ThePoint_Issue08

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Illinois: no information yet, possibly mandato-ry doctor in room

California: dead in legislationOregon: Tracy Faraca-Law is now in effectHawaii : lani Teshima-Miller-A hearing was

held to discuss possibly writing a bill; theDepartment of Health will be looking into it, butthey do not seem concerned.

Washington State: AI o-approached legislators and health department. Again legislators saythey are not concerned Yellow Pages : now offering Body Piercing listing in some states

Nevada :Angela Gifhom-now working on legislation

Georgia: Brian Skellie-Iegislation trying toblame piercing for suicide!

Agenda ItemsAPP Procedural Standards ManualIntroduction and Statement of PurposeSend more pictures of piercing gun misuseMembership IssuesAPP nonprofit status: Sky - moofiVearthlink.netWe now have first draft of articles of incorpora-

tionFan Cards/Enthusiast: Discount to be decided

by individual shopEnthusiast Newsletter-Allen Falkner volun

teered

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The APP held its first official open meeting May19th at the Tropicana hotel in las Vegas. We thinkit was very successful, and want to sincerely thankthose who attended and contributed.

Among the topics discussed was next year'sopen meeting. The overwhelming majority ofattendees preferred Disneyworld as the setting,and so Disneyworld it is! Our coordinator, RobPetroff, is already hard at work making grouptravel arrangements for next Spring, so we oughtto come out with a package deal of some kind.Keep in touch with us as we work out the detailswe just wanted to give you plenty of time to planon joining us! The May meeting went as follows:

,Gahdi : Welcome and introductionMichaela Grey: Brief history of APPBoard Member IntroductionPresentationsSusan Preston: Liability InsuranceTom Burge: OSHA Compliance for piercersDavid Vidra : Provon Medicated lotion SoapAnne Greenblatt - discussion of RAB - ard-

varkiVrichmond. infi.netlegislation UpdatesWisconsin: Derek lowe-tattooing and pierc

ing separateQueensland, Australia: Cheyenne Morrison

may be regulated in next 6 months

xtrbrn

Typewritten Text

Issue 8

. Provis}onal Memberships for qualified profes-sionals with less than Iyear experience?

More membership incentivesAPP approved jewelry - discount for membersTreasurer's Report; Kent Fazekas$2000 in accountRaising Point SubscriptionsAdjustment of membership dues structurefundraising Efforts: Gahdi

Advertising in the Pointpublic Awareness Efforts: Tracy FaracaColor pamphlet of disgusting piercing pictures

etc.Sky and Good Art have volunteeredPamphlet against piercing gunMaking local changes with information via fly-

ers, ads, public speaking, etc.Press Releases - Send them to your local papersEuropean APP auxiliary branch; Crystal CrossEPPA discussionCABA nothing yetGauntlet Paris RepresentativeSwitzerland repAPP Minimum lewelry Standards: Rob PetroffInternal vs ExternalFresh vs Well healed - ethics issueAnnealing discussion - softer is better

. I~k or 18k solid white or yellow only in freshplercmgs

Niobium/Titanium good-tantalum is in ques-tion

Next Year's Open MeetingNext Meeting - Disney WorldRaffle Tickets - Prizes given out

Immediately follOWing the general meetingwas a manufacturer's meeting, at which weaccomplished less than we had hoped. More on thislater, as a small group of the manufacturers present want to continue to work with us to developstandards for the piercing jewelry industry.

Minutes provided by:Allen falkner

ObscuritiesDallas, TX

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Olanoes in dle BoardThe APP is pleased to introduce two new

Board members:David A. Vidra, of Bodywork productions in

Clevel,and, Ohio, has over ten years of piercingexperience, in addition to being a wound-carespecialist, practicing nurse. David has been anactive contributor to the Point and to other APPprojects, and we are looking forward to workingwith him on the Board!

Bodywork Productions11623 Euclid AveCleveland, OH 44106(216) 42nl81AI D. Sowers, of Playspace Ltd.lSin in

s~att~e, washingto~ also brings many years of~Iercmg and a nursmg background to his positIOn. AI D. was our first official business memberand has been an active and positive force in theAPP since joining. AI D. has worked with Statelegislators and public health officials, as well asdoing outreach to local competitors. We'reexcited to bring AI D.'s energy and skills to theBoard!

Playspace Ltd./Sin616 EPineSeattle, WA 98122(206) 329-0324Crystal Cross of Primeval Body in Los

Angeles, CA has a new Board title: InternationalLiaison. In her many travels, Crystal will connectwith piercers around the world, encouragingt~em to meet APP standards, join the organization, and network with other piercers in theirarea. If you can help, contact her at:

Primeval Body4647 Russell AveLos Angeles, CA 90067(213)666-9601Blake Perlingieri and Maria Tashjian of

Venus Modern Bodyarts in New York, NY continue as business members in good standing, butno longer sit on the Board.

