A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

Ouch.

Kivaka sends in these very gross pictures of a scarring, swollen, and oozing Madonna piercing he had to remove. Now, on one hand it’s the fault of the person pictured, because they allowed the piercing to get so irritated. But on the other hand, it’s the fault of their employer, who forced (lest they be fired) them to take the piercing in and out every single day because of a “no piercings at work” policy.

I’m loathed to tell private employers how to run their business, because I feel that they do have a right to dictate dress code down to the specifics. However, they need to realize that a “take your piercing out at work” way of thinking really isn’t limited to “work”. In the vast majority of cases, taking the piercing in and out constantly will destroy it… Thus these “work” policies also aggressively dictate how the employees dress on their off time.

Comments

104 responses to “Ouch.”

  1. Chrissie Avatar

    Fucking hell. Can we say ouch?

    Reading through the comments, I wish I would have had the balls you guys had to stand up to your employeers and win or at least land a decent compromise. I’ve almost always caved in when it comes to work and my piercings. Except when I worked at a jewellery store that said I had too many earrings and I’d have to take some out. I said okay in the interview, showed up at my first shift with them as they were, and nothing was ever mentioned again.

    I sacrificed my eyebrow piercing in February for my current retail job, which I finish on Friday because I’ve found another retail job that is a) awesome and b) lets me have visible piercings and tattoos. Score!

  2. Chrissie Avatar

    Fucking hell. Can we say ouch?

    Reading through the comments, I wish I would have had the balls you guys had to stand up to your employeers and win or at least land a decent compromise. I’ve almost always caved in when it comes to work and my piercings. Except when I worked at a jewellery store that said I had too many earrings and I’d have to take some out. I said okay in the interview, showed up at my first shift with them as they were, and nothing was ever mentioned again.

    I sacrificed my eyebrow piercing in February for my current retail job, which I finish on Friday because I’ve found another retail job that is a) awesome and b) lets me have visible piercings and tattoos. Score!

  3. J Avatar
    J

    I was recently told by the ex-manager of my job that the reason she liked me so much is because of my mods! At the time I had my ears out to 3/4′s and not long after hiring I got the scalpeled to an inch. The only complaints I have ever heard about my piercings was after I got my septum punched and was wearing a 4 gauge pincher in it a couple custies complained and the manager (very politley)asked me if I could wear different jewelry in it. I got lucky to get a laid back job (natural foods) where the are more tolerant of people with different outlooks on life so I feel for all the people that have jobs that try to dictate every aspect of thier life but for the person with this piercing…it does not get like that overnight she/he should have been more intelligent and after they noticed it getting more irittated than normal they should have contacted the person that pierced it to see what they should do with it.

  4. J Avatar
    J

    I was recently told by the ex-manager of my job that the reason she liked me so much is because of my mods! At the time I had my ears out to 3/4′s and not long after hiring I got the scalpeled to an inch. The only complaints I have ever heard about my piercings was after I got my septum punched and was wearing a 4 gauge pincher in it a couple custies complained and the manager (very politley)asked me if I could wear different jewelry in it. I got lucky to get a laid back job (natural foods) where the are more tolerant of people with different outlooks on life so I feel for all the people that have jobs that try to dictate every aspect of thier life but for the person with this piercing…it does not get like that overnight she/he should have been more intelligent and after they noticed it getting more irittated than normal they should have contacted the person that pierced it to see what they should do with it.

  5. numptyUK Avatar
    numptyUK

    LOVE IT! there should be 4 or 5 more alongside it. Like a MOUSTACHE of PUS. YUM!

    …as hard as I try I can’t get ANY of my facial piercings to do that. Hints?

  6. numptyUK Avatar
    numptyUK

    LOVE IT! there should be 4 or 5 more alongside it. Like a MOUSTACHE of PUS. YUM!

    …as hard as I try I can’t get ANY of my facial piercings to do that. Hints?

  7. Basophobic_angel Avatar
    Basophobic_angel

    I used to get a similar (but ALOT smaller) bump around the skin of my monroe in college during finals and midterms….

