It was Senior Skip day and I was going to get my septum pierced.  I knew that I had to keep it a secret from my mom, she would not approve of me having a big facial piercing that made me look “like a bull”, as she put it.  Thankfully that day my friend and I were going to town alone. I called around to the different shops in town trying to find the best price.  The shop that I wanted to go to, their piercer wasn’t in for the day.  Another shop was closed, the shop after that was charging too much, left one shop a message.  We went and ran our errands, and tried other shops. We were nearing the end of our time limit for being in town and I was starting to get really disappointed.  I knew that if I didn’t get this piercing today I wouldn’t have another opportunity.  As we headed home, the shop that I left a message for called back.  He was the right price and sounded like a good guy.  His shop was about 15 minutes away, off we went.

I was really nervous, this was a major piercing for me.  Yes I already had piercings but only general ones, my ears, my nostril, and my labret.  This was going to be my first professional piercing.  We finally got to the shop and my heart was beating like a drum.  I told the piercer what I wanted and he had me fill out the papers that were required.  Everything was very sanitary and in its respective packaging.  He explained what he was gonna do and how the procedure would go.  Then he had me sit in a chair that looked like the one dentists use.  I was so nervous that I had my friend hold my hand, I was squeezing hard before anything even happened.  It was time.

He placed a metal tube up to my nose for the needle to thread into, then came the needle.  It wasn’t terribly huge but intimidating as it came up to my face.  He said “Take a deep breath”, as I breathed in he shoved the needle through my septum. I jumped because I wasn’t expecting that big of a pinch, he told me to “Hold still”.  A big crocodile tear slid out of my eye as he slid the jewelry in.  Then he said I could relax now because we were all done.  He gave me a mirror to look at and as I looked into that mirror I saw my first professional piercing!  I did it, I had my septum pierced!  I thanked him, paid and headed home.  As we neared home, I flipped it up to hide it from my mom.  I felt exhilarated, I had taken the plunge and gotten an awesome piercing! 

Post from: FreshTrends Blog

People stretch their ears for different reasons; some want the option of a variety of jewelry to wear, some like the designs on plugs, others may just want to have giant holes in their ears. I fit into the latter one. I’ve been stretching my ears over the past two years and I have learned a lot of tips and tricks along the way.

First, make sure you really want to stretch your ears. They may never close up all of the way, especially after a certain gauge, usually a 00g or 5/8”. After thinking about it, if you still want to stretch, make sure you do so properly.

Find out what gauge you’re already at. Then, go up one size, which is down an even number. For instance, if you’re at a 14g, then you’d move to a 12g. Don’t skip sizes as it will hurt and can cause tearing, blow outs, and formation of scar tissue.

You then decide on a way to stretch your lobe. Generally, there are three methods : the tapering method which involves using a taper or pincher, the taping method which involves using bondage or pvc tape to stretch gradually, or dead stretching which is taking the next size jewelry and working its way in. For smaller sizes,  anywhere from 18g to 00g, I suggest using the tapering method. It is what I did and my ears are just fine.

For the tapering method, you get a taper, a set of plugs or tunnels, preferably steel but some like myself have no troubles with acrylic, and some kind of oil (vitamin e, ear butter, jojoba, etc.). You massage oil into your ear and put some on the taper then gently glide it into your ear. Once in, bring the plug up in front of it and push it through as you push the taper out. Then, put on the o rings and you’re done. You may want to clean your ear with a saline solution to soothe it.

Waiting time between stretches varies by person. For me, personally, I waited two weeks between each stretch up to 4g. After that, I waited about two months. The way you can tell if you’re ready to stretch is if your ear won’t let the taper through or if you feel stinging. If this happens, put the smaller size back in and wait a while longer.

Time variation also applies to when you can start wearing other materials in your lobes. Generally, a week or two is all it takes. Some may take more or less time.

Once you’ve started stretching your ears and stay at one size awhile, I suggest to start sleeping with no jewelry in. It gives the ear tissue time to grow and thicken up. Thicker lobes can be stretched more and are healthier for stretched lobes. Before going to sleep, take out your jewelry and massage oil into your lobes. The oil will help thicken your lobes and keep your holes in good shape.

Good luck with stretching your ears. There isn’t much to it once you learn the basics. Stretching your lobes can be a lot of fun and it’s interesting watching your hole size grow!

Post from: FreshTrends Blog

When picking jewelry for your piercing, it’s essential to keep your skin tone in mind. Picking the right birthstone for your skin tone ensures that your jewelry looks natural and adds to your beauty. A well-picked stone will stand out in all the right ways. Keep the following in mind when picking jewelry for your labret piercing.

