Throughout history body piercing has been practiced by many cultures for many centuries. Body piercing was often identified with royalty and portrayed courage and virility. Egyptian Pharaohs pierced their navels as a rite of passage. Roman soldiers pierced their nipples to show their manhood. Mayans pierced their tongues as a spiritual ritual, and both sexes of Victorian royalty chose nipple and genital piercing. But is body piercing safe? Body piercing and tattooing are unregulated in …showed first 75 words of 683 total…

…showed last 75 words of 683 total…piercing, for it dries the skin and hinders the blood flow needed to fight infection. If you have a mouth piercing, use antibacterial mouthwash after eating. So until the piercing industry is regulated, think long and hard before you get anything other than your ears pierced. And the most important thing is not to pierce yourself, or have a friend do it. It doesn't get much less sterile than your bedroom on a Friday night.