~ts effectiv~ness against these viruses and organIsms mentioned in the above paragraph #5 plusthose listed on each product label. '

Debbie BendzakMada Medical

Carlstadt, NI

Ptn Ie Paoes PleaIwas overwhelmed at the huge show of hands at

the APP business meeting of those who indicatedthat they were connected to the Internet. If youhave not done so already, please email me at"lania>lava.net" to receive an application form viaemail so your shop can be listed in the rec.arts.bodyart newsgroup's "Purple Pages Directory FAQ." Thisis a totally free service to you and to our readership,to keep unsolicited advertisements off of the newsgroup altogether. The directory is posted once amonth to rec.arts.bodyart, as well as to the mainstream news.answers and rec.answers moderatednewsgroups (with a rea~ership of close to half amillion subscribers).

Keep in mind that all I require is that there be acontact at the shop who will serve as an informationresource for your business. You do *NOT* need tohave a web page.

Bonus for APP members: Acceptance into thedirectory is normally made after your shop'sbrochures and other materials are mailed to me.However, due to the screening process of APP membership, directory listing will be automatic if youare a current APP member.

-Lani Teshima-MillerManager, Tattoo fAQ

rec.arts.bodyarts

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our clients in its aftercare. Realize that infectionsin this area will not readily show noticeablesigns. When redness and edema appear, medical attention is needed immediately. It's alsoimportant for us to consider that this area isspecifically excl uded from piercing liabilityinsurance. If a serious infection or death occursas a result of your performing this piercings,you'll be liable.

Let me reiterate that I am not saying thispiercing cannot be done successfully- Iam saying that we must constantly educate ourselvesand our clients, and always strive to offer thesafest piercing experience.

David AVidraBodywork Productions, Inc.

Cleveland, OH

l. lystad, MDNeuroopthamology

Consultant to Bodywork Productions, Inc.

A Word Fr0l11our Treasurer

Dear APP members and Point subscribers,This letter is to inform you of a few changes

that were made during the las Vegas APP meeting this May.

Point subscriptions are being raised from $20to $25 for overseas subscribers (anywhere outside the us). This increase will help cover theextra postage for international mailings. Also,the Point will be coming out on a quarterlybasis. You should receive issues in January,April, July, and September from now on.

We have recently adopted a new system forkeeping track of when renewals are due. Manyof you have been receiving the Point for wellover a year. If you know you've received morethan one year's worth of the Point, and wish tocontinue to receive Points, we'd appreciate yoursending in $20 or $25 for another year. Many of

you will receive last issue notices in the nextissue! We'd love to have you stick around, soplease send in your subscriptions! APP businessmembers do not need to renew-the Point is partof membership.

The other change we made regards membership fees. Dues are now $150 for each piercerfrom 1-4 piercers. If you have 5 or more piercersper location, the dues will be $125 for eachpiercer. That's it, and thanks!

Kent FazekasTreasurer

Body AccentsIndianapolis, IN

,,~'Madacide Efficacy~~ Bulletin

Technical Bulletin #100Subject: Questions Regarding the Efficacy of

Madacide Against the Hepatitis BVirusFrom: The Technical Service Department• The Human HBV organism cannot be cul

tured in the laboratory.•There is no current EPA approved test proto

col for HBV.• No diSinfectant can claim "specific effica-

cy" for HBV because of the above. .• According to the OSHA standard entitled

"Occupational Exposure to Blood BornePathogens," tuberculocidal disinfectants a~e

required to clean surfaces/equipment contaminated with blood or other potentially infectiousmaterials. OSHA compliance documents that "Agermicide must be tuberculocidal to kill thehepatitis A virus." MADACIDE MEETS THISREQUIREMENT.

• In the order of resistance to various germicidal agents it indicates that the herpes simplexvirus (HSV) and the human immunodeficiencyvirus (HIV) are in the same classification as thehepatitis Bvirus (HBV).

• The efficacy studies on Madacide indicates

Breakino Down WallsI really enjoyed the APP Open Meeting. It is

comforting to know that we have a way to protect not only ourselves but the community aswell. Ifound the meeting to be very informative,plus it was nice to put some faces with names.

