A few days ago I posted one of the small number of ultra-rare piercings, the eyelid ring, and I wanted to follow that up today with the even rarer, and arguably more dangerous, Achilles tendon piercing. This piercing literally passes through the small gap in between the Achilles tendon and the junction of the fibula, tibia, and talus junction — it goes without saying that if problems arise, they can be literally crippling… This particular example was done by David Bendele of On The Edge Body Art Studio in Findlay, Ohio.
Comments
152 responses to “True/Deep Achilles Piercing”
OMG! SOME ONE ACTUALLY DID IT!?
i’ve been obsessed with the possibility for years.. but i’ve never looking into it…. holly crap i want one!
OMG! SOME ONE ACTUALLY DID IT!?
i’ve been obsessed with the possibility for years.. but i’ve never looking into it…. holly crap i want one!
first of all sean(51) i dont work there anymore. second my portfolio is not on there. why dont you get your fuckin info straight first before you start tellin people what to do. fuckin derilict!
first of all sean(51) i dont work there anymore. second my portfolio is not on there. why dont you get your fuckin info straight first before you start tellin people what to do. fuckin derilict!
by the way sean on the edge does suck balls and so do their portfolios. i suggest you google dennis faust tattoos. you’ll find a zombie wife tattoo. this is on the edge’s “finest employee”
by the way sean on the edge does suck balls and so do their portfolios. i suggest you google dennis faust tattoos. you’ll find a zombie wife tattoo. this is on the edge’s “finest employee”
i remember seeing you in adelaide once mr tetanus…you were wearing boots from what i remember…motorcycle ones at that…very impressive piercing though…very cringe worthy :]
i remember seeing you in adelaide once mr tetanus…you were wearing boots from what i remember…motorcycle ones at that…very impressive piercing though…very cringe worthy :]
ahhhhhhh
like others here i’ve been the victim of achilles tendonitis, so this really makes me cringe.
i’d rather have somebody break one of my fingers than have somebody do that to my achilles!
ahhhhhhh
like others here i’ve been the victim of achilles tendonitis, so this really makes me cringe.
i’d rather have somebody break one of my fingers than have somebody do that to my achilles!
shannon said
“Personally I’m not interested in having conservative piercers dictate what I can and can not do to my body (or ask someone else to do to my body)”
A PROFESSIONAL PIERCER is supposed to exercise some restraint…its not entirely about dictating what someone does with their body, so much as it is the job of an ethical piercer to decide when something is potentionaly dangerous to a client. There is a trend developing with piercing where its shifted from being about the client to getting recognition thru questionable piercing practices for exposure…in the interest of preserving the industry and keeping it from legal reprocussions, i think baby teeth had a valid point…i’d like to see more “conservative piercers” get some recognition for actually putting the safety of their clients first, as opposed to seeking fame at the risk of their clients…some of the procedures i’ve seen lately leave me fearful that the whole industry might be put at risk because of this trend…yes they look flashy and make the cover of modblog-but is it necessarily a good idea?
as for this particular piercing, i wouldn’t try it myself-but there are documented cases of success with it…but i don’t think baby teeth was out of line for his views on it…given its highly unpredictable nature…i’d also like to applaud Warren Hiller for his comment…well said!
shannon said
“Personally I’m not interested in having conservative piercers dictate what I can and can not do to my body (or ask someone else to do to my body)”
A PROFESSIONAL PIERCER is supposed to exercise some restraint…its not entirely about dictating what someone does with their body, so much as it is the job of an ethical piercer to decide when something is potentionaly dangerous to a client. There is a trend developing with piercing where its shifted from being about the client to getting recognition thru questionable piercing practices for exposure…in the interest of preserving the industry and keeping it from legal reprocussions, i think baby teeth had a valid point…i’d like to see more “conservative piercers” get some recognition for actually putting the safety of their clients first, as opposed to seeking fame at the risk of their clients…some of the procedures i’ve seen lately leave me fearful that the whole industry might be put at risk because of this trend…yes they look flashy and make the cover of modblog-but is it necessarily a good idea?
as for this particular piercing, i wouldn’t try it myself-but there are documented cases of success with it…but i don’t think baby teeth was out of line for his views on it…given its highly unpredictable nature…i’d also like to applaud Warren Hiller for his comment…well said!
