Body Art Myths Debunked

Over the years there have been various myths and/or rumors surrounding the body art community.
It's time to debunk some of these rumors. Enjoy.

1. "Tongue piercing causes your taste buds to fall off".  Your taste buds are constantly being replaced (usually about every 2-3 days or so). This is a normal function of the body.

2. "You cannot drink beer/wine after getting a tongue/oral piercing because it will cause a yeast infection". Though it is best to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages while a tongue/oral piercing heals; drinking beer/wine will not cause a yeast infection.

3. "You shouldn't suck on ice to reduce the swelling on a tongue piercing because the jewelry will freeze and harm your tongue". This is a fun one.  The jewelry will not freeze nor will it damage the tongue. If you are sucking on dry ice there may be some damage* (*it is NEVER appropriate to apply dry ice! You will get burned/frostbite or worse.)

4. "Is there a "wrong" side to pierce your nose/ear lobes etc.?"  This myth has been circulating for a long time. Since the dawn of time, many cultures/civilizations have had various reasons for piercing a specific part/side of the body for a number of reasons. As mainstream body piercing is concerned, there is no right or wrong side to pierce. Piercing a certain side/part of the anatomy will not change your sexual orientation.

5. "If you get multiple piercings you will become allergic to jewelry". A professional piercer should be using biocompatible materials for body piercing (implant grade steel, titanium, niobium, 14k gold). You are either allergic to something or you are not. Some people may have a reaction to cheap and/or plated body jewelry due to the high content of nickel.

6. "If you get your nipples pierced you cannot breast feed". Breast milk is dispersed through numerous milk ducts in the nipple and a piercing in this area will not inhibit the passing of milk through these ducts. That being said; it is NOT safe to breast feed while jewelry is in the nipple due to the risk of the jewelry falling out and the chance of the infant choking.

7. "Certain colors of tattoo ink hurt worse than others".  The color of ink in a tattoo has nothing to do with how it feels while the tattoo is being done.

8. "A low back tattoo can damage a woman's reproductive organs". A professional tattoo artist has the knowledge of what the proper depth of a tattoo should be. A professional tattoo will not go deep enough into the skin/body to cause any harm to organs, bones and/or muscles.

9. "If you get your (insert body part here) pierced you could get paralyzed". A professional piercer knows that there are certain areas of the body that are best to stay away from (glands, nerve bundles, etc.). Stick with a professional piercer, someone who is familiar with risky areas, to be safe.

10. "Micro/surface anchors MUST be removed by a doctor and/or is considered a medical procedure". An experienced and educated piercer should be able to remove a micro/surface anchor with little difficulty and minimal discomfort.
 
11.  "You cannot wear body jewelry during an MRI". A professional body piercer uses implant grade material for all piercings and all of the acceptable materials for body piercing are non-magnetic. This also means that this jewelry will be no problem to wear through a metal detector.



If you have a body art myth that you want to contribute
email Chuck@DeadRockStar.net and we will add it to this page.