If you have dark skin; it’s a great idea to choose birthstones in deep, rich colors. Many individuals with chocolate and caramel skin tones look beautiful with a beautiful garnet or lolite stone. Moonstone and other light-colored stones can create a dramatic contrast. Choose emeralds and other green stones for everyday wear.

If you have olive-colored or bronze skin; you can easily wear almost any birthstone. It’s best to stick with gems that blend easily with your skin tone, such as emeralds and citrine. Choose garnet or hematite for casual, everyday wear. Some individuals with olive-colored skin may wish to avoid lolite and other blue or aqua stones. They do not generally stand out against bronze skin.

If you have fair or ivory skin; stick with stones that complement your eye color. Individuals with fair skin may wish to avoid citrine and other yellow stones, as these can make the skin seem mottled. Blue stones, such as lolite, are generally a great choice for individuals with fair skin. For an understated look, choose moonstone and other light-colored jewelry.

If you have very pale skin; you can make a stunning impression with a garnet, emerald or hematite. The contrast between skin tone and these stones creates a stunning look. Individuals with very pale skin are generally well-served by avoiding citrine and other yellow stones that might bring out yellow undertones in the skin. A moonstone is a great choice for everyday wear.

Remember that the jewelry you use in your labret piercing is a matter of personal choice. The above tips serve as a guide, but it’s fine to experiment too. Keep a variety of body jewelry on hand so that you are prepared for every occasion.

Post from: FreshTrends Blog

Piercings are not just for teenagers anymore; any woman can look classy and gorgeous with the right diamond nose ring. Many body jewelry stores are aimed at teenagers, and they only offer plastic, metal and cubic zirconia designs. These designs might be nice for some people, but they simply cannot compare to the style of high end diamond nose rings. Diamonds may be a bit more expensive, but they are also more long lasting and suit more high end tastes. Body jewelry can look amazing on anyone, but only if the right kind of jewelry is worn. Times have changed, and professional adults can commonly be seen sporting diamond nose rings with their everyday wear.

Nose rings, unlike some other facial piercings, are small and compact. Some people choose to wear bulky hoops and studs in their nose piercings, but diamond nose rings are a discreet yet beautiful way to show off a piercing. Some people only think that diamond nose rings come in one color, but this is far from the truth. These nose rings can be found in shimmery pale pink diamonds, glowing jet black stone and metal posts crafted of high quality gold and silver styles.

Purchasing diamond nose rings for oneself is a fun treat, but they also make excellent gifts. Jewelry is the perfect way to show someone you sincerely care about them and that you want them to look and feel their best. Diamond nose rings can easily be purchased online for competitive prices, and these great gifts come in a design to suit each and every person’s style.

Post from: FreshTrends Blog

CAUSES OF IRRITATION

Steel is an alloy.  If you slept through your chemistry class a few too many times, an alloy is a substance that contains a mixture of two or more elements.  Nickel is one of the leading causes of skin rashes, and nickel happens to be an element used in most steel mixtures.  Additional causes of surgical steel irritation include a reaction to the harsh cleaning products used to make steel shine and a general sensitivity to metal products.  Some folks also find that steel is too heavy for them, resulting in pain, tearing or stretching of the piercing site.   

SYMPTOMS OF A STEEL ALLERGY

Women are more likely than men to have a reaction to surgical steel, and a reaction can occur at any point in your life.  Allergies can even occur in individuals who have worn surgical steel piercings for years, making it important to learn the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction to steel.  Some reactions are mild, with a slight red rash or itching sensation.  Severe reactions may result in large fluid-filled pockets or crusty scabs.  If you notice a reaction, remove your steel body piercing immediately and contact a doctor.  Topical steroids and emollient creams usually help clear up an infection caused by a reaction to steel.   

ALTERNATIVES TO STEEL

Surgical steel is a favorite of many piercers, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have other options.  Talk to several piercers in your area to find out if they use materials other than steel for new body piercings.  Some piercers use titanium, an alloy with very few reports of side effects or allergic reactions.  Niobium is similar to titanium, but it is generally more expensive and not as easy to find.  You can also request that your piercer use gold jewelry.  A few other options are glass, Blackline and acrylic, but acrylic has been known to cause a reaction in folks with sensitive skin.  Regardless of the material you choose for your new body piercing, make sure to care for it properly.   

Post from: FreshTrends Blog