“Personally I’m not interested in having conservative piercers dictate what I can and can not do to my body (or ask someone else to do to my body)…”
nor am I, what I’m interested in is what happen when shit goes bad and the piercer gets sued. In the commonwealth of Virginia, consent forms, and release of liability contracts mean nothing.
I’m sorry if my interests in trusting a client to do their job goes as far as I could throw them, but if i’m going to have a label slapped on me, then I’ll be the one to do so.
Conservative? yes, I am!
More interested in protecting my own ass from the litigious nature of people that are once removed from the status of a stranger than I am having a neat picture in my portfolio? You bet!
“Personally I’m not interested in having conservative piercers dictate what I can and can not do to my body (or ask someone else to do to my body)…”
nor am I, what I’m interested in is what happen when shit goes bad and the piercer gets sued. In the commonwealth of Virginia, consent forms, and release of liability contracts mean nothing.
I’m sorry if my interests in trusting a client to do their job goes as far as I could throw them, but if i’m going to have a label slapped on me, then I’ll be the one to do so.
Conservative? yes, I am!
More interested in protecting my own ass from the litigious nature of people that are once removed from the status of a stranger than I am having a neat picture in my portfolio? You bet!
“Conservative? yes, I am!
More interested in protecting my own ass from the litigious nature of people that are once removed from the status of a stranger than I am having a neat picture in my portfolio? You bet!”
well said! getting sued is something so many don’t consider! I’d also like to point out there are a lot of hacks out there, as well as eager modlets, that will see things of this nature and either want one, or assume seeing the picture is enough to feel confident in trying to attempt them. I know piercers barely a year in this industry attempting SERIOUS procedures, thinking its what they need to do to excel…i actually read these words in a forum on the very subject:
“Oh, microdermals are popular, if I don’t learn them, I’ll lose out in my career. Everyone seems to be doing them, so they must be safe! I just need to read up on it a little, look at procedural pictures and I’ll figure out what to do from there!”
mind you he was just explaining the position of many younger piercers as to why they try to jump into procedures that should be reserved for more seasoned piercers-but i think its telling of what the industry is facing…
I’m not saying this piercing isn’t well executed or isn’t capable of healing-its very interesting…it just concerns me when i think of the potential outcome…whether or not it heals, i can bet there will be several kids wanting one cuz it made modblog, and even more hacks waiting to turn a risky procedure into five minutes of fame to make modblog…
and its ok if i get tagged a ‘conservative piercer’ too -and i’ll wear that badge with honor…my work may never get posted in modblog or savage, but i can sleep at night knowing my ego never trumped my clients overall well being…
and even the newbies in the industry know that most clients can’t be trusted to follow the instructions…its one of the biggest hurdles professionals face…
“Conservative? yes, I am!
More interested in protecting my own ass from the litigious nature of people that are once removed from the status of a stranger than I am having a neat picture in my portfolio? You bet!”
well said! getting sued is something so many don’t consider! I’d also like to point out there are a lot of hacks out there, as well as eager modlets, that will see things of this nature and either want one, or assume seeing the picture is enough to feel confident in trying to attempt them. I know piercers barely a year in this industry attempting SERIOUS procedures, thinking its what they need to do to excel…i actually read these words in a forum on the very subject:
“Oh, microdermals are popular, if I don’t learn them, I’ll lose out in my career. Everyone seems to be doing them, so they must be safe! I just need to read up on it a little, look at procedural pictures and I’ll figure out what to do from there!”
