So the fifteen year old DIY-piercer in this photo came in to Color Works in West Des Moines, Iowa with their mother after their doctor refused to help with the problem he’d caused. He’d decided to do the piercings himself — a pair of lip rings and a septum — using, and I kid you not, pieces of chain link that he’d clipped off with wire cutters. They weren’t pierced in place — they were just “crushed” in place with a pair of pliers and brutally crimped into his flesh!
Evan removed them (and one was even rusted), cleaned him up, and told him to go back to the doctor. While Evan was dealing with the problem, the kid refused to stop touching the problem areas no matter how much he was told, and his mother let his four little brothers and sisters come running into the piercing room from the lobby, upon which the one kid immediately starts going through the garbage. Jarret (who took the photos) got them under control as the mother told him about how she’d tried to cut the piercings out with scissors. Darwin Award anyone?
Seriously, this is why in my opinion laws need to allow young people to get body piercings. “18+” and “16+” laws do nothing but hurt young people. Doctors don’t give a fuck and don’t know what they’re talking about most of the time and are so constrained by liability insurance that they often can’t help even if they want to, parents are clueless, and there are plenty of fly-by-night shops and nomadic piercers willing to abuse pierce kids anyway… High quality shops need to be accessible to people of all ages, because the fact is, people of all ages want piercings, and they’ll get them one way or another.
Comments
904 responses to “Chain Link Piercings Gone Bad (Well, Duh!)”
Oh, and regarding the age issues…
I agree that there are many mature young teenagers out there. I took care of my piercings very well when I was 14 and 16. The thing is is that many more people at that age CAN’T. It’s unfair, it sucks, but I honestly think it’s for the best. It’s why the drinking age is like it is, in my opinion. Sure, I drank responsibly when I was 17, but for every one of me out there that has the maturity TO handle it, there’s 1,000 who just can’t.
I waited 5 years to get my lip pierced. It was a long, loooooooong wait, but in the end I loved it SO much more. And if I would’ve changed my mind in that 5-year span, I would’ve saved myself a lot of money and pain.
Oh, and regarding the age issues…
I agree that there are many mature young teenagers out there. I took care of my piercings very well when I was 14 and 16. The thing is is that many more people at that age CAN’T. It’s unfair, it sucks, but I honestly think it’s for the best. It’s why the drinking age is like it is, in my opinion. Sure, I drank responsibly when I was 17, but for every one of me out there that has the maturity TO handle it, there’s 1,000 who just can’t.
I waited 5 years to get my lip pierced. It was a long, loooooooong wait, but in the end I loved it SO much more. And if I would’ve changed my mind in that 5-year span, I would’ve saved myself a lot of money and pain.
Oh, and regarding the age issues…
I agree that there are many mature young teenagers out there. I took care of my piercings very well when I was 14 and 16. The thing is is that many more people at that age CAN’T. It’s unfair, it sucks, but I honestly think it’s for the best. It’s why the drinking age is like it is, in my opinion. Sure, I drank responsibly when I was 17, but for every one of me out there that has the maturity TO handle it, there’s 1,000 who just can’t.
I waited 5 years to get my lip pierced. It was a long, loooooooong wait, but in the end I loved it SO much more. And if I would’ve changed my mind in that 5-year span, I would’ve saved myself a lot of money and pain.
Oh, and regarding the age issues…
I agree that there are many mature young teenagers out there. I took care of my piercings very well when I was 14 and 16. The thing is is that many more people at that age CAN’T. It’s unfair, it sucks, but I honestly think it’s for the best. It’s why the drinking age is like it is, in my opinion. Sure, I drank responsibly when I was 17, but for every one of me out there that has the maturity TO handle it, there’s 1,000 who just can’t.
I waited 5 years to get my lip pierced. It was a long, loooooooong wait, but in the end I loved it SO much more. And if I would’ve changed my mind in that 5-year span, I would’ve saved myself a lot of money and pain.
#48– don’t even go there. “he’s from iowa”? jerk.
#48– don’t even go there. “he’s from iowa”? jerk.
#48– don’t even go there. “he’s from iowa”? jerk.
