Pretty-Piercing.com

ARE YOU UNDER 18?

Piercing in the United States is largely unregulated. Only a few states have laws restricting or prohibiting piercing minors.

In the United States most piercers require that you be 18 or over. If you are under 18 some piercers may perform some piercings with parental consent and/or presence during the piercing. Most piercers will refuse to perform certain piercings because of their location or expected further development.

Please think twice before getting pierced by a piercer who does not care how old you are. A piercer who is not concerned about your physical development and the appropriateness of the piercing may not care about hygiene and safety either.

A Note for Parents:

If your teen is interested in getting pierced, realize that he/she is probably interested in getting pierced safely. Some teens will resort to piercing themselves with whatever is available which can result in infection, scarring, excessive bleeding and swelling, or possibly to more severe adverse reactions. This article is designed as a guideline to help you discuss the pros and cons of piercing and make an informed decision together with your teen.

Piercing is an invasive procedure akin to minor surgery. You are probably very selective about medical procedures and choosing a physician. The same care and concern should be taken when selecting a piercer. Don9t shop around for the cheapest price; shop around for the piercer who is most concerned with the health and well-being of your teen.

Hygiene: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes the autoclave as the only reliable method of sterilization. Your piercer should have an autoclave which is spore tested at least monthly by an independent lab. Every instrument which comes into contact with your body or with the jewelry should come from sealed sterilization packets with autoclave indicators.

Ear piercing guns are designed to be used on the earlobes only. Piercing guns should not be used to pierce other parts of the body, including the nostril. Many problems that occur with gun piercings of the ear cartilage may be attributed to the use of a piercing gun.

Jewelry: Implant Grade Stainless Steel, niobium, titanium, and solid gold of at least 14k are the only metals appropriate for body piercings. A reputable piercer will have copies of the metal grade certification. The jewelry should be polished to a mirror-like shine, regardless of the type of metal. The piercer should discusses the appropriateness of the piercing with regard to the client's anatomy and daily activities. The jewelry should be chosen after the area is measured. Everyone is built differently, and the jewelry must be selected accordingly.

Appropriateness of Piercing for Minors: Most teenagers are still growing and developing. For example, navel piercings would not be suitable for a growing body. Most facial piercings are suitable for most teens over the age of 16. Most state regulations explicitly prohibit performing nipple and genital piercings on minors.

Aftercare: The piercing is susceptible to infection while it is healing. Appropriate aftercare is important to reduce the risk of infection. All piercings require a great deal of attention during the healing period to avoid infection of other complications. Complete healing may require anywhere from 4 weeks to 6 months, depending on the location. All piercings require regular cleaning, twice daily is usually adequate. This will involve removal of dried discharge associated with the healing process and a thorough cleaning, usually in the shower. Contact with dirty hands, clothing, bedding, and bodily fluids can easily lead to infection.

Permanence: While piercings are not as permanent as tattoos, a piercing usually leaves a small scar. Whether or not the piercing will close or leave a scar depends primarily on how old the piercing is. Older, healed piercings will shrink but probably will not close.