mind you he was just explaining the position of many younger piercers as to why they try to jump into procedures that should be reserved for more seasoned piercers-but i think its telling of what the industry is facing…
I’m not saying this piercing isn’t well executed or isn’t capable of healing-its very interesting…it just concerns me when i think of the potential outcome…whether or not it heals, i can bet there will be several kids wanting one cuz it made modblog, and even more hacks waiting to turn a risky procedure into five minutes of fame to make modblog…
and its ok if i get tagged a ‘conservative piercer’ too -and i’ll wear that badge with honor…my work may never get posted in modblog or savage, but i can sleep at night knowing my ego never trumped my clients overall well being…
and even the newbies in the industry know that most clients can’t be trusted to follow the instructions…its one of the biggest hurdles professionals face…
this looks amazing,and seems to be healing well, also the piercer must be very familiar with bodies to even attempt this.
also did anyone think of blobfish? the heel looks like it’s nose and the piercing eyes
this looks amazing,and seems to be healing well, also the piercer must be very familiar with bodies to even attempt this.
also did anyone think of blobfish? the heel looks like it’s nose and the piercing eyes
Ok lets cut the Bullshit here. I am a close friend of Dave the piercer and of the person who had the piercing done. I think you all are giving him alittle to much crap over this. Some of you dont agree with it and thats fine, But lets give “props” where “props” are due.. Dave is an excellent piercer. He cares about his customers and knows what he is doing. Believe me he did all of his homework before doing this piercing. And his after care was excellent! Reminded me of a mother babying her sick child..lol But all jokes aside Dave is proud of this piercing as well he should be And im proud of him for stepping outside the box and for striving to be a better piercer by pushing himself to go outside the norm! Way to go Dave!!! and by the way we call it ziggy!!
Ok lets cut the Bullshit here. I am a close friend of Dave the piercer and of the person who had the piercing done. I think you all are giving him alittle to much crap over this. Some of you dont agree with it and thats fine, But lets give “props” where “props” are due.. Dave is an excellent piercer. He cares about his customers and knows what he is doing. Believe me he did all of his homework before doing this piercing. And his after care was excellent! Reminded me of a mother babying her sick child..lol But all jokes aside Dave is proud of this piercing as well he should be And im proud of him for stepping outside the box and for striving to be a better piercer by pushing himself to go outside the norm! Way to go Dave!!! and by the way we call it ziggy!!
This freaks me out more than anything I’ve ever seen on BME
This freaks me out more than anything I’ve ever seen on BME
well for my part, i’m not trying to come down on your co-worker for attempting this piercing, like i stated-there are documented cases of this piercing healing safely…and if the guy is already crippled, then he teally isn’t at risk for loosing his mobility anyways…my whole point was the overall concern that this can be a very dangerous piercing if performed by someone who hasn’t researched it-especially done on someone not prepared for the risks…i’m sure your friend dotted all the I’s and crossed his T’s…I wouldn’t attempt anything that could possibily impare mobility or leave someone with an handi-cap, but this in no way means i’m judging him for it…this is more about others trying to immulate a questionable and potentially dangerous piercing because it was championed on the internet…nothing more or less…and for the record i saw dave’s work after follwing the link…his work seems solid…not trying to bash you, just debating the risk factor…
well for my part, i’m not trying to come down on your co-worker for attempting this piercing, like i stated-there are documented cases of this piercing healing safely…and if the guy is already crippled, then he teally isn’t at risk for loosing his mobility anyways…my whole point was the overall concern that this can be a very dangerous piercing if performed by someone who hasn’t researched it-especially done on someone not prepared for the risks…i’m sure your friend dotted all the I’s and crossed his T’s…I wouldn’t attempt anything that could possibily impare mobility or leave someone with an handi-cap, but this in no way means i’m judging him for it…this is more about others trying to immulate a questionable and potentially dangerous piercing because it was championed on the internet…nothing more or less…and for the record i saw dave’s work after follwing the link…his work seems solid…not trying to bash you, just debating the risk factor…