#48– don’t even go there. “he’s from iowa”? jerk.
Kuro – dont feel bad about #48…not worth the time…really…
Kuro – dont feel bad about #48…not worth the time…really…
Kuro – dont feel bad about #48…not worth the time…really…
Kuro – dont feel bad about #48…not worth the time…really…
After reading more of the comments, I have more to say I think XD
In my opinion, I think some of the piercing age limits should be lowered, still. I don’t think it’ll totally eliminate this sort of thing, but at least you have better chances for a GOOD piercing.
And I agree with everyone’s who has said that education is key. Like i mentioned before, I’m fifteen and I managed to heal my three professional piercings between the help of my piercer and BME- just look at the contrast of BEFORE (piercing my lip with a alcohol-”sterilised” needle) and AFTER (using what i’ve learned to fix the scar tissue my monroe started generating, clear up the allergic reaction to my eyebrow barbell’s steel, and keep from getting even a hint of the dreaded BUMP on my nose).
So far BME’s meant a lot to me for learning much much more about piercings (as well as all other mods). I have a friend who still talks about “gauging” her ears, or the new “gauges” she got, even after I’ve tried to explain to her multiple times. (then again, this is a girl who’s been stretching her ears with plastic barbells from the flea market and is at maybe 6g [from 18g] in a matter of maybe a month. she’s told another friend of mine that she’s scared to look at the back of her ears after I sent her the BME encyclopedia on blow outs).
All I’m saying is, this sort of ignorance could be helped greatly if piercers were able to educate kids (or anyone who’s not all that up on it) about piercings, and that couldn’t really be done till piercing laws were changed, could it?
After reading more of the comments, I have more to say I think XD
In my opinion, I think some of the piercing age limits should be lowered, still. I don’t think it’ll totally eliminate this sort of thing, but at least you have better chances for a GOOD piercing.
And I agree with everyone’s who has said that education is key. Like i mentioned before, I’m fifteen and I managed to heal my three professional piercings between the help of my piercer and BME- just look at the contrast of BEFORE (piercing my lip with a alcohol-”sterilised” needle) and AFTER (using what i’ve learned to fix the scar tissue my monroe started generating, clear up the allergic reaction to my eyebrow barbell’s steel, and keep from getting even a hint of the dreaded BUMP on my nose).
So far BME’s meant a lot to me for learning much much more about piercings (as well as all other mods). I have a friend who still talks about “gauging” her ears, or the new “gauges” she got, even after I’ve tried to explain to her multiple times. (then again, this is a girl who’s been stretching her ears with plastic barbells from the flea market and is at maybe 6g [from 18g] in a matter of maybe a month. she’s told another friend of mine that she’s scared to look at the back of her ears after I sent her the BME encyclopedia on blow outs).
All I’m saying is, this sort of ignorance could be helped greatly if piercers were able to educate kids (or anyone who’s not all that up on it) about piercings, and that couldn’t really be done till piercing laws were changed, could it?
After reading more of the comments, I have more to say I think XD
In my opinion, I think some of the piercing age limits should be lowered, still. I don’t think it’ll totally eliminate this sort of thing, but at least you have better chances for a GOOD piercing.
And I agree with everyone’s who has said that education is key. Like i mentioned before, I’m fifteen and I managed to heal my three professional piercings between the help of my piercer and BME- just look at the contrast of BEFORE (piercing my lip with a alcohol-”sterilised” needle) and AFTER (using what i’ve learned to fix the scar tissue my monroe started generating, clear up the allergic reaction to my eyebrow barbell’s steel, and keep from getting even a hint of the dreaded BUMP on my nose).
So far BME’s meant a lot to me for learning much much more about piercings (as well as all other mods). I have a friend who still talks about “gauging” her ears, or the new “gauges” she got, even after I’ve tried to explain to her multiple times. (then again, this is a girl who’s been stretching her ears with plastic barbells from the flea market and is at maybe 6g [from 18g] in a matter of maybe a month. she’s told another friend of mine that she’s scared to look at the back of her ears after I sent her the BME encyclopedia on blow outs).
