The Piercing Truth

How do you spell 'cool' in traditionalese? Well, there are a zillion ways - some open, some hidden. And the one that is both - a piercing. How well you spell it depends on three things…. Location, location and location.

A pierced belly button, eyebrow, lip, tongue…could mean you do live on the edge, but with harnesses strapped on. Get to the unmentionables and you might just be spelling two words… one of them beginning with f and ending in uck.

Given the variety of places you can get yourself pierced in, piercing has become more of a cosmetic accessory today. Once, punk rockers used to have safety pins in their cheeks and piercing used to be for those who lived on the fringes of society… However, it all ended the day Britney Spears pierced her belly. Piercing went mainstream! So, you don’t have to be a biker to get a piercing.

Did You Know!

The proof of first piercing in humans was found on a mummified body discovered in an Austrian glacier in 1991 proving that humans loved experimenting since the time dinosaurs roamed the planet.

For men who think that this is a metro-sexual gesture or just a weird thing to do …eat this! Roman soldiers got their nipples pierced as some sort of rite of passage. Ouch! This apparently held their capes in place! Of course, there is no way to verify this trivia. You see there was this enterprising fellow called Doug Malloy in the 70s who published some interesting, but mostly fictitious stuff about piercing. As you would expect, he was considered a pioneer in the piercing and body modification sub-culture.

Culture Cool

There is nothing remotely western about piercing. It is being practiced for centuries in India. But, you still require an id or if under 18, a parent's consent letter to get your eyebrow, belly button and other such body parts pierced. Although, It’s the unmentionable body parts that we aren’t so forward about...but it is gaining popularity. In fact Olly & Al Alva, owners of Al's Tattoo and Body Piercing Studio inform me it's extremely common!

Piercing has medical and spiritual roots among tribes that practiced it. In Kashmir, a pierced inner lobe actually helps asthma. Septum piercing is normal in Andhra Pradesh. The tongue piercing was a ritual by the Aztecs, Mayas of Central America. It was done to appease the Gods, to create an altered state of consciousness so that the priest or shaman could communicate with the gods.

Things to Ponder Over

Whatever you opt for a nose, an eyebrow, a belly button or nipple piercing, just be sure you go to someone who has been publicized by word of mouth. Gen X gives many reasons to get a piercing, from personal expression to personal empowerment. It’s a search for self and control over your lives. Many think that Johnny Depp sporting several piercing is good enough reason to get one. A real cool thing is piercing, unlike a tattoo is temporary. So, believer of self expression and needles not scary…What you waiting for!

Here's a Checklist:
Getting pierced isn’t extremely painful.
HIV is a risk if not done in sterilized environments
Piercing should be done by a professional who will not damage tissue.
Getting pierced with a piercing-gun is not always safe.
Drinking alcohol can give you an infection after an oral piercing.
Half of your face will go numb if an eyebrow is pierced incorrectly.
A vein in the tongue, if punctured will cause you to bleed to death.
Rock Salt is the best way to heal the piercing. Bowl of hot water….dissolved solution …swab it.

Picture Courtesy - Al's Tattoo and Body Piercing Studio

Approx Charges

Nose Piercing: 350 bucks along with a silver stud or surgical steel stud if allergic to silver
Caution: Never get a nose piercing with a piercing gun
Healing period: 15 days

Tongue Piercing: 1500 bucks, stud around 350
Caution: No solid food for a week at least, but some people eat the very next day
Healing period: Fastest healing as saliva is a natural healer.
Follow Up: Change of stud required after 15 days as the first stud is bigger to accommodate the swell.

Ear Piercing: 250 bucks Healing period: Depends on care taken.
Lip Piercing: 950 bucks, stud - 250 onwards.
Septum Piercing - 750 bucks, stud - 150 onwards.
Navel Piercing - 750 bucks, stud - 350 onwards.
Nipple Piercing - 1500 bucks, stud - 250.