Risks and Healing

INNER LABIA PIERCING 

PLACEMENT:  The placement of this piercing should be considered carefully by the piercer making sure that the depth is correct and they will not tear out and that the jewellery will fit comfortably.  It is also important to look at the labia carefully for any major capillaries or small arteries.

If you wish for more than one piercing then placement is of extreme importance in relation to healing and future comfort.  If the piercings are placed directly opposite each other, as one would naturally imagine they should, it can cause major healing problems as the rings will rub on each other and irritate each other.  One ring can actually push the other piercing out if placed extremely close.  For multiple piercings you should always ensure that the rings sit beside each other comfortably and not irritate which often means placing one higher than the other in a sort of zig-zag arrangement.

RISKS:  This area heals quite quickly and the risk of infection is small although care should be taken to keep the area clean while the piercing is healing.  There is a small risk of the piercing going through a blood vessel and causing excess bleeding, although careful placement by your piercer should avoid this.  Irritation from the jewellery rubbing or catching on clothing can be a problem for some especially during the healing period.  This however is uncommon for the inner labia and is more common for the outer labia.   In some cases especially if a small gauge ring has been inserted, rough foreplay or catching during sex can cause the piercing to tear or graze. This will heal but can spoil the mood.  Never use less that 14gauge or 1.6mm jewellery in this piercing - small rings are best.  In rare cases and usually if placed very badly this piercing can lead to soreness during sex and they may need to be removed, this is generally a placement problem.

HEALING:   These piercing heal very quickly and the best method to promote healing is salt rinses. Instead of wiping after urinating, use a small squirt bottle with salt water and rinse with that.  This piercing takes roughly 2 to 4 weeks to heal but needs a little time to toughen up before being overly pulled on or played with.  As with any genital piercing safe sex must be practiced until the piercing is healed and other peoples body fluids avoided.

OUTER LABIA PIERCING 

PLACEMENT:  The placement of this piercing should be considered carefully by the piercer, making sure that the depth is correct and they will not tear out and that the jewellery will fit comfortably.  It is also important to look at the labia carefully for any major capillaries or small arteries.

If you wish for more than one piercing then placement is of extreme importance in relation to healing and future comfort.  If the piercings are placed directly opposite each other, as one would naturally imagine they should, it can cause major healing problems as the rings will rub on each other and irritate each other.  One ring can actually push the other piercing out if placed extremely close.  For multiple piercings you should always ensure that the rings sit beside each other comfortably and not irritate which often means placing one higher than the other in a sort of zig-zag arrangement.

RISKS:  There are few risks with this piercing and infection is rare.  There is a risk of hair going into the piercing and causing irritation.  Generally if it is kept clean, it will heal very well, although it can take longer to heal than the inner labia as the tissue is thicker and therefore the piercing is through a thicker amount of skin.  Around a 1.6 mm (14ga) x 12mm (1/2inch) ring is appropriate although larger can be used.

Irritation from twisting while walking or irritation from clothing should be considered, especially annoying are tight jeans so if you wear tight jeans it is probably advisable to either change your wardrobe or think more about having the inner labia pierced.

HEALING:   This piercing will heal in about 6 to 8 weeks and the best method to promote healing is salt rinses.  Instead of wiping after urinating, use a small squirt bottle with salt water and rinse with that.  It is important to clean at least twice a day and make sure that no fluff or fibres are tangling on the jewellery.  As with any genital piercing safe sex must be practiced until the piercing is healed and other peoples body fluids avoided.

CLITORIS PIERCING 

PLACEMENT:   The placement of this piercing is very important. It goes through the clitoris either vertically or horizontally. Vertical placement is generally more comfortable for the wearer and a bar or ring can be used.  A bar is preferably - the length of the bar will need to allow for swelling and can be up to 16mm length or as short as 8mm depending on the size of the clitoris. Careful measurement is needed and the piercer also need to be aware that during intercourse the clitoris becomes aroused and swells with blood - this will make a bar that is too short become tight and uncomfortable or even painful.

RISKS:   It is important that the piercing not be done too deeply because the urethra runs behind the clitoris and if this is pierced it can lead to urinary tract infection or even problems in passing urine.  If the piercing is too shallow however, it may be inclined to tear out and cause the clitoris to be damaged.

The clitoris is full of nerves which is what makes this piercing so effective - some people will say that it causes a loss in sensitivity which is quite rare. Generally what they experience is a greatly increased sensitivity in the few days and up to a few weeks following having the clitoris pierced. An increased amount of vaginal fluids may be produced and the client may become very aroused by the piercing. This initial feeling decreases as the body becomes used to the piercing and as it heals and settles which is often misunderstood as a loss of feeling or sensation. It then becomes only aroused when initiated.

During intercourse the clitoris swells and can become very tight on the piece of jewellery - moving it or forcing movement at this time can cause pain and even tear the clitoris (even once healed) So one must be aware that they should never force this piercing to move if it is stuck. It will move again once the swelling has gone.

HEALING:  This is a topic that is very controversial as each piercer has different ideas on what heals. Basically the skin needs time to form a tube of scar tissue around the piercing. If it is kept clean and free from dirt, germs and fluff then it will heal quickly and can be healed in roughly 2 to 6 weeks. Everyone is different.

Your own urine acts as an antiseptic to yourself and this piercing heals quite fast because of this. It  is recommended having a squirt bottle of salt water to rinse with instead of drying after going to the toilet.  Squirt with salt water and then just gently pat.

The Clitoral Hood

PLACEMENT:   The placement of this piercing is very important. It goes through just the small amount of skin above the clitoris either vertically or horizontally.  Vertical placement is generally more comfortable for the wearer and a bar or ring can be used.  A bar is more comfortable - the length of the bar will need to allow for swelling and larger balls are preferable as the larger ball sits on the clitoris affording the wearer more feeling and as the skin is so soft smaller balls can work their way through the piercing – as it stretches easily.  Careful measurement is needed and the piercer also needs to be aware with either horizontal or vertical where the ball of the barbell of ring will sit in relation to the clitoris.  A horizontal one needs to be placed really straight and not too high or low.  If you have a larger outer labia then the vertical placement is preferable to prevent discomfort from twisting.

RISKS:  This is generally a low risk piercing with the main risk tearing from the use of too small jewellery. 1.6mm or 14ga is the thinnest one would use and the length or diameter will depend greatly on the placement and the person.

Infection is also rare because of the short healing time but care must be taken to ensure it is kept clean.

HEALING:  This topic is a controversial, as every piercer has different ideas on what heals. Basically the skin needs time to form a tube of scar tissue around the piercing.  If it is kept clean and free from dirt, germs and fluff then it will heal quickly and can be healed in roughly 2 days to 4 weeks. Everyone is different.

It takes some time for the piercing to toughen up and so for the first 4 months care needs to be taken that only gently tugging or pulling is done. Once settled, it is rare for this piercing to tear.

Your own urine acts as an antiseptic to yourself and this piercing heals quite fast because of this. It  is recommended having a squirt bottle of salt water to rinse with instead of drying after going to the toilet.  Squirt with salt water and then just gently pat.

Body Pleasure – Piercing Studio (http://users.pipeline.com.au/piercing/) supplied the above information.

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