All I’m saying is, this sort of ignorance could be helped greatly if piercers were able to educate kids (or anyone who’s not all that up on it) about piercings, and that couldn’t really be done till piercing laws were changed, could it?
After reading more of the comments, I have more to say I think XD
In my opinion, I think some of the piercing age limits should be lowered, still. I don’t think it’ll totally eliminate this sort of thing, but at least you have better chances for a GOOD piercing.
And I agree with everyone’s who has said that education is key. Like i mentioned before, I’m fifteen and I managed to heal my three professional piercings between the help of my piercer and BME- just look at the contrast of BEFORE (piercing my lip with a alcohol-”sterilised” needle) and AFTER (using what i’ve learned to fix the scar tissue my monroe started generating, clear up the allergic reaction to my eyebrow barbell’s steel, and keep from getting even a hint of the dreaded BUMP on my nose).
So far BME’s meant a lot to me for learning much much more about piercings (as well as all other mods). I have a friend who still talks about “gauging” her ears, or the new “gauges” she got, even after I’ve tried to explain to her multiple times. (then again, this is a girl who’s been stretching her ears with plastic barbells from the flea market and is at maybe 6g [from 18g] in a matter of maybe a month. she’s told another friend of mine that she’s scared to look at the back of her ears after I sent her the BME encyclopedia on blow outs).
All I’m saying is, this sort of ignorance could be helped greatly if piercers were able to educate kids (or anyone who’s not all that up on it) about piercings, and that couldn’t really be done till piercing laws were changed, could it?
Although I’d also like to say that if it was maybe a seamless ring, constructed out of an acceptable material, the wavy-ness of the chain links could look sort of cool.
Although I’d also like to say that if it was maybe a seamless ring, constructed out of an acceptable material, the wavy-ness of the chain links could look sort of cool.
Although I’d also like to say that if it was maybe a seamless ring, constructed out of an acceptable material, the wavy-ness of the chain links could look sort of cool.
Although I’d also like to say that if it was maybe a seamless ring, constructed out of an acceptable material, the wavy-ness of the chain links could look sort of cool.
I feel the best thing that can be done is to inform people of risks and why getting work professionally done is important. However, assuming most of the people here either have gone through teenage-hood, or are teenagers, we all know that the teenage mind works a lot differently than a rational adults.
I feel the best thing that can be done is to inform people of risks and why getting work professionally done is important. However, assuming most of the people here either have gone through teenage-hood, or are teenagers, we all know that the teenage mind works a lot differently than a rational adults.
I feel the best thing that can be done is to inform people of risks and why getting work professionally done is important. However, assuming most of the people here either have gone through teenage-hood, or are teenagers, we all know that the teenage mind works a lot differently than a rational adults.
I feel the best thing that can be done is to inform people of risks and why getting work professionally done is important. However, assuming most of the people here either have gone through teenage-hood, or are teenagers, we all know that the teenage mind works a lot differently than a rational adults.
This kid is an idiot, his mother or father should have ripped them out of his face as soon as they saw them. How dumb can you be, I guess this DUMB!
This kid is an idiot, his mother or father should have ripped them out of his face as soon as they saw them. How dumb can you be, I guess this DUMB!
This kid is an idiot, his mother or father should have ripped them out of his face as soon as they saw them. How dumb can you be, I guess this DUMB!
This kid is an idiot, his mother or father should have ripped them out of his face as soon as they saw them. How dumb can you be, I guess this DUMB!
T-Bone – Because ripping them out of his face would have healed well…
T-Bone – Because ripping them out of his face would have healed well…
T-Bone – Because ripping them out of his face would have healed well…
T-Bone – Because ripping them out of his face would have healed well…
i havn’t read any of the coments so far, and don’t plan too. i just wanted to say the kid probably had no idea that this was a bad idea, and didn’t understand at all that it could turn out as bably as it did. i mean metal is metal to most people, and soap is clean enough, right? so i feel realy bad for the kid. i feel that even if the laws were relaxed to let younger kids get more than their ears peicred that they would still do dumb shit like this because alot of parents still wouldn’t let their kids get this stuff done professionaly. so while i agree that the laws shouldn’t really set age limits for any non-gentiatl piercings, i still don’t think it would a whole lot.
