The Piercing Urge

Public Service Announcement

The Piercing Urge has unfortunately been made aware of a very interesting (please imagine sarcasm here) piercing practice that we feel it necessary to provide some further information about.

This is both for our clients - and for all those who may come here looking for advice or information.

All body piercings are most prone to infections within the first 2 weeks of being done. It is also during this time that piercings close very quickly if the jewellery is removed.

If an ear piercing gun is used to pierce a nose - which we do not advise - then the jewellery must be left in the piercing until the piercing is healed.

There are NO circumstances under which it is appropriate to take the jewellery out of a stud gun nose piercing and change it to something nicer after 3 days.

There are some stud gun operators who are getting nose piercing sales by telling people that it doesn't matter that the jewellery they are putting in looks terrible - because it is an ear stud and too big - given the client can take it out after 3 days and change it to whatever they like.

It is our opinion that this is a VERY dodgy practice at best, and lends itself to the horrible difficulties that we are currently seeing on a regular basis. This practice is NOT okay, and certainly does not consider the client at all - only the money.

Also note: in accordance with the latest Skin Penetration Guidelines it is now in breach of the regulations to use some ear stud guns on ANY body part aside from the ear lobes.

Please be aware that if you choose to have a nose piercing done with a gun, that the jewellery should stay in the piercing for at least 3 months before being changed. We understand that it looks crappy - but that's why we are here - for those who want a piercing that looks great!

Beautiful Nipples

Here's some great info on Nipple piercings for you. Over the years nipples have remained one of the most popular piercings - regardless of year, fashion or gender. They are consistently popular for good reason.

They reach into all the reasons one may choose to get a piercing done:

• it looks great
• it feels great
• it's a little bit naughty
• it's fun to play with
• it can be private
• huge jewelry selection

Whilst all these reasons are true - there is some extra info that can make sure that a nipple piercing brings a smile to your dial - instead of a tear to your eye!

Depending on the reason you are getting this piercing done, the thickness (gauge) of the jewellery can make a big difference to its comfort. Nipple piercing should never be thinner than 14g (1.6mm). This is to ensure the piercing has some strength to reduce the chance of it tearing out or rejecting. Now while this thickness is fine for those who are mainly after "the look" of this piercing, those who plan to hang from the chandeliers should consider something a bit thicker.

Now this can be done at the time of the initial piercing - or once the piercing has healed. If you know that your piercing is going to be put through its paces, then I would suggest a larger gauge to begin with.

12g and 10g are common choices - and if you have the piercing done at a reputable studio - it will not hurt significantly more than a smaller size. Our needles have improved so much over the years that even an 8g needle can pass through tissue easily.

That said, nipple piercings do respond well to stretching, but it is important to take it slowly! They can play up and/or reject if this is done too quickly. Talk to your Piercer about stretching your nipple piercing if this is something you would like to do - please don't do it yourself.

There isn't a "normal" side to get a nipple piercing if you are just getting one. Like any piercing - go with what feels right - where have you "imagined" it to be. That is where your body is expecting it.

However - if you live in the BDSM culture in Australia or the USA there is a code. Right for bottom/submissive, and left for Top/Dominant. In Europe this is the opposite. But again - this only matters if it matters to you.

Breast feeding is a common concern for women considering this piercing. If the piercing is done properly - by a knowledgeable Piercer - it should not affect the ability to breast feed - if in fact you are able to do this in the first place.

I do advise though not to get the initial piercing done beyond 12g, as the scar tissue generated from a larger piercing may block major milk ducts. Stretching the initial piercing should not result in the same issue. We have had many women successfully breast feed with nipple piercings

Jewelry size and style can make a big difference to healing times. The biggest problems we see are caused by rings that are too small in diameter - particularly in women. Rings are fine for the initial piercing but must be the correct diameter.

My preference is to use an internally threaded barbell in initial female nipple piercings. Remember with any piercing that the aim of the game is to get it healed - and nipple piercings do heal well when the piercing and jewellery is right.

As nipple piercing crosses into the sexual realm, I should discuss a little about sexual safety. Any open wound is susceptible to disease or infection, and piercings are no exception.

Restrict exposure to anyone's bodily fluids that are not your own while the piercing is healing - AND if it has gone through a major "workout" which may have resulted in slight tearing. Mild salt water soaks will soothe and assist this healing stage. The older a piercing gets, the more it is able to withstand without negative results.

Changing jewellery and stretching should only be done once the piercing has healed - unless it is for better jewelry that will aid the healing process. In many cases, the piercing should be left alone, in this regard, for at least 3 months.

