Microdermal Anchoring and Dermal Accessories

What is a Microdermal piercing?

A Microdermal piercing (also known as Microdermal anchoring) is a similar procedure to any surface piercing; however, it involves only one single-point incision into the skin creating a ‘pocket’ for Microdermal jewellery. The Microdermal anchor is held in place by ‘hooking’ into the pocket of skin. The single-point entry of the procedure means that only one end of the jewellery is seen on the surface of the skin, unlike standard piercings that will have two accessories at each entry hole of the piercing.

What are the advantages of a Microdermal piercing?

Microdermal anchoring is a very versatile procedure that can be placed almost anywhere on the body, although healing can indeed be difficult on areas of high movement. As dermal anchors allow the skin to move, pull & stretch, this allows the body to heal with less scarring and smaller possibility of the jewellery migrating and rejecting. A great range of placement possibilities have been successfully accomplished with dermal anchoring, such as the face, fingers, neck, arms, head, hips and back; all of which are much more difficult to heal as standard surface piercings.

Microdermal piercings are great for body modification where only one visible threaded accessory is desired, such as a ‘Third-Eye’ Microdermal, placed in between the eyebrows.

Microdermal piercings are also very popular as an alternative to lip and labret piercings, as they make tooth damage & gum recession a thing of the past!

How long does a Microdermal piercing take to heal?

Healing time varies depending on placement and care. Some people find healing a fairly quick process within 1-3 months, however, some have been known to take 6-12 months. It is important to note that even after this time, a regular cleaning routine is still important. Careful aftercare instructions will be provided to you when your piercer has done the procedure, depending on how the piercer feels is best for you to look after your new modification!

View our full range of Blackline Dermal Anchors and Accessories!

How is a Microdermal piercing removed?

Microdermal anchors are considered a permanent piercing; once healed, they can only be removed by making an incision into the healed flesh to allow the anchor to be removed. For this reason, it is important to carefully consider the placement of the jewellery when deciding to have the procedure.

View our full range of Titanium Dermal Anchors and Accessories!

Body Piercings and Piercing Retainers

Body piercing retainers are designed to be discreet, whilst keeping your piercing open. Piercing retainers are commonly made from transparent acrylics such as Bioplast, Bioflex and PTFE but can also come in a variety of metals for hidden piercings such as the Septum.

This Titanium septum retainer can be flipped up into your nose, out of sight!

Any acrylic retainer can be worn during medical procedures, x-rays and scans as they do not contain any metal. Piercing retainers are also ideal for wearing to work, school and for playing sports to prevent injury. Piercing retainers are very versatile and can be used for virtually any piercing you have, from nostrils, eyebrows and navels to stretched ears and genital piercings. We have a wide selection of retainers to choose from, in many different sizes and shapes.

The best thing about Bioplast, Bioflex and PTFE acrylic is the ability to autoclave (pressure-steam sterilize) the retainer for initial piercings, so you can request to be pierced with a retainer at your piercing studio. If you need to change your existing jewellery for a retainer before your piercing has healed you can ask your piercer to autoclave and fit the retainer for you.

Different Types of Piercing Retainers

Here is an overview of the different types of retainers you can find and the piercings they are most commonly worn in. Remember, body piercing jewellery and piercing retainers can be used to your own personal requirements; as long as they fit your piercing size correctly you can wear them wherever you choose or need to!

Labret Retainers:

Labret retainers are very versatile and come in a variety of styles, including clear-top, flesh-tone, beauty-spot-black and clear o-ring. Labret retainers are also known as ‘lip retainers’, however, they are not only used for lip, labret and monroe piercings but also earlobes, tragus and other cartilage ear piercings. The soft acrylic material and flat base plate on labret retainers make them incredibly comfortable to wear in ear piercings, whilst also preventing injury or damage to the teeth and gums for oral piercings. Labret retainers are available in two gauges (thicknesses); 1.2mm and 1.6mm, and 3 different lengths; 6mm, 8mm and 10mm.

Nostril Retainers:

Our Nose Piercing Retainers are available in two different designs; the professional hook nose screw studs that 'twist' into your nose piercing, or the straight nose pins that have one straight stem. Nostril retainers are also available in different gauges (thicknesses) to ensure you have a perfect fit! The most common nostril piercing size will be 1mm, but we also have 0.8mm and 1.2mm for those who may have downsized or stretched up.

Tongue Retainers:

Tongue retainers come in a variety of colours and shapes, with a standard length of 16mm that can easily be cut down to length and re-threaded for a perfect fit (re-threading of acrylic stems is explained further on in this article). The most secure retainers for tongue piercings would be the dome-topped barbells, available in transparent clear, flesh-tone and pink. The dome-top is threaded onto the end of the bar, ensuring to stay in place just like any standard threaded barbell.

Curved Retainers:

Curved Bioplast retainer stems can be used for eyebrow piercing, navel piercings and any other piercing that will fit the size of the stem correctly. We have them in both 1.2mm and 1.6mm gauges, at a long length of 25mm that can be cut down and re-threaded for a perfect fit. More information on re-threading acrylic can be found further below. A flat base-plate is fixed to one end of the curved retainer stem, but you can choose to add your own accessory onto the other end of the stem. We have a selection of accessories to use for securing retainers in place, shown further below.

