Posts by Kimberly Zapata

Point #63: From the Editor

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IMG_3716Kim Zapata headshotBy Kimberly Zapata

As we all know, switching The Point to an online-only format has been quite the change. In many respects, this switch was inevitable; the internet is the “way of the future,” though the future has been here for quite some time. But this does not mean many of us—myself included—do not miss the way things were: the touch and feel of freshly printed paper, the glossy cover that slid beneath our fingertips as we flipped through each and every page, and that one piece of mail that made the day better (you know, that something special that wasn’t a bill or brochure for office supplies). So it is in these moments of nostalgia that feedback—like that from Randall Martinez—is all the more important.

Randall is from a small town in Nebraska. Having lived in major metropolitan areas for the last 17 years—and having never been to Nebraska—I can only speculate what “small town” means. What I know it means for Randall is that, until recently, Randall was never exposed to an issue of The Point. However, once The Point became a fully-online APP publication, Randall took note. He contacted Elayne Angel in April, commenting on her President’s Corner:

“This is really cool that they [the issues of The Point] are available online. I [have] never seen an issue of The Point until now. Thanks from Nebraska.”

As simple a gesture as this comment was, it means a lot not only to myself, Elayne Angel, Kendra Jane, Jim Ward, Brian Skellie, and the entire Point team, but to our community as a whole. In this digital age we often think of ourselves as closer than ever before, but we’ve also become lulled into a false sense of security that everyone—everywhere—knows what we are thinking and doing at all times. We tend to forget how very big this world is, and how very small we are. While the internet helps to bridge this gap—what could possibly help us achieve our mission of the “dissemination of information about body piercing” better—notes from Randall remind us just how far we have come, as an organization and piercing family, and how far we have to go.

So while it’s okay to feel nostalgic (hell, that is one reason we will be publishing an annual “Best of the Best” anthology), to quote Dolores Umbridge—”progress for progress’s sake must be discouraged,” but progress for the sake of change—change like Randall and others have no doubt experienced—is worth each and every painful step. So sit back and enjoy this issue of The Point, whether you are reading it from a computer screen in your shop, the comfort of your home, or your cellphone, laptop, or e-reader at the 2013 APP Annual Conference and Exposition.

 

Point #62: From the Editor

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IMG_3716Kim Zapata headshotBy Kimberly Zapata

We have focused a lot of energy in the last few issues of The Point on various aspects of the internet (from piercing videos to social media and content sharing), and for good reason. As everyone is already aware, especially us “old-heads” who grew up in the pen-and-pencil days of yesteryear, the internet has permanently altered every aspect of our lives: from how we communicate to how we conduct research, business, and even shop. The pros and cons of the digital age can be debated at length, and without a true resolution, but like it or not, the information era is here to stay. Why do I bring this up? I’m glad you asked.

This issue of The Point is full of coverage that may not have been possible just a few decades ago. It is no doubt cliche to say we are more connected now than we have ever been—not only as a global culture but also as a piercing community. (Just one look at the reach and scope of the Association today is a testament to that.) It is because of this connectivity we can learn what is going on in our global community almost instantaneously. For example, in November 2012, the South Australian government passed legislation making it illegal to perform body modifications on minors. Before the internet, who knows when this would have come to light. Thanks to the digital age, articles about this new law were appearing in my Facebook feed in less than 24 hours—the same goes for the February 21 TENnews story about a proposed amendment to this law, which would also ban reusable ear piercing guns in the region. (For more information on both of these stories, check out our South Australian legislation update.)

However, this 24/7 culture—with its access to, and overabundance of, information—isn’t always a blessing. As Kendra Jane explores in “What age are body modifications appropriate?” this connectivity also breeds contempt. Everyone, expert or not, now has a voice, and platform to stand on. Message boards are full of the ignorant, the combative, the judgemental, and the uneducated. This is not to say that productive discussions cannot occur online (in fact, they do each and every day), it is—however—a downside of our tech-savvy, about.com society: Everyone now has a place to share their thoughts and opinions, for good or ill. For us, as an industry, this should be seen as an opportunity: we now have a chance—unlike any other—to educate the public about piercing, and to tear down long-standing misconceptions. This is our chance to lead a healthy discussion, and I encourage you all to heed the call (which is why I feel all of this “internet” coverage is so very important).