Women may find that their nipple piercing goes through cycles where one week it feels "healed" and the next it is sensitive again. This can be frustrating until you realise that nipples are affected by hormones and during the first year or so they can become sensitive at either ovulation or mensuration. This does settle - but can pop up again even years down the track in my experience. This is just another added bonus of hormones in <our> world :)

Quick Tips

• padded/t-shirt bras will assist if you need to conceal a nipple piercing
• fresh nipple piercings are sensitive to cool temperatures!
• it is normal for male and female nipple piercings to secrete from the entry and/or exit while healing
• do not remove a nipple piercing within the first 12 months if you wish to keep it
• piercing will usually increase nipple sensitivity
• inverted nipples can be pierced - and is effective as a treatment to this condition
• "3rd" nipples can be pierced
• any male nipple can be pierced - even if you think you haven't got one!
• nipple piercings will usually heal and close when the jewellery is removed

If this post has inspired you to have your nipple(s) pierced, then here is a special present for all our blog readers, we would like to make you this great offer:

Book your nipple piercing at The Piercing Urge for between now and Friday the 20th of June 2008 -  mention this post - and receive your nipple piercing for half-price. Conditions do apply but they are very reasonable - I promise :) To make your appointment Call on 03 9530 2244 or email us.

To see more pics and read some more about nipple piercing, please visit The Piercing Urge main nipple webpage.

Emergencies and Panic Stations

When we have piercings there are a range of things that can happen that might make you wish you had a Piercer in your pocket.

Below are a few tips and some info that might make those times a little less stressful for you:

My Jewellery Fell Out - the biggest risk here is if the piercing is relatively fresh (<3 months).  If it is - then you need to see your Piercer as soon as possible - and I don't mean "Oh I'll do it over the weekend when I have more time". The sooner (within 24 hours) you can get to your Piercer, the more likely we will be able to save your piercing! Otherwise, the good news is at least you won't need to pay for new jewellery if you want to get it redone.

If you lost the jewellery when it fell out or you can't get your jewellery back in, putting anything (e.g. an earring) through the hole will help to retain it until you can get to your Piercer.

There are no hard and fast rules with this but two general thoughts are:
1. The older a piercing is - the longer it will stay open without jewellery in it.
2. If you take jewellery out of a piercing that is younger than 12 months, there is a real risk of it  closing.

The Ball Came Off - if this happens - and you still have the ball - try to screw it back on. Remember - "Right is Tight and Left is Loose". Sometimes a friend is helpful here if you have difficulty working on the piercing yourself.

If you lost the ball, it is important to try and keep the bar in the piercing. Things you can use short term to help are - a piece of clean pencil eraser, Blutac or chewing gum (as a last resort). Balls are more secure on internally threaded jewellery, but either way - Remember to check the ends regularly.

The Bead Came Out - this can happen - particularly with cheap jewellery - and the most important thing here is to try and keep the gap on the outside  of the piercing until you can see your Piercer. If the gap ends up on the inside, the piercing may heal into it and can be very painful to fix. Again - using something like Blutac in the gap can help short term.

Your Piercing Has a Hard Knock or Tear - once you finish swearing - soak the piercing in a warm, mild salt water solution - 1/4-Tsp Salt/250mls Water - and keep an eye on it for the next few days. If it continues to feel sore, keep up the salt water twice a day until it feels better. If you notice a lump begin to form, please see your Piercer as soon as possible. These lumps are much easier to treat when they are fresh!

My Body is Swallowing My Jewellery - SEE A PIERCER NOW - this may not necessarily be the same person who did your piercing - if you feel they may not have known what they were doing! Some piercings require longer jewellery to begin with - like oral piercings - and other piercings have a very direct relationship between the piercing width and the jewellery size. It is important to have the jewellery changed BEFORE your body eats it completely - scalpels are not fun for most folk!

I Swallowed a Ball - bummer! Not too much to panic about here. It will usually work its way through your digestive system without a problem. If it was gold it might be worth the search, but if not - just buy a new one.

My Jewellery Went Down the Drain - the best way to prevent this is with drain guards on your shower, bath, and bathroom sinks - now she tells me. However, if this happens, turn off the running water. The jewellery might be in the S bend or drain. S bends are easier to work with, but shower and bath drains can often be accessed by removing the grill that covers them. If the jewellery was expensive, it might be worth calling a plumber.

I Dropped a Ball and Can't Find It - empty your vacuum cleaner bag and then vac over the room you think the ball is in. You will usually hear it when it goes up the pipe.