Silicone Flesh Plug Retainers:

If you have stretched your piercings and need larger gauge hiders to keep them discreet, these flesh-tone silicone hider plugs are the way to go! Available in a great range of sizes from 2.4mm to 19mm, these stretched-piercing retainers are flexible and soft, making them easy and comfortable to wear for any occasion.

Circular Barbell Retainers:

These 1.2mm micro-circular barbells are available in 1.2 x 8mm, commonly worn in micro septum, earlobe, tragus and cartilage piercings that fit this gauge and internal diameter. Both ends of the circular barbell stems are threaded to fit any 1.2mm accessory, although you can also use our range of push-fit balls and o-rings, shown further below…

Barbell Stems:

We have a wide selection of barbell stem retainers that can be used for different piercings as required by you, from lip, labret and monroe piercings to cheek, eyebrow, nipple, conch, tongue and other piercings that fit the gauge and length of the stem correctly.

Barbell stem retainers come in a variety of styles, including a straight barbell without any fixed ends, or with a fixed base-plate in the form of a ball, or flat disc or half-ball (dome).

Barbell stems are available in both 1.2mm and 1.6mm gauges, with varying lengths that can easily be cut down and re-threaded to fit virtually any piercing perfectly!

We also have long strips of PTFE stem (which can also be purchased as a set with a Threading Tool) as shown below, which can be cut down and worn in any piercing that fits either 1.2mm or 1.6mm gauges. More information on re-threading of your acrylics can be found further below.

Piercing Retainer Accessories:

Piercing retainers can be held in place using push-fit balls or o-rings, which can be easily fitted by pushing them onto the end of the stem. Push-fit labret retainers will be supplied with their own push-fit accessories, which will fit into the hollow stem of the stud.

Push-fit balls, silicone o-rings and Bioflex discs are available in different sizes, so you can use them on both 1.2mm and 1.6mm stems.

Cutting and Re-Threading your Bioplast, Bioflex and PTFE Stems

Acrylic stems are flexible and soft, therefore can be easily cut down to your desired length and threaded for a custom, snug fit in your piercing.

Simply trim the retainer stem at a slight angle (remember to allow some space for the thread when measuring the length!) and use the Threading Tool to push and twist a new thread on the end of the stem; quick and easy!

If you do not have this handy little tool, not to worry! You can do the same thing using a metal threaded accessory by pushing and twisting it onto the stem, which will screw a new thread onto your stem (but may be slightly trickier!).

Other Acrylic Body Piercing Jewellery

Acrylic Smooth Segment Rings are a cheap and lightweight alternative to heavy large gauge jewellery. They are very easy to open and close, and are perfect for PA piercings where metal jewellery is not an option. These smooth segment rings are ideal for healed piercings only, as they cannot be autoclaved.

Acrylic Ball Closure Rings are available in a range of sizes and colours. The captive accessory is easy to remove and fit, making these rings quick and easy to use!

Diary of a Snug Piercing

Chapter 1 - To the studio…

“It was almost a week ago now, since I popped over to Manchester with my friend Jen to further decorate my ear with metal! I knew exactly what I wanted - I was starting an ear project after already having my lobes done twice, my helix and my nostril pierced. I always loved the look of a snug more than say a Daith or a Rook. I had read up on snugs for months beforehand so I knew exactly what I was getting myself into - a painful piercing that can be pretty problematic to heal! I figured it would be worth it.

I'd been to ‘Holier than Thou’ before and I believe it to be the very best piercing studio in the North West of England at least! It's wonderful - they'll do almost anything because their techniques extend so far. I entered the shop, all bright and full of wonderful body jewellery, and showed my friend Jen (who'd never been there before) around the shop. When it was my turn I asked for a snug and the shop assistant (with the most gorgeous scarification and bright pink hair) put me down on the list and gave me the usual forms to fill in. Because it was a Saturday it was busier than usual, and there was a nipple and a navel before my snug. This didn't take long though, not when you're browsing through portfolios. Finally Marcus came out with his smiley face and said "snug?”.

I followed him into the studio (Jen had decided to stay in the shop) which is always bright, clean and comfortable, and I can honestly say I'm not nervous any more before a piercing. I think the adrenaline gets me so much that I don't panic. I asked him about the jewellery, he said he would be using a titanium curved barbell/bananabell type piece, which would be slightly too long to allow for swelling. This was exactly what I wanted anyway, and it would be pierced at 1.6mm (14ga). He complimented my ear shape and said how much he also loved snugs...but pointed out that they're still quite unusual which makes them more interesting to look at.

He marked my ear where he thought it would be best for healing and it was in the middle of my ear right where I wanted it. I nodded and sat back down, placing my hands on the padded seat in case I needed to squeeze! He did the "breathe in, breathe out" routine and I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt; it did. I could feel the needle going through one side right to the other...it took slightly longer than my nostril because there was more cartilage and it was done freehand. I'd say it was roughly twice as painful as my nose, but with my nose I barely felt a thing. So my snug was also a completely bearable sensation. I didn't feel the jewellery go in either, which was good.

