People opting for naval, eyebrow and nipple piercings are on the rise, but don’t ignore the health hazards involved, say experts
People opting for naval, eyebrow and nipple piercings are on the rise, but don’t ignore the health hazards involved, say experts
How can one mix pleasure with pain? Body piercing seems to be the answer for many a Mumbai youngster. Tattooing is passé. For today’s young lot, who is always looking for the next big fix, the naval, chin, eyebrow, tongue or the much-coveted nipple piercing is one way to stand out in a crowd.
Ashwini Bhogle, 18, who got her tongue and naval pierced about a month ago is enjoying every bit of the attention she gets. “I got a naval piercing done because I think it’s stylish and trendy.” She sports her pierced naval with a pair of low-waist jeans and a short tee.
“I think a pierced tongue looks pretty cool and I like the surprised look on people’s faces every time I open my mouth” Ask her about the pain and she brushes it off nonchalantly, “There’s little pain, and the healing time doesn’t go beyond 15 days.”
Sunil Pai, who runs a tattoo and piercing studio in Bandra, says that the trend of body piercing is on the rise. “Naval and tongue piercing is a hit among girls; guys prefer eyebrow and chin piercing,” he says. But nipple piercing among girls is unpopular, even though it’s the rage in the West.
But the pain and long healing process does not inhibit customers. Mayur Salmalkar, 19, settled for an eyebrow and chin piercing after mulling over the idea for a year. “Now that I have got it done I think it’s very catchy and attracts attention. The moment I step into a bus or train people start talking about me, which I find fascinating.” But Mayur’s father is certainly not fascinated by his son’s choice of expressing himself. “My dad hates it. He says it’s not in our Marathi culture.”
Apart from going against what Mumbai’s society considers ‘normal’, getting a body part pierced comes with it’s own set of health risks. According to dermatologist Dr Vandana Budhraja, there is a good amount of risk involved in these kinds of piercing.
“Sterility is a major concern. The needles used have to be sterile and sanitised, or else there are chances of getting infected with HIV or Hepatitis B or C.” Since the skin around the naval area is thin, a naval piercing is more prone to infections that can range from puss boils to furuncle boils. Vandana also recommends that Keloide tendency of the client should be checked failing which the pierced skin area can become thick and lumpy.
At his parlour, Sunil says that safety is the key. “I use a disposable kit, one injection per client. Reusing the same syringe for more than one client is dangerous.” He says that he breaks the needle after the piercing in front of the client.
Anamika Nandy, 23, has pierced her eyebrow for the second time, after the first attempt went awry. She advises first-timers: “The skin sometimes loosens up if the metal jewellery you use is heavy. Avoid it.” That’s the reason why her skin tore off when she pierced it, but she decided to give it a second shot. “I felt beautiful after the piercing. It’s like you have something which others don’t.”
But with the way body piercings are catching on, it looks like she’ll have to discover another newer ‘wow factor’.
h_ansari@dnaindia.net
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}