My Piercing is Stuck - soak the piercing in a warm to hot salt water solution and remove any dry matter before trying to move it. It is not necessary to move piercings unless you are cleaning them.

I Took My Jewellery Out to Clean it and Can't Get it Back in - it is not necessary to "clean" your body jewellery in the majority of cases - noses, navels, nipples etc. Cleaning the piercing is all you need to do. But - if this happens, see the notes above, and get in to see your Piercer as soon as you can.

The Gem Fell Out of My Jewellery - this is common in cheaper gemset pieces. The stones are only glued - not set. Not much you can do except try and glue it back in. Probably better to replace it. Piercing Urge gems are set and guaranteed, so if this happens to one of our pieces, please bring it back and we will replace it

My Piercing is Sore All of a Sudden - if a healed piercing starts to play up it could be for many reasons. One of the common ones is that you are sick or stressed. Our piercings are a part of our body, so if something is wrong, they will often show it. Mild salt water soaking until you get better will assist the piercing through this time. If it doesn't improve as you do - please see your Piercer.

I am sure there are many situations I have forgotten as I write this post, but I hope what I have included is helpful to you when -or IF - something goes wrong :)

The Model Register Is Here!!!

Well! I must say that the response to our call for models for our Course Trainees was PHENOMENAL! A big Thank You to everyone who contacted me to offer their "bits" :)

Now I did say that places were limited - and I know that there a lot of folks out there who missed out. The people who were pierced left with great piercings, the current Trainees all passed, and everyone was happy. I was a wee bit tired - but very impressed - after all that learning and excitement....and they were fantastic days all 'round.

What I learnt from the success of the exercise was that if I am going to get the new websites finished I need a better system to manage all our great model requests!

So - if you would like to join our Model Register - whether you have already personally already emailed me or not - please click on the link below:

Free Piercing Register

That way you'll get personally updated whenever we post for models - and have a chance to receive a FREE piercing at The Piercing Urge!

Once again - a very big Thank You to everyone who modeled beautifully for us over the past couple of weeks, and we hope you enjoy your new piercings.

The Dreaded Rejection

So - you are enjoying your long awaited piercing and then things begin to change.....

You may notice one or all of the following start to happen:

• the distance between the entry and exit holes begins to shrink - e.g you can see more of the bar or ring than before - this is the most significant sign
• your piercing feels sore, irritated or itchy
• it looks dry
• it looks shiny
• you can see the jewellery just under the skin

These are the signs of rejection and unfortunately they don't have a fixed time frame in which they may occur. Usually once a piercing reaches its first birthday, the chance of rejection is significantly reduced. Your body has adjusted to its new addition and you'll probably have it now until (and if) you choose to remove it :)

Rejecting Vertical Tragus. Just plain wrong. 

Piercing introduces a foreign object into your body - something that we were not born with - and therefore it is the body's natural response to try and get rid of it. This is great if we get a splinter in our finger, or a blackhead in our skin - but it's TERRIBLE when a much loved piercing begins to leave us :(

It is for this reason that extremely high quality materials are necessary for body jewellery, and unfortunately it is like everything else - you get what you pay for!

Since the late nineties there has been a flood of cheap quality jewellery that may sparkle (temporarily), jingle, flash, or show the logo of your favourite sports team, which then entices you to buy it. Usually body jewellery that is available from most shops that are not body piercing studios (and even some that are) is of this quality.

Low quality jewellery will dramatically increase the chance of your body seeing it as something to get rid of - and therefore - grow it out.  Incorrect size or style of jewellery for your initial piercing will also be a problem, incorrect aftercare, and if the initial piercing is too wide, deep, or shallow.

So what to DO if this happens to YOU?

• See your Piercer for advice promptly - there are things that can be done in some cases to stop this process. (If you think you may need a better Piercer please contact us for a referral)

• Don't let the jewellery reject completely as this will increase the scarring and discomfort. Have the jewellery removed before it falls out, or it is torn out accidentally.

• Nothing you put on it will stop the process on its own.

• If it is an older (+1yr) piercing, think about any changes in your life such as illness, stress, or lifestyle that may have started the process. Everything in our bodies is connected.

Even if a piercing rejects though, there are still times where it can be redone with a successful outcome. BUT - if nothing changes that may have caused the problem in the first place - then the result will usually be the same. Better/correct jewellery, better piercing, correct anatomy in the first place, good aftercare, and good health, will signifcantly increase the likelihood of you being able to enjoy a FANTASTIC piercing :)

(Please Note: None of these piercings were performed by The Piercing Urge)

Has It "Healed"?

