Once upon a time, I was working in a bookstore and one of my coworkers saw my own tragus piercing and proceeded to inform me that the piercing was incredibly dangerous because there is a nerve there and if they pierce it, it will paralyze your face. “No, there isn’t,” I said dryly, trying to extract myself from her eager jabbering. She continued to explain that this was dangerous and then did something that I really, really hate. She reached out and put her grubby finger on my piercing while asking, “Doesn’t that hurt?” I actually flinched and likely responded by telling her that yes, it hurt terribly and I was in constant pain, followed by a roll of my eyes.
What’s the purpose of this trip down memory lane? Urban legends, myths and misconceptions. We’ve all heard them, I’m sure. The dreaded nerve that will paralyze your entire face. Piercing your tongue will cause you to lose all your sensation of taste. If you have a tattoo over your spine you can’t get an epidural. Some of them are funny, some of them are ridiculous but the point is, people believe them and that can have consequences.
BME has always tried to serve not only as a documentation of body modification but as a platform for education. Here’s where you come in readers. Tell me about what urban legends, myths and misconceptions you have heard regarding body modification and if you have the knowledge, feel free to also debunk the myth with solid facts. The information we all come up with is going to be included in the new Misconceptions FAQ on the BME Wiki.
So let’s have them! And just so you don’t think I don’t love you, here’s a gratuitous photo of a beautiful woman pulled from the moderation queue.
Meizy’s piercings were done by Mike French and Spider. Her stone trinity spirals are by Oracle.
Comments
288 responses to “Pop rocks and soda pop!”
I had an IV through a tattoo once, on the inside of my left elbow. She did ask if it was alright that she put the IV in there, she said “I don’t want to leave a hole there.” I assume she meant in case the needle left a mark or something. She was really sweet about it, and I told her it was fine. ^_^ And it didn’t leave a mark at all. She didn’t seem to know anything about “can’t IV through tattoos” or anything like that, which was refreshing.
I was told once that my Dahlia piercings would paralyze my mouth, making it so I couldn’t eat at all. I was told the same thing about how helix piercings could kill/paralyze you because of the apparent nerve/vein up there. Same with the tragus. I once had some idiot teenage girl tell me she was getting an industrial because she heard you could get radio stations off it so she’d always have something to listen to. ROFL.
I’ve heard the epidural through tattoos myth came up because back in the old days when tattoo inks weren’t as safe as they were now, they could potentially cause problems if pushed into the spine/bloodstream. I also asked a nurse friend of mine about this. She said the only reason she hesitates when doing epidurals on people with lower back tattoos is because they could potentially leave marks/spots in the tattoo, ruining them and then the people sue the hospital, etc. Not sure how true that is, but it’s at least a bit more believable than some of the other crap people come up with.
I had an IV through a tattoo once, on the inside of my left elbow. She did ask if it was alright that she put the IV in there, she said “I don’t want to leave a hole there.” I assume she meant in case the needle left a mark or something. She was really sweet about it, and I told her it was fine. ^_^ And it didn’t leave a mark at all. She didn’t seem to know anything about “can’t IV through tattoos” or anything like that, which was refreshing.
I was told once that my Dahlia piercings would paralyze my mouth, making it so I couldn’t eat at all. I was told the same thing about how helix piercings could kill/paralyze you because of the apparent nerve/vein up there. Same with the tragus. I once had some idiot teenage girl tell me she was getting an industrial because she heard you could get radio stations off it so she’d always have something to listen to. ROFL.
I’ve heard the epidural through tattoos myth came up because back in the old days when tattoo inks weren’t as safe as they were now, they could potentially cause problems if pushed into the spine/bloodstream. I also asked a nurse friend of mine about this. She said the only reason she hesitates when doing epidurals on people with lower back tattoos is because they could potentially leave marks/spots in the tattoo, ruining them and then the people sue the hospital, etc. Not sure how true that is, but it’s at least a bit more believable than some of the other crap people come up with.
I’m surprised no one mentioned that oldie but goodie – if you’re a male who’s got your right ear pierced, it means that you’re gay.
I’m surprised that there are still medical ‘professionals’ who believe that you can’t run an IV through a tattoo. I’ve had an IV through tattooed skin, and had blood drawn numerous times from veins right under tattooed skin. In my case, it would be pretty difficult NOT to. Oh and it didn’t kill me, either.
I’m surprised no one mentioned that oldie but goodie – if you’re a male who’s got your right ear pierced, it means that you’re gay.
