Female Genital Piercing Guide

Genital piercings are by far the most erotic, sensual, controversial, and lately...the most popular form of bodily enhancement. There are a wide variety of reasons people choose to pierce their genetalia, whether it be to celebrate a slave and master relationship, to enhance sexual stimulation, or simply to adorn the body with yet more shiny jewelry. Whatever your personal reason may be, it goes without saying that a genital piercing requires a lot of commitment and dedication to baby your new piercing to prevent infection. This requires sacrifices, including sexual limitations, which you have to determine whether or not they are worth. This guide is to help you decide whether or not a genital piercing is for you, and to inform you on the different styles available.

Christina

Clitoris

Fourchette

Horizontal Clit Hood

Inner Labia

Outer Labia

Triangle

Vertical Clit Hood

Others

Aftercare

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Hood Piercing Leads to Romance

I had never been one who gave much thought to piercing, in general. I had my ears pierced at a very young age and at 15, I had a second piercing done in my left ear, which I eventually let close. Despite the current trend of pierced eyebrows, noses, and tongues, I never found body piercings particularly attractive, to say the least, and I still really don't, to be honest.

About a month before my 28th birthday, I began corresponding with some women I met via the Indigo Girls BBS who also lived in the New York area. We made plans to share a tent together at an upcoming Indigo Girls fan get together over Labor Day weekend at Lake George and thought it would be a good idea to actually meet before we spent the weekend together! We made plans to meet the Sunday after my 28th birthday in New York City for a fun-filled day of sex toy shopping. One of the women later emails us to ask if we wouldn't mind stopping at NY Adorned, as she wanted to get her nipple rings changed (she also has her tongue, eyebrow, and navel pierced!). I have no idea why, but that started me thinking about getting my clitoris pierced.

Now, I have no idea why I decided I would go for the clit the first time around, one would think I'd select something simpler, but I figured a) it was mucous membrane, so it would heal easily if I decided I didn't like it and b) it wouldn't show. So, I did some cursory research online and realized that in fact, I didn't really want my clit pierced, but rather the clitoral hood (less chance of oh-so-important nerve damage).

So, I looked at this site and others and decided that I would prefer a horizontal piercing because I doubted I would get much done all day with the constant clit pressure of the vertical piercing! Then I asked a couple of straight guy friends of mine what they thought of piercings and they agreed they were sexy, so I figured what the hell!

Now, before I decided to go through with the piercing, I had already scheduled my first Brazilian bikini wax. Now, I had been shaving it all off for years and decided to try the waxing. Suffice it to say, after 30 minutes of pulling on my clit and labia, I decided that the pain of a piercing would be nothing in comparison.

So, the Sunday finally arrived and after a great trip to Toys in Babeland, we headed over to NY Adorned (www.nyadorned.com). At this point, I still wasn't sure I'd go through with it, but I was playing it cool. First of all, I didn't really research NY Adorned, so I had no clue in advance that it was one of the best piercing and tattooing facilities in NY and totally NOT what I expected a piercing place to look like. It was bright and clean, and The Cure was playing over the stereo system...not the dank Goth looking parlor with walls plastered in tatoo designs I had expected! In fact, there were no stacks of books of tatoo art anywhere, as they specialize in custom work.

So, the other three folks we were with waited on one of the plush velvet sofas NY Adorned has while my pierced friend went back to have her nipple rings changed and I asked the saleswoman about hood piercing. She told me to wait until Tyler (the cute piercing guy) was done with my friend and he would talk to me about it.

So, Tyler came out in a few and I told him I was interested to know about horizontal hood piercings, specifically whether or not it would heal if I wanted the ring removed. After he assured me that indeed, since it was mucous membrane, it would heal easily and there would be little or no scarring, I filled out the paperwork and waited my turn. Now, the pricing was much more reasonable than I'd expected--$30 for the piercing and $30 for the stainless steel ring with a bead, so it started off well.

Now, mind you, my pierced friend and I had not met before that afternoon, although, admittedly, we had exchanged some pretty intimate E-mails. When I initially mentioned to her that I was thinking about getting a piercing, she offered to come in with me for support and I took her up on her offer.

Now, what better way is there to introduce yourself to someone for the first time than by shopping for sex toys and having them witness your genital piercing??? To add insult to injury, I brought along a digital camera because I wanted a pic of my piercing!!!

