Genital Piercings

Genital piercings are another trend on the rise.

"A lot of people who are interested in body modification but have careers, families; they get curious about modifying their body, but don't have to worry about how people will react," said Matt Funaiole, a body piercer at Imperial Body Art.

In an interview with WebMD.com, Elayne Angel, a professional piercer in New Orleans and Medical Coordinator for the Association of Professional Piercers, reported that most people get genital piercings to bring increased stimulation for both parties during sex.

If the idea of piercing your "Johnson" makes your head spin, don't worry. According to Funaiole, it's actually more awkward than painful. Most men aren't used to having their package handled by a stranger, much less having it pierced.

Funaiole also said the frenum and Prince Albert are the two most common types of piercings. The frenum piercing is located on the underside of the shaft, and is usually perpendicular to the frenulum. The Prince Albert goes through the frenulum and into the urethra.

"Most people who do get below-the-belt piercings are comfortable with their sexuality," Funaiole said. "A lot of piercings increase sensitivity. Sometimes it's just strictly ornamental to decorate the area."

If genital piercings are properly done and cared for, the risk of infection is low.

"Both male and female anatomy has lots of blood flow to the area," Funaiole said. "Fluid exchange during the healing process is the biggest problem. Use protection."

Funaiole also advised that people be cautious of where they go to get pierced.

"If a piercer says they're a certified body piercer, they're lying," Funaiole warned. "There is no such thing."

If your pain threshold is low, but you still want to sparkle up your manly bits, there is the option of penazzling — adding jewels to decorate the area around the penis. Vagazzling was originally endorsed by Jennifer Love Hewitt, but has been adapted to fit males, too. They can be applied at a salon or at home.

Kayan Women

Women of the various Kayan tribes identify themselves by their different form of dress. The Kayan Lahwi tribe are the most renowned as they wear ornaments known as neck rings, brass coils that are placed around the neck. The women wearing these coils are known as giraffe women to tourists. These coils are first applied to young girls when they are around five years old.

Each coil is replaced with longer coil, as the weight of the brass pushes the collar bone down and compresses the rib cage. Contrary to popular belief, the neck is not actually lengthened; the illusion of a stretched neck is created by the deformation of the clavicle.

Many ideas regarding why the coils are worn have been suggested, often formed by visiting anthropologists, who have hypothesized that the rings protected women from becoming slaves by making them less attractive to other tribes. Contrastingly it has been theorized that the coils originate from the desire to look more attractive by exaggerating sexual dimorphism, as women have more slender necks than men.

It has also been suggested that the coils give the women resemblance to a dragon, an important figure in Kayan folklore. The coils might be meant to protect from tiger bites, perhaps literally, but probably symbolically.

Kayan women, when asked, acknowledge these ideas, but often say that their purpose for wearing the rings is cultural identity (one associated with beauty). The rings, once on, are seldom removed, as the coiling and uncoiling is a somewhat lengthy procedure. They are usually only removed to be replaced by a new or longer set of coils. The women do not suffocate if the rings are removed, though the muscles covered by them are weakened.

Many women have removed the rings for medical examinations. Most women prefer to wear the rings once their necks are elongated, as their necks and collar bones are often bruised and discolored from being hidden behind brass for so long. Additionally, the collar feels like an integral part of the body after ten or more years of continuous wear.

T-Pain "Like" Tattoo

T-Pain recently got some fresh Ink, he decided to go for a Facebook "Like" Tattoo (actually it looks better than having an Ice Cream Cone stamped on the face).

Lately some Celebrities have been going from "underground" to "pop" when it comes to their tattoo. To each its own, if you like it then it is your problem the same way if you regret it will be your problem as well.

Each person got their own personal reasons to choose a design therefore it shouldn't be anyone's business but at the same time freedom of speech allows anyone to agree or disagree on anything.
I would've preferred Gucci's Ice Cream Cone to be slightly smaller and perhaps what make it look a bit hideous might be the size of such Ice Cream cone or perhaps the location, people are used to see tiny Tattoos on the face.

Southern Ink Exposure tattoo convention.

The third annual international tattoo convention that runs from today until Sunday will also ring in a change for founder organizers Manuela and Allan Gray as it moves to the V&A Waterfront Pavilion Conference Centre for the very first time.

Over the three days of the tattoo convention itself, the Pavilion will play host to some of the biggest names in skin ink from all over the world. "Regulars" Joe Johns and Nick Chaboya from the US, Canadian Glen Paradis, Jay Jay from Sweden, Gordon Claus from Germany and Tom Tattoo from Italy will be rubbing shoulders with local skin kings and queens such as Garth Stauton, Reverend Simon White, Tyler Murphy and Gray herself.

