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Body Modification In Teens: Body Piercings

Wellness

A typical conversation with your teenager daughter may be, “Mom, I really, really, really want a belly button piercing”.  But what do you need to know before you consider letting her have a belly button piercing? Body piercing is a type of body modification.  A body modification is the intentional changing of the human body for religious, cosmetic, or social reasons.  There are many different ways that teenagers can modify their bodies such as tattooing, piercing, scarification, and indoor tanning.  Many teenagers see body modification as a form of decoration, as a fashion statement, and as a means of self-expression. So, let’s take a closer look at what you should know about piercings: 

What is body piercing?

  • Piercing of the skin with a needle so that a piece of jewelery can be inserted into the hole.
  • The most common sites of piercing are the ear, belly button, and nostril, but other sites can include the lip, tongue, eyebrown, nipples and genitals.

What are the risks of body piercing?

  • Skin and more serious infections.
  • Scars such as keloids (i.e. growth of scar tissue at the site of trauma).
  • Allergies to the metals used in the piercing (i.e. most commonly nickle, cobalt and white gold).

What do I need to know before letting my child get a piercing?

  • Athletes are often required to remove all piercings before participating is sports.
  • Rule out any metal allergies before having a piercing done since many people are allergic.

What to expect when having a piercing done?

  • Choose a reputable and licensed facility to perform the piercings.
  • The area to be pierced should be cleaned with a soap that kills bacteria.
  • The artist should wash his or her hands and wear gloves.
  • The artist should only use single-use needles or reusable needles that have been properly sterilized in a machine called an autoclave.
  • The artist should not use a piercing gun unless it is for single use and only used on the ear lobe.
  • The jewelery used should contain hypoallergenic metals such as stainless steel, titanium, yellow gold or niobium.
  • The artist should give you instructions on how to care for the piercing and what to do if there is a problem.
  • Call a doctor immediately if you suspect any problems, have considerable redness or pain at the piercing site.

Ultimately, the decision to allow your child to have a piercing is up to you and your child.  Encourage your child to consider if she will still want the piercing in 10 years.  If you decide to go ahead with the piercing, follow the above advice to make it a safe experience. I will be discussing body modification at Girls Elevated, a fun, informative event designed to make the journey through adolescence easier for moms and daughters. It will be on Saturday, February 22, 2014 from 9:30am to 2:30pm at the Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, 6615 Main Street, 4th Floor Conference Education Center, Houston, Texas. For more information about the event, please visit here or register online here. Have a question? Please call Ann Tims at 832.826.7464.