So, finally, Tyler was ready for me and I went in the bathroom first to clean up (it was like 100 degrees that day and I had been walking around in jeans all afternoon!). I went in the very private piercing area and Tyler asked me to take off my jeans and underwear and get on the very sterile looking table. I obliged and at this point, he had told my friend to come on back and she was standing to my right side. He donned a pair of surgical gloves and explained he was going to clean the area first. He was very gentle as he swabbed my vagina. He then explained that he was going to mark the area to be pierced. As he was doing that, I asked if he did a lot of hood piercings and he said they were very popular.

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Stretching a Piercing Safely

If you’re interested in stretching a piercing, there are safe ways to do it and then there are unsafe ways. Knowing what your options are and what the differences are between them will help you figure out which way is the best for your piercing.

What Is It?
Stretching, also known as gauging, is the process of increasing the size of a piercing hole (fistula). It is typically a gradual process that can take many months or even years to reach the desired gauge size.

Why Do People Do It?
The people who choose to stretch their piercings do so for different reasons. Many tribal members stretch piercings as symbols of cultural and social status. In western civilizations, it is done primarily for adornment, although there is a part of stretching that seems to appeal to a primal urge hidden deeply within all of us. It is possible that seeking such ancient body alterations is the result of a person tapping into some dormant primitive gene, but that is merely speculation.

Stretching Options
There are several different methods that can be utilized to stretch a piercing. The following are the most common:

Preparing For the Stretch
One thing that has been suggested to help make soft tissue more pliable and easy to stretch is applying heat and massaging the area with olive oil to stimulate blood circulation and soften the skin prior to stretching. Less trauma to the tissue during the stretch will result in a shorter healing time.

Gauge Up Gradually
In most cases, the safest way to stretch a piercing is slowly and gradually. It’s extremely important that the fistula be completely healed before attempting any stretch. If you’re gauging up anywhere between 18 and 12, it’s usually safe to stretch two gauges at a time. (i.e. 16 to 14). However, once you reach a 12 gauge, the stretches become much larger with each gauge. To see the difference in size between different gauges, see Carly Wickell’s body jewelry gauge chart. At that point, you’ll want to stretch one gauge at a time. Any more than that could result in tearing and scarring.

It’s also very important that you make sure to wait for one stretching to heal completely before stretching again. Depending on the size of the stretch and your body’s ability to heal, it could take weeks or months to be ready to undergo the procedure again.

Although it is not recommended, you can speed up the process of increasing gauge size with scalpelling or with a dermal punch. Be sure that you research these options fully before deciding on either of them.

Will it Shrink Back?
In the event that you stretch your piercing and then decide that you don’t like it anymore, the odds are not in your favor that it will shrink back to normal size. When you stretch a piercing, you need to be sure that you are prepared for it to be permanent. However, there is always a chance that it could go back to normal size, but it depends on a few different factors: Size of Stretch – The larger you go, the less likely it will go back to its original size. Generally, 2 gauge has been coined “the point of no return,” meaning that once you have stretched that far, it’s not going to go back.Length of Stretch Time – If your piercing has been stretched for a couple of years or more, it’s pretty well set and probably isn’t going to shrink back.How It Was Stretched – If the piercing was stretched too quickly, especially if there was an resulting scar tissue, it probably won’t revert very easily. If it was done with a scalpel or dermal punch, it definitely will not shrink.

Possible Complications
If safety precautions are not observed, there are some problems that can occur.

Blow-outs can occur if you stretch too early, before the fistula is completely healed. Bleeding and soreness are common, but can continue longer than necessary if you stretch too far or too fast. Infections can develop if the piercing is not cleaned regularly or properly, or if improper jewelry is being used. It’s important that you be very careful before proceeding with any stretching, and it’s always best to leave it to the professionals – don’t attempt to do it yourself.

Care and Healing
Healing a newly stretched piercing is very similar to healing a brand new piercing, but it requires some additional TLC. It’s very important to keep it clean and allow it the opportunity to “breathe.” Sea salt soaks are also important to keep infection from developing and to sooth the soreness.

Proper Jewelry
I learned from personal experience that, no matter how attractive plugs are and how much you may want to wear plugs, they are not advisable during the healing process. They tend to suffocate the piercing, especially the side that holds the o-ring. If you must wear a plug, be sure to remove that o-ring every time you clean the piercing. Otherwise, it’s really best that you stick to a CBR, circular barbell or flesh tunnel that requires no o-ring. Once your piercing is completely healed, you can switch to a plug if you so desire.