When it was done I was so happy. It looked beautiful - subtle but very noticeable at the same time. Marcus asked if he could take a photograph for his portfolio because I had such a "prominent ear shape for a snug". I was flattered and said yes! He took the photo and it looked great! After thanking Marcus repeatedly, I returned into the shop part of ‘Holier than Thou’ where Jen was waiting. I felt fine and already my ear was giving me no stinging or pain. She looked at it and approved of it very much! I paid the lady with the bright pink hair (£20 which I think is a fantastic price) and left in complete happiness.

I will continue to go to ‘Holier than Thou’ - it has a great atmosphere about it. Even though the general type of person that goes in there is very heavily ‘modded’, it is not at all intimidating like I'd have thought 3 years ago when I was 14. It's actually quite beautiful and very interesting. I love seeing other people's piercings and tattoos.

Well, it has been almost a week and I can say Miss Snug has settled into the family perfectly! She has not swelled up at all and gets minimal crusties. I have avoided banging my ear and I haven't slept on the snug side either. I do sea salt soaks once or twice a day with drops of tea tree oil in - works a treat! At the moment my snug, notorious for causing problems, has been the least problematic of ALL my piercings. And I'm not complaining either! If you like this piercing and think it would fit in well with the structure of your ear (because that is important for successful healing - the deeper it can go the better) then I say go for it! It's so pretty. All my friends have complimented it.”

Chapter 2 – The Healing Process

Picture 2 - (First 2 weeks)

"CONSTANT MAJOR SWELLING! My snug and whole ear is throbbing all the time, even with ibuprofen/ice/warm salt soaks. There’s not much bar left either but luckily there’s no signs of imbedding. I don’t know if I’m just being a wimp or not but it’s really painful at the moment and I’m just trying to stick it out. I was told that this would probably last a week so I’m not looking forward to sleeping."

Picture 3 - (1 Month in)

"The swelling has gone down somewhat but when I compare my snug ear to my other ear it still looks a lot bigger! And, oh yes…I’ve developed the beginnings of 'The Bump'. This is a familiar sight. Time for the tea tree oil I think. Sleep is still impossible on my snug side by the way."

Picture 4 - (3 Months in)

"My snug is still not happy and has swelled up a bit more from when I’ve accidentally slept on it (I'm an acrobatic sleeper!); so temperamental. It still has daily crusties and a bump on one exit hole. I just have my hair over my ear all the time to hide it and I’m beginning to question if this was really worth all the damn effort. I know other people who for one reason or another have retired their snugs…they really can be hell. But I’ve ordered a Bioplast curved barbell which is a gauge lower than it is now and still generous in length (as you never know!), as recommended by a piercer friend."

Picture 5 - (5 months in)

"My snug is actually bump-less for the first time in about 4 months! It just kept shrinking and growing, shrinking and growing. But I’m determined to keep it away now. My ear’s general swollen state (which I thought would never go) has actually gone down dramatically over the last couple of weeks and there is so much of the Bioplast bar showing as you can see (which seems to really have done it a lot of good!). I’ll have to get another shorter Bioplast bar when I’m brave enough to change it again to avoid any new irritation from the bar moving."

Picture 6 - 7 Months in

"My snug has gone through so many stages; it’s unbelievable! As it stands now it is FINALLY happy, and loved as though it was the day it was done. I’ve considered retiring it so many times over these 7 months but I’m so glad I didn’t! It’s a big commitment…you can’t just leave snugs alone, you have to look after them or they bite you in the bum (or ear in this case). My ear is “normal” sized again which is great to see, and the Bioplast curved bar I have in is only 6mm (to give you an idea of the extent of swelling it was double that when it was pierced!). I’m so pleased though. I affectionately refer to my piercing as ‘Snuglas’, and now show it off at every given opportunity as it is bump-less, crust-less, pretty and perfect.

If you're considering getting a snug (because they do look amazing) just make sure you go to a piercer who knows what they are doing and puts a very large curved barbell in - not a straight one. 12mm is usually sufficient but even mine swelled right up to the bar. Also, be prepared for a lot of pain, some headaches, neck ache even, and throbbing pains. Ibuprofen does help but when you sleep it's very difficult to not sleepily roll over and wake yourself up in agony!

But don’t let this put you off (she says!) because I am so glad I stuck with it. And you never know, everyone's different, you might have a breezy healing process. It's a lovely piercing to own and also one you don't see every day. I love it!"

Crystal Evolution Navel Bananabells

The superior quality of the Crystal Evolution range will leave you bedazzled!

Crystal Evolution Bananabell - Red Crystal Devil Heart

Explore this fabulous selection of navel bananabells, each one beautifully crafted with flawless detail and set with spectacular Swarovski crystals on a G23 Surgical Titanium stem. G23 Surgical Titanium is ideal for all to wear, so those of you with Nickel allergies need not worry. This also makes Crystal Evolution the ideal choice of gift, ensuring full health and safety of the special receiver!