That said, The Point is a direct (and positive) result of this modernization, and we hope to use it to point you in the right direction (pun intended). Beyond the aforementioned content, this issue includes the final installment of the “Making Safe Piercing Viral” series, intended to teach piercers and other industry professionals the basic ins and outs of social media. It also includes a video from our President, in Mexico; coverage of our recent APP outreach efforts, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and an article about the APP brochures, written by several volunteers across the country.

So sit back and enjoy this issue on your computer screen, Kindle, or smartphone; much of what you are reading, and the way you are reading it, are thanks to technology. Just remember, as Voltaire once said (or Uncle Ben from Spiderman), “with great power comes great responsibility,” and we have a huge responsibility to act as the voice of our industry—not only in our day-to-day encounters but online as well.

Point #62: 18th Annual Conference And Exposition — Class and Conference Schedule

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is a basic timetable of what courses are being offered, and when. For full class descriptions and registration information, click here. 

Monday, June 10, 2013

9:00 AM  –  10:30 AM
Orientation / Mentor Program
11:00 AM  –  1:00 PM
Basic Steel & Titanium
11:00 AM  –  1:30 PM
Preventing Cross-Contamination in the Sterilization and Piercing Rooms (A)
11:00 AM  –  12:00 PM
ROUNDTABLE: Becoming an APP Member
11:00 AM  –  1:30 PM
Studio Documentation
12:30 PM  –  1:30 PM
ROUNDTABLE: Outreach: Sharing the Safe Piercing Message
2:00 PM  –  6:00 PM
Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP)
2:00 PM  –  3:30 PM
Customer Service Philosophy
2:00 PM  –  3:30 PM
Stretching: Everything More than Lobes
4:00 PM  –  6:30 PM
Preventing Cross-Contamination in the Sterilization and Piercing Rooms (B)
5:00 PM  –  6:00 PM
Bedside Manner and Grounding: Connecting with Your Client
5:00 PM  –  6:30 PM
Studio Aesthetics

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

10:00 AM  –  12:00 PM
Aftercare Series: Wound Healing Dynamics
10:00 AM  –  12:00 PM
Marketing & Social Media
10:00 AM  –  12:00 PM
Minimizing Tools: An Intro to Tool-Less Piercing (A)
10:00 AM  –  12:00 PM
Preventing Cross-Contamination in the Sterilization and Piercing Rooms (C)
10:00 AM  –  12:00 PM
The Ins and Outs of Female Genital Piercing
1:00 PM  –  3:00 PM
Surface Piercing: Going Deeper than the Surface (A)
1:30 PM  –  3:00 PM
Aftercare Series: Client Home Care
1:30 PM  –  2:30 PM
Roundtable: Interpersonal Studio Dynamics
2:00 PM  –  4:00 PM
Tools are Not the Devil (A)
3:30 PM  –  4:30 PM
Meeting: Health Inspectors
3:30 PM  –  4:30 PM
Meeting: International
3:30 PM  –  4:30 PM
Roundtable: Aftercare From the Masses
4:45 PM  –  6:15 PM
Aftercare Series: Troubleshooting
4:45 PM  –  6:15 PM
Basic Statim Usage
4:45 PM  –  5:45 PM
Roundtable: Shop Owners
4:45 PM  –  6:45 PM
Minimizing Tools: An Intro to Tool-Less Piercing (B)
6:15 PM  –  7:15 PM
Roundtable: Legislation
7:00 PM  –  9:30 PM
Preventing Cross-Contamination in the Sterilization and Piercing Rooms (D)
7:30 PM  –  9:00 PM
Anodizing is Awesome!
7:30 PM  –  9:30 PM
Aseptic Technique & Suspension
7:30 PM  –  9:30 PM
Corporate Branding: Delivering on Your Promise
8:00 PM  –  9:30 PM
Initial Jewelry: The “Rules” (and when to break them)