During the healing stages, it is not advisable or safe to wear silver, gold, organic, plastic, glass or bone jewelry. These materials are conducive to causing irritation and infection in unhealed piercings. Only surgical grade stainless steel, niobum or titanium should be used during the healing of any new or newly stretched piercing.

Worth the Wait
If you stretch carefully and slowly, it will all be worth it in the end. It’s difficult being patient through this process and if you’re the kind of person that needs instant gratification, then this may not be a good option for you.

Before deciding to stretch any of your piercings, make sure that you are 100% positive that this is what you want. In most cases, stretching is permanent, so it’s not a decision that should be made lightly. And due to the fact that there are several things that can go wrong if it isn’t done properly, please see a professional and let them help you stretch safely.

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Conventional Piercing Guide - Ear Lobe & Cartilage Piercings

Conventional Piercing Guide
Ear - Lobe & Cartilage Piercings

There are so many places on the ear that can be pierced, it can easily become confusing as to which is which. This guide will help you to understand the popular names of these piercings, as well as where and how they are placed, what associated risks there are, and jewelry options.

Follow the links to informative pages on the following piercings:

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My Nipple Piercing Experience

September '99 - Well, I've been planning to do it for a long time, and I finally did - I got my nipples pierced. (No, guys, there will be no pictures in this article..sorry) I was actually pretty nervous going into the studio. It had been over a year since my last piercing, and that was my eyebrow. But I was pretty apprehensive about the pain involved in getting my nipples done. Of course, I've heard lots of horror stories, and it seems that the majority of my friends were totally against the whole idea. I knew it was something I wanted, though, and I finally got up the guts to do it.

I walked into the studio, and yes, I was stone-cold sober. I know that alcohol can thin the blood and increase bleeding, and I didn't need that along with the pain. I went to Taboo Tattoo in Deep Ellum (Dallas) Texas, filled out my paperwork, and nervously waited for the piercer to be ready. Steve (the piercer) walked by and said, "You ready?" I took a deep breath, and thought, "Ready as I'll ever be!"

I walked into his little room, and it reminded me of a doctor's room. The same kind of table/bed type thing, covered with that same crinkly paper. There were jars of piercing supplies on the shelves, and sterilized clamps and needles in little sterilizing pouches, and of course...latex gloves. Steve donned the gloves, and had me stand up to mark where the piercings would go. Then he had me lay down on the table. This is when I started getting really nervous. I felt the cold clamp squeezing around one nipple, and he said, "Ready?" "I guess so!" was all I could say, and then pop! in the needle went. I felt it go in, it hurt, I winced, and then it was over. Next nipple..same thing. Over in less than a second. I was shocked.

Immediately following the piercing, of course they were pretty sore. It's been 4 days now since I had them done, and they're still a little sore. Other than that, cleaning them is no big deal. Sleeping is a little difficult. I don't want to roll over on them. All in all, though, it hasn't been that bad. I wonder what I should get pierced next? (ha-ha!)

Taboo Tattoo is located in Deep Ellum in Dallas, Texas. Their piercers there are Joey and, of course, Steve.

February, 2000 - It has now been 5 months since I got my nipples pierced. They have undergone severe torture tests, including my one year old trying to rip one out! (Ouch!) That put my healing back about a month, and I did have some problems with that one side. But now I can say that they are almost completely healed, and I am glad I didn't take them out the times I was so tempted. I have returned to Steve for another piercing - my nose. Maybe I'll write an experience on that one soon.

January, 2002 - I can't believe I've had these piercings so long now. Most of the time I forget they are even there. They did take a while to heal, but I've been very happy with them. They've kind of become a part of me. Since my last update, I've moved to Indiana, where I have another wonderful piercer, Billy. See pictures of my tragus piercing and my friend's tongue piercing with Billy at http://tattoo.about.com/library/weekly/aa041501a.htm

January, 2005 - I just realized how long it had been since I updated this page. I am sad to report that early last year I had to make the decision to remove my piercings. As with almost all of my piercings, after 4 years they started to migrate. It became very painful and I could see that there was really no way to save them, so I removed them before they caused any serious damage to my nipples. They are now fully healed and I have not considered piercing them again. It was fun while it lasted. *smile*

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Nipple Piercing Q & A

In response to a previous article about embarrassing questions, I received an overwhelming response and a lot more questions! I got many questions particularly about nipple piercings, so below are some detailed answers to the most commonly asked questions.