Crysal Evolution Bananabell - Moon and Star

If you’re looking for unmatched beauty and style, the Crystal Evolution collection will charm you with its remarkable form and vibrant colour combinations, due to advancements in technology that have set new standards in body jewellery.This astonishing line is produced using the 'Free Setting System' with Swarovski crystals, each crystal is set by hand. This technical development has opened a completely new world of products made with Swarovski crystals, offering an amazing array of new possibilities.

Crystal Evolution Bananabell - Crystal Flag

This new method of crystal setting involves the use of special waterproof glue, which comes in the same colours as the stones themselves. This enhances the radiance of the crystal and brings out the perfect shine.

Crystal Evolution Bananabell - Crystal Spade

The entire Crystal Evolution range can also be sterilised at high temperature without causing any damage to the crystal sets.

Crystal Evolution Bananabell - Pink Galaxy

Body Piercing Infections

What is a body piercing infection?

Body piercing infections are most commonly caused by bacteria entering the site of the fresh wound and multiplying as your body’s immune system fails to kill the foreign matter.

Why do piercings get infected?

Infection will usually occur during the healing phase of the piercing, not necessarily as a result of the piercing process itself. Any type of surgical procedure, whether it is a tongue piercing or a kidney transplant, carries a risk of infection even if sterile technique is followed carefully. Skin bacteria is most often the cause of infection in body piercings when coming into contact with the fresh wound during aftercare. Good hand-washing and ensuring your nails are dirt-free when handling your body piercing is essential for the prevention of infection.

What should I expect from a normal, healthy, healing piercing?

A fresh piercing may be slightly sore, tender and swollen for approximately 1-2 weeks after the initial procedure; however, this varies from person to person and the area being pierced. This is to be expected as part of the piercing process. Pain and discomfort subsides gradually as each day passes.
You will also notice light-coloured lymph that will start to discharge from the piercing about a day or two after the initial procedure; this is nothing to worry about. Lymph is a mixture of oxygen, proteins, glucose and white blood cells secreted from the fresh wound to promote healing of your piercing. This will continue to do so until your piercing is fully healed.

What are the common symptoms of an infection?

• Increased pain and tenderness
• Excessive redness around the piercing
• Prolonged bleeding
• Dark coloured discharge (such as yellow, brown or green pus)
• A change in your skin colour around the piercing area
• Area will feel hot to the touch
• Area may have an unusual smell
• Black dead-tissue build up
• Fever

How do I know if my piercing is infected?

1. Do you see a dark discharge? Is your piercing painfully swollen? Is it warm to the touch? This could indicate bacteria or another irritant has caused an infection or a response from you body that resembles an infection.
2. Is there a solid marble-like bump underneath your skin? Is it warm to the touch? Is it painfully swollen? Do you see dark discharge? This could indicate an abscess. An abscess is a trapped infection underneath the skin, which could potentially burst. Don't squeeze it and don't remove your body jewellery. See a doctor immediately, as this could develop into a bigger complication.
3. Is there a bump next to the piercing, similar to a pimple? Is it tender and swollen? Do you see pus? This could indicate a blocked pore or follicle in or near the piercing. This is nothing to worry about and regular hot compress care should treat it easily.
4. Is your piercing itchy? Is the skin tender, tight and shiny? Is there a rash? This could indicate a reaction to the metal or any chemicals you may be using on the piercing. Simply change your body jewellery to a different metal (Titanium, Blackline and Zircon Gold recommended) and do not use any cleaning agents on the piercing. Saline Solution can and should be used.
5. Is there a dark, shiny lump forming at the entry hole of your piercing? Does the lump remain a small size without growing? This could indicate hypertrophic scarring. This is fairly common and will subside in most cases. Continue with your aftercare regime, avoiding irritation to the area.
6. Is there a growing dark lump of skin forming around the entry hole of your piercing? Is the piercing tender or inflamed? Is the lump increasing in size? Is the area itchy? This could indicate a keloid. Keloids are raised, reddish nodules that grow above the surface of the skin and form large mounds of scar tissue. Keloids cannot be treated and will require surgical removal (although this is not always successful). You will need to see your doctor for advice.

I think my piercing is infected, what should I do?

You can treat the majority of body piercing infections at home by following a few relatively easy guidelines.

Your first plan of action should be to visit your piercer (or any reputable piercing studio) to have your body piercing examined and diagnosed. Many people mistake the typical healing process for an infection so it is important to have a professional opinion before taking further action. Most professional piercing studios will provide you with specific instructions on how to care for your piercing and what to do if you get an infection.

In the case of an infected piercing, a doctor or GP will often request for your body piercing jewellery to be removed. It is very important for you to discuss with the doctor that the jewellery must remain in place to act as a drain for the infected discharge. If the jewellery is removed, the openings of the piercing will close up and the infection will not drain, which can result in an abscess. An abscess is an infection that is trapped under the skin and is indicated by a darkening and hardening of the surrounding tissue, swelling and pain.

My cartilage piercing is infected and won’t seem to heal, what should I do?

Infected cartilage piercings such as the nose and upper ear will take longer to heal, as cartilage does not have its own blood supply; it depends on the surrounding tissues to provide oxygen and nutrients by diffusion.

This also makes cartilage piercings more susceptible to infection and harder to treat, therefore require patience and persistence.