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

10:00 AM  –  12:00 PM
Ear Projects: The Ear as Art
10:00 AM  –  11:30 AM
Managing Difficult Clients
10:00 AM  –  11:30 AM
Photography Tips for Industry Professionals
10:00 AM  –  12:30 PM
Preventing Cross-Contamination in the Sterilization and Piercing Rooms (E)
10:00 AM  –  12:00 PM
Minimizing Tools: An Intro to Tool-Less Piercing (C)
1:00 PM  –  3:00 PM
Anatomy of the Body for Piercers
1:00 PM  –  3:00 PM
Surface Piercing: Going Deeper than the Surface (B)
1:00 PM  –  3:00 PM
Tools are Not the Devil (B)
1:30 PM  –  2:30 PM
Roundtable: Statim Maintenance and Troubleshooting
3:15 PM  –  4:15 PM
Meeting: New Attendees & Mentors
3:15 PM  –  4:15 PM
Roundtable: Finding Balance Between Work and Life Outside the Studio
3:30 PM  –  6:30 PM
CPR
4:30 PM  –  6:30 PM
MEMBERS ONLY: Exploring Sexually Functional Piercings
4:30 PM  –  7:00 PM
Preventing Cross-Contamination in the Sterilization and Piercing Rooms (F)
4:45 PM  –  6:45 PM
Minimizing Tools: An Intro to Tool-Less Piercing (D)
7:00 PM  –  9:00 PM
Making Effective Piercing Rituals
7:30 PM  –  8:00 PM
Social: Members Mingle
8:00 PM  –  9:00 PM
Meeting: Members (APP members only)

Thursday, June 13, 2013

10:00 AM  –  11:30 AM
Gold and Diamonds! Knowledge, Sales and Custom Design
10:00 AM  –  12:00 PM
The Grieving Body: Does Body Modification Injure or Heal the Psyche?
10:00 AM  –  12:00 PM
Surface Piercing: Going Deeper than the Surface (C)
10:00 AM  –  12:00 PM
Tools are Not the Devil (C)
10:45 AM  –  11:45 AM
Roundtable: Breaking Barriers: Building a Local Piercer Group
12:15 PM  –  1:15 PM
Roundtable: Transitioning to and Selling Higher End Jewelry
12:30 PM  –  3:00 PM
Oro-Facial Anatomy for Safe & Successful Piercings
1:00 PM  –  3:00 PM
Minimizing Tools: An Intro to Tool-Less Piercing (E)
1:00 PM  –  3:00 PM
Tools are Not the Devil (D)
1:45 PM  –  2:45 PM
Roundtable: Working with Vegetarian/Vegan Clients
3:15 PM  –  4:45 PM
Going Paperless
3:15 PM  –  4:45 PM
Medical Risk Assessment
3:15 PM  –  4:15 PM
Roundtable: The Transgendered Effect
5:00 PM  –  6:30 PM
Beyond Ramps: Disabilities 101 for Piercing Professionals
5:00 PM  –  7:00 PM
MEMBERS ONLY: Technique Workshop
5:00 PM  –  7:00 PM
Surface Piercing: Going Deeper than the Surface (D)

Friday, June 14, 2013

10:00 AM  –  1:00 PM
First Aid
11:00 AM  –  1:00 PM
Tools are Not the Devil (E)
11:00 AM  –  1:00 PM
Surface Piercing: Going Deeper than the Surface (E)

Point #62: Legislation Update – South Australia

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IMG_3716Kim Zapata headshotBy Kimberly Zapata

