violetmackenzie said:
Oh dude, DO NOT use that metal barbell shown in the above picture. Its ideal for some surface piercings such as nape. ( back of the neck) and I've seen some wrist piercings with sucessful use of that style.
Its only ideal for a surface piercing where the skin moves very little, but picture that on your hip. Your hips are constantly moving.
Many piercers refuse to pierce with anything but 'PTFE' for surface piercings. ( I will explain later).
Personally, as a body piercer, this is the worst surface piercing ever. Its going to constantly get caught on your jeans, and the ridge of your panties. This will cause it to reject early. Unless you walk around naked for the entire healing process its going to be incredibly hard keep friction away from it.
If your gonna go for it get pierced with a flexable nylon called PTFE. PTFE is a medical grade nylon that is autoclaved just like 316L surgical stainless steel.
Most piercing shops use this for their surface piercings now as it moves with your body and still has the appearence of a regular barbell. The "bar" is hand moulded to the size you need ( which is different for every surface piercing and every body structure).
Ptfe is self threading and very secure. So once those beads are on they are tight which is great because surface piercings are difficult to change yourself.
But beware I've seen the damage surface piercings can cause and they leave gross nasty scars. If it rejects you wil end up with a line scar. If this happens.100% pure Vitamin E is a great way to heal that scar. But only apply it after the piercing is healed.
Good luck
First of all, please explain WHY you think a surface barbell won't work anywhere besides nape and maybe wrist. Most
reputable piercers that I know of refuse to use anything but an internally threaded 316 LVM ASTM F-138 Implant Grade Steel surface barbell.
Second of all, if I remember correctly, PTFE is a porous plastic that will break down at body temperature, leeching chemicals into your body. I can see MAYBE using it if it's going to be changed fairly often, but changing a surface piercing that often will probably promote rejection, so it still wouldn't be the greatest idea.
And third, 316 L is nowhere near good quality. It has a very poor finish and higher nickel content than 316 LVM, not to mention the fact that it's usually externally threaded. (Internal > External, as external threads will tear the fistula)
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Dec 05, 2007 @ 18:14:15