Destruction of cartilage by an infection can also lead to deformity of the ear or nasal contours. While most infections can be treated successfully with early use of antibiotics, it is a risk that you should know about.

How can I treat a body piercing infection?

A piercing infection can sometimes be treated at home, although antibiotics are typically necessary if the infection has spread beyond the immediate area of the wound. This as known as cellulitis and occurs when the body can no longer wall-off the infection.

It is important to note that if symptoms do not subside within 2-3 days, one should seek medical advice for oral antibiotic treatment.

The basic steps to treat a piercing infection are:

1. Clean the piercing and surrounding area with rubbing alcohol using a cotton wool pad or swab for a minimum of one minute, as this will remove any skin bacteria on and around the piercing. Remove any debris; dead tissue, pus, dirt or other foreign material on the piercing and jewellery. Do not use Hydrogen Peroxide to clean the area as this will also kill white blood cells, responsible for fighting against the infection.
2. Rotate your piercing jewellery gently and apply more of the cleansing liquid, working it all the way through the hole as much as possible. This will also encourage drainage of infected discharge from your piercing.
3. Use a hot compress to soak the piercing in hot salt water to encourage the infection to drain and increase blood circulation to the area. Compresses should be made of clean, disposable materials such as cotton balls, pads or gauze sponges.
4. Pat the area dry the area with a disposable cloth or cotton pad and avoid contact with unclean matter. You may wish to apply some antibiotic cream or ointment around the piercing.

What precautions should I take when treating an infected piercing?

• Your bed sheets and clothing in contact with the body piercing area should be changed daily
• Promote circulation and a healthy immune system with good nutrition, avoiding alcohol, and quitting smoking. This is extremely important, if not essential to the healing process
• Do not use alcohol or Peroxide to clean the area as both products will dry out and irritate your skin
• Do not use any public hot tubs or swimming pools until your infection has been treated
• Throw out your old toothbrush and get a new, soft-bristled toothbrush if you are treating a tongue or lip piercing. This is to avoid exposure to bacteria from your old toothbrush.

All About Wooden Body Jewellery

Wood is among the oldest materials used for body piercing jewellery. It is a natural material sourced from different types of trees and can be shaped, carved and refined in many forms. Flesh plugs, tunnels, spirals and eardrops are some of the most popular pieces of body jewellery available, in many different wood types, colours and shades.

This Wood and Horn Anchor Flesh Plug features an etched design, we have many more designs in this range!

What types of wood are suitable for body piercing jewellery?

Some types of wood are not recommended for body piercing jewellery as they can cause allergic reactions. For this reason, you will find that most body piercing jewellery is made of hardwood, such as Ebony, Oak, Mahogany, Walnut, Cherry and Eucalyptus. Hardwood (the type of wood used for construction and furniture) is of higher density than softwoods such as Pine, therefore more durable and resilient to environmental conditions. Softwoods are not used as they may splinter and some are toxic.

We strongly recommend that no compromise is made for the quality of your wooden body jewellery. Although most raw woods are relatively safe, some poorly manufactured jewellery, that has either been made with unsuitable wood or hasn’t been treated, may cause irritation or allergic reaction.

This plain Ebony Wood Flesh Tunnel features natural Ebony wood with a dark, beautifully smooth, polished and naturally grained surface.

What are the advantages of wooden body piercing jewellery?

Wooden body jewellery is lightweight and tends to stay securely in place better than other, heavier materials.

The porosity of wood essentially means that the wood ‘breathes’, as any organic material will, allowing some minimal airflow to the piercing area. For this reason, many people find that wooden body jewellery is less likely to smell as it might with other materials.

Wood is also an excellent basis for more advanced jewellery. The flat faces of a plug can be inlaid with gemstones or metals, etc. Wood can easily be shaped and it comes in many colours.

What are the disadvantages of wooden body piercing jewellery?

Wood is a porous material with an abundance of pores that give wood its texture and grain. These pores may absorb body fluids or chemicals and may also harbour harmful bacteria, therefore should be kept in good condition and not worn continuously for long-term periods.

Due to the porous nature of wood, it is most certainly inappropriate for fresh piercings or unhealed stretches.

Wood cannot be sterilized in a steam-autoclave as this will damage the jewellery.

Wood also has the potential to dry out, although this can be prevented in most cases with good care of your jewellery.

How should you take care of wooden body piercing jewellery?

Wooden body jewellery can be lightly treated once a week with natural plant oil such as jojoba, coconut or olive oil to prevent cracking.

You can clean your wooden body jewellery with mild liquid anti-bacterial soap and warm water, ensuring to dry the jewellery immediately. Tea tree oil, a natural antiseptic, can also be used for cleaning.

Avoid leaving your wood jewellery in direct sunlight.

Avoid humidity or over-heating of your wooden body jewellery, for example remove jewellery before swimming, bathing, or entering a sauna.

You don't need to have stretched ears to wear wooden body piercing jewellery. This Wooden Eardop is one of our many different designs on BodyJewelleryShop!