On November 15, 2012 the South Australian government passed a new law—and tougher penalties—regarding the piercing, tattooing or modifying of minors. This new legislation, as outlined by the Attorney General’s Department, made it illegal to “perform a body modification procedure (such as tattooing, body branding or ear stretching) or intimate body piercing on a minor under the age of 18 years[; to] perform a non-intimate body piercing on a minor who is under 16 years of age without the consent of a guardian[; to]perform a body piercing or body modification procedure on a person who is intoxicated (whether by alcohol or other substances)[; or to] sell body modification equipment to a minor.” Those found guilty of unlawfully piercing, tattooing or modifying a minor will be subject to a slew of penalties ranging from a $5000 fine to twelve months in prison. (This is an increase from the previous $1250 fine, or three months imprisonment.) According to Attorney General John Rau—and adelaidenow.com—the new laws represent “the biggest changes to tattoo [and piercing] legislation in decades” and piercers will be held to these standards through written agreements they are now required to enter into with all customers. These agreements will contain any “information required by the [new] regulations…[while also providing customers] with information about aftercare and the possible risks of a procedure.”

For more information about South Australian piercing, tattooing, and body modification legislation, visit the South Australian Attorney General’s Department.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Since the passage of this law an additional push, driven by the industry, has been made to ban reusable ear piercing guns in South Australia. For more information about the propsed ban, view a recent news story—courtesy of TENnews.

Point #61: New York Legislation Update: New Law Requires Parental Consent for Body Piercing

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by Kimberly Zapata

On July 30, 2012, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed a new law into effect that will require all minors in the state of New York to “have written parental consent before obtaining a body piercing.” While this law, in many areas, may come as surprising news (since 38 states already have a similar statute in place), until this bill was signed, “New York law stated that there was no minimum age requirement for body piercing.”

However, it is important to note that the new law does not include piercings of the ear. For the purpose of the law, New York State has defined body piercing as: “any piercing located on a part of the body other than the ear.”

The new regulation not only requires body piercers to “check the identification of teens” and asks “underage teens [to] provide a consent form signed by a parent or legal guardian” (consent that must be given in the presence of the owner of the body piercing studio or a body piercing specialist), but includes the expectation that studio owners then retain this information for no less than 12 months.

The law is slated to take effect on October 30, 2012, though many New York piercing establishments began adopted the new regulations shortly after it was signed into effect.

For more information about the new piercing legislation in New York, view New York state’s official press release.

[Editor’s note: Regardless of local legislation, the APP’s stance on piercing minors remains that “a (proof positive) parent or legal guardian must be present to sign a consent form…for any piercing of a minor.”]

Point #61: The APP Brochures Overview Article Two: What They Are and How to Use Them

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Julie Taylor, April Berardi, and Lou Quino

There is a hefty stack of informational brochures available through the Association of Professional Piercers that can be used in a variety of ways to educate the public about safe piercing. To help you better make use of these resources, we’ve summarized a few of these helpful educational pamphlets below and listed a number of ways in which studios have successfully utilized this vital information.

This is the second of three articles about the APP’s brochures. In this segment, we’ll be discussing “Oral Piercing Risks & Safety Measures,” “Body Aftercare,” and “Oral Aftercare”

Name of Brochure: Oral Piercing Risks & Safety Measures
“A well-informed and discerning consumer is subject to far fewer dangers than one with incomplete or inaccurate information. When properly performed, the piercing procedure itself takes only a few seconds and involves minimal discomfort and often no blood. Healing is commonly rapid and uneventful.”

This brochure can help a piercee not only seek out a safe place to be pierced by a professional, but also provides guidelines for the appropriate placement, aftercare, and jewelry for oral piercings.  This brochure also succinctly outlines the steps required to diminish potential hazards and concerns, such as the fear of an unsafe procedure, the potential for damage to teeth and oral structures, and the risk of infection.

The risks of piercings can only be truly controlled with the conscientious efforts of 2010brochuressafe piercers to share accurate information with the public. We suggest the use of the following two pamphlets to educate anyone who may be interested in oral piercings or may be concerned about oral piercing safety. Members are encouraged to pass along these brochures to any medical professional who may deal with piercees. Examples of these medical professionals include school nurses, dentists, EMT’s, ER personnel, and physicians. Many piercers have also found it helpful to share these during college outreach visits or with local college RA (Resident Assistant) programs.