The Southern Ink Exposure tattoo convention takes place at the CTICC this weekend.



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Getting a Tattoo? Be creative

The most amazing thing about being unique when choosing a Tattoo design is being creative. The best thing when getting Inked is to not just choose a design on display since you're at risk of running into someone with the same Tattoo and even if the colors are different the design will still be the same and that is the reason why I always recommend custom made works.

Sometimes is hard to come up with a straight idea when it comes to choosing "The perfect Ink job". A reputable artist can help you decide, choose and also give you ideas in order to achieve what's desired so badly. The first thing the customer needs to do is to think or have an idea of what's wanted instead of simply walking to a shop and then choose whatever is on the wall.

It is best if the person chooses a design that has an actual meaning to them or something they relate to instead of choosing a design because it looks pretty or because was seeing on someone else. Always remember to be unique (as in custom work).

Something that also helps a lot is by choosing a few designs that can be altered a bit, have additional details added and make the project look outstanding but in harmony. It is good to find an artist that can pull it off and make it look like an actual entire piece instead of a few patches all over the place.

The basics on ear stretching.

How to Stretch your Ears

1. Get your ear / ears pierced professionally. Yeah, your mate can do it with a safety pin, but trust me, you're saving yourself a scarring and complications down the line.

2. Once your ears are COMPLETELY healed (I'd leave it for two months), buy either a 1.6mm or 1.2mm straight titanium body bar. These are the standard sizes for most body piercings and will easily be available. If you're not sure what you're looking for, just ask the staff. They're usually affordable. Push the bar through your pierced ear slowly, it will seem like it isn't going to fit at first, but it will with a bit of wiggling and determination.

3. After your ear has healed from the first stretch (give it at least two weeks) you can stretch up to 2mm. Use a titanium taper.

4. Continue in this way until you reach your desired size. Always leave at least two weeks between each stretch and always only go up by 1mm - otherwise you risk a blow out... A blow out is scar tissue pushed through the back of the ear. Not pretty! Once you reach 5mm, start wearing plugs or tunnels - don't wear tapers. If you get to a point where it is getting difficult to increase in size, try using tea tree oil to help to ease it in - never force a stretch.

FAQ

Q. Does it hurt?
A. Everyone has a different pain threshold. All I can say is try it and find out yourself, but don't expect it to be pain free.

Q. Is it normal for it to still sting the day after I stretch it?
A. Yep. It can sting up to the point when it heals. 

Q. My ear lobe is throbbing / aching / very tender / swollen / weeping / bleeding - what should I do?
A. You can either choose to take it out totally and leave it to heal by itself - tea tree oil and antiseptics can help in the process. If you think you can still stretch, baby your ear like you fear it's going to drop off - rub tea tree oil into it at least three times a day, downsize about 2mm and let it get some air until it's totally healed.

Q. What is a 'blow out'?
A. Scar tissue which forms and eventually gets pushed/ pushes itself through the back of your ear. If you get a bad blow out, it's extremely unlikely that your ear will shrink back to a 'normal' size. They're also really unattractive.

Q. What's the difference between a taper, a plug and a tunnel?
A. A taper is a cylinder which is sealed at both ends and 'tapers' into a thin point, they can be straight, curved or spirals. Tapers are used for stretching until the healing point ONLY. Tapers shouldn't be worn past the healing point as the uneven weight distribution can cause uneven stretching, creating scarring and a longer healing process. A plug is a cylinder usually sealed at both sides, they can be used to stretch or to wear past the healing point. A tunnel is a hollowed out plug which you can see through from one side to the other, it can be used to stretch or to wear past the healing point.

Q. What materials should my jewelry be made from?
A. Practically anything so long as it is fully sealed and treated after your ear has fully healed. Only use materials which can be autoclaved during each stretch. Titanium, plastic and silicone are the most common. Stainless steel, wood, bone and polished stone are also quite popular.

Q. Where can I buy tapers / tunnels / plugs?
A. Your local piercing parlor will definitely sell them, a lot of tattoo parlors sell them too. Otherwise, there are LOADS of shops on eBay which sell body jewelry and plenty of web stores to choose from, too.

Q. What is the smallest size of plug /tunnel? What is the largest?
A. The smallest I've seen or heard of is 2mm. Plugs and tunnels can be custom made, usually past 2" you will find it harder and harder to find 'off the shelf' jewelry and will need to find somewhere that will make them for you.