sorry for the typos
sorry for the typos
I thought I might do a follow up to my previous comment. I’ve seen some of the stuff that features on BME, and a lot of it makes me cringe, and most of it I wouldn’t contemplate doing to myself. I can understand professional piercers getting up in arms about this one, just because of the risk factor. I mean, even if a piercing is done correctly, once the client leaves the room, the piercer loses all control, and as far as I’m concerned, at least 95% of the chances of success are determined by the after care. I agree with comments re piercers concerns for safety over sensationalism. Sure, we’d all like our work shown on those front covers, but no one wants to be known for being the person that’s responsible for someone no longer being able to walk. I have huge respect for Carol of The Body Art Studio, because she refused to do the piercing on the grounds of safety. Lesser piercers would have jumped at the chance of a slice of glory and a quick buck. I’d been skewering my achilles for a while before I even considered going permanent with it, so I was quite comfortable with the actual piercing itself. The big difference between permanent piercing and exhibition piercing is the healing factor. That’s when you start getting complications. I must admit that mine gets a lot of grief, purely because of what I put it through in the course of a show, but in the 12 odd years that I’ve had it, it still hasn’t healed and I doubt that it ever will. Having said that, I once did a solo walk of 1150 km (over 700 miles) pulling a trailer, and had no problems with it. I also do long distance running, and bicycle touring. The only thing I do is take out the weighty stainless spike, and replace it with a shorter, and much lighter, plastic plug.
I think I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. I DON’T recommend this piercing, but at the same time, as far as I’m concerned, NO piercing is actually a GOOD idea. Leave the guy alone. It’s no worse than a lot of the other stuff on BME, and I’m sure not every person who posts a pic of an extreme piercing gets this much flack about it. Dave took the risk, and as far as I can see, it’s turned out well. That is, of course, assuming he’s not now getting about in a wheel chair.
Mr.Tetanus
I thought I might do a follow up to my previous comment. I’ve seen some of the stuff that features on BME, and a lot of it makes me cringe, and most of it I wouldn’t contemplate doing to myself. I can understand professional piercers getting up in arms about this one, just because of the risk factor. I mean, even if a piercing is done correctly, once the client leaves the room, the piercer loses all control, and as far as I’m concerned, at least 95% of the chances of success are determined by the after care. I agree with comments re piercers concerns for safety over sensationalism. Sure, we’d all like our work shown on those front covers, but no one wants to be known for being the person that’s responsible for someone no longer being able to walk. I have huge respect for Carol of The Body Art Studio, because she refused to do the piercing on the grounds of safety. Lesser piercers would have jumped at the chance of a slice of glory and a quick buck. I’d been skewering my achilles for a while before I even considered going permanent with it, so I was quite comfortable with the actual piercing itself. The big difference between permanent piercing and exhibition piercing is the healing factor. That’s when you start getting complications. I must admit that mine gets a lot of grief, purely because of what I put it through in the course of a show, but in the 12 odd years that I’ve had it, it still hasn’t healed and I doubt that it ever will. Having said that, I once did a solo walk of 1150 km (over 700 miles) pulling a trailer, and had no problems with it. I also do long distance running, and bicycle touring. The only thing I do is take out the weighty stainless spike, and replace it with a shorter, and much lighter, plastic plug.
I think I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. I DON’T recommend this piercing, but at the same time, as far as I’m concerned, NO piercing is actually a GOOD idea. Leave the guy alone. It’s no worse than a lot of the other stuff on BME, and I’m sure not every person who posts a pic of an extreme piercing gets this much flack about it. Dave took the risk, and as far as I can see, it’s turned out well. That is, of course, assuming he’s not now getting about in a wheel chair.
Mr.Tetanus
Thanks to eternal sunshine for adding this link to the thread. This is a picture of my version of the same piercing. This was taken just after a performance, and the condition of it will give you an indication of the stress I put it through. I’ve done suspensions from it before, although I’ve now dropped that from the show. Now I just hang a couple of bowling balls from it.