i havn’t read any of the coments so far, and don’t plan too. i just wanted to say the kid probably had no idea that this was a bad idea, and didn’t understand at all that it could turn out as bably as it did. i mean metal is metal to most people, and soap is clean enough, right? so i feel realy bad for the kid. i feel that even if the laws were relaxed to let younger kids get more than their ears peicred that they would still do dumb shit like this because alot of parents still wouldn’t let their kids get this stuff done professionaly. so while i agree that the laws shouldn’t really set age limits for any non-gentiatl piercings, i still don’t think it would a whole lot.
i havn’t read any of the coments so far, and don’t plan too. i just wanted to say the kid probably had no idea that this was a bad idea, and didn’t understand at all that it could turn out as bably as it did. i mean metal is metal to most people, and soap is clean enough, right? so i feel realy bad for the kid. i feel that even if the laws were relaxed to let younger kids get more than their ears peicred that they would still do dumb shit like this because alot of parents still wouldn’t let their kids get this stuff done professionaly. so while i agree that the laws shouldn’t really set age limits for any non-gentiatl piercings, i still don’t think it would a whole lot.
i havn’t read any of the coments so far, and don’t plan too. i just wanted to say the kid probably had no idea that this was a bad idea, and didn’t understand at all that it could turn out as bably as it did. i mean metal is metal to most people, and soap is clean enough, right? so i feel realy bad for the kid. i feel that even if the laws were relaxed to let younger kids get more than their ears peicred that they would still do dumb shit like this because alot of parents still wouldn’t let their kids get this stuff done professionaly. so while i agree that the laws shouldn’t really set age limits for any non-gentiatl piercings, i still don’t think it would a whole lot.
I’ve been interested in body modification since I was about twelve, and I wasn’t allowed to have any mods when I lived at home with my parents. they were very conservative. I was never enough of an idiot to try DIY piercing, no matter how much I wanted to have mods. I’ve known a lot of kids who did DIY piercings because their parents wouldn’t let them have piercings, and honestly, I just thought it was stupid. I took the time to educate myself about body modification from the time when I was about fifteen, because I knew it was something I wanted to do in the future. I really just think that people do that kind of thing because they are stupid and don’t care about their bodies. Most of them don’t want body mods for the right reasons, they just want to look “cool.” They are just not mature enough for that sort of thing, really.
but, that’s just my opinion.
I’ve been interested in body modification since I was about twelve, and I wasn’t allowed to have any mods when I lived at home with my parents. they were very conservative. I was never enough of an idiot to try DIY piercing, no matter how much I wanted to have mods. I’ve known a lot of kids who did DIY piercings because their parents wouldn’t let them have piercings, and honestly, I just thought it was stupid. I took the time to educate myself about body modification from the time when I was about fifteen, because I knew it was something I wanted to do in the future. I really just think that people do that kind of thing because they are stupid and don’t care about their bodies. Most of them don’t want body mods for the right reasons, they just want to look “cool.” They are just not mature enough for that sort of thing, really.
but, that’s just my opinion.
I’ve been interested in body modification since I was about twelve, and I wasn’t allowed to have any mods when I lived at home with my parents. they were very conservative. I was never enough of an idiot to try DIY piercing, no matter how much I wanted to have mods. I’ve known a lot of kids who did DIY piercings because their parents wouldn’t let them have piercings, and honestly, I just thought it was stupid. I took the time to educate myself about body modification from the time when I was about fifteen, because I knew it was something I wanted to do in the future. I really just think that people do that kind of thing because they are stupid and don’t care about their bodies. Most of them don’t want body mods for the right reasons, they just want to look “cool.” They are just not mature enough for that sort of thing, really.
but, that’s just my opinion.
