One side instead of the other no longer means that you're "gay". Anyone can get pierced anywhere, it has no reflection on your sexuality.

If you can't decide or don't favor one side over the other for ear and facial piercings, you may want to pierce the side you don't sleep on, so that it's less painful and heals faster. Another thing to consider for certain ear piercings is which ear you use on the phone.

Dying your Hair Hair dye can irritate piercings very badly if it comes in contact with them, especially new and healing piercings.

The following suggestions have been passed around on the forums as ways to keep hair dye off your ear piercings. Good luck! And be sure to rinse your piercings WELL after you're done!


General Suggestion ::
Warn your hairdresser before you get your hair cut, combed, washed or colored about your piercings (particularly ear and eyebrow piercings) so they know to look out for them!


From XxLilLadyBugxX ::
Okay - I know this is going to sound REALLY weird - but have you seen those Saran Quick Covers - they look like shower caps for bowls - they're on the same aisle as cling wrap and foil in the grocery store.

The small one fits around the ear loosely - so it would allow the piercing to still breathe - and since it's elastic, there's no gunky adhesive to get stuck in your piercing. The plastic will keep the dye from getting into your piercing as well without interfering with the hair around your ears.


From bekababe ::
Don't put a band-aid on it. Even after an hour or two, it will leave a sticky residue that will trap bacteria near your piercing.

Just ask her to be extra careful and see if there is a small piece of plastic that you can lay over your ear, not tape to it.

What To Wear When Getting Your Body Piercing: Some tips on how to dress for your Piercing appointment so you can be a comfortable as possible during your tattoo.

This is actually a very important step to getting a piercing, important enough that we decided to give the topic its own space.

Begin with the location of where you are getting pierced. In almost all instances, one-piece clothing should be avoided. Dresses, jumpsuits, overalls and similar outfits make it extremely difficult to get to places like navels and nipples. Choose an old outfit that does not matter too much to you just in case it gets soiled.

For navels, and below-the-waist piercings, try to wear loose fitting pants or skirts. Avoid pantyhose it possible they tend to roll not-so-nicely over fresh navel piercings. In addition for navels, avoid lace-topped panties or even a threadbare top panty. You will understand why the first time you catch your new navel piercing on a lace edge.

Also for the below the waist piercings, wear loose underwear. Cotton is a good material in that it is comfortable, and helps minimize sweat.

For the guys, cotton boxers are the easiest they are loose and you can remove them without touching your new piercing. If your boxers happen to have button-fly, it's probably a good idea to button it so as not to catch it on your new piercing.

For the ladies, cotton, full bottomed panties are best. Thongs may be cool to look at, and comfortable, but a full panty will minimize the risk of catching your underwear on your new below-the-waist piercing.

Moving north on the body, for nipples and above the neck piercings, be sure to wear a shirt that you will be able to put back on after the piercing, as well as be able to remove later at home. Button up is good, since it doesn't slide over your head. This is important so you can avoid scraping against that fresh nipple piercing, or yanking that new eyebrow piercing up.

For above the neck piercings, including eyebrows and ear work, avoid hats, since hats may bump your piercing during donning and removal. Winter hats can be difficult to get back on - bring a scarf to wrap your head in. That metal in your new ear piercing gets cold quick, and in really cold temperatures, can do damage to cartilage if exposed too long. Also, be cautious when wrapping that scarf around your face, as it may catch on your new labret piercing.

Dressing to go home can be as important as dressing to get the piercing. For nipple piercing in particular, if possible, after the piercing and your shirt is back on you, tuck the end into your pants. In colder weather, that cold air flying up your shirt as you leave the shop can be a big surprise. And don't be afraid to zip up your coat.

How To Hide Your Body Piercings

There are a variety of reasons one might need to hide a piercing. Some of those reasons include a new boss or job, sporting event rules and regulations, or even simply your friends and family do not appreciate your piercing the way you do. Whatever your reason, here are some suggestions on ways to have your piercing discreetly.

The most common piercing that needs hiding is the tongue. Many companies make acrylic tongue retainers now in a variety of sizes, and are usually priced quite reasonably. Acrylic tongue retainers replace your barbell or ring in your tongue and are clear, pink, or red in color. They are great for a quick fix in a "no metal" area, such as MRIs and x-rays. Another fix is the flesh colored retainers. Various jewelry companies make them (under various names, of course), but they can be expensive if you need to "hide" your piercing for only a short while. They come with a surgical steel rod, with flesh-colored discs on each end. And last but not least, clear or red acrylic discs or balls on your barbell. Not as effective as the two previous recommendations, but work well in an emergency.

Labrets and lip piercings can be hidden in much the same way as a tongue piercing. Both can be hidden with specially made acrylic retainers, similar to tongue retainers, but shorter. And, like tongues, lips and labrets can also be hidden with clear balls or discs on the end of a labret stud. In extreme circumstances where you only need it out for a short while (like a job interview), removing the ball off a labret stud will do the trick. Unfortunately, for those with a ring, there is no quick fix such as previously mentioned.

Another piercing that may need hiding is the eyebrow. Most jewelry companies make a small metal retainer that looks like a miniature crochet hook. They do the job, but if your piercing is shallow, or if you have little brow hair, they can be almost as visible as the piercing jewelry. There are a few companies that are making acrylic retainers, which are practically invisible. These retainers are more difficult to find, and tend to be a little more expensive, but worthwhile for virtual non-detection of an eyebrow piercing. In a pinch, a barbell can be used to hide your eyebrow piercing just unscrew the balls!

Occasionally, navel piercings also have to be hidden usually for sports events and procedures such as MRIs or x-rays. For those who need a non-metallic form of discretion, there are some companies that make acrylic retainers for your navel. Very similar to the acrylic eyebrow retainer, it has the appearance of a miniaturized golf tee, only the stem is curved not straight. It also has a little rubber o-ring on the end, to keep it secure. Keep in mind, these curved acrylic retainers tend to be a more pricey than their straight cousins, mostly because they haven't become a mass-market product yet and not every jewelry company makes them.

Every so often, someone needs to hide a nipple piercing. Usually, it for special occasion outfit, in which the piercing shows through such as a wedding. For events such as these, there are also nipple retainers. They are bell-shaped, but flat think of it as if you drew a picture of a bell on a piece of paper. Generally, you can find them in different sizes and colors, and they are not very expensive. In addition, a navel retainer does a good job here too. And it's acrylic, so you can use them for MRIs and other places where metal might be an issue. There is usually just enough metal showing as to keep it open.

Nostril piercings are generally the most "socially friendly", high visibility piercings, other than ears. And yet there are still places where one must be discreet. Unfortunately, this is one of the most difficult piercings to hide. The only way to really hide it, short of removal, is a titanium or niobium nostril screw, in peach color. The tint of peach can be lightened or darkened at the manufacturer to blend into a variety of skin tones. If you can have something small, there is what is known as the Microbezel nostril screw. It is a 20g nostril screw with a 1mm jeweled top, which is formed so that it is flush with the skin in your piercing. The jewel is VERY tiny so tiny that they are very hard to see unless you really look for them. They can be a bit expensive, so understand that these are not retainers, but can do the job if needs be. Acrylic retainers are not made as thin as most nostril piercings need them to be. A non-metallic obscurity is not possible for a nostril piercing.

Perhaps there will come a time when each person will be allowed to be an individual. In the meantime, for those of you whose lives are such that discretion is best, good luck and hopefully these suggestions have helped you to be yourself, just more discretely.