What does this really mean? It is a common question, but the answer can be so different depending on the reason you are asking....

Healing of a piercing takes place in so many ways, so what follows is a summary that may answer YOUR particular question based on YOUR definition:

It stops hurting - piercings are often only tender to touch, or if they are knocked, in the first couple of weeks. If your piercing "hurts" most of the time there might be something wrong, so it is a good idea to see your Piercer and have it looked at. As a piercing starts to age, it will be less tender and more able to withstand the day-to-day riggers of life.

I can change my jewellery - as a general rule jewellery should not be changed for the first 3 months. This gives the piercing a chance to develop a tunnel of healed tissue (the fistula), which will form the basis for further healing to take place. The exception to this rule is oral piercings where the bar length should be shortened, or if incorrect jewellery was used initially and is changed to a better piece. Be aware that any time externally threaded jewellery is moved through the piercing the fistula is disrupted.

It looks good - most piercings look pretty good from the outset.

• A small amount of redness is not uncommon, but this should subside within a couple of weeks.
• You may notice some dry matter at the entry or exit of your piercing. This is called "exudate" and is a byproduct of the healing process. It is important to soak this off with warm salt water BEFORE ever moving the jewellery through the piercing. You should never move dry jewellery through a relatively fresh piercing.
• Any localized swelling will usually go away after a couple of days and this can be assisted with clean, cold compresses.
• If you have any lumps or bumps appear beside your piercing - see your Piercer promptly.

I can leave my jewellery out - this is a tough one! As a general rule - if you want to keep the piercing open leave jewellery in it at all times for the first 12 months. A piercing is considered "young" for the first year of its healing, and you do run the risk of it closing quickly during this time. The word "quickly" to Piercers is measured by seconds and minutes, rather than hours or days. Usually the older a piercing is - the longer it will stay open without jewellery in it - usually. Visit your Piercer if you can't get jewellery back in as soon as possible - we may be able to help with specialized tools. If you have an event approaching where you will need to remove your jewellery, visit your Piercer to obtain a retainer that will keep the hole open for you whilst limiting visibility. These are also practical for medical procedures.

I can go swimming - if your piercing looks and feels good, then it is probably on its way to being healed. The biggest issue with swimming comes from exposing the wound to any bacteria that is present in the water. The more open the wound is the more likely it is that you can get an infection, and this is most likely within the first 2-3 weeks. This risk is increased by swimming in public pools, spas, rivers and lakes. The safest place to swim is at a surf beach where the water is always moving - this can actually be good for your piercing. If you are at all concerned it is best to apply a waterproof dressing (from your chemist/pharmacy or drugstore), and clean the piercing as soon as practical afterward.

I can exercise - sorry - no excuses to be found here! Exercise shouldn't be a problem, but use common sense - if it hurts, don't do that particular activity until your piercing is a little older. Wear cotton clothing, and clean your piercing afterward if you sweat.

I can have sex - safe-sex rules apply (as always), but the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection is greater with a fresh piercing. Like with swimming, an open wound is a direct passageway for bacteria to enter your body. This is relevant to all piercings - not just genital piercings. You should not expose your piercing to any body fluids that are not your own until it is well healed. Condoms and dental-dams are good barriers when used with water based lubricants. Condoms are usually strong enough to resist being torn by body jewellery, and a small amount of water-based lube used on the jewellery before applying a condom will prevent the condom from "snagging".

Whether you are in a "fluid-sharing" relationship or practicing safe-sex,  the same rules apply - be in a position where you can control the pressure on your piercing so that you can move if you need to - and - if it hurts - don't do it! Your body will always give you the right feedback. Take it easy at first, and if you have any ongoing discomfort - see your Piercer.

It can't get infected - no hard rules here either I'm afraid folks. Always treat your piercing kindly, and limit exposure to bacteria - particularly if it is a little upset after being knocked around. If you are sick, it is not unusual for your piercing to feel a bit sore. Don't panic about this. Your body is a complete unit and piercings will be affected if you are sick, rundown, or not eating properly. Mild salt-water bathing will assist your piercing through this time.

I can stretch my piercing - the longer you can wait to do this - the easier it will be. Most healed, non-cartilage piercings, can technically be stretched one guage after approximately 3 months.  Talk with your Piercer about this BEFORE attempting to stretch a fresh piercing yourself.   

I hope this answers some of your more common questions regarding healing piercings.  Please don't do things like double your aftercare to make it heal faster, or use everything in the bathroom cupboard on it - it will not help and may make it worse. Remember that there are no stupid questions, so always feel free to ask our advice if something is concerning you about your piercing. 