Name of Brochures: “Oral Aftercare” and “Body Aftercare”
“These guidelines are based on a combination of vast professional experience, common sense, research, and extensive clinical practice. This is not to be considered a substitute for medical advice from a doctor. If you suspect an infection, seek medical attention. Be aware that many doctors have not received specific training regarding piercing.”

These brochures contain helpful information for providing proper aftercare to a client or a potential client. They include helpful hints and tips, what to do and not to do, potential pitfalls and how to avoid them, along with a list of suggested care products.

These pamphlets provide a ready made, full-color alternative to creating your own studio brochures. Shop personnel should distribute these to clients who are receiving oral or body piercings, and to those inquiring about future piercings. Members have found it helpful to share this information with local healthcare professionals, schools, and at conventions.
**Note: The APP has special versions of each of these aftercare brochures available for minors. These brochures include simplified language and are available for outreach to middle schools and high schools.

Studios are always looking for more ways to get involved in their community, to spread the word and to support the APP’s mission. We hope that you found new ways to use the brochures discussed to promote safe piercing. The resources provided by the APP are invaluable and when used by the entire membership; in the same ways, we can impact our communities in a much bigger way than on our own.

To download these and other APP pamphlets, and for more information about the APP brochures and other resources, visit the APP’s website at www.safepiercing.org. You can place an order on the website or by contacting (888) 888-1APP. Or, you can download web or print quality .PDF files of the brochures for free!

Point #61: From the Editor

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By Kimberly Zapata

“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”
Søren Kierkegaard

The Point: The Quarterly Journal of the Association of Professional Piercers is a sixty-one issue publication, in its seventeenth year (and counting). It is – without a doubt – the living history of our industry, but we cannot move forward without stopping to look back at where we have been.

When The Point began in 1995, it was a black and white Xerox-copied leaflet that provided APP members with legislation information, early organizational outreach updates, and general piercing-related stories. There was no particular editor; instead, a handful of individuals worked to create issues #1 through #17; as such, there was no regular print schedule. Instead, the first seventeen issues trickled out over the course of six years. (These early issues of The Point, along with all back issues, can be viewed here.)

In 2001, Elayne Angel took the reigns as Editor—a position she held until June 2005. During her time, Elayne managed to bring something to The Point it very much needed: a consistent publishing schedule. She oversaw 16 issues during this period, authoring many articles herself and worked diligently to expand the content and scope of The Point. However, the most obvious and sweeping changes came about—in full color—in issue #33. Without even opening the cover, it is apparent when James Weber took the helm. He was responsible, with the design work of Jon Loudon, for much of what you see today. As James pointed out in that issue of The Point:

“The Point, like the APP, has come from very humble beginnings to become an established publication   with distribution among not only it’s membership, but to diverse medical professional and legislators in not only this country, but around the world.”

Our publication would not look the same without the work of these two men over the last six years, and I personally owe them a great deal of gratitude. If it were not for James introducing me to The Point and the piercing industry in 2009, I would not be taking the reigns today.

I began my own work with The Point in late 2009, just after I started working at Infinite Body Piercing, Inc. Both positions were obtained as a result of being at the right place at the right time. Prior to my employment at Infinite, I worked in corporate America as an administrative assistant in your typical dress-or-pantsuit sort of position. I came of age in this environment, learning that while I was growing as a person, corporate America wasn’t growing with me. As each year passed, I became more and more visibly modified—and more and more publicly scrutinized. I began looking for a new job the day I was forced to write a policy banning visible tattoos, body piercings, or “unnatural” hair colors or styles in our workplace.

The Point is the perfect culmination of my passion for this industry and my passion for writing. Aside from my work at Infinite and with The Point, I also hold an AA in Liberal Arts and Certificate in Creative Writing, and I am currently an English major at Temple University. I am the founder and editor-in-chief of Transient Publishing, an online literary magazine and writing community, and I continue to write on a freelance basis.

In issue #59, James’ last as Editor, he noted that The Point “belongs to all of us, our industry and our community. It’s going to be what we choose to make of it.”  So what are my hopes for the next phase in The Point’s “life?” What are yours?