Combatting Shyness
If you are shy about presenting your nipple to a stranger, this is perfectly normal! Remember that your piercer is a professional and this is not a sexual thing. The less clothing you have to remove, the more comfortable you will probably be, so I would suggest wearing a button up top. This way, you only have to expose the nipple being pierced and keep everything else covered up.

The Pain Factor
I have my nipples pierced, so I am speaking from experience. Getting them pierced was a breeze. I was only going to pierce one at a time, but the first one was so easy I told him to go ahead and do the other one, too. I'll admit, tho, that by then my endorphins had run down and the second one hurt a bit.

Endorphins are wonderful little things. They race through your body, giving you the strength for the "fight or flight" response. They also help to minimize pain. It is a GOOD thing to have some fear and apprehension before getting pierced, because those little endorphins will kick in and help you fight any pain. That doesn't mean you won't feel it, but it will greatly minimize the discomfort.

Also, keep in mind that a piercing is over very quickly. Almost any of us could endure even the worst torture for one or two seconds. I promise, a piercing is nothing like torture!

Abnormal Nipple Shape
If your nipples are abnormally shaped, such as inverted or flat, it will be best to allow your piercer to determine if they can be pierced and what the effect will be. It's difficult to diagnose a condition without being able to see, so make an appointment with your piercer for a consultation.

Healing & Soreness
Now, once you are pierced, the healing process may be slow. This depends a lot on the size and weight of your breasts. Those with smaller breasts will actually have less problems than those with heavier breasts that can get caught in things through natural movement. You never realize how much pulling and squishing your nipples undergo every day until you get them pierced!

If your nipples are sore during the healing process, an ice pack can do wonders. If you don't have an ice pack, a package of small frozen vegetables like peas or corn works really well. Don't laugh! This is a highly recommended method of treatment for engorged breast-feeding mothers.

Sea salt soaks will also provide comfort to a sore nipple piercing. Most nipples will rest comfortably in a small cup of salt water, so this can be done easily while watching TV, reading a book or relaxing. Soak each pierced nipple for about 5 minutes and then rinse well.

The less aggravation your piercing undergoes, the quicker the healing time will be. It should only take about 6-8 weeks. In my case, it took 6 months because my youngest daughter was still very small when I got mine pierced. She was climbing up on my lap one day and grabbed my nipple......ouch! This set the piercing back to the beginning as far as healing goes, so be careful!

If it's been many months and your nipples still haven't healed, you may have an allergy or sensitivity to the jewelry you are wearing. You also might be doing something to aggravate it without realizing it. It's best to see your piercer (or any professional piercer) and let them look at it so they can make an informed suggestion for healing.

Jewelry Rejection
Is a nipple piercing considered a surface piercing? And can it reject like a surface piercing? Technically, no. Although the nipple is similar to a surface piercing in that it enters and exits the skin in two different areas, it's not quite the same. The nipple is fleshy enough to pierce securely behind plenty of skin to prevent rejection. But that doesn't mean a nipple piercing can't reject - especially if it's not done properly in the first place. If the jewelry gauge is too thin or the piercing isn't deep enough to begin with, you run the risk of rejection. If you have an allergy to the metal, it could cause it to reject. If you have problems with infection and/or tug and pull on it too much, it could reject. Actually, almost any piercing falls under these rules - so make sure your piercer knows what they're doing and be extra dutiful about your aftercare!

More Questions Answered on Page 2

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Body Piercing Aftercare - New Piercing Care and Remedies to Common Piercing Problems

Body Piercing Aftercare and Remedies to Common Piercing Problems T.L.C. stands for tender loving care, and that is exactly what your new piercing is going to need. Slacking off on your aftercare or using harmful products will only prolong your discomfort and the healing process.

Most piercers will give you aftercare instructions, and the general rule of thumb would be to follow their advice. But I have found that about 60% of all customers allow this information to enter one ear and exit the other. Also, 47% of all piercing clients lose their paper aftercare instructions and blame it on their hungry dog. And then there is the 21% that go to a mall kiosk and get pierced with a gun, and then come here to learn they shouldn't have done that. For those of you in any of those groups, or if your piercer really didn't tell you how to care for your new piercing, here are my recommendations.