All About Glass Body Jewellery

Glass is a common body piercing jewellery material that has been used for thousands of years. Some of the earliest evidence of glass body jewellery has been discovered in ancient Egypt, where glass flesh plugs have been recovered from ancient Egyptian tombs. Ancient traditions around the world have also treasured glass as a symbol of wealth and status in the form of glass beads, earrings, lucky charms and other ornaments.

Glass body jewellery possesses unique and strikingly beautiful qualities that set it apart from all other jewellery materials. Simple, clean and highly polished, colours are vibrant and reflective in the sunlight. Glass jewellery is often semi-transparent with a 3-dimensional effect, but can also be produced with a solid, matte finish.

You can find a fabulous range of glass body jewellery on BodyJewelleryShop.com, including glass flesh plugs, flesh tunnels, twists and claws.

Find glass body jewellery in many different designs, colours and even sizes ranging from 1.6mm to 20mm only at BodyJewelleryShop!

Is glass body jewellery safe to wear?

Glass body jewellery is very comfortable, durable and safe to wear in body piercings. By its very nature glass is chemically inert (void of any chemical activity), making it highly bio-compatible and hypoallergenic. Those who have nickel or other allergies to metal and acrylic jewellery are able to wear glass body jewellery without any problems.

Glass has also been used in the medical world for implantation in bone reconstruction throughout the body.

BodyJewelleryShop supply only Borosilicate glass, so there is absolutely no lead in any of our glass body jewellery. Every piece is hand crafted and approved, ensuring to provide you with only the best standard of glass body jewellery.

What type of glass is suitable for body jewellery?

• Borosilicate glass is often sold under the brand name Pyrex. Borosilicate is a special class of heat resistant, chemical resistant and resilient glass that is not only special in its composition but is also heated and cooled in specific ways to give it the qualities required for scientific and medical uses.
• Quartz glass is the most common mineral found on the surface of the earth. Quartz has many variations often used for body jewellery. Pure quartz is colourless or white, whilst coloured varieties come in the form of rose quartz, amethyst, onyx, citrine, carnelian, tiger’s eye, jasper and many more!
• Soda-lime Glass
  Soda-lime glass is the most common type of industrially-produced glass. It is not as durable or resilient as borosilicate or quartz, but it has been very successful as a material for body jewellery.

BodyJewelleryShop offers a stunning selection of natural quartz gemstone flesh plugs including Amethyst, Rose Quartz, Clear Quartz and many more!

What are the advantages of wearing glass body jewellery?

The bio-compatibility characteristics of glass make it ideal in helping to prevent infection in newly pierced or stretched areas. Glass body jewellery can also be sterilized in a steam-autoclave, making it safe for this purpose.

Glass body jewellery is great for extreme weather conditions as it maintains a comfortable temperature and will not freeze to the skin, break or crack.

Borosilicate (or Pyrex) glass body jewellery is odour-resistant and very easy to clean. You can clean your glass body jewellery using antibacterial hand soap or dish soap. Glass body jewellery is also dishwasher safe!

How To Care for Your Stretched Piercings

How do I care for my healing stretched piercing?

A fresh stretch will be tender and may swell for the first few days, so you may decide to use a cold compress if this makes you feel more comfortable.

You can follow a daily salt solution soak while your stretch is healing, to keep the area clean and free of any debris (dead skin cells will build up if you do not clean your piercings regularly). If you are making your own salt solution, it is recommended you use Sea Salt and (either bottled, still water or) boiled water (cooled down) with about ¼ teaspoon of salt to 8oz (250ml or 1 cup) of water. Too much salt will dry your piercing out and cause irritation. A good reference to go by is to keep the salt solution no stronger than the taste of your tears!

We highly recommend our very own Body Jewellery Shop Saline Solution for quick and easy use, anywhere and anytime! Only £2.99!

What materials are best for stretching my piercings?

The best materials to use for a fresh stretch are Surgical Steel, Titanium (including Blackline and Zircon Gold) or Glass. These materials are non-porous (such as acrylic and wood). Porous materials are not recommended for use until your stretch is fully healed to prevent any skin reactions with your bodily fluids throughout the healing process.

How do I take care of a fully healed stretched piercing?

Once you have reached a stage at which you are happy to stop at, you will have the opportunity to shop around for a wonderful selection of Flesh Plugs and Tunnels to wear in your new modification! You will also be able to choose from a variety of double-flared jewellery (where the outer lip is larger than the size of your stretch, keeping the jewellery securely in place without any o-rings or screw-tops). To wear double flared jewellery, your stretch must have the chance to heal for several months whilst your skin will settle and gradually loosen up to allow for the larger flare to slide through without causing damage.

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You will notice that over a longer period of time, you will be able to comfortably take your jewellery out for several hours each day without the hole reducing in size. There are many benefits to this, as your piercing will be given the chance to breathe and relax (encouraging good blood flow, oxygen, nutrients and removing any stress from the jewellery you wear each day). Some people are eventually able to remove their jewellery for a day or night, usually at larger gauges (over 12mm) as the skin has lost enough elasticity not to close up within this period of time.

If you have trouble getting your jewellery back into your stretch after leaving it out, there is no need to worry! Just use a hot compress for 5-10 minutes and use some lubrication to insert the jewellery back in again. Your stretch should ease up again in no time.