I’m surprised that there are still medical ‘professionals’ who believe that you can’t run an IV through a tattoo. I’ve had an IV through tattooed skin, and had blood drawn numerous times from veins right under tattooed skin. In my case, it would be pretty difficult NOT to. Oh and it didn’t kill me, either.
I’m surprised no one mentioned that oldie but goodie – if you’re a male who’s got your right ear pierced, it means that you’re gay.
I’m surprised that there are still medical ‘professionals’ who believe that you can’t run an IV through a tattoo. I’ve had an IV through tattooed skin, and had blood drawn numerous times from veins right under tattooed skin. In my case, it would be pretty difficult NOT to. Oh and it didn’t kill me, either.
I’m surprised no one mentioned that oldie but goodie – if you’re a male who’s got your right ear pierced, it means that you’re gay.
I’m surprised that there are still medical ‘professionals’ who believe that you can’t run an IV through a tattoo. I’ve had an IV through tattooed skin, and had blood drawn numerous times from veins right under tattooed skin. In my case, it would be pretty difficult NOT to. Oh and it didn’t kill me, either.
radio stations through industrials?! THAT’S WHAT THOSE VOICES ARE!!!!
LOL!
radio stations through industrials?! THAT’S WHAT THOSE VOICES ARE!!!!
LOL!
radio stations through industrials?! THAT’S WHAT THOSE VOICES ARE!!!!
LOL!
radio stations through industrials?! THAT’S WHAT THOSE VOICES ARE!!!!
LOL!
I now have several genital piercings, and I started with a Christina. When I got my second (a VCH), so many people I mentioned it to asked me “But what else is there to pierce?” as if there is only one spot that you can pierce down there.
I now have several genital piercings, and I started with a Christina. When I got my second (a VCH), so many people I mentioned it to asked me “But what else is there to pierce?” as if there is only one spot that you can pierce down there.
I now have several genital piercings, and I started with a Christina. When I got my second (a VCH), so many people I mentioned it to asked me “But what else is there to pierce?” as if there is only one spot that you can pierce down there.
I now have several genital piercings, and I started with a Christina. When I got my second (a VCH), so many people I mentioned it to asked me “But what else is there to pierce?” as if there is only one spot that you can pierce down there.
Just the other day there were a bunch of girls in my shop all giggling and talking about navel piercings. One piped up “oh no I would never get that done. It can stop you getting pregnant later on”
What the hell
Just the other day there were a bunch of girls in my shop all giggling and talking about navel piercings. One piped up “oh no I would never get that done. It can stop you getting pregnant later on”
What the hell
Just the other day there were a bunch of girls in my shop all giggling and talking about navel piercings. One piped up “oh no I would never get that done. It can stop you getting pregnant later on”
What the hell
Just the other day there were a bunch of girls in my shop all giggling and talking about navel piercings. One piped up “oh no I would never get that done. It can stop you getting pregnant later on”
What the hell
@# 40 HA HA HA HA HA !!! thats the best one so far!
@# 40 HA HA HA HA HA !!! thats the best one so far!
@# 40 HA HA HA HA HA !!! thats the best one so far!
@# 40 HA HA HA HA HA !!! thats the best one so far!
I’ve heard too many strange things throughout the years.
I’m so tired of the whole “So, what happens when you’re around magnets? Or when you try to pass through metal detectors?”. Ugh.
People believe very often that the bridge piercing passes through the actual bone. I’ve heard this from plenty of modded people as well, surprisingly.
I’ve been asked by a nurse if it’s possible to eat with all these piercings, or if it hurts too much to chew (I have 5 in my lip).
“..yeah, I’m still alive, am I not?”. What else do you reply, seriously?
I’ve heard too many strange things throughout the years.
I’m so tired of the whole “So, what happens when you’re around magnets? Or when you try to pass through metal detectors?”. Ugh.
People believe very often that the bridge piercing passes through the actual bone. I’ve heard this from plenty of modded people as well, surprisingly.
I’ve been asked by a nurse if it’s possible to eat with all these piercings, or if it hurts too much to chew (I have 5 in my lip).
“..yeah, I’m still alive, am I not?”. What else do you reply, seriously?
I’ve heard too many strange things throughout the years.
I’m so tired of the whole “So, what happens when you’re around magnets? Or when you try to pass through metal detectors?”. Ugh.