*Disclaimer* I do not claim to be a professional piercer. Not all aftercare methods are appropriate for all people, but I am recommending what I have found to be best after experiencing and caring for over 20 piercings.

General Piercing Aftercare

What You May Need:

Sea SaltMild Anti-Bacterial or Antimicrobial Liquid Soap/Wash (Like Provon or Satin)Cotton BallsCotton-tipped SwabsSmall disposable cups (2-4 ounces)

Cleaning Your Piercing:
1. First, wash your hands thoroughly. Never touch your piercing or jewelry with dirty hands.
2. Saturate a cotton ball with warm water, and gently wipe away any "crusties" that have gathered around the piercing site. Throw the cotton ball away.
3. Apply a generous amount of liquid soap to your fingertip, and apply to the piercing site and jewelry. Make sure you get the soap everywhere, but rotating the jewelry is not necessary as long as you work the soap around the piercing and jewelry completely.
4. Rinse the piercing and jewelry several times with warm water, ensuring that all soap has been removed.
5. Dry your piercing with a clean paper towel and then dispose of it.>

Cleaning Tips
Although it's a very antiquated method, some piercers will still tell you to rotate your jewelry. This is not wrong per say, but I have found that it causes more problems than it solves. Any crusties or bacteria still on the jewelry are then introduced inside the raw piercing when the jewelry is rotated. This can cause irritation or even infection. It's best to just clean the piercing and jewelry thoroughly without actually moving it.

Acceptable Healing Aids and Products Tea Tree Oil - This soothing liquid cools and refreshes an irritated piercing. Use only high quality tea tree oil that has been diluted with distilled water.Emu Oil - A universal healing product that has been discovered to also produce exceptional results when healing a piercing.H2Ocean - Although some would call it "glorified saline solution," most do report excellent healing results with this product.Saline Solution - Less expensive and more readily available than most other products, saline solution is very effective in soothing and healing a new piercing. It's also an acceptable substitute for sea salt soaks.Do NOT Use: Hydrogen Peroxide - Hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria, but it also kills the white blood cells attempting to heal your piercing. It can cause irritation and lengthen overall healing time.Rubbing Alcohol - Alcohol will dry the skin and irritate the raw piercing, which could actually lead to infection.Glyoxide - This is a product that contains hydrogen peroxide and hinders healing rather than aiding it.Ear Care Solution - Solutions that are provided by jewelry boutiques and department store piercers usually contain alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and other harmful chemicals that only aggravate a new piercing.Ointments - Antibacterial ointments or similar products only clog pores and/or kill good cells trying to heal the piercing.New piercings and sometimes irritated piercings can greatly benefit from a Sea Salt Soak. This simple remedy can soothe pain and even draw out infection when it's done properly. Visit the All About Sea Salt Soaks to find out if a sea salt soak would be beneficial to you and, if so, how to do it.

Piercing Guide Navigation: > Return to Main Menu, FAQ, Choose Piercer, Safety Musts, Aftercare

The Piercings > The Ear, The Face, Genital Piercings

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Conventional Piercing Guide - Ear Lobe and Lobe Orbital

Ear Lobe

The lobe piercing is obviously the grandfather of all piercings. It can be traced back to ancient civilizations and has a vast history. The lobe is the easiest place on the body to pierce and has the highest success rate. It heals well, and can be adorned with many different styles of jewelry. A lobe piercing can also be stretched, which is something practiced in modern times as well as in some primitive cultures.

No piercing, including the ear, should be done with a gun or squeeze piercer. For more information, read Piercing Gun Vs. the Needle.

Recommended Starter Jewelry: 16-12 gauge CBR (stud jewelry is not recommended as it is a breeding ground for bacteria and is too tight to allow for proper cleaning and healing)

Estimated Healing Time: 3-6 weeks

Lobe Orbital

The lobe orbital is a rare piercing, but interesting nonetheless. The pierce goes side to side through the lobe, rather than front to back. This kind of piercing should be done only by a very experienced, professional piercer.

Ear Piercing Navigation >Ear Menu Page > Lobe, Helix, Rook, Daith, Tragus, Industrial, Conch

Piercing Guide Navigation > Main Menu, FAQ, Choose a Piercer, Safety Musts, Aftercare

Other Piercings > The Face, Genital Piercings

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