Make sure to clean your jewellery and piercings regularly, at least once a day (more so in hotter conditions and summer months). This will prevent any build up of dead skin cells, which eventually begin to smell if left to linger!

Try to moisturize your stretched piercing regularly, having a good routine (such as after every shower) will keep your piercings healthy and supple. Vitamin-E oil is a popular choice, as well as Savlon, E45 and Nivea (do not use scented oils and moisturizers as they could cause irritation).

How To Stretch Your Piercing

How do I stretch my piercing?

Piercing stretching is a very individual process that differs from person to person. It is also very common for one earlobe piercing to be easier to stretch than the other! For this reason, it is of utmost importance that you listen to your own body, make sensible judgement and stretch as works for you. The main factor to consider is the speed at which you stretch your piercing as well as how long to wait in between each step. This will ultimately have an effect on the health of your piercing and also prevents any damage or blowouts throughout the whole process.

Only ever begin stretching a new piercing 3-4 weeks after it has fully healed. Your tissues must be given a few weeks to settle down and loosen up naturally before the very first stretch is made.
Before starting the stretching process, have a read through the following tips and precautions to help you along the way:

Tips

• Stretching your piercing after a hot shower with the use of a lubricant will make the process easier as your skin will soften up in the heat and moisture.
• Each stretch must be a gradual process in itself; waiting at least 3-4 weeks in between each stretch is recommended. This will vary from person to person depending on your anatomy.
• The larger the stretched piercing, the longer you should wait before taking the next step. Your skin will get thinner with each stretch, so giving it more time to heal and toughen up will ultimately result in a much stronger, healthier earlobe.
• Use stretching jewellery and tapers designed for body piercings only, as the materials are specifically designed for the purpose. Homemade materials are not recommended as they may be porous, harbour bacteria and could ultimately cause infection or allergic reaction.
• Gently tugging on and playing with your jewellery will help to loosen your stretched piercing quicker. Using a heavier material to wear in your new stretch will also have this effect, such as Surgical Steel or Glass, both are heavier than Titanium.
• If you are using Saline Solution to clean your stretched piercing, ensure you do not use too much salt (BodyJewelleryShop Saline Solution is highly recommended) as the incorrect ratio of salt to water could dry the skin and cause irritation or cracking.

Precautions

• Stretching your piercing too fast may cause damage. Skipping sizes may result in tearing of the skin, which will require immediate downsizing and a regular aftercare routine as you would a new piercing. Change the jewellery to a smaller size and clean twice daily with saline solution until fully healed before commencing the stretching process.
• Blowouts are caused by forcing a stretch too fast, or stretching prematurely. A blowout is caused when the inner layer of skin you are stretching (fistula) is torn and forced through the back of the piercing. If you do not downsize immediately, this layer of skin may produce scar tissue that will permanently grow on the outside of your stretched piercing.

Can I downsize my stretched piercing?

If you wish to downsize your stretched piercing at a later date, pay attention to how your body stretches and your skin elasticity to have a good idea of the size you should stop stretching at. This will be different for each person; some will prefer to stay in the ‘safe zone’, stretching no larger than 6-8mm. Others have reported stretching up to and down from much larger sizes, such as 14mm-20mm! Stretching slowly, having a good diet and a healthy, sensible stretching method will help to retain your skin’s elasticity.

Now that you are ready to stretch…
Tools you will need

1. Body Jewellery (such as Ball Closure Rings, Crescents, Flesh Plugs or Flesh Tapers) in every consecutive size you wish to stretch up to.
2. Stretching Tapers in every consecutive size you wish to stretch up to, unless you wish to use flesh tapers designed as wearable jewellery, such as UV Stretching Tapers.
3. Lubricant, such as Vitamin E Oil, Emu Oil, Jojoba Oil, Savlon Cream or KY Jelly.

These Surgical Steel Tapered Insertion Pins are amongst the most popular stretching tools on the market today!

The order of sizes which you will need to stretch (from 1mm - 10mm) each time are as follows:

1mm (18 gauge)
1.2mm (16 gauge)
1.6mm (14 gauge)
2mm (12 gauge)
2.4mm (10 gauge)
3.2mm (8 gauge)
4mm (6 gauge)
5mm (4 gauge)
6mm (2 gauge)
(7mm normally recommended, if possible, before the next gauge)
8mm (0 gauge)
10mm (00 gauge)

Larger gauges above 10mm will be slightly easier to stretch as your skin will gradually lose elasticity (although this is nothing to worry about, but it does mean that larger gauges past 8mm will be harder to 'downsize' in the future).

The best option to stretch your piercing is to do this with a Surgical Steel Tapered Insertion Pin, along with matching size jewellery (such as a Ball Closure Ring).

Once you have decided on the jewellery you will be using, use some lubrication on the tapered insertion pin and slide it into your piercing. Massage the area with your free hand to ease the taper through if necessary. When the taper has reached the end, rest your jewellery into the groove of the pin and push it through in one fluid motion.

This process will cause slight discomfort from the pressure; however, it should not bleed or cause a lot of pain.