I really took to heart what was said in themeeting about stopping wars and getting alongwith each other so that we can make the APP amore effective body-besides, I don't like thesewars and confrontations anyway. Well, Sky ofGauntlet LA and I spoke, and we plan to have aGauntlet/Thirteen BC evening with a representative from Cedar Sinai Nurses Research andDevelopment Center, and another evening ofCPR/First Aid training. I am very excited that weare going to be doing this- I feel that it is amilestone in the achievement of getting alongtogether.

I personally want to thank all the foundingmembers of the APP for taking the time to putthis organization together.

Michael KraemerThirteen BC

los Angeles, CA

, Sterile Gloves:Why All Re_sponsible

Piercers Must Use ThenlThe hands are the major source of pathogen

transmission in medical procedures. Doctorsdidn't even wash their hands as an infectioncontrol measure until 1847, when IgnatzSemmelweiss showed that the incidence ofpleural sepsis in a Vienna maternity ward couldbe reduced from 18.7% to 1.27%, if doctors simply washed their hands in chloride ,of I.imebetween performing post-mortem examinationsand attending women in childbirth.

At first, his methods were met with contemptand ridicule by the established medical community. It wasn't until 1861 when Joseph lister usedlouis Pasteur's discovery of microbial infectionto develop a method of antisepsis in surgery,that the medical profession began to pay proper attention to handwashing. lister's methodreduced the death rate in surgery by over 50%,but gloves weren't adopted by medical practitioners until the turn of the century.

Even though hand washing has long beenrecognized as the greatest disease prevention,doctors still don't follow this practice responsibly. Arecent study of the intensive care unit ofthe Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne,Australia, showed that only 4.3% of doctorscomplied with the standard of handwashingbefore and after coming into contact with apatient.

Even if hands are washed properly, there arestill remaining pathogens which can causeinfections. This is why gloves were adopted forsurgery-they provide a more effective barrieragainst transmission. The closest analogy I canfind to performing a piercing in medical procedure is the insertion of a catheter into a patient.All the nursing manuals that I have examinedsay that the procedure must be carried out usingaseptic technique. using sterile gloves.

Aseptic or "sterile" technique is a methoddeveloped to diminish the spread of potentialpathogens to a bare minimum. There are stri7tprinciples governing the methods of aseptictechnique; objects which are only clean (notsterile) are regarded as potentially contaminated by pathogens, because only sterilization cancompletely remove all pathogens. If a cleanobject comes into contact with a sterile object,both must be regarded as contaminated.

Even clean gloves must be regarded as contaminated. because they are exposed to the air,and therefore airborne pathogens. Because ofthe way they packed, they cannot be donned inan aseptic manner-they're all pushed intogether and can't be pulled out without touch-

3

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ing the exterior of the gloves. This means thatany pathogens remaining on the piercer's handsafter washing are transferred to the exterior ofthe gloves, and onto the jewelry, tools, needles,and skin of the customer. This means that anypathogens on the gloves will be given directaccess to the wound.

It can be taken for granted that responsiblepiercers sterilize their needles, instruments, andjewelry, and use sterile dressing trays to workfrom. Therefore, the only remaining part of theprocess whiCh stops the method from conforming to aseptic technique. As all other parts of theprocess used for piercing are sterile, sterilegloves must be used, and donned using aseptictechnique.

Sterile gloves come individually sterilizedand wrapped. They must be opened in a specific manner, and donned so that the hands don'ttouch the exterior of the gloves, for them to beregarded as sterile. All good nursing trainingmanuals describe the methods for donning sterile gloves using aseptic technique. Any responsible piercer must be aware of and use thesemethods.

Some people might ask, "what of the addedexpense?" As sterile gloves cost between $1 and$2 a pair Idon't think there is any excuse for notusing them. They are the last and most vitalcomponent in the aseptic method, and their useshould be compulsory for any responsiblepiercer.

Cheyenne MorrisonThe Piercing Temple

Cairns, Australia

(ed: I feel it necessary to make a few- comments on this article. In doing so, Iam not at all .implying that sterile gloves are an invalidoption. Ifyou find the funds and means to usesterile gloves in your piercing studio, then by allmeans, please do so. However, I disagree thatthe use of sterile gloves is compulsory forpiercers.

4

Cheyenne draws an analogy between piercing and insertion of catheters; I am assumingurethral catheters. The urethra is a sterile vacuum, and a direct path to the delicate andinfection-prone bladder. Of course the moststerile materials would be used in this procedure. By contrast, let's take a realistic look atbody piercing:

The piercee enters the studio, covered withcity dust, sweat, and dirty clothes. The immaculately clean studio, equipped with an aircleaner, hopefully prevents him/her fromadding significantly to the pathogen load in theair, and the piercer watches all piercees carefully to prevent any cross-contamination, buteach individual piercee is walking germ ball, ifyou'll pardon the expression.

