PROTECT YOURSELF
A message regarding your health, from the piercers at Church of Steel:
It is very important, especially these days with now so many people opening businesses providing body piercing or tattoo services, to do your research. There are far too many individuals out there trying to take advantage of the average consumer by using cheap, low quality body jewelry manufactured poorly overseas. Getting a piercing with this type of jewelry can result in infection, allergic reaction, irritation, excessive scar damage, and other complications. This is something that is being inserted INSIDE your body, so bargain-shopper beware, this is not a pair of shoes, it’s your health and safety. We believe in educating every individual with the vital knowledge of what to look for to ensure you are receiving the safest, most aseptic piercing procedure possible, so here are a few things to look for.
• Internally threaded jewelry. All piercings should be done with body jewelry that is threaded on the inside of the post, not with jewelry that has exposed threads on the post itself (externally threaded) as this will tear the tissue on the way into or out of the piercing, it is also a sign of low-grade metal. Here is an example of what to look for:
• All body jewelry should be made of 316LVM ASTM F-138 surgical stainless steel. Be careful, there are 100 grades of surgical steel, this is the only grade that is appropriate for implantation in the body. Most of the “surgical steel” that studios use today is one of the other 99 grades, which contain high amounts of nickel and carbon(irritants/allergans). Studios use this grade of steel, which is always externally threaded*, because it is far less expensive to purchase, thus they can charge low prices.
• TiAL6V4 Titanium and 14k or 18k solid gold are also appropriate metals to insert. Again, beware other lower grades of Titanium and gold.
• Members of the Association of Professional Piercers. We feel it is very important, for your health and safety, that the studio you are getting your piercing at follows APP guidelines and practices, and have up to date certificates in their workspace. Studios that are members of the APP, and have up to date APP Certification hanging in the their studios must meet or exceed strictly regimented health and safety criteria, as well as only use a certain quality of body jewelry. Bloodborne Pathogens Training, as well as First Aid and CPR classes every year are also requirements. Making sure your piercer is a member and shows you documented proof is very important.
• Autoclave and spore-tests. An autoclave is a piece of equipment used to sterilize implements(single-use needles, jewelry, etc) the same as any hospital or surgical center. It utilizes a combination of steam and pressure in an airtight chamber to sterilize these implements. A studio must have a working autoclave (don’t be afraid to ask to see it!) and should have it spore-tested monthly, to make sure that it is performing properly.
Our job as professionals, and as individuals who are passionate about safe body art, is not finished when you walk out the door. We want to insure that the healing of your new piercing goes smoothly, we will provide you with written and verbal care instructions, and you will have continuing access to us, any time you need anything, so do not hesitate to call or stop by, check-ups are always free.
BE SAFE!
