercing through the web of skin in the center of the upper lip which connects the lip to the gum. Usually painless.

sea salt soak - Soaking your piercing in a sea salt mixture can be an excellent aftercare solution, especially for a trouble piercing or for dramatic swelling due to piercing or stretching. Make sure you get actual Sea Salt, not table salt or any other kind! Use 1/4 tsp. salt to 8oz. (1 cup) of warm water and soak your piercing for about 10 minutes two or three times a day. It is best to completely submerge your piercing in the mixture, but if it is too difficult to dip your piercing (like an eyebrow) you can use a well-saturated cotton ball instead. Sea salt has wonderful antibacterial properties; it kills germs, cleans out your piercing, reduces swelling, and is an effective all-natural aftercare solution. Just make sure you get the right stuff, and mix it correctly!

self-piercing kits - no kit can replace the experience and knowledge of a professional piercer, or the safety and cleanliness of a good piercing shop. Piercing yourself or letting someone who is not a professional piercer make a hole in your body puts you at risk of disease, infection, pain, and permanent damage or impairment. Often these kits include improper low-quality jewelry, and unsterile components, or so-called "sterile" components which are actually unsterile because they are packaged alongside other unsterile products by people who are not wearing gloves. There is no way to know if the components are unused. Don't put yourself at risk using questionable materials in an unsterile environment; it's not worth it.

septum - a piercing through the thin web of skin which separates the nostrils. Usually done with a hoop. These facial piercings are easy to hide and are generally easy to heal. Also popular for these piercings are septum tusks, which look like spikes or small horns emerging from the nostrils.

sexually transmitted diseases - may be easier to contract via a fresh genital or oral piercing. Remember that a new piercing is a direct path to the bloodstream, and will remain that way until the body has had enough time to form new skin inside the piercing.

silver - silver is a material which is inappropriate for body jewelry unless it is part of external decoration which is not going through the skin. Silver tarnishes easily and its relatively rough surface can trap and hold bacteria. Parts of jewelry which enter the skin should never be made of any kind of silver.

smiley - see "scrumper."

stainless steel - this term is used for a wide range of different qualities of metal. There is an important difference between stainless steel and surgical-grade steel; stainless steel is used in the manufacture of a vast range of tools and appliances, from forks and knives to toasters, door handles, chairs, and everything else we use in our daily lives. Surgical steel is a similar material but has been tested for impurities which could be hazardous when inserted into living tissue. Make sure your jewelry is surgical steel, not just stainless.

staple - (also known as flesh staple) a surface piercing performed with a staple-shaped piece of surgical wire. It appears as a bar of metal attatched to the surface of the skin. They can be easily taken out for cleaning or comfort during sleeping once they are fully healed. See "surface piercings."

sterling silver - see "silver."

stretching - (also known as gaugeing) gradual opening or widening of a piercing to insert larger-gauge jewelry or plugs. This is something which should be done slowly and patiently over time, allowing the piercing to fully heal before stretching to the next bigger size. Rushing through the process will result in the tearing of tissue, scarring, pain, and sometimes even permanent damage. It is recommended that stretching be performed by a qualified piercer with sterile equipment including a surgical steel taper (a cylindrical piece of steel, small at one end and larger at the other, which will ease a piercing open as it is pushed through the hole.) Everyone heals differently: for some people, a stretched piercing will stay that size forever. For others, a stretched piercing will heal back to normal size over time after the jewelry is removed. Remember that if you stretch your piercings, there is a chance that the changes will be permanent!

surface piercing (n) - A piercing performed on an area of the body which does not have a lip or protrubance of skin, e.g. arm, chest, back, belly, etc. Although it is possible for surface piercings to heal, they are usually considered temporary.

surgical-grade steel - one of the few types of metal suitable for piercing jewelry. Surgical-grade steel is also known as 316L or 316LVM steel. Surgical-grade steel can come in different qualities, and care should be taken that jewelry is manufactured well. Just because a piece of jewelry is surgical-grade steel, it does not mean it is high quality! Check to see if threads are visible even when the ends are screwed on tightly, check for stratches and dents, ask what the decoration is made out of, and make sure the jewelry is shiny and smooth. Brightly shining jewelry can (although not always) mean that the jewelry is well-coated with chromium, which is a self-healing metal that protects the jewelry and protects you too!