By now you are aware of the most obvious change—that The Point is entirely online—but I personally hope to devote some more time to exploring the many names and faces of our industry. In issue #59, Cody Vaughn conducted an extensive interview of Paul King. While many of us know Paul—have taken his courses at Conference, spoken with him in the halls, or simply chatted online—I think few of us knew “all-about” Paul. This seems especially true of younger piercers and, as much as I hate to date myself, my generation. We all know their names, have seen their faces; however, I believe there is still a great deal to learn about their early professional lives and rise in our industry.

I also hope we can begin some open dialogues about topics that we tend to shy away from. Elayne Angel began one of these dialogues, also in issue #59, when she broached the topic of piercing videos online, putting out a call out for quality videos to combat all of the poorly performed procedures that tend to top YouTube view lists. In the current issue, we are opening yet another one of those dialogues with Kendra Janes’s  article “An Exploration of Pain:” where Kendra attempts to define pain and its relationship to the piercing industry.

As a member of the piercing community, I am very much in my infancy. I know I still have a great deal to learn, and I look forward to learning it from you, my piercing friends and family.

So now I ask you to sit back and enjoy this very special issue of The Point—the first ever fully-online APP publication.

Point #60: Legislative Update

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By Mike Martin

After a great conference I have been having so many thoughts and I’m trying to sort things out. One realization that became quite clear is that legislation on body art is a hot topic all over the world. That seemed to be the subject most talked about at the international meeting, our annual Members’ meeting, and just in general with people I spoke to during the week. Small talk always became legislation talk in some form.

Christina Shull gave us a glimpse of her legislative efforts in Oregon and the progress that was made in that state. She even had two Oregon Health Licensing Agency (OHLA) women join us at Conference: one who works on the state’s testing requirements, and one who works on drafting and creating regulations. They attended the full conference and sat in on many classes, workshops, and roundtable discussions. They were impressed with the event and how much they learned while there.

We heard from Steve Joyner about the legislative efforts he has been involved with throughout the year and all over the USA. Since conference he has been working with Stephanie Segal, Rob Hill, and the Iowa State Health Department researching language used in other state regulations. I also spent time with him and APP Vice President, John Johnson at the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) conference the following week. We talked to many people from around the country and some were a little surprised to know that I was wearing two hats (Legislation Liaison for APP, and President of the Alliance of Professional Tattooists, APT).

I learned a lot from John Johnson and saw Steve Joyner in action once again. It is amazing how one little word can completely change the meaning of an answer or the asking of a question. Steve is very aware and aggressive when it comes to “little words” that may be spoken or written that could have a long-term impact on our businesses and bottom lines. I wish we could make 50 Steve clones and have one as a representative in each state. I believe it would save the APP money and really help piercers as regulations are being promulgated or updated.

With that thought in mind I also believe that if we could have “State Reps” the APP would have an opportunity to encourage other piercers to get involved with the lawmaking process. APP State Reps would also have access to other piercers in their state and encourage them to join the organization. State reps could keep in touch with other piercers in their region and would be the “goto guys/girls” for matters involving training, legislation, and establishing rapport with local and state legislators.

If you have any thoughts on this approach please share them with us.

Legislation in the United States is a huge undertaking, there are 50 states to be covered and in each state there are multiple counties. For example, in California there are 62 counties. In each county there are multiple cities, towns, and villages–and sometimes they have their own body art regulations to work with. As you can see, the need to have proactive professional piercers leading the way is important. That way no one gets tripped up on that “one little word” that could ruin or change everything. We can talk to legislators and explain to them what we do for a living and help them know the difference between an implant and a surface anchor, a suspension and an energy pull, or a piercing needle and a piercing gun.

Almost all of the states have regulations in some form; many need updating and have begun that process. A couple of states are regulated through the Cosmetology Commission or Board of Cosmetology. The Kansas Board of Cosmetology regulates Kansas, and the Cosmetology Commission regulates South Dakota. Body art in New Mexico is regulated by the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. “Thirty-two states have laws that prohibit both body piercing and tattooing on minors without parental permission.”1 Iowa, New Jersey, New Mexico, New Hampshire, and Oregon have no age limits in place. This is a prime time to get involved in “the process” and give back to the industry that puts food on our tables and shoes on our kids.