  8. Basophobic_angel Avatar
    Basophobic_angel

    I used to get a similar (but ALOT smaller) bump around the skin of my monroe in college during finals and midterms….

  9. thrills Avatar
    thrills

    that really f`n cool

  10. thrills Avatar
    thrills

    that really f`n cool

  11. Samantha Jorge Avatar
    Samantha Jorge

    I have been working part-time at a burger joint for almost a year now, with a close friend of mine. We are the highest paid cashiers and the ‘BIG BOSS’ has been pleased with our hard work and good punctuality over the months. As my friend grew board of her image and I of mine, she decided to get snakebites (two piercings on both sides of the lower lip). She had told the manager the day before that she was going to get them done. Though there was some uncertainty the manager simply said “it makes the company look bad.” But she never said no. As my friend worked her next shift, the BOSS said nothing to her but gave her an unhappy dirty look. A few months later after my 17th birthday I decided to treat myself to a Monroe piercing. I also decided to speak to the manager and warn her of my plans. She once again said very little and reminded me that “we are to keep a professional image” (how professional can burgers get!) As I walked into work the BOSS seemed to be upset this time. He looked at me oddly and said, “Now there are too many piercing in the store, we cannot present ourselves to customers if you guys look like this.” I was shocked and angered over his reaction to my one piercing, where on the other hand my friend had two. I felt like how I looked effected the way I worked. The Boss had never been angry over anything I have done and has been only pleased with my attendance and hard work. Though I was not fired or sent to flip patties in the back, this ordeal bothered me. If I am working well and I’m kind to customers then why am I so discriminated against because of my appearance?

    Employers of the world, I ask of you, please! The times are changing, which means the youths of the world are also changing. Think beyond the physical aspect of a human and focus on what that person can offer. Whether it be facial piercings, body art or a unique look, it would be best to give that being a chance before branding them a troublesome failure.

  12. Samantha Jorge Avatar
    Samantha Jorge

    I have been working part-time at a burger joint for almost a year now, with a close friend of mine. We are the highest paid cashiers and the ‘BIG BOSS’ has been pleased with our hard work and good punctuality over the months. As my friend grew board of her image and I of mine, she decided to get snakebites (two piercings on both sides of the lower lip). She had told the manager the day before that she was going to get them done. Though there was some uncertainty the manager simply said “it makes the company look bad.” But she never said no. As my friend worked her next shift, the BOSS said nothing to her but gave her an unhappy dirty look. A few months later after my 17th birthday I decided to treat myself to a Monroe piercing. I also decided to speak to the manager and warn her of my plans. She once again said very little and reminded me that “we are to keep a professional image” (how professional can burgers get!) As I walked into work the BOSS seemed to be upset this time. He looked at me oddly and said, “Now there are too many piercing in the store, we cannot present ourselves to customers if you guys look like this.” I was shocked and angered over his reaction to my one piercing, where on the other hand my friend had two. I felt like how I looked effected the way I worked. The Boss had never been angry over anything I have done and has been only pleased with my attendance and hard work. Though I was not fired or sent to flip patties in the back, this ordeal bothered me. If I am working well and I’m kind to customers then why am I so discriminated against because of my appearance?

    Employers of the world, I ask of you, please! The times are changing, which means the youths of the world are also changing. Think beyond the physical aspect of a human and focus on what that person can offer. Whether it be facial piercings, body art or a unique look, it would be best to give that being a chance before branding them a troublesome failure.

  13. bob fox Avatar

    it sucks that when yoy go to work and have to take your percings out people comeing in to your woke place should not be ofended by seeing people with difrent percings as long as people wear jullory that is secure like my earing thay have screw on spiks ones the spike is screw on it will not fall out from bob fox

  14. bob fox Avatar

    it sucks that when yoy go to work and have to take your percings out people comeing in to your woke place should not be ofended by seeing people with difrent percings as long as people wear jullory that is secure like my earing thay have screw on spiks ones the spike is screw on it will not fall out from bob fox

  15. iFUCKEDthepromqueen.™ Avatar

    fuck that shit.

    i hate when shitheads take theyre piercings out cuzz theyre not supposed to have them in.

    get some fucking nuts.

    my appearance has denied me employment in just about every kind of establishment ive tried. [which is really rather diverse.]

    when u lay down and die for what THEY say your eliminating the chance of ever hoping to be free at work and express yourself however the fuck u want.