Ps: only use recommended makers / sellers!

Q. Will it shrink back to a 'normal' size? When is the 'point of no return'?
A. It's different for everyone. Mine personally shrink back over night from 12mm to around 8mm, it would shrink further the longer I left it but probably only as far as 2mm. 'The point of no return' is usually considered to be around 1.5", though it is obviously different for everyone.

Q. If I stretch it up to a certain size, will it continue to stretch by itself?
A. No, your ear can only stretch up to how far you want it to stretch.

"Depending on the size of the gauge, weight of the jewelry, and age of the person, your stretched ears can become loose and stretch a little larger. Ear weights (heavy jewelry) are designed to slowly stretch the lobe over time to fit a larger gauge piece.

This is generally done for much larger gauges because lets face it, I've never seen a taper 2" wide so they aren't very common if they exist at all. Naturally as someone gets older the elasticity of their skin breaks down therefore sagging and if accommodating weight, can stretch. "

This is why I usually recommend light weight jewelry.

Q. Why does it smell?
A. Because you're not washing it. You should wash both your jewelry and ear lobe every day. I wash mine when I wash my face - morning and night. I usually rub some tea tree oil into it once a week.

Q. My friend went from 1.6mm to 10mm in a week - why are you saying I shouldn't?
A. Because your friend will most definitely now have caused scarring / a blow out, if they should want to shrink back at any point, they probably wont be able to. It's also likely that despite your friend's macho 'It didn't even hurt!' it will have hurt like a bitch - stretching at a healthy rate should not hurt more than a slight sting.

He got his penis Tattooed and won a car.

A German man won a brand new $32,000 Mini Cooper by having the word "MINI" tattooed on his penis during a broadcast. Organizers said Andreas Muller, 39, of Saxony-Anhalt, won the radio station contest by coming up with the wildest Mini-related stunt to earn the vehicle, The Austrian Times reported Wednesday. Muller had his sex organ tattooed during a live broadcast, and listeners heard his pained exclamations during the process. "Once I'm sitting in the car, it won't matter anymore. Then the pain will be gone and it'll be alright," he said.

Kym Marsh Shoulder And Back Tattoos

Kym Marsh is a charming English actress and singer, known as a member of the pop group Hear'Say, and for her role on the soap opera Coronation Street.

Kym Marsh has a single Kanji symbol tattoo on her left shoulder, along with three more on her lower back. She also has the names of her two children (David and Emily) tattooed in Sanskrit on her left shoulder.

Shawn Marion Tattoos

Shawn Marion is a excellent American professional NBA basketball player, known for his time with the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks. Also known by his nickname The Matrix.

Shawn Marion has a row Chinese symbols on his right leg, which were meant to translate into his nickname "The Matrix". However many have reported that these Chinese symbols translate into "Demon, Bird and Camphor" instead.

He also has a tattoo design on each arm, once of which appears to be a cross with dragon.

Julianna Margulies Sun Tattoo

Julianna Margulies is an accomplished American actress, featured on the television series The Good Wife and ER.

Julianna Margulies is known to have a pair of tattoo designs, one of which is a tribal sun located on her right shoulder, along with as black circular tattoo on her left forearm.

Vanessa Marcil Lower Back & Ankle Tattoo

Vanessa Marcil is a stunning American actress, featured on the television soap opera General Hospital, and on the series Las Vegas and Beverly Hills, 90210.

Vanessa Marcil has a Egyptian symbol for peace on her lower back, plus a flowery ankle bracelet around her right ankle.

It was recently reported that she is having both tattoos removed, saying "I don't want to look at it anymore, it was part of my younger days."

Charles Manson Tattoos

Charles Manson is an American criminal, known as the ring-leader of the Manson Family, who committed numerous crimes in the 1960s.

Charles Manson has two unknown tattoo designs, one on each forearm, along with a swastika tattooed on the center of his forehead just above his eyebrows.

Jena Malone Lower Back Tattoo

Jena Malone is a wonderful American actress, featured in movies including Donnie Darko, Into the Wild and Sucker Punch.

Jena Malone has been spotted with an unknown tattoo design, located on her lower back.

Paula Malcomson Shoulder Tattoo

Paula Malcomson is a beautiful Irish actress, known for her work on television programs such as Deadwood and Caprica.

Paula Malcomson has a single tattoo design on her left shoulder, which appears to be a horse.