People believe very often that the bridge piercing passes through the actual bone. I’ve heard this from plenty of modded people as well, surprisingly.
I’ve been asked by a nurse if it’s possible to eat with all these piercings, or if it hurts too much to chew (I have 5 in my lip).
“..yeah, I’m still alive, am I not?”. What else do you reply, seriously?
I’ve heard too many strange things throughout the years.
I’m so tired of the whole “So, what happens when you’re around magnets? Or when you try to pass through metal detectors?”. Ugh.
People believe very often that the bridge piercing passes through the actual bone. I’ve heard this from plenty of modded people as well, surprisingly.
I’ve been asked by a nurse if it’s possible to eat with all these piercings, or if it hurts too much to chew (I have 5 in my lip).
“..yeah, I’m still alive, am I not?”. What else do you reply, seriously?
I got pulled over on my way to work a few months ago and the officer didn’t want to believe that I work for the Police dept being that I have “so much metal in my face”. I was in my uniform (i’m a civilian working for the PD at the warrants bureau, not a sworn officer but still) wearing my ID badge and he still had to call in to the office to confirm what I was telling him. What’s funny is I only had my Nose stud (tiny tiny nose stud) and my silicone Labret retainer in, my septum retainer doesn’t show and I have nondescript plugs in my ears but I was apparently too modified looking for his idea of a county employee.
I got pulled over on my way to work a few months ago and the officer didn’t want to believe that I work for the Police dept being that I have “so much metal in my face”. I was in my uniform (i’m a civilian working for the PD at the warrants bureau, not a sworn officer but still) wearing my ID badge and he still had to call in to the office to confirm what I was telling him. What’s funny is I only had my Nose stud (tiny tiny nose stud) and my silicone Labret retainer in, my septum retainer doesn’t show and I have nondescript plugs in my ears but I was apparently too modified looking for his idea of a county employee.
I got pulled over on my way to work a few months ago and the officer didn’t want to believe that I work for the Police dept being that I have “so much metal in my face”. I was in my uniform (i’m a civilian working for the PD at the warrants bureau, not a sworn officer but still) wearing my ID badge and he still had to call in to the office to confirm what I was telling him. What’s funny is I only had my Nose stud (tiny tiny nose stud) and my silicone Labret retainer in, my septum retainer doesn’t show and I have nondescript plugs in my ears but I was apparently too modified looking for his idea of a county employee.
I got pulled over on my way to work a few months ago and the officer didn’t want to believe that I work for the Police dept being that I have “so much metal in my face”. I was in my uniform (i’m a civilian working for the PD at the warrants bureau, not a sworn officer but still) wearing my ID badge and he still had to call in to the office to confirm what I was telling him. What’s funny is I only had my Nose stud (tiny tiny nose stud) and my silicone Labret retainer in, my septum retainer doesn’t show and I have nondescript plugs in my ears but I was apparently too modified looking for his idea of a county employee.
I hate when people tell me that MRIs will tear out your piercings.
I had back issues and only on my third MRI was I allowed to leave them in.
The tech told me that the only good reason to take out a piercing is because it could distort the image.
Not sure how true this is but I can definatly vouch that none of my piercings went flying into the machine!
I hate when people tell me that MRIs will tear out your piercings.
I had back issues and only on my third MRI was I allowed to leave them in.
The tech told me that the only good reason to take out a piercing is because it could distort the image.
Not sure how true this is but I can definatly vouch that none of my piercings went flying into the machine!
I hate when people tell me that MRIs will tear out your piercings.
I had back issues and only on my third MRI was I allowed to leave them in.
The tech told me that the only good reason to take out a piercing is because it could distort the image.
Not sure how true this is but I can definatly vouch that none of my piercings went flying into the machine!
I hate when people tell me that MRIs will tear out your piercings.
I had back issues and only on my third MRI was I allowed to leave them in.
The tech told me that the only good reason to take out a piercing is because it could distort the image.
Not sure how true this is but I can definatly vouch that none of my piercings went flying into the machine!
I am so frequently asked if my cheek piercings are one long ass barbell that go from one end of my mouth to the other. I feel like if people would just take a minute to think about what they were asking me, common sense would sink in (I hope). I mean, if it were a lengthy barbell from one end of my mouth to the other, how could I eat, smile comfortably, talk, etc? Sigh.
