Wednesday, November 13, 1996 - North Shore News Pierce, hoop and love T started with getting my ears pierced when I was 10. Later, I ven- tured to get a pair of second holes. In Grade 11, I thought I'd had enough with getting the upper part of my ear pierced. Well ladies and gentlemen, it does not end there. It only. begins. Thad a bad case of writers block and an approaching _ deadline when I. went to a _ party one night and meta | ‘ guy who had his Daath’ _ pierced. Yeah, that’s what I' thought. A what? The subject totally inter- ested me. The ideas came and questions were asked. What better way to find out about body ipiercing than to go myse I made an appointment with a body piercing and clothing store called the ‘Underground on Granville Street in Vancouver. I asked for a cost estimate. People, this is a luxury not a necessity, if you get my drift. - | was also going to interview the piercer. Being the inter- viewer and the piereee I was nervous and so overlooked the fact that you had to be 19 (or have your parent’s approval) to get a piercing. Now how many parents do you know ler their chil- dren deliberately put a hole in their body? Did you know that there is even a Piercee’s “Bill of Rights"? I didn’t either, The Bill says many things, including: all utensils must be sterile; you are guaranteed a sober, experienced profession - al, free advice and fitted jew- elry perfect for your body type. My piercing wasn’t so extravagant and original, but it was brutal and frurt a lot. Doing a little research I found out what kinds of piercings you can get. There are common ones like the nose, ear lobes, eyebrow, lip, chin and tongue. Then, there are the ones that define odd. Like: the aforementioned Daath, which is the centre piece of cartilage in ones ear, the Guiche which is between the anus and the testicles on a male. The Forshay. The Bellybutton. The Nipple. And the Tragus and Ragus, which are other parts of the ear, The list goes on. T asked the counter - employee about the age and range of people who come into the store. “The ages range from 20 to 36, but we have done one lady who was 80-something. She came in to get her ears pierced. It was really cute. We get lawyers and nurses that come in for body piercing too.” ; What can you get pierced? “Anything that has two sides, anything with an ‘in’ and an ‘out,’ * When I cntered the piere- ing room the atmosphere was quite relaxing, The piercer pur on a fan with peppermint aroma to relax me, T felt really welcome. The whole piercing process is a long one, especial- ly when you do an interview first. The main question on your mind now is probably what hurts the most? | know I was thinking the same thing. What hurts the most? AN employee of the Underground displays some of her kody jewsiry. “I-don’t know for sure because it is different with everybody but people have told me the nipples hurt the most. [t did on myself.” What about if females, in regards to breastfeeding? - “The piercing does not- interfere with the milking process at all.” What type of would you consi job? - “I'd have to say someone who is really in touch with their mother-side and very relaxed, someone who is able. to bond, as the body piercing experience is a bonding one. 0 le or this You have to be able to deal with people who are impa- tent, people who faint or people who throw up.” Do you get a lot of impa- tient people? “Um, yeah. There are many people who don’t want to listen to the after care and just want to get it done right now, but the majority are pretty good.” What is after care? “Oh, you'll find our, It’s all the information underlin- ing your piercing, information you need to have a problem- free healing period.” The after care speech was long, but I’m glad 1 was told. I was given a little book that explained daily cleaning, do’s and don'ts, questions and concerns. Another of the big ques- tions: Do you use guns or needles? “Good question. There is no way we use guns with so many diseases out there today, it is very unsafe. When you use a gun it shoots through your skin shattering anything within a small radius, like blood vessels. Because they do not throw the gun out it is hard to sterilize after use. When you get a scrape com- pared to.a cut the scrape takes a long time to heal where the cut simply closes up. So, we use needles that are properly sterilized to make a cut and then we throw them out.” So you see people, pierc- ing is safe, fun, and looks incredible. But beware — once you - get'a piercing you'll want another. Sandra Ashmore is a Grade 12 Sutherland Secondary stu- dent enrolled.in Video Production 12 at Leo Marshall Curriculum Centre. [ PERSONAL INJURY | Free Initial Consultation Douglas W. Lahay CLARK, WILSON BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS 800-885 West Georgia Street, Vin. 687-5700 8 24 HOUR MESSAGE 643-3161 & ICBC's policies are not law. 1 will get you a fair settlement or trial award. CAUTION - KHAHTSAHLANO. FOOTRACE | _. WEST VANCOUVER: : ‘NOVEMBER 17, 1996" 1. 7:50 am start Gleneagles School 2. 6100 Block Marine Dr.,/temporary closures (approx. 20 min.) 3, 29th & Marine Dr./temporary delays 922-1418 Traffic controlled by W.V.P.D. CAPILANO VILLAGE Dr. Andreas Weimar and Dr. Grace U. 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