At this time, the following are the members of our Legislation Committee: Steve Joyner, Christina Shull, Ashley Misako, and myself. If you would like to join our committee or assist us in any way please contact me (legislation@safepiercing.org) or fleshskingrafix@gmail.com, or call my cellphone: 619-719-2291.

Point #60: To Pierce a Minor

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By Jezebel Voule

I live in a land with no legislation of the piercing field. A land where tattoo artists are regulated and need to be licensed, but piercers are free to do whatever they please. Like the Wild West at its peak, we run by our own rules and our own code of ethics (if any). And much like the West, we have our outlaws: people who are willing to do that which many refuse. These are people who believe that they are allowed to do whatever is asked of them to whoever desires it since there are no rules. (For example, there are piercers who will pierce private areas of minors.)

I have heard many tales of people under the age of 18 getting their nipples pierced throughout my state. It is because of this, and the knowledge that there are a number of states that lack age restrictions, that cause some piercers to believe it is permissible to pierce the erogenous zones of minors. Should you be in a state that has no restrictions on minimum ages for piercings, at least be sure to know the local laws.

In Iowa, doing a “private” piercing on a minor can lead to a charge of Indecent Contact with a Child, as an Iowa statute reads: 

“A person eighteen years of age or older is upon conviction guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor if the person commits any of the following acts with a child, not the person’s spouse, with or without the child’s consent, for the purpose of arousing or satisfying the sexual desires of either of them: Fondle or touch the inner thigh, groin, buttock, anus, or breast of the child.” 

Since piercing an erogenous zone can increase sensation in the area, this will often cause an arousing or sexually satisfying result, so the act of piercing can qualify as a crime.

And an aggravated misdemeanor is only the beginning; a lawyer could easily get a conviction for Lascivious Acts with a Child, which is a class “C” felony: 

“It is unlawful for any person sixteen years of age or older to perform any of the following acts with a child with or without the child’s consent unless married to each other, for the purpose of arousing or satisfying the sexual desires of either of them: Fondle or touch the pubes or genitals of a child. [Or] inflict pain or discomfort upon a child.”

With a piercing there is no way to steer clear of discomfort. If no pain or discomfort is experienced during a piercing due to the application of some sort of anesthetic, it could be argued that the whole process of healing is a ramification of the piercing procedure.

It would not be impossible to obtain the conviction of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree, a class “B” felony. For reasons already stated, the piercing of a minor in an erogenous zone could be classified as sexual abuse.

“A person commits sexual abuse in the second degree when the person commits sexual abuse under any of the following circumstances: During the commission of sexual abuse the person displays in a threatening manner a dangerous weapon, or uses or threatens to use force creating a substantial risk of death or serious injury to any person.”

A piercing needle is a dangerous weapon because it is designed to puncture skin, and doing a piercing can be perceived as a threatening manner because it does break the skin.

Only 34 states have age restrictions pertaining to piercings, leaving 16 states without any sort of regulation on the piercing of minors. The laws quoted in this article are specific to my state and serve as an example of possible crimes that any piercer could be charged with who performs an adult piercing (nipples or genitals) on a minor.

I urge people to look up their state’s laws to learn what they could be up against before performing nipple piercings on a 15-year-old boy or a hood piercing on a 17-year-old girl. Just because there may not be a law specifically restricting a piercing does not mean that it is appropriate to perform such a task–or that there are no potential legal ramifications. Think smart before a minor’s piercing starts.

(Editor’s note: Regardless of any local legislation being more lenient, the following is the APP’s suggested minimum standards policy on piercing minors: 

“For any piercing of a minor, a parent or legal guardian must be present to sign a consent form. Proof positive, state issued photo identification is required from the legal guardian, and a bona fide form of identification from the minor. In the event the parent has a different last name and/or address from the child, court documentation is needed to prove the relationship, i.e., divorce papers, or a remarriage certificate.