So I wouldn’t be too harsh on someone who just does the piercing, and then looks after it like a responsible adult, unlike me.
http://mr-tetanus.deviantart.com/art/Post-Show-Ankle-70339095
Mr.Tetanus
Thanks to eternal sunshine for adding this link to the thread. This is a picture of my version of the same piercing. This was taken just after a performance, and the condition of it will give you an indication of the stress I put it through. I’ve done suspensions from it before, although I’ve now dropped that from the show. Now I just hang a couple of bowling balls from it.
So I wouldn’t be too harsh on someone who just does the piercing, and then looks after it like a responsible adult, unlike me.
http://mr-tetanus.deviantart.com/art/Post-Show-Ankle-70339095
Mr.Tetanus
damn! it won’t show the piercing! i really wanted to see it too…perhaps so much debate wouldn’t ensue, if bme took the time and either waited to show these types of piercings till there was a follow up photo, or maybe when printing pics like these, took a second to state the risks involved with procedures like this…there is no question as to having these type of piercings, prompting others to want them…it has become a ‘trend’ lately…it would be a good service to perhaps list the potential hazards associated with this type of piercings, just in case the people seeking to immulate the procedure are not informed when they do try it…i think it would show a tremendous amount of professionalism and could perhaps curve the ‘monkey see, monkey do epidemic that seems to be occuring in the industry lately…
damn! it won’t show the piercing! i really wanted to see it too…perhaps so much debate wouldn’t ensue, if bme took the time and either waited to show these types of piercings till there was a follow up photo, or maybe when printing pics like these, took a second to state the risks involved with procedures like this…there is no question as to having these type of piercings, prompting others to want them…it has become a ‘trend’ lately…it would be a good service to perhaps list the potential hazards associated with this type of piercings, just in case the people seeking to immulate the procedure are not informed when they do try it…i think it would show a tremendous amount of professionalism and could perhaps curve the ‘monkey see, monkey do epidemic that seems to be occuring in the industry lately…
I agree, Laura. Just because you see someone do a piercing, it doesn’t mean it’s a good thing to do. Like you say, follow up shots tell the REAL story. I see a lot of photos up on the brag boards in dodgy piercing establishments, and you know darned well that they’ve just fleeced someone for a piercing that is just going to cause a lot of grief as it grows out.
For many years I wouldn’t let people take pics of my ankle for fear that they would end up in some magazine or similar, and people would try to do the same piercing. I don’t think it’s the sort of thing I want to be seen promoting. It’s not very smart.
Mr.Tetanus
I agree, Laura. Just because you see someone do a piercing, it doesn’t mean it’s a good thing to do. Like you say, follow up shots tell the REAL story. I see a lot of photos up on the brag boards in dodgy piercing establishments, and you know darned well that they’ve just fleeced someone for a piercing that is just going to cause a lot of grief as it grows out.
For many years I wouldn’t let people take pics of my ankle for fear that they would end up in some magazine or similar, and people would try to do the same piercing. I don’t think it’s the sort of thing I want to be seen promoting. It’s not very smart.
Mr.Tetanus
I use to work at a studio with a ‘rockstar wanna-be piercer’ about 6 or 7 years ago…he was really big on building up his portfollio faster than the next guy…once when thumbing thru an old publication at the shop, he saw a piecing called the ‘princess abertina’ that ran thru the women’s uretha…he immediately started toting that he could do this piercing and was gonna try it! later that day he got a girl to come in and try it…he attempted it from a picture, with no research to see if it was risky-off a picture with no other info attached…i think a picture alone is misleading…and publications printing them can give the impression that it is a safe procedure, even if the picture was the only time frame that piercing existed in…posting risks associated in these situations would do alot to perhaps curb ‘rockstar ambitions.’