  16. iFUCKEDthepromqueen.™ Avatar

    fuck that shit.

    i hate when shitheads take theyre piercings out cuzz theyre not supposed to have them in.

    get some fucking nuts.

    my appearance has denied me employment in just about every kind of establishment ive tried. [which is really rather diverse.]

    when u lay down and die for what THEY say your eliminating the chance of ever hoping to be free at work and express yourself however the fuck u want.

  17. Mattie Avatar

    Okay,
    I agree with those who say oh, get a job that allows piercings like the, or well I would, if it were that easy then it would be super 🙂 unfortunately, there are not many employers out there who are like that, so some of us have to settle for less, regardless, we have lives outside of the worplace, and we deserve to look however we choose.
    I work as a general cleaner at an undisclosed hotel, I do not deal with the public, and the pay suits my needs, where I live, there are not many if any at all who employ people with mods and it sucks, because some of us do not enjoy looking like everyone else, but day by day we are heckled by our employers to take our piercings out, just because they don’t like to see them, well personally when I look at someone and they don’t die, it kinda makes me wonder what kind of business of it is theirs? like… don’t judge me because of what I look like… judge me because of the way I act, it’s no different if I were black, asian or… whatever, i’t still sickens me people, grow up, it’s the 21st century.
    not everyone wants to and should have to be made to look like everyone else… for those who work in environtments where mods ARE a health and safety issue I understand and agree that you should be made to take them out, but for those who are made to take them out because they don’t meet special requirements that our employers would like… it’s just stupid in my opinion…

  18. Mattie Avatar

    Okay,
    I agree with those who say oh, get a job that allows piercings like the, or well I would, if it were that easy then it would be super 🙂 unfortunately, there are not many employers out there who are like that, so some of us have to settle for less, regardless, we have lives outside of the worplace, and we deserve to look however we choose.
    I work as a general cleaner at an undisclosed hotel, I do not deal with the public, and the pay suits my needs, where I live, there are not many if any at all who employ people with mods and it sucks, because some of us do not enjoy looking like everyone else, but day by day we are heckled by our employers to take our piercings out, just because they don’t like to see them, well personally when I look at someone and they don’t die, it kinda makes me wonder what kind of business of it is theirs? like… don’t judge me because of what I look like… judge me because of the way I act, it’s no different if I were black, asian or… whatever, i’t still sickens me people, grow up, it’s the 21st century.
    not everyone wants to and should have to be made to look like everyone else… for those who work in environtments where mods ARE a health and safety issue I understand and agree that you should be made to take them out, but for those who are made to take them out because they don’t meet special requirements that our employers would like… it’s just stupid in my opinion…

  19. dark_gothik Avatar
    dark_gothik

    he knew the dress code and still got the mod . It’s his own fault .

  20. dark_gothik Avatar
    dark_gothik

    he knew the dress code and still got the mod . It’s his own fault .

  21. Kelsy Avatar
    Kelsy

    I work in fast food, until I graduate and get my degree, and our corporate policy is “no piercings, natural colored hair, natural make up, no finger nail polish or jewelry”. Some of my co-workers have multiple ear piercings and nose piercings and aren’t required to take them out, so I figured I could get my vertical labret since the owner didn’t have a problem with my industrial and vertical lobe piercings. I got it done, and they allowed it to heal and now I have to put a retainer in when I work. I only do it when the owner comes in and works, the customers love my piercings and ask me questions about them and stuff. Now, I also have to change my microdermal in my sternum back to a healing post instead of a jewel even though most people can’t see it unless I bend over and my shirt hangs down…

  22. Kelsy Avatar
    Kelsy

    I work in fast food, until I graduate and get my degree, and our corporate policy is “no piercings, natural colored hair, natural make up, no finger nail polish or jewelry”. Some of my co-workers have multiple ear piercings and nose piercings and aren’t required to take them out, so I figured I could get my vertical labret since the owner didn’t have a problem with my industrial and vertical lobe piercings. I got it done, and they allowed it to heal and now I have to put a retainer in when I work. I only do it when the owner comes in and works, the customers love my piercings and ask me questions about them and stuff. Now, I also have to change my microdermal in my sternum back to a healing post instead of a jewel even though most people can’t see it unless I bend over and my shirt hangs down…

  23. Bradly Avatar
    Bradly

    “unless I bend over and my shirt hangs down…”

    posted by: Kelsy on November 25th, 2007 at 3:52 am

    Sounds, hot!!! where do u work? do serve french frys?

