MontanaPiercer
03-14-2005, 10:14 PM
Cartridge type spring loaded piercing guns are an archaic, brutal, and dangerous device. The ear lobe is very forgiving, and these machines are only marginally acceptable for this application, and should never be used for ANY other body part, especially cartilage. Even the manufacturers of these devices state that their product should only be used on lobes.
There are several specific reasons why piercing guns are an unacceptable method of piercing.
First, and most importantly, is the inability of the operator to properly sterilize the tool between clients. True the cartridge is single use and sterile, however the device itself is not. If you are lucky, the operator wipes down the machine with alcohol wipes. This is NOT sufficient at decontaminating the tool. Only a medical grade sterilizer can accomplish this, but should you attempt to run the device through the autoclave….it simply MELTS. This is a SERIOUS health concern.
Second is the brutal nature of the procedure itself. With this device, spring pressure forces the piercing stud through the tissue. The piercing stud does not cut a clean smooth path through the tissue, but rather stretches the tissue until it breaks, the equivalent of driving a nail through the skin. The device accomplishes this very quickly, tearing the tissue, and in the case of cartilage, actually destroying the physical integrity of the cartilage structure. This damaged tissue is then forced out and around the stud, resulting in the large and sometimes ugly bumps on the backs of the ear.
Third is the inappropriate qualities of the studs themselves. Many times these studs are made out of materials that would never meet the standards of a professional shop. This results in many physical reactions including severe infection. The stud itself is too short, and that, coupled with the large flat butterfly backing, doesn’t allow the piercing to breath properly and makes proper cleaning difficult or outright impossible. Again, this further complicates healing.
Fourth is the problems these devices have obtaining proper placement. The tissue is pulled up into to cartridge when pierced. However, only a small amount of tissue can be fit into the cartridge, resulting in piercings that are way too low on the lobe. Not only does this not look good, it makes any future stretching of the hole, difficult or impossible. Also, because the tissue is inserted into the cartridge, the exit point of the piercing path is completely obscured, commonly resulting in crooked piercings.
Lastly is the ineptness of the operators of these devices. Most receive nothing more than a 30 minute video taped lesson. Professional piercers spend years learning not only the safe, aseptic, proper way to do things, but also how to handle when things go wrong. Piercing gun operators are not trained sufficiently enough to ensure the clients’ safety. Most professionals are trained in General Precautions, Bloodborne Pathogens, First Aid and CPR. The kid at the local mall booth is not.
So, in summary, spring loaded piercing guns are dangerous on many levels. For just a few dollars more, a professional piercer can greatly reduce or completely eliminate these dangers. Your health and well being, as well as an easy healing, attractive piercing are worth it.
References:
http://tattoo.about.com/cs/psafety/a/piercing_guns.htm
http://www.tribalectic.com/Archives/Mar2001/MagazinePage2.asp#GuestCol
http://www.poly-morph.com.au/piercing2.htm
http://www.pacificbodyjewellery.com/smkgun.htm
http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/body-piercing.html
http://www.bmezine.com/news/pubring/20030509.html
http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/hw250991.asp
http://www.health24.com/news/Teens/1-950,26698.asp
http://www.bodyworkprod.com/dangersofpiercingguns.htm
http://www.bmeworld.com/rebekah/guns.html
http://www.namaii.com/suck/
http://www.bodyadorned.com/content/104/0/
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/331371393?ts=1100473615&sign[partnerID]=1&sign[memberID]=619013042&sign[partner_userID]=619013042
http://www.profound-piercing.co.uk/gun.html
http://www.redandblack.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/10/12/416b5565ec7e6
http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/piercing_and_tattoos.jsp
http://www.aidslondon.com/piercing.htm#guns
http://www.hlo.state.or.us/pr080301.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/02/040226072625.htm
http://www.detnews.com/2002/health/0212/25/h04-43895.htm
There are several specific reasons why piercing guns are an unacceptable method of piercing.
First, and most importantly, is the inability of the operator to properly sterilize the tool between clients. True the cartridge is single use and sterile, however the device itself is not. If you are lucky, the operator wipes down the machine with alcohol wipes. This is NOT sufficient at decontaminating the tool. Only a medical grade sterilizer can accomplish this, but should you attempt to run the device through the autoclave….it simply MELTS. This is a SERIOUS health concern.
Second is the brutal nature of the procedure itself. With this device, spring pressure forces the piercing stud through the tissue. The piercing stud does not cut a clean smooth path through the tissue, but rather stretches the tissue until it breaks, the equivalent of driving a nail through the skin. The device accomplishes this very quickly, tearing the tissue, and in the case of cartilage, actually destroying the physical integrity of the cartilage structure. This damaged tissue is then forced out and around the stud, resulting in the large and sometimes ugly bumps on the backs of the ear.
Third is the inappropriate qualities of the studs themselves. Many times these studs are made out of materials that would never meet the standards of a professional shop. This results in many physical reactions including severe infection. The stud itself is too short, and that, coupled with the large flat butterfly backing, doesn’t allow the piercing to breath properly and makes proper cleaning difficult or outright impossible. Again, this further complicates healing.
Fourth is the problems these devices have obtaining proper placement. The tissue is pulled up into to cartridge when pierced. However, only a small amount of tissue can be fit into the cartridge, resulting in piercings that are way too low on the lobe. Not only does this not look good, it makes any future stretching of the hole, difficult or impossible. Also, because the tissue is inserted into the cartridge, the exit point of the piercing path is completely obscured, commonly resulting in crooked piercings.
Lastly is the ineptness of the operators of these devices. Most receive nothing more than a 30 minute video taped lesson. Professional piercers spend years learning not only the safe, aseptic, proper way to do things, but also how to handle when things go wrong. Piercing gun operators are not trained sufficiently enough to ensure the clients’ safety. Most professionals are trained in General Precautions, Bloodborne Pathogens, First Aid and CPR. The kid at the local mall booth is not.
So, in summary, spring loaded piercing guns are dangerous on many levels. For just a few dollars more, a professional piercer can greatly reduce or completely eliminate these dangers. Your health and well being, as well as an easy healing, attractive piercing are worth it.
References:
http://tattoo.about.com/cs/psafety/a/piercing_guns.htm
http://www.tribalectic.com/Archives/Mar2001/MagazinePage2.asp#GuestCol
http://www.poly-morph.com.au/piercing2.htm
http://www.pacificbodyjewellery.com/smkgun.htm
http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/body-piercing.html
http://www.bmezine.com/news/pubring/20030509.html
http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/hw250991.asp
http://www.health24.com/news/Teens/1-950,26698.asp
http://www.bodyworkprod.com/dangersofpiercingguns.htm
http://www.bmeworld.com/rebekah/guns.html
http://www.namaii.com/suck/
http://www.bodyadorned.com/content/104/0/
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/331371393?ts=1100473615&sign[partnerID]=1&sign[memberID]=619013042&sign[partner_userID]=619013042
http://www.profound-piercing.co.uk/gun.html
http://www.redandblack.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/10/12/416b5565ec7e6
http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/piercing_and_tattoos.jsp
http://www.aidslondon.com/piercing.htm#guns
http://www.hlo.state.or.us/pr080301.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/02/040226072625.htm
http://www.detnews.com/2002/health/0212/25/h04-43895.htm