I am so frequently asked if my cheek piercings are one long ass barbell that go from one end of my mouth to the other. I feel like if people would just take a minute to think about what they were asking me, common sense would sink in (I hope). I mean, if it were a lengthy barbell from one end of my mouth to the other, how could I eat, smile comfortably, talk, etc? Sigh.
I am so frequently asked if my cheek piercings are one long ass barbell that go from one end of my mouth to the other. I feel like if people would just take a minute to think about what they were asking me, common sense would sink in (I hope). I mean, if it were a lengthy barbell from one end of my mouth to the other, how could I eat, smile comfortably, talk, etc? Sigh.
I am so frequently asked if my cheek piercings are one long ass barbell that go from one end of my mouth to the other. I feel like if people would just take a minute to think about what they were asking me, common sense would sink in (I hope). I mean, if it were a lengthy barbell from one end of my mouth to the other, how could I eat, smile comfortably, talk, etc? Sigh.
i had a lady ask me “What do your lip piercings mean?” so i asked her to clarify, so she proceeded to inform me that one side means your straight and one side means your gay! lol i had heard boys in like second grade tease each other that way about their ears but really? a grown adult? wow… also a lot of people ask if my 7/8ths lobes “go all the way through” im like… uh yeah… and when i was about 15 a woman told me i would get mercury poisoning from my lip rings…lol
i had a lady ask me “What do your lip piercings mean?” so i asked her to clarify, so she proceeded to inform me that one side means your straight and one side means your gay! lol i had heard boys in like second grade tease each other that way about their ears but really? a grown adult? wow… also a lot of people ask if my 7/8ths lobes “go all the way through” im like… uh yeah… and when i was about 15 a woman told me i would get mercury poisoning from my lip rings…lol
i had a lady ask me “What do your lip piercings mean?” so i asked her to clarify, so she proceeded to inform me that one side means your straight and one side means your gay! lol i had heard boys in like second grade tease each other that way about their ears but really? a grown adult? wow… also a lot of people ask if my 7/8ths lobes “go all the way through” im like… uh yeah… and when i was about 15 a woman told me i would get mercury poisoning from my lip rings…lol
i had a lady ask me “What do your lip piercings mean?” so i asked her to clarify, so she proceeded to inform me that one side means your straight and one side means your gay! lol i had heard boys in like second grade tease each other that way about their ears but really? a grown adult? wow… also a lot of people ask if my 7/8ths lobes “go all the way through” im like… uh yeah… and when i was about 15 a woman told me i would get mercury poisoning from my lip rings…lol
@ gabbe
omg! seriously???
jesus…well…I think someone should tell those that have ALOT of coverage…and im thinking lucky diamond here…that maybe he should get the soles of his feet touched up anymore 😛
I get the classic…magnets and metal detectors all the time…as well as the “can I stick things through your ear?” crap too….
also I get asked if my right ear was torn out in a fight….its always a damn fight as well..never anything else…see I overstretched my right and it tore…but nope…according to everyone in the universe it was ripped out in a manly fight lol
oh and I do get alot of “What tribe are you in” because I have a full facial moko STYLE tattoo…I have to correct alot of people who ask that it was a custom design by myself and my artist and that im not in any kind of african tribe…yes…they think african tribes…never Polynesian or similar tribes…always african….like africa is the only place for tribes lol….OH yea….its also a gang tattoo I was informed a month back by a supposed ‘gang’ member in my city lol…
@ gabbe
omg! seriously???
jesus…well…I think someone should tell those that have ALOT of coverage…and im thinking lucky diamond here…that maybe he should get the soles of his feet touched up anymore 😛
I get the classic…magnets and metal detectors all the time…as well as the “can I stick things through your ear?” crap too….
also I get asked if my right ear was torn out in a fight….its always a damn fight as well..never anything else…see I overstretched my right and it tore…but nope…according to everyone in the universe it was ripped out in a manly fight lol
oh and I do get alot of “What tribe are you in” because I have a full facial moko STYLE tattoo…I have to correct alot of people who ask that it was a custom design by myself and my artist and that im not in any kind of african tribe…yes…they think african tribes…never Polynesian or similar tribes…always african….like africa is the only place for tribes lol….OH yea….its also a gang tattoo I was informed a month back by a supposed ‘gang’ member in my city lol…
@ gabbe
omg! seriously???
jesus…well…I think someone should tell those that have ALOT of coverage…and im thinking lucky diamond here…that maybe he should get the soles of his feet touched up anymore 😛
I get the classic…magnets and metal detectors all the time…as well as the “can I stick things through your ear?” crap too….
