Body piercing is a popular fashion trend that encircles the entire body. It is a way to express yourself, and is popular in many cultures. But it is not without its risks. In addition to being painful, body piercing is also harmful to health. Despite these risks, many contemporary studios take several precautions to protect the customer’s health. For example, piercers are required to sanitize the insertion site before starting the procedure, and they must wear gloves. This is a good idea because these are often changed multiple times for each step of the setup.
The emergence of social media has increased the prevalence of body piercing. Most popularly, a large proportion of people who have their bodies pierced have a high risk of experiencing negative psychological effects. Among these, a lack of regulation of the industry can lead to unreliable estimates of the adverse effects of body piercing. Although body piercing isn’t infectious, some people may experience allergic contact dermatitis. Nickel is the most common allergen, and wearing hypoallergenic jewelry will help reduce the risk. Some people can also develop irritant contact dermatitis from cleaning solutions.
While body piercing can be a risky practice, it is unlikely to go away altogether. As a cultural expression, body piercing has a long-standing appeal and is unlikely to die out any time soon. Its enduring appeal is a testament to its beauty, versatility, and cross-cultural appeal. So, it’s important to find out more about the benefits of body piercing.
The most common risk of developing keloid scars after body piercing is excessive swelling. Generally, keloid scars develop within a year of a piercing and grow beyond the original wound until an individual reaches adulthood. However, keloid scarring can be reduced by applying silicone gel sheeting to the site before body piercing. In severe cases, an intralesional corticosteroid injection can also help to decrease the risk of developing keloid scarring.
It’s important to consider the risk of infection when piercing. The incidence of body piercing is highest in young adults and women. It’s generally associated with risk-taking behavior and a search for identity. In contrast, it’s not linked to psychological distress or low self-esteem. Nevertheless, it’s important to avoid putting too much pressure on the piercing site during healing.
While there are some risks associated with body piercing, it is generally considered a harmless procedure. It requires no specific medical treatment. Some people, however, have permanent scarring. For example, a few years after the piercing, the keloid scars could still grow past the original wound. Thankfully, the keloid scarring can be significantly reduced by applying prophylactic silicone gel sheeting or by taking an intralesional corticosteroid injection.