Under no circumstances is it acceptable or appropriate for a piercer to perform piercing on the nipples or genitals of an individual under 18 years of age.”)

Point #60: The APP Brochures Overview Article One: What They Are and How to Use Them

2 Comments read APP Brochures

By April Berardi, AJ Goldman, and Johnny Velez
with support from the Outreach Committee

There is a hefty stack of informational brochures available through the Association of Professional Piercers that can be used in a variety of ways to educate the public about safe piercing. To help you better make use of these resources, we’ve summarized a few of these helpful pamphlets below and listed a number of ways studios have successfully utilized this vital information.

This is the first of three articles about the APP brochures. In this segment, we’ll be discussing “What is the APP?,” “Picking Your Piercer,” and “Jewelry for Initial Piercings.”

What is the Association of Professional Piercers?
“The Association of Professional Piercers (APP) is an international nonprofit educational organization dedicated to the dissemination of health and safety information about body piercing.

Governed by a voluntary elected Board of Directors, the APP is a united group of piercing professionals who freely share information to help fellow members, piercers, healthcare professionals, legislators, health inspectors, and the general public get the best and most up-to-date information about body piercing.”

This newly updated brochure contains the organization’s mission statement (above) and a brief section about the origins of the association. It provides a list of the many publications, products, and educational services you can get through the APP, and there’s also a brief explanation of the different membership levels that are available. Additionally, there is a bulleted list that clarifies what the APP does and does not do within the scope of its efforts.

Studio personnel can give this pamphlet to clients, potential members, and healthcare professionals, and also use it for their own reference. Distributing these regularly reinforces credibility with potential clients and other professionals. These are also great to hand out at conventions and to leave for distribution at other businesses such as retail stores and local health clinics.

Picking your Piercer
This brochure contains a summary of suggested guidelines you should adhere to when considering a prospective piercer and studio. It includes topics such as piercer qualifications, licensing and permits, studio set up and hygiene, autoclaves, and more.

“Your safety is in your own hands, and you need to be an educated consumer. The information contained in this pamphlet can help. Members of the Association of Professional Piercers uphold the standards outlined in this brochure, and your piercer should too—even if he or she is not an APP member.”

These brochures are perfect for anyone who is considering getting a piercing, whether it be a first-time customer or a seasoned collector. APP members are encouraged to bring these brochures to local mall stores, health clinics, conventions, and schools. Members have actually reported sales increases when working with high schools and colleges. If there is a local college in your area, consider partnering with a Resident Advisor (RA) on programs to educate the students about safe piercing. To discourage minors from making uninformed, hasty decisions about their body art, visit your local high schools and drop off these brochures to nurses’ offices and counselors.

Jewelry for Initial Piercings
This brochure touches on the basics of what to look for in initial piercing jewelry. It details the importance of biocompatible materials and goes over the common options. It also discusses different jewelry sizes and styles and covers quality issues including surface finish, and what type of threading is the safest.

“Choosing jewelry for a new piercing is obviously quite different from shopping for a ring to wear on your finger. Because body jewelry is worn inside a wound and is in contact with your internal tissues, only certain products are suitable. The size, style, material, and quality of the initial piece of jewelry all affect your ability to heal. Because the body jewelry industry is saturated with substandard products, piercers and clients alike may forget that cost alone should never be the key factor in your purchase.”

Getting this valuable knowledge out to our client base is imperative for educating the general public. This brochure has been put together to help inform your clients about why they should choose your studio, and buy your jewelry. It is an ideal complement to the “Picking your Piercer” and “What is the APP?” brochures and they make a real impact when distributed together. These work really well for price shoppers, potential clients, and the general public.

Piercers often look for ways to get involved in their communities, support the APP’s important mission, and to spread the information around. We hope that you find these summaries and suggestions useful. The resources provided by the APP are invaluable, and when used by the entire membership, they help us to have a much bigger impact our communities than we could on our own.

To download these, and for more information about the APP brochures and other resources, visit the APP’s website. You can place an order on the website or by contacting (888) 888-1APP.