Teens’ body piercings may be beautiful, but are they safe?
Here's what you should know about body piercings and the health risks involved with getting them.
Ears, noses and other body parts have been pierced since ancient times, according to historical records. Talk about style making a comeback! Today, up to half of teens have a piercing other than an earlobe.
Reality is, when it comes to piercings, parents may not have the biggest influence. As the late humorist, Erma Bombeck wrote, "When your mother asks, 'Do you want a piece of advice?' it is a mere formality. It doesn't matter if you answer yes or no. You're going to get it anyway."
What are they piercing? Earlobes are clearly the frontrunner for 83% of Americans, according to Statistic Brain. The study, which also looked at body piercing trends in the U.K., found that the navel is another popular location for females (33%) while the nipples, eyebrows and other parts of the ears are other popular locations for males(about 17-18% for each of these locations).
In the United States, can a teenager under the age of 18 years old, a minor by the law, unaccompanied by his or her parent, walk right into a piercing studio and undergo a piercing procedure? That's a complicated question! The answer is probably "no," but it depends on the state. At least 38 states have laws prohibiting minors from getting piercings without parental permission. New Jersey and Delaware require written parental consent, while Pennsylvania requires a parent to be present.
How is a body piercing done? Piercings can be placed in almost any body part, using a variety of procedures, and with different tools, including:
Special piercing needles: Jewelry is pushed through an opening made by the needle.
Dermal punch: Jewelry is placed in an opening made by a tool that removes a circular area of tissue.
Ear gauging: A small hole is gradually stretched over four to six weeks using increasingly larger items, such as plugs, tunnels or hollow jewelry.
When it comes to body piercings, some jewelry is better than others. Some metals for piercings are better choices than others, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Usually safe and recommended are metals that are made of surgical-grade stainless steel, titanium, 14- or 18-karat yellow gold, or niobium. Not recommended because of frequent allergic reactions are metals that contain nickel, cobalt or white gold.
Location, location, location! The healing time required for a body piercing varies according to body location. Our own blood supply to the site helps in the healing process. The tongue, for instance, with its rich blood supply, may take only a month to heal whereas ear cartilage, with its limited blood supply, may take many months.
Infection at the pierced site; often caused by staph or pseudomonas (especially piercings involving the cartilage of the ear or navel).
Bloodstream infections; those that have been reported are caused by tetanus, strep, staph, pseudomonas, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
Allergic reactions at the pierced site; often caused by nickel in the jewelry.
Consider the less obvious risks. Lip or tongue jewelry can cause oral trauma, including recession of the gums, damage to the enamel, wearing down of the teeth, dental chips, and teeth fractures. Researchers have also found that, in some cases, the jaw bone may be affected requiring oral surgery to preserve the teeth.
My advice: Bring piercings up for discussion with your teen ... the kind of discussion that has give and take, possible compromising, and hopefully a mutually happy ending. If a piercing is in your teen's future:
Be at the appointment for the very reason that your teen needs you there...not just because it's the law.
Help your teen to get it done safely by a piercing professional.
P.S. After-care is important in the healing of the piercing, so please make sure that your teen is following the after-care instructions.
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