The practice of body art involving skin puncturing has increased in recent years, according to a study published by the American Academy of Dermatology.
But there are no federal standards for body piercing so states must determine their own legislation, according to Elayne Angel, president of the Association for Professional Piercers (APP) and author of “The Piercing Bible: The Definitive Guide to Safe Body Piercing,"
Legislators don't necessarily know anything about body piercing, Angel said.
The APP assists lawmakers, according to Angel.
“We do a lot of help with governments that are creating legislations to make sure they are going to be effective and reasonable,” Angel said.
But state legislation varies widely so it’s important for consumers to be educated, Angel said.
“There may be laws in certain places that are excellent, but there may not be any staff or budget for enforcement. ... That’s another reason why consumers need to be savvy. ... They cannot count on health departments or other agencies to protect them,” she added.
In Illinois, the Body Art Code, under the Title 77 Public Health Administrative code, regulates body art shops in Illinois.
The body art code regulates single-use needles, razors and ‘sharps’ -- any object that may cut the skin, according to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules website.
Tattoo and piercing shop owners must also complete an annual registration process to certify that their establishment is up to code, according to the committee website.
Body art practitioners must complete bloodborne pathogen training to practice and studio operators determine whether the artist possesses knowledge of anatomy, infectious disease control, and skin diseases and disorders, according to the committee website.
Earlobe piercing is not considered body piercing in Illinois, so individuals who pierce earlobes are exempt from the Body Art Code regulations, according to the committee website.
Some businesses that pierce earlobes use ear piercing cartridges, or guns, which the APP doesn't recommend, according to Angel.
“The guns are frequently reusable items that are not sterilized or even sanitized between uses,” Angel said.
“The jewelry that they insert is not a one-size-fits-all type of jewelry so that the earrings that the guns insert are too small for some people. That lack of appropriate size jewelry can result in embedding and other problems,” she added.
Angel noted that the APP doesn't recommend regular earrings for earlobes because the short post length can be problematic for people with thicker earlobes or for people whose ears swell after the piercing.
“Jewelry that pinches on the tissue and doesn’t leave room for air circulation or blood circulation is dangerous,” Angel said.
In terms of ordinary body piercings, none are more dangerous than others as long as they are pierced properly, Angel said.
After-care is something people should consider before getting pierced, she added.
“Piercing takes a certain level of commitment and maturity to follow through and care for it properly. Not that care is difficult, but touching with dirty fingers can be very dangerous. It’s a dirty world out there,” she added.
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