  24. Bradly Avatar
    Bradly

    “unless I bend over and my shirt hangs down…”

    posted by: Kelsy on November 25th, 2007 at 3:52 am

    Sounds, hot!!! where do u work? do serve french frys?

  25. Livvy Avatar
    Livvy

    OK EWW but how long was that after she got it pierced?

  26. Livvy Avatar
    Livvy

    OK EWW but how long was that after she got it pierced?

  27. Todd Avatar
    Todd

    If a job doesn’t allow it then why get it in the first place.
    You shouldn’t quit a job for a mod.
    you need a job to survive, not a mod.
    and I always say bod before mod

  28. Todd Avatar
    Todd

    If a job doesn’t allow it then why get it in the first place.
    You shouldn’t quit a job for a mod.
    you need a job to survive, not a mod.
    and I always say bod before mod

  29. Karlie Avatar
    Karlie

    Tree oil and vasaline get rid of that.
    no joke.

  30. Karlie Avatar
    Karlie

    Tree oil and vasaline get rid of that.
    no joke.

  31. Sarah_kitty Avatar
    Sarah_kitty

    That is GHASTLY.

  32. Sarah_kitty Avatar
    Sarah_kitty

    That is GHASTLY.

  33. gia Avatar
    gia

    Ok so I had a SMALL bump on my monroe piercing that I thought was a “piercing pimple” I believe people call it,and was told to do frequent saline soaks. One morning I woke up and it had almost doubled in sized,looking like this picture! I made a doctors appointment,but by the next day (today) it was worse! It was healed and I had never taken it out before. I couldn’t even get it out because it hurt so bad. So tomorrow I have to go to the doctors and the piercer to have it taken out! What a horrible mess. Monroes are supposed to be sexy and this is just nasty!

  34. gia Avatar
    gia

    Ok so I had a SMALL bump on my monroe piercing that I thought was a “piercing pimple” I believe people call it,and was told to do frequent saline soaks. One morning I woke up and it had almost doubled in sized,looking like this picture! I made a doctors appointment,but by the next day (today) it was worse! It was healed and I had never taken it out before. I couldn’t even get it out because it hurt so bad. So tomorrow I have to go to the doctors and the piercer to have it taken out! What a horrible mess. Monroes are supposed to be sexy and this is just nasty!

  35. Victoria Avatar
    Victoria

    there is such a thing as a retainer…. most employers understand that piercings cant constantly be put in and out. many will accept a clear retainer.

  36. Victoria Avatar
    Victoria

    there is such a thing as a retainer…. most employers understand that piercings cant constantly be put in and out. many will accept a clear retainer.

  37. the boss Avatar
    the boss

    As an employer in the beauty industry, I don’t care if you where the greatest hair stylist, make up artist and designer to ever live, I would NEVER hire someone who could so degrade themselves by doing such horrid things to the beautiful bodies your mothers took 9 months to create. Your bodies are not yours to do as you please, they are ,what your parents gave you to represent your families past , present and future.It is your duty to honour and respect it, not graffity,modify or damage, in any way. I wouldn’t want somebody with so little self respect for themselves and their family working for me.

  38. the boss Avatar
    the boss

    As an employer in the beauty industry, I don’t care if you where the greatest hair stylist, make up artist and designer to ever live, I would NEVER hire someone who could so degrade themselves by doing such horrid things to the beautiful bodies your mothers took 9 months to create. Your bodies are not yours to do as you please, they are ,what your parents gave you to represent your families past , present and future.It is your duty to honour and respect it, not graffity,modify or damage, in any way. I wouldn’t want somebody with so little self respect for themselves and their family working for me.