I’ve been interested in body modification since I was about twelve, and I wasn’t allowed to have any mods when I lived at home with my parents. they were very conservative. I was never enough of an idiot to try DIY piercing, no matter how much I wanted to have mods. I’ve known a lot of kids who did DIY piercings because their parents wouldn’t let them have piercings, and honestly, I just thought it was stupid. I took the time to educate myself about body modification from the time when I was about fifteen, because I knew it was something I wanted to do in the future. I really just think that people do that kind of thing because they are stupid and don’t care about their bodies. Most of them don’t want body mods for the right reasons, they just want to look “cool.” They are just not mature enough for that sort of thing, really.
but, that’s just my opinion.
aw, poor guy, he just wanted a sparkly face like everyone else, but he ended up looking really stupid and getting flamed on a website he probably doesn’t know about. i’ve pierced myself six times (ears only, though), i’m 14, and they’ve all healed beautifully. self piercings aren’t all this horrible, obviously, and not all teenagers are dumbshits.
aw, poor guy, he just wanted a sparkly face like everyone else, but he ended up looking really stupid and getting flamed on a website he probably doesn’t know about. i’ve pierced myself six times (ears only, though), i’m 14, and they’ve all healed beautifully. self piercings aren’t all this horrible, obviously, and not all teenagers are dumbshits.
aw, poor guy, he just wanted a sparkly face like everyone else, but he ended up looking really stupid and getting flamed on a website he probably doesn’t know about. i’ve pierced myself six times (ears only, though), i’m 14, and they’ve all healed beautifully. self piercings aren’t all this horrible, obviously, and not all teenagers are dumbshits.
aw, poor guy, he just wanted a sparkly face like everyone else, but he ended up looking really stupid and getting flamed on a website he probably doesn’t know about. i’ve pierced myself six times (ears only, though), i’m 14, and they’ve all healed beautifully. self piercings aren’t all this horrible, obviously, and not all teenagers are dumbshits.
It’s a double edged sword…Personally I say where do we draw the line with age?
If we offer piercings on ALL ages, why not do the same with Cigarettes? Drinking? Drugs? Drive A car,etc?
These are over the top scenerios although somewhat true…I remember getting drunk, doing drugs, smoking at an early age…Why? Because certain older individuals were doing it so I thought why not me.
This is EXACTLY the same situation currently facing the body piercing industry today. Because our industry is now in the popular favour, somewhat, kids of all ages are interested in getting them…Because tv stars have them, musicians have them, the list goes on.
This isn’t about the kid wanting them for any other reason other than: because so and so has it done.
Some people claim ritualistic views based on tribal people from various parts of the world…But break down the EXACT situation surrounding those situations…How old are the individuals getting the work? WHY are the individuals getting work.
The main problem is that nobody is educating the minors about body piercing and everything thats involved that comes with it…Instead the Idiocracy is taking over and nobody is listening nor educating the masses.
The most we have is a small handful of people/piercers/websites that are devouted to trying our best.
I’m not saying all individuals under 16 are dumb, stupid, don’t know what they’re doing…But the issue is as was mentioned in the entry, legal liabilities…As many shops are insured and their insurance companies do not want them doing work on anyone under the age of 16 or 18,etc.
If anything I think it should truly be a case by case situation, where time is spent with the clients to figure out what they want,etc. As well as to educate them on the situation at hand.
Again to me personally this is more about the fact that we’re telling the minors NO and not explaining WHY…As when you tell a minor NO, it just makes them want to do something more.
It’s a double edged sword…Personally I say where do we draw the line with age?
If we offer piercings on ALL ages, why not do the same with Cigarettes? Drinking? Drugs? Drive A car,etc?
These are over the top scenerios although somewhat true…I remember getting drunk, doing drugs, smoking at an early age…Why? Because certain older individuals were doing it so I thought why not me.
This is EXACTLY the same situation currently facing the body piercing industry today. Because our industry is now in the popular favour, somewhat, kids of all ages are interested in getting them…Because tv stars have them, musicians have them, the list goes on.
This isn’t about the kid wanting them for any other reason other than: because so and so has it done.
Some people claim ritualistic views based on tribal people from various parts of the world…But break down the EXACT situation surrounding those situations…How old are the individuals getting the work? WHY are the individuals getting work.
The main problem is that nobody is educating the minors about body piercing and everything thats involved that comes with it…Instead the Idiocracy is taking over and nobody is listening nor educating the masses.
