Body Piercing Glossary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W XYZ
- The soft lower part of the external ear containing no cartilage.
- A brand name for a delivery system for the local anesthetics lidocaine and prilocaine.
- Available as a cream or as patches.
- By applying this, one hour prior to a piercing, pain is reduced or
eliminated during the piercing procedure.
- Can be also be used during tattooing, but the anesthetic effect will only last up to one hour.
- Known as "adrenaline" outside the USA.
- A hormone produced by the adrenal gland.
- Released into the bloodstream it produces:
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Sweating
- Mixed with local anesthetic it constricts the local blood vessel producing:
- Longer anesthesia.
- Reduced bleeding.
- The top layers of the skin forming our barrier from the outside world.
- There are no blood vessels in the epithelium.
- These layers sit on the basement membrane. Any break in the basement membrane exposes the body to the entry of germs. If a wound bleeds the basement membrane has been breached.
- Refers to the volatile organic oils derived from plants, usually responsible for the smell of each particular plant.
- Examples include Lavender oil and Tea Tree oil.
Ethanol
- The alcohol found in wine, spirits and beer
- Regular consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol thins the blood and will cause excessive bleeding in piercings.
- Chemical formula C2H5OH.
European Union Nickel Directive
- A directive of the European Union limiting the amount of nickel that can be released by jewelry in contact with the body.
- Threading on jewelry that is exposed on the outside of the jewelry.
- External threading damages by cutting or scraping cells from the inside of a piercing. This is particularly a problem in new or unhealed piercings.
- A hollow cylinder that is used to pass through a large gauge punched or stretched piercing.
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