If using jewellery to stretch your piercing, such as Stretching Crescents or Claws, Crescents and Spirals, the same process will be used with lubrication and insertion of the jewellery gradually. Once the jewellery is in place, you will need to secure it in place with o-rings to keep the jewellery from sliding out of the fresh stretch.

This Surgical Steel Crescent Kit is one of our most popular stretching to start your stretching experience!

The History of Stretched Piercings

What is a stretched piercing?

Piercing Stretching (often incorrectly referred to as ‘gauging’) is the process of enlarging body piercings to fit larger sizes (or gauges) of jewellery. The most commonly stretched piercing is the earlobe, closely followed by genital (male or female), septum, tongue, nipple, labret and lip piercings. All piercings can be stretched, although some are more limited than others, such as cartilage (inner and outer Conch, Pinna, Daith, Snug, Rook, Nostril and Tragus) piercings. Cartilage tissue does not have a very good blood supply compared to other piercings, therefore stretching is a much longer process and may risk forming hypertrophic scarring and keloids.

What is the history of piercing stretching and why do people stretch their piercings?

The process of body piercing stretching is considered to be as old as body piercing itself. Body modification is certainly unique to humans and, in one form or another, has been practised for as long as 30,000 years by our species' earliest ancestors.
The discovery of jewellery dating back to the bronze ages in Europe and the British Isles shows that the peoples of that time probably pierced and stretched their lobes with heavy bronze jewellery.

The women of Borneo (and central Africa) practised piercing and stretching of the labia in an effort to attract a suitable husband. Tribes of Mali and Ethiopia often stretched piercings to embrace religious principles. Aztec and Mayan ancients used labret piercings to signify wealth with gold serpent-shaped discs often decorated with stones, jade or obsidian. The Asmat tribe of the Jaya pierce the septum up to 25mm using leg bones from a pig or a tibia bone from a slain enemy for ornamentation and status.

The nose and septum piercings in Northern Indian nomadic tribes are the largest known nose-rings, sometimes decorated with stones and large enough to cover most of the mouth and cheek and must be lifted while eating.

Some of the most extreme examples of ritual lip piercing and stretching can be seen on the Djinja women of the Central African Republic and Chad. Tribesmen stretch the lips of their future wives as part of a marriage ritual whereby the young woman’s lip is stretched up to 24cm by adulthood.

Gum Recession & Body Piercings

What is piercing-related gum recession?

Piercing gum recession is a problem associated with oral piercings, such as tongue, labret, lip, Monroe or any area that uses piercing jewellery resting on your teeth or gums. Many people have no gum recession caused by their piercings at all; there are even factors not related to piercings that could also influence the risks, such as your diet, smoking or your genetics.

Why do some piercings cause gum recession?

Piercing gum recession is caused by the jewellery in your piercing, such as a labret stud, which rests on your gum area causing the soft tissue to gradually wear down and expose the underlying tooth or root canal. This can happen fairly quickly, within several weeks before you may even notice.

What are the effects of gum recession caused by your piercing?

Piercing gum recession exposes your teeth and gums to risk of gum and tooth disease, loose teeth and extreme sensitivity. You’ll certainly have no fun eating ice cream or drinking coffee!

How can you prevent your piercings from causing gum recession?

The risk of gum recession by your lip or labret piercing can be reduced or even prevented by using several precautions.

• The placement of your lip or labret piercing could be discussed with your piercer to prevent your jewellery from resting on the gum area, although this will inevitably limit the area which you can have pierced.
• Many people find that wearing a ring in the piercing (such as ball closure ring, body spiral, smooth segment ring or circular barbell) prevents gum recession as the curvature of the jewellery avoids the gum area. This will also depend on the piercing placement, but will almost always slow down and reduce effects of gum recession compared to labret studs that push against the gums with the backplate.
  Products to consider include Ball Closure Rings, Body Spirals & Circular Barbells.

The Titanium Medilab Labret stud has a ART-tech™ surface

• Medilabs™ labret studs can be worn in the piercing, which may help reduce or even prevent gum recession altogether. Medilabs™ have a unique backplate filled with bio-compatible pure white ART-tech™. The ART-tech™ surface is lighter and softer than titanium or steel and causes less impact trauma when it touches teeth or gums by gently bouncing back and avoiding friction damage.

Bioplast jewellery is proven to reduce gum recession

• Bioplast can be worn in the piercing. Bioplast jewellery is flexible, soft and has been proven to reduce the effects of gum recession as the softer material is gentle against the gums and teeth. We have a vast selection of Bioplast labret studs and Bioplast retainers to choose from!

What can you do if you notice your piercings has caused gum recession?

Unfortunately any piercing gum recession is irreversible, so immediate action must be taken as soon as you have noticed the problem.

If you have noticed any damage to your gums, you can either remove your piercing or change your piercing jewellery for something softer, such as Bioplast or Medilabs™ labret studs. Changing your piercing jewellery may only help to slow down the gum recession, not completely prevent it from happening.

In very extreme cases of piercing gum recession, surgery may be required to prevent further complications such as gum and tooth disease, loose teeth and root sensitivity. Surgery would involve a skin graft from another area of your mouth that will be transplanted into the damaged area.