Does it Hurt?

Now if I had a dollar for every time I have been asked that question I would be rich, rich, rich!

My answer is always the same "not as much as you think it will" - and 99% of the time it's true. We often tend to imagine the worst when it comes to getting pierced, tattooed, waxed, and the list goes on. It's normal to be a bit nervous before getting a piercing done - I'd be a little worried if you weren't - but there are some things you can do to help calm the nerves and reduce the sensation of the piercing.

If you are pierced by a good piercer, the piercing will take less than half a second to do and be over before you know it! I'm serious - it really is that fast :)

Here are some suggestions to help you along:

• try not to build yourself up too much before your appointment - we can talk ourselves into almost anything!


• choose who you talk to about getting the piercing done - everyone has a horror story and that will not help your nerves.


• only invite those who will be a calming, supportive influence on you if you choose to have someone to hold your hand - hysterical friends do not help anyone - remember that you may not be the only client waiting and others do not need any extra reasons to be tense.


• always allow enough time for your appointment - it will help you to relax if you are not time pressed - 30-45 minutes is usually a safe time frame.

• remember that your body has systems to cope with stress and releases natural chemicals under duress. Interfering with additional drugs or alcohol is not a good idea and may even have the opposite effect!

• be nice to your Piercer :) A Piercer in a bad mood is not going to help.....


• eat a snack or meal within two hours of your appointment to ensure you have enough energy available for the process.


• remember to BREATHE. Oxygen is the best natural relaxant. Deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth during the actual piercing make a BIG difference.

With many piercings, they often only hurt afterward if you knock, pull, or put a lot of pressure on them.  So after a fresh piercing try and move a little more slowly whilst you get used to it. Towels, face washers, seat-belts, doors, eating (with oral piercings), lacy clothing, and many other everyday activities can cause pain if your new piercing gets in the way unexpectedly - so S-L-O-W down. It doesn't take long before you learn how to move freely without getting into trouble - we just get used to the adjustments and don't even have to think about them anymore :)

I hope these tips help you to have a calmer piercing experience :) Try to focus on how fantastic your new piercing is going to look once it is done....and have fun.

Piercing Preparation

So the time has come. You've decided to get a new piercing and may be wondering "What now?", "Is there anything I can do beforehand?". These are common questions so here are a few tips to get you started. Always check in with your piercer as they may have specific things they would like you to do.

• Remember that your body behaves as a complete, synchronized machine. To give your piercing the best start focus on your health:
  • Sleep well
  • Eat well
  • Reduce drug or alcohol intake
  • Try to RELAX
• Eat a nutritious meal or snack within 2 hours of your piercing appointment.


• Arrive well hydrated. This means drinking enough water (1-2Litres/per day). Coffee and soft drinks/sodas don't count!


• Imagine the best possible result from your piercing. There is no reason for this to fail if you choose your Piercer carefully.

• Choose who you talk to about your upcoming mod - everyone has a horror story!


• Don't give your body too much to handle at once e.g. don't get pierced when you are sick or stressed.


• If your mod is a genital piercing:
  • and you normally practice hair removal e.g waxing, shaving or laser, do this at least 48hrs beforehand. A fresh piercing will need time (a couple of weeks) before these processes will be comfortable again.
  • if you don't normally practice hair removal this is not the time to start! Irritation and ingrown hairs around a fresh piercing are NOT fun. However - your Piercer will appreciate a trim if you have an "old growth forest" down there :)
  • Jewellery should not be removed for hair removal procedures within the first 12 months. Many practitioners can work around it for you.
  • Women can be pierced if they are menstruating (tampons in place of course) and sometimes have a higher pain tolerance at this time.
  • Don't get a new genital piercing before a weekend of "sexual athletics" - bad plan. It will end in tears or disease. He/She will just need to take you as you are - for now....


• Arrive at your appointment clean. Dropping in to see your Piercer after a day on the building site - before you have showered - is not generally a good idea.

• Don't arrive drug or alcohol affected.

• Wear clean, comfortable clothing that is suitable for the piercing e.g know that if you wear a dress for a nipple piercing appointment - it will be coming off!

• If you want to - arrange for a supportive friend to go with you. Most piercers will allow this. However - a crowd of hysterical teenagers is NEVER a good idea.

So there you have it. A list of things that will help you before, during, and after your piercing. One last piece of advice:

If you choose your Piercer well, the piercing will NOT hurt as much as you think it will, and will be over very quickly. Try to relax as your appointment approaches and think about how FANTASTIC it is going to look once it is done.