The most we have is a small handful of people/piercers/websites that are devouted to trying our best.
I’m not saying all individuals under 16 are dumb, stupid, don’t know what they’re doing…But the issue is as was mentioned in the entry, legal liabilities…As many shops are insured and their insurance companies do not want them doing work on anyone under the age of 16 or 18,etc.
If anything I think it should truly be a case by case situation, where time is spent with the clients to figure out what they want,etc. As well as to educate them on the situation at hand.
Again to me personally this is more about the fact that we’re telling the minors NO and not explaining WHY…As when you tell a minor NO, it just makes them want to do something more.
It’s a double edged sword…Personally I say where do we draw the line with age?
If we offer piercings on ALL ages, why not do the same with Cigarettes? Drinking? Drugs? Drive A car,etc?
These are over the top scenerios although somewhat true…I remember getting drunk, doing drugs, smoking at an early age…Why? Because certain older individuals were doing it so I thought why not me.
This is EXACTLY the same situation currently facing the body piercing industry today. Because our industry is now in the popular favour, somewhat, kids of all ages are interested in getting them…Because tv stars have them, musicians have them, the list goes on.
This isn’t about the kid wanting them for any other reason other than: because so and so has it done.
Some people claim ritualistic views based on tribal people from various parts of the world…But break down the EXACT situation surrounding those situations…How old are the individuals getting the work? WHY are the individuals getting work.
The main problem is that nobody is educating the minors about body piercing and everything thats involved that comes with it…Instead the Idiocracy is taking over and nobody is listening nor educating the masses.
The most we have is a small handful of people/piercers/websites that are devouted to trying our best.
I’m not saying all individuals under 16 are dumb, stupid, don’t know what they’re doing…But the issue is as was mentioned in the entry, legal liabilities…As many shops are insured and their insurance companies do not want them doing work on anyone under the age of 16 or 18,etc.
If anything I think it should truly be a case by case situation, where time is spent with the clients to figure out what they want,etc. As well as to educate them on the situation at hand.
Again to me personally this is more about the fact that we’re telling the minors NO and not explaining WHY…As when you tell a minor NO, it just makes them want to do something more.
It’s a double edged sword…Personally I say where do we draw the line with age?
If we offer piercings on ALL ages, why not do the same with Cigarettes? Drinking? Drugs? Drive A car,etc?
These are over the top scenerios although somewhat true…I remember getting drunk, doing drugs, smoking at an early age…Why? Because certain older individuals were doing it so I thought why not me.
This is EXACTLY the same situation currently facing the body piercing industry today. Because our industry is now in the popular favour, somewhat, kids of all ages are interested in getting them…Because tv stars have them, musicians have them, the list goes on.
This isn’t about the kid wanting them for any other reason other than: because so and so has it done.
Some people claim ritualistic views based on tribal people from various parts of the world…But break down the EXACT situation surrounding those situations…How old are the individuals getting the work? WHY are the individuals getting work.
The main problem is that nobody is educating the minors about body piercing and everything thats involved that comes with it…Instead the Idiocracy is taking over and nobody is listening nor educating the masses.
The most we have is a small handful of people/piercers/websites that are devouted to trying our best.
I’m not saying all individuals under 16 are dumb, stupid, don’t know what they’re doing…But the issue is as was mentioned in the entry, legal liabilities…As many shops are insured and their insurance companies do not want them doing work on anyone under the age of 16 or 18,etc.
If anything I think it should truly be a case by case situation, where time is spent with the clients to figure out what they want,etc. As well as to educate them on the situation at hand.
Again to me personally this is more about the fact that we’re telling the minors NO and not explaining WHY…As when you tell a minor NO, it just makes them want to do something more.
And why does everyone make it sound like DIY is an aweful idea? Obviously there are plenty of people who do their own piercings and have them turn out well. It’s just uneducated and with innapropriate methods/utilities that we should be protecting them from.
And why does everyone make it sound like DIY is an aweful idea? Obviously there are plenty of people who do their own piercings and have them turn out well. It’s just uneducated and with innapropriate methods/utilities that we should be protecting them from.