swelling - a common problem for new piercings, but it can be controlled, as long as you are wearing appropriate jewelry. For oral piercings (which often swell the most), eating cold foods like ice cream can help reduce swelling. It is possible for ibuprofen, which is found in Midol and Advil, to reduce swelling; if you are allergic to ibuprofen your doctor can recommend an anti-inflammatory. Never take more than the directions on the bottle recommend. If you have a swelling problem that won't go away after a few days, talk to a good piercer about it. The jewelry may be inappropriate or you may have some other problem. Swelling can be self-perpetuating; swelling causes more swelling, so if there's a problem it should be taken care of as soon as possible.

swimming - it is important to keep your piercing out of shared bodies of water for the first 15-30 days after getting pierced. This includes pools, jacuzzis, rivers, and oceans; anything you'd share with another person. The reason for this is that a fresh piercing is a direct path to your bloodstream, therefore anything floating in the water can get into your blood, including bacteria, germs, viruses and serious disease. While sea salt soaks are excellent for piercings, sea water itself is full of bacteria which can cause infection and irritation.

- T -

taking out jewelry - see "removing jewelry".

taper - a cylindrical piece of surgical-grade steel used for stretching piercings: see "stretching."

tea tree oil - an antibacterial oil which slowly dissolves and disperses scar tissue when used over time. It is great for taking care of hypotrophic scarring (commonly known as a "keloid") which appears as a bump on irritated piercings. It is best to use 100% pure tea tree oil, although you can also find it in some all-natural soaps. Get directions from a good piercer on how to use it effectively.

teardrop - see "anti-eyebrow."

titanium - a very safe and pretty metal commonly used in body jewelry. Comes in a variety of colors including shades of blue, green, purple, pink, and yellow. Titanium does NOT turn red or jet black, so if you see a piece of jewelry labeled "titanium" in one of these colors, it is incorrectly labeled. Titanium is a sensitive metal which may lose its color over time, or if it is immersed in hydrogen peroxide.

tongue - are some of the least painful and fastest healing piercings. It is very important to find a good piercer when getting your tongue pierced; not everyone has a good tongue for it, and only an experienced piercer will know if it's safe or not. Many people have too many veins, too much webbing under the tongue, or a tongue which is too short. Tongue piercings are safe when performed by an experienced, caring piercer; a poor piercer may pierce through a vein causing an excessive amount of bleeding, too close to a vein causing pressure and extra swelling, or through the web risking speech impairment and discomfort. Tongue piercings heal extremely quickly, generally in 30 days, and problems with infection are rare because the mouth is self-cleaning.

tragus - a part of the ear which is commonly pierced. The tragus is the tiny flap of cartilege nearest the cheek.

Triclosan - see "antibacterial".

twister - (also known as corkscrew) a piece of jewelry similar to a circular barbell but has been shaped into a spiral. Usually used in the navel or ear.

- U -

ultrasonic cleaner - an important piece of cleaning equipment which no piercing or tattoo shop should be without! Removes microscopic particles from tools which normal scrubbing by hand is unable to do.

- W -

wackadoo - see "scrumper."

web - an oral piercing through the thin membrane connecting the underside of the tongue to the bottom of the mouth. Usually painless. Similar to the "scrumper."

wrist - surface piercings (see "surface piercing") on the back of the arm above the hand, using a surface barbell. They should *never* be performed on the underside of the arm (i.e. the same side as the palm of your hand) due to the massive amount of veins in that area. Piercing the inside of your wrist can lead to severe health problems. Piercings on the back of the arm are much more commonly performed and much safer, although are still accompanied by all the normal risks of surface piercings.

- X -

x-rays - If you are getting an x-ray you may need to remove body jewelry so that it does not interfere with the x-ray. If you need to remove your jewelry, you should replace it with an acrylic retainer so that the piercing does not close while the jewelry is out. At Barbella we change your jewelry for free when you buy it from us, so all you need to do is come in and buy a retainer and we'll take care of you. Come back after your x-ray and we'll put your steel jewelry back in for free, too!