You might be asking, “What sort of things are included in the definition of ‘body jewelry?’” This type accessory is defined as an item of jewelry usually worn on parts of the body through a piercing. Examples include earrings, belly button rings, tongue rings, or nose rings. The most popular form of body jewelry seems to be earrings but you might be surprised at how many adults/teens have other parts of their bodies “accessorized.” Some publications report that no external part of the body has gone un-pierced.  What could this mean for the future of America?

It’s safe to say that teens from age 14-20 are probably the most popular age group to receive some sort of piercing in or on their bodies. So what are the risks of body jewelry? How could wearing a simple metal ring in your nose or lip turn into a hazard? The problem with an oral piercing is that, believe it or not, there are people out there who have experienced chipping a tooth or winding up with gum damage. It is also a possibility that if these teens wear a ring in their mouth or nose, it could be swallowed accidentally but very easily.

There are dozens of things to take into consideration before deciding to pierce one’s body. Risks include bleeding, swelling, scarring and allergic reactions to the accessory.  Generally, these issues can be cared for with simple over the counter medications, but if left untreated they may eventually require surgery.

The next time you set out to get a piercing, check the facts first. Make sure that you know what the risks could include and how serious of a problem one item of body jewelry can become.

The original group of young women who started this fashion trend are approaching an age where pregnancy is a real possibility. No longer are they in their teens and twenties, but are now adults. One thing they haven’t outgrown, however, is their sexy belly button rings.

Just because they’re going to be proud mama’s doesn’t mean they have to sacrifice their favorite body jewelry from their younger days. There’s just no reason why a woman should have to take out her belly button rings to accommodate her changing body.

Pregnancy belly button rings are not all identical; usually they are made from plastic however. A special sterile wire called PTFE that is nickel free and easily sterilized. Most often, retailers sell this wire in a 2” to 2 ½” lengths with two balls that screw on to either end. The beauty of this product is that it is fully adjustable! To change the length, simply cut the wire at an angle and reattach the balls.

The wire is self threading and will automatically hold the ball in place.  These mom belly rings come with all sorts of balls from UV to titanium. In addition, they come with charms and dangles with phrases like “It’s a Boy/Girl” and “Baby on Board.”

Pregnancy is an exciting time in a mother’s life and it’s the beginning of a new lifestyle. It doesn’t have to force a woman to give up a piece of body jewelry she’s had for much of her life, though. Pregnancy belly button rings aren’t especially expensive and they correspond with the prices of belly button rings of similar style and quality.

Even though these decorative trends are legal, many people, especially parents of teens, wonder if these are actually safe.  Can they cause accidental damage?  Will they get infected?  And of course, how painful will they be?

One of the most common piercing’s is the belly button ring.  It’s relatively easy to hide and on the lower end of the price scale for body piercings.  For this reason, it’s an explosive fad among teen and preteen girls.  To find out if the piercing is actually safe, this blogger did a bit of research!  Below are a couple of sites that give a doctor and other health professionals’ opinions of body piercings.

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/articles/881.html

http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=243&np=292&id=2227

Bottom line:  body piercing and body modification is complete safe when treated as a surgical procedure and when properly cared for.