also I get asked if my right ear was torn out in a fight….its always a damn fight as well..never anything else…see I overstretched my right and it tore…but nope…according to everyone in the universe it was ripped out in a manly fight lol
oh and I do get alot of “What tribe are you in” because I have a full facial moko STYLE tattoo…I have to correct alot of people who ask that it was a custom design by myself and my artist and that im not in any kind of african tribe…yes…they think african tribes…never Polynesian or similar tribes…always african….like africa is the only place for tribes lol….OH yea….its also a gang tattoo I was informed a month back by a supposed ‘gang’ member in my city lol…
@ gabbe
omg! seriously???
jesus…well…I think someone should tell those that have ALOT of coverage…and im thinking lucky diamond here…that maybe he should get the soles of his feet touched up anymore 😛
I get the classic…magnets and metal detectors all the time…as well as the “can I stick things through your ear?” crap too….
also I get asked if my right ear was torn out in a fight….its always a damn fight as well..never anything else…see I overstretched my right and it tore…but nope…according to everyone in the universe it was ripped out in a manly fight lol
oh and I do get alot of “What tribe are you in” because I have a full facial moko STYLE tattoo…I have to correct alot of people who ask that it was a custom design by myself and my artist and that im not in any kind of african tribe…yes…they think african tribes…never Polynesian or similar tribes…always african….like africa is the only place for tribes lol….OH yea….its also a gang tattoo I was informed a month back by a supposed ‘gang’ member in my city lol…
I have 10 microdermals on my chest and constantly get crap from people who think they know better. Especially becuase I am pregnant at the moment and have check-ups at the local public hospital once a fortnight. I have officially been named “the girl with the piercings” by receptionist-from-hell.
The best I have had so far, though, are in relation to my tongue piercing:
– It will give me blood poisioning
– It will give me tongue cancer (I tried to ask how they got this idea as stainless steel is not known to cause cancer but they just kept spurting out so much BS that I gave up)
More common ones:
– Did I stick my microdermals on for a special occasion? How do they stay in? What are they? Wouldn’t it look cool if you ?
– Does my vertical labret go through my bottom lip?
– How much dental damage have my oral piercings done? (None so far, becuase I got them fitted properly)
I have 10 microdermals on my chest and constantly get crap from people who think they know better. Especially becuase I am pregnant at the moment and have check-ups at the local public hospital once a fortnight. I have officially been named “the girl with the piercings” by receptionist-from-hell.
The best I have had so far, though, are in relation to my tongue piercing:
– It will give me blood poisioning
– It will give me tongue cancer (I tried to ask how they got this idea as stainless steel is not known to cause cancer but they just kept spurting out so much BS that I gave up)
More common ones:
– Did I stick my microdermals on for a special occasion? How do they stay in? What are they? Wouldn’t it look cool if you ?
– Does my vertical labret go through my bottom lip?
– How much dental damage have my oral piercings done? (None so far, becuase I got them fitted properly)
I have 10 microdermals on my chest and constantly get crap from people who think they know better. Especially becuase I am pregnant at the moment and have check-ups at the local public hospital once a fortnight. I have officially been named “the girl with the piercings” by receptionist-from-hell.
The best I have had so far, though, are in relation to my tongue piercing:
– It will give me blood poisioning
– It will give me tongue cancer (I tried to ask how they got this idea as stainless steel is not known to cause cancer but they just kept spurting out so much BS that I gave up)
More common ones:
– Did I stick my microdermals on for a special occasion? How do they stay in? What are they? Wouldn’t it look cool if you ?
– Does my vertical labret go through my bottom lip?
– How much dental damage have my oral piercings done? (None so far, becuase I got them fitted properly)
I have 10 microdermals on my chest and constantly get crap from people who think they know better. Especially becuase I am pregnant at the moment and have check-ups at the local public hospital once a fortnight. I have officially been named “the girl with the piercings” by receptionist-from-hell.
The best I have had so far, though, are in relation to my tongue piercing:
– It will give me blood poisioning
– It will give me tongue cancer (I tried to ask how they got this idea as stainless steel is not known to cause cancer but they just kept spurting out so much BS that I gave up)
More common ones:
– Did I stick my microdermals on for a special occasion? How do they stay in? What are they? Wouldn’t it look cool if you ?
– Does my vertical labret go through my bottom lip?
– How much dental damage have my oral piercings done? (None so far, becuase I got them fitted properly)