A Piercing Glossary

Boils and Abscesses are both formed when bacteria invade tissue and are being contained by white blood cells. Boils are less severe, whereas abscesses can occur within skin tissue and have the potential of rupturing, then spreading the infection further into the body. Catching boils, abscesses and infections early is the easiest way of dealing with them effectively. Abscesses are often the result of a new piercing that could not drain fluid properly (where the entry and exit points have been left crusted by blood or, more commonly, puss) and can appear as reddish-pink bumps in between the ends of the piercing.

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Using Acrylic in piercings is becoming more widely acknowledged. Acrylic is a glassy thermoplastic often used to make stretched piercing jewellery but can and is used to make almost anything.

Acrylic jewelry must not be exposed to alcohol as this will cause it to crack. Acrylic is also sensitive to rapid changes in temperature and cannot be Autoclaved.

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Acrylic Tunnels or Flesh Tunnels are sometimes referred to as plug, gauge, spool, tube, earlet or eyelet.

Acrylic Tunnels are hollow tubes, usually used in stretched piercings.

Some people may choose to wear flesh tunnels instead of flesh plugs because they weigh less, especially at larger sizes and also show the piercing hole all the way through.

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The full range of items available to do with adult piercings.

Our fantastic selection of high quality adult items includes nipple stirrups and clamps, nipple shields, nipple whirls, padlocks, weights, intimate buttons, labia spreaders and many more. Our range includes products suited to all levels of experience and taste.

With an emphesis on quality manufacture and wide range of choice, our adult accessories are literally the best around. Our adult range is sourced only from the top manufacturers and all items are tested before inclusion in the range.

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Aftercare is the process of cleaning and looking after a healing piercing or wound. Good aftercare prevents risk of infection and helps to keep your piercing in a healthy condition.

We have a fantastic selecton of specifically chosen, optimal quality healing and aftercare products for you to choose from.

Your new piercing may secrete a small amount of clear fluid called lymph, this is normal and healthy. As this fluid dries throughout the day, it becomes hard and somewhat sharp. It is very important not to move the jewellery until this crust is removed.

The easiest way to remove this crust is with hot water. Once the jewellery and piercing are clean on both sides, apply a moderate amount of a mild liquid soap to the area. Gently work up a lather over and on the piercing. Slowly, move the jewellery through the piercing six to ten times. If you feel a sharp sensation, check to make sure all of the dried material is removed before proceeding. Let the soap remain in contact with the piercing for about one minute. Then rinse with clean water for at least one minute more. Always use a clean towel to pat dry.

Cleaning your piercing more than two times a day may weaken your body's own natural defences. The use of anti-bacterial ointments is generally discouraged as they may block oxygen from the piercing as well as providing a place for stronger contaminants to breed. Alcohol and witch hazel are also considered ineffective cleaning agents. Hydrogen peroxide may sometimes create scar tissue with repeated use.

It is a good idea to make sure that you sleep on clean sheets or with clean sleeping clothes. For ear piercings it is wise to avoid public telephones. You should also disinfect the phones in your home and office. Be careful with hair care products and harsh shampoos.

You should never touch your piercing with dirty hands. Avoid rough handling of a new piercing. Genital piercings should be protected from foreign body fluids until fully healed.

The importance of good nutrition must not be overlooked. A well balanced diet, stress reduction and sleep, as well as quality multi-vitamin supplements are recommended during the healing period.

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Amber is the fossilized resin from ancient forests, a natural material loved for its interesting mixture of colours.

Amber resin can ooze from trees and fill internal fissures trapping debris such as seeds, leaves, feathers and insects, which are buried and fossilized through a natural polymerization of the organic compounds.

Amber is considered chemically inert and is widely used for body piercing jewellery as well as many other fashion jewellery items, such as rings, pendants and bracelets.

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The Ampallang is a male genital piercing, it passes horizontally through the entire glans of the penis, whether through the urethra or above it.

Ampallangs and apadravyas are generally considered the "toughest" male genital piercings; they are some of the most painful to get done and can take six months or more to heal.

Anal beads are a type of sex toy consisting of several balls attached together which are inserted through the anus and then removed at varying speeds depending on the effect desired. Those who use anal beads enjoy the pleasurable feeling they receive as the ball passes through the narrow sphincter of the anus.

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Many metals can be anodized, although Titanium and Niobium are the two most common body piercing metals to go through this chemical process.

Anodization is a chemical process that helps to protect the metal from corrosion and to change its colour properties. It works by electrically building up an oxide layer on the surface of the metal, which can be done at different thicknesses. The colour of the metal will be determined by the thickness of the oxide layer.

The Anti-Tragus is the thick part of your ear attatched and directly protruding from the side of your face to protect your ear canal.

Some people may find that their Anti-Tragus is too small to be pierced, however, micro jewellery is often successfully used.

See more information on the Anti-Tragus

Like the Ampallang, the Apadravya is a male genital piercing passing from top to bottom of the glans penis.

The piercing is almost always placed centrally, passing through the urethra. Non-centred apadravya are also possible. The piercing is normally done on a slightly forward angle to make penetration and withdrawal easier.

Many women agree that this is one of the most pleasurable piercing.

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The Apadydoe piercing is a single ring passing through a crooked apadravya (a male genital piercing passing from top to bottom of the glans penis). These are typically done in pairs.

The Auricle is also called the pinna. The pinna or auricle is the whole of the outer ear, therefore all ear piercings are in fact "pinna" piercings.

To clarify, the pinna is the entire outer ear, that's every bit of the ear you can see outside of your head and is not the name of any specific piercing.

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An Autoclave is a device used to sterilize tools and jewellery by heating them up with pressurized steam. This is an absolute essential for all tattoo, piercing and medical studios.

Using an Autoclave it is possible to heat water to a much higher temperature than its boiling point of 100°C. This means that all bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores are destroyed. Autoclaves work by allowing steam to enter and maintaining extremely high pressure for at least 15 minutes. Because damp heat is used, heat-labile products (such as some plastics) cannot be sterilized or they will melt.

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