as for his ‘edge’ piercing, we never found out if his client’s piercing healed…despite being his regular client, she never came back into the studio…
I use to work at a studio with a ‘rockstar wanna-be piercer’ about 6 or 7 years ago…he was really big on building up his portfollio faster than the next guy…once when thumbing thru an old publication at the shop, he saw a piecing called the ‘princess abertina’ that ran thru the women’s uretha…he immediately started toting that he could do this piercing and was gonna try it! later that day he got a girl to come in and try it…he attempted it from a picture, with no research to see if it was risky-off a picture with no other info attached…i think a picture alone is misleading…and publications printing them can give the impression that it is a safe procedure, even if the picture was the only time frame that piercing existed in…posting risks associated in these situations would do alot to perhaps curb ‘rockstar ambitions.’
as for his ‘edge’ piercing, we never found out if his client’s piercing healed…despite being his regular client, she never came back into the studio…
hey laura why dont you stop beating a dead horse and realize the piercing is what it is. yeah we all get that you dont like people trying to do shit that is off the wall or people trying to be a “rockstar wanna be”. im not saying that everyone should do this by any means and any piercer who does see something like that and wants to do it should realy do their research and think twice before even picking up the surgical lube.
get over it!
hey laura why dont you stop beating a dead horse and realize the piercing is what it is. yeah we all get that you dont like people trying to do shit that is off the wall or people trying to be a “rockstar wanna be”. im not saying that everyone should do this by any means and any piercer who does see something like that and wants to do it should realy do their research and think twice before even picking up the surgical lube.
get over it!
whatever…given this picture has a COMMENT option, i’m not out of line commenting in it…especially when its something tied into my personal and professional interests…
besides, i actually stated in the previous post that i was in no way judging you for attempting the piercing and that i saw your portfollio and the work was solid (see comment 63). the post above you was in reference to hacks imitating things on modblog, and dangerous procedures being posted without any mention of the risks involved…perhaps if you read the ALL the posts you might of realized this wasn’t an attack on you…
if you are going to be so touchy about the comments that are offered about your work, then don’t submit them into a place that gives the option for people to comment under them…and if you can’t take professional criticism from your peers, this is a rough industry to work in…
whatever…given this picture has a COMMENT option, i’m not out of line commenting in it…especially when its something tied into my personal and professional interests…
besides, i actually stated in the previous post that i was in no way judging you for attempting the piercing and that i saw your portfollio and the work was solid (see comment 63). the post above you was in reference to hacks imitating things on modblog, and dangerous procedures being posted without any mention of the risks involved…perhaps if you read the ALL the posts you might of realized this wasn’t an attack on you…
if you are going to be so touchy about the comments that are offered about your work, then don’t submit them into a place that gives the option for people to comment under them…and if you can’t take professional criticism from your peers, this is a rough industry to work in…
i did read the post and i apologize
i did read the post and i apologize
its cool…its understandable to get edgy, your work is up and being debated in a public forum…i was just letting you know that my posts weren’t about attacking you, its more about people misguidedly thinking they can imitate what they see and the need for risks being addressed when posting extreme procedures…like i said, i went to your profile link, as out spoken as i am, if i thought your work was crap i’d say so…sorry if i came off as critical…
its cool…its understandable to get edgy, your work is up and being debated in a public forum…i was just letting you know that my posts weren’t about attacking you, its more about people misguidedly thinking they can imitate what they see and the need for risks being addressed when posting extreme procedures…like i said, i went to your profile link, as out spoken as i am, if i thought your work was crap i’d say so…sorry if i came off as critical…
Man that is a great piercing. I really want to eat the ass of whoever did that
Man that is a great piercing. I really want to eat the ass of whoever did that
I would love to get this done but I don’t have the ankles for it. Bravo to those who have it!
I would love to get this done but I don’t have the ankles for it. Bravo to those who have it!
I would love to have this done. I cannot find very much info besides this website. Does this peircing affect running…can you run a marathon event with this type of peircing? Talk about a great shock-your-mom. Props.
I would love to have this done. I cannot find very much info besides this website. Does this peircing affect running…can you run a marathon event with this type of peircing? Talk about a great shock-your-mom. Props.