Piercing Questions (Common answers for piercing questions here in YA)?

I'm nowhere near as educated on piercing as tattoos (and still there, I'm hardly a pro), but here's my try on what (little) I know. Obviously, if I'm wrong, please correct me.

Piercing at home: Just say no, whether you do it yourself or have a friend. The reasons are similar to tattoos as far as health issues.

Piercing "guns": They ram the jewelry through the skin leaving ripped up tissue; think blunt instrument. Another bad here.

Addendum: I can't believe I forgot this one... Tip your piercer, damnit.

I have five current piercings and so many people have asked me all of these things. It gets annoying since it should be common sense that it will hurt to a point, swell and things can go wrong ... Although I still believe that the only stupid question is the question not asked. It never hurts to ask if you really want to know something about it.

I would add the common price question ... Shops vary by cost, state, even piercing. I've always told people that the only accurate way to get an idea of how much a certain piercing or tattoo will cost is to shop around and when you are comfortable with a shop ask them more specifically. And the ever popular "How do I care for my new piercing/tattoo?" Do what the shop told you to do! If it doesn't work ask them what else to try but asking people on the internet when if you went about it properly to get it will only confused and possibly mess up your new accessory. Um ... I can't think of anything else right now. That about covers it for the common questions that people feel the need to ask over and over and over.

If you are going to be ordering a quality stud that is long enough to accomodate your swelling and can be autoclaved, a piercer will probably put it in for you. You would have to order it since none of the studs sold in the mall and various stores are intended for initial piercings. They are all too short. A stud that is too short is a serious danger to your health and your piercing, not to mention it will hurt like hell. On the bright side your piercer will likely be willing to change your jewlery for you in a couple of weeks once your swelling has gone down and then you can wear the stud of your choosing, provided its long enough for your lip. My advice is to wait until you are done swelling and see what length of bar you will need. The piercing itself is a sharp pinch accompanied by the unusual sensation of a needle passing through your lip. The swelling and soreness afterwards werent a party, but they weren't earth shatteringly miserable. Piercings in the midwest range from 40-60 dollars. To find out how old you have to be in California, call a reputable shop and ask them. They'll be able to give you an expert answer, not something they heard once from a friends cousin or some junk.

Hey, I pierced my own nose and it didn't hurt that much since I froze it up with ice cubes first. I was not going to pay $150.00 bucks to have it done. I think the bottom line is knowing your threashold for pain. I wouldn't recommend this to everyone but some of us just like to go for it, ya know !

And yes, they (piercings) are worth the trouble!!