Do the fresh ones wriggle? (Body Art in general)

Member Name: Elli

Product:	Body Art in general
Date:	30/05/01 (245 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: fashionable

Disadvantages: it may make you ill

Ugh, the whole idea of body piercing makes me shudder! I don't have strong rational arguments against it, because I know the effects of body piercing are reversible, ie the skin will grow together again if you take the body jewelry out. However, the whole idea of body piercing makes me feel completely squeamish, and it is why I don’t even have my ears pierced. I have a very strong emotional, irrational, argument which I will share with you.

I have a horrible vision of a glass dish full of little “sausages” of flesh which have been punched out of people. The fresh ones even wriggle, a bit like newly dead worms. There are little fleshy ones, which are from ears; little hard ones, which are from noses; longer fleshy ones which are from bellies; and other different shapes and textures which I try not to think too much about! Rationally, I know that piercing just forces a hole in, rather than punching out flesh like a hole-punch, but I just thought I would share my vision with you.

The main reason for avoiding body piercing is that ...


** It may make you ill **

There is a well publicised danger of catching hepatitis or HIV from the needles. Did you know that you cannot donate blood if you have had any type of body piercing within the last year? That is because of the increased risk that your blood is contaminated. Also, there is a very high risk of infection. It is not just a matter of keeping scrupulously clean. When there is an open wound, there is always a danger of contamination from bacteria, especially when the wound goes deep into the skin, which it does with body piercing.


The other type of artistic body mutilation is tattooing. I know it’s a fashionable thing to do, but apart from possibly making you ill (see ** It may make you ill ** above) there are several other strong arguments against it.


** You will change your mind **

Well, maybe no
t for a year or two, or even several years, but eventually, oh yes you will! Everybody changes and develops different tastes as they become older. Just think about what you thought fashionable a few years ago, and imagine being obliged to live with that fashion for ever. Mullet haircuts, embroidered jeans, Adidas tracksuits, pedal pushers, massive white trainers ...


** The tattoo will deteriorate **

Depending on how well they’re done, tattoos deteriorate over time. The colours become indistinct, and the lines slightly blurred. Tattoos can end up as mere blobs of colour, only a couple of years after they were done.


** It is not suitable for all occasions **

A sweetly pretty daisy round a belly button will become a overblown chrysanthemum on a pregnant tummy. A honey bee on your shoulder may mean hunting for a sleeved evening dress to wear to that important function in five years’ time. Any kind of tattoo on bits of you that show may cause a prospective employer to think twice. Even the bits that don't normally show may make you feel embarrassed on a beach later on in life.


So, please, be very sure about tattooing - there’s no going back. Consider using temporary transfers, or body painting instead. If you must have your body pierced, please go to a place that is highly recommended, sparkling clean, and where the glass dishes are replaced between each client!

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