  39. Punk Freak Avatar
    Punk Freak

    The Boss: What is someone who is so obviously against body modification, as yourself, doing on a website dedicated to body modification?

    Also, it’s not the fault of the employer, at all. The employer told them to remove the piercing which is fair enough, as an employer they have the right to do that and I don’t see why exceptions should be made for piercings and tattoos, they’re allowed to enforce dress code and piercings and tattoos are a part of that. It’s not the employers fault that this person was foolish enough to keep removing and replacing the jewellery and hence cause this scaring

    People that complain about having to remove piercings for employment to me, just sound like a whining bunch of kids that had their favourite toy taken away

  40. Punk Freak Avatar
    Punk Freak

    The Boss: What is someone who is so obviously against body modification, as yourself, doing on a website dedicated to body modification?

    Also, it’s not the fault of the employer, at all. The employer told them to remove the piercing which is fair enough, as an employer they have the right to do that and I don’t see why exceptions should be made for piercings and tattoos, they’re allowed to enforce dress code and piercings and tattoos are a part of that. It’s not the employers fault that this person was foolish enough to keep removing and replacing the jewellery and hence cause this scaring

    People that complain about having to remove piercings for employment to me, just sound like a whining bunch of kids that had their favourite toy taken away

  41. JW Avatar
    JW

    The Boss…what do you say to those whose parents encourage properly done body mods? Or, GASP, parents who get peircings for themselves?

    How is -our- body not ours to do with what we choose? Are we all robots, living solely for our parents? Should we let our parents also map out our entire 70-80something year life because our mother carried us for less than a year?

    Give your head a shake.

  42. JW Avatar
    JW

    The Boss…what do you say to those whose parents encourage properly done body mods? Or, GASP, parents who get peircings for themselves?

    How is -our- body not ours to do with what we choose? Are we all robots, living solely for our parents? Should we let our parents also map out our entire 70-80something year life because our mother carried us for less than a year?

    Give your head a shake.

  43. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    Piercings don’t effect the way anyone works. I can understand a surgeon, a chef or a vet having to take them out to prevent the jewlery from ending up in food or worse. but anywhere else is just pathetic.

  44. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    Piercings don’t effect the way anyone works. I can understand a surgeon, a chef or a vet having to take them out to prevent the jewlery from ending up in food or worse. but anywhere else is just pathetic.

  45. dee Avatar
    dee

    ok now im wishing i didnt have mine done. only had it done last monday and its scabbin round it and after seein this im panicing mines guna go like that :S

  46. dee Avatar
    dee

    ok now im wishing i didnt have mine done. only had it done last monday and its scabbin round it and after seein this im panicing mines guna go like that :S

  47. SensualCucumber Avatar
    SensualCucumber

    Thank god I didn’t see this before I got mine pierced..
    A little puss and crusting is normal (I’ve had it for about 6 months now).
    I have to take mine out for work too though. In my opinion, having a hole in your face is much worse than having that or a stud of some sort.

  48. SensualCucumber Avatar
    SensualCucumber

    Thank god I didn’t see this before I got mine pierced..
    A little puss and crusting is normal (I’ve had it for about 6 months now).
    I have to take mine out for work too though. In my opinion, having a hole in your face is much worse than having that or a stud of some sort.

  49. mochimochi Avatar
    mochimochi

    I stick my lip ring and stud in a saline solution made using salt and boiling hot water – obv i wait until it’s cooled down before I insert it. I’ve had it 8 years and never had a problem.

    I also scrub my fingers before doing it and cut my nails. It’s common sense. Something tells me this guy took that piercing out and shoved it back in just before and after work, probably in the toilet or something, without cleaning it.

  50. mochimochi Avatar
    mochimochi

    I stick my lip ring and stud in a saline solution made using salt and boiling hot water – obv i wait until it’s cooled down before I insert it. I’ve had it 8 years and never had a problem.

    I also scrub my fingers before doing it and cut my nails. It’s common sense. Something tells me this guy took that piercing out and shoved it back in just before and after work, probably in the toilet or something, without cleaning it.

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