In the room, the piercer thoroughly disinfects the area to be pierced, and uses sterileinstruments and jewelry. We all know whathappens next: the piercee gropes at the jewelry,says, "1 love it! Thanks!" and then proceeds toput his or her dirty clothes back on and walkback out into the city streets. The jewelry willhave already rotated matter into the freshpiercing several times before the piercee haseven left the studio. While we as professionalpiercers do our very best to minimize incidentsof transmission, we aren't in "sterile" operatingroom conditions, and can't expect to maintainabsolute control over our environment wherepiercees are involved.

My greatest concern with sterile gloves istheir potential for abuse due to the inaccuratename. "Sterile" gloves aren't any more or lesssterile than "clean" gloves once they're in theopen air ofyour studio, but Ihave heard of tattooists, piercers, and even doctors touchingthings left and right without changing theirgloves. Why notJ Because the gloves are magically "sterile!"

Cheyenne very correctly states that there isa right and wrong way to put on a pair ofgloves. That method should be used irregardless

what can we do about it? First and foremost is toeducate! Educate the piercees and their friends.Post the Piercee's Bill of Rights wherever you can.Give away free information about piercing safety to everyone you meet. But most of all, educateby example. Never lose your ethics, and act likea true piercing professional at all times. Thepetty behavior of your competition will onlyprove to the public that they're scared-orunprofessional. The piercees don't care aboutcompetition between studios. They just wantgood service and safe, attractive piercings!

Other alternatives to dealing with hacksinclude addressing your city council, and writing letters to State and local health departmentsto show them the difference between welltrained, professional piercers and dangerous,unethical hacks. Education, dispensed liberallyamong piercees, other piercers, and legislators,is the only professional way to solve the problemof irresponsible or unethical piercers. We can'tbe piercing police (and who would want to be?),but we can be piercing professionals and teachby example.

Tracy FaracaMary 6 Patty's Tattoos

Longview, WA

The Triangle ofDeath

Bridge piercings have become extremelypopular over the past few years. It is a piercing Ihave seen many times. Sometimes they'vehealed appropriately, but more often I've seenthem with multiple complications. As a piercer, Ihave been approached to perform this piercingand have had great hesitation. After consultingwith physicians, I feel it necessary to share whatI've learned. Even though I do not condemnthem, I will not perform a bridge piercing. Aspiercers we must fully understand the anatomical areas in which we work, and the possiblecomplications which could arise from ~ given

piercing- from the least to the most severe. Inthe process of educating ourselves, we are in abetter position to educate our clients as to theappropriateness of certain piercings.

The bridge, the small area between our eyes,has a very poor tissue source and in most cases,is very tight and close to the bone bridge of thenose. Being that it is a poor tissue source immediately the bridge is predisposed to rejectionand infection. Directly behind the tissue there issome bone to protect what lies beneath it; however on either side in the inner canthus of the eyeare the tear ducts. The tear ducts drain into theethmoid sinuses, the uppermost and largestsinus in the face, which extend slightly under thecranial cavity. Directly behind the ethmoidsinuses is the passageway for the olfactorynerves- a direct access to the brain.

What could happen if something went wrongwith one of these piercings? There are severalpossible scenarios. If placed too shallow, thebridge piercing will reject or will give the facethe appearance of a "speed bump" between theeyes. This area can easily develop cellulitis,which could spread rapidly to the orbital tissuesurrounding the eyes. The worst case scenariowould be a severe sinus infection that couldreach the olfactory nerves, resulting in meningitis- which would in turn cause a long hospitalstay or death. One of the things we need to realize is that the distance from the bone to theolfactory nerves is apprOXimately 2 millimeters,or the thickness of a dime. An argument couldbe made that a nostril piercing could react verysimilarly to a bridge piercing. The differencebetween the two piercings is that the tissue in anostril piercing is much more likely to show thesigns of infection that a piercee can easily recognize. The piercee would then call their pierceror doctor for evaluation. The bridge piercing isless likely to manifest recognizable signs of serious infection until it is too late.

I think this information is extremely important, and something we truly need to considerwhen performing this piercing and educating

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factured forceps halle much smafter. smoother.finer teeth, making for a firm grip with a minimum of discomfort to the piercee. Perhapsbefore polishing the teeth of lesser quality forceps, one might see how they like the Germans.)

International LiaisonAs you already know, the professional pierc

ing industry has become a worldwide experience, and so should the APP. We already havemembers in Europe and other parts of the world;we have been trying to figure out ways of betternetworking and outreach.

My work outside of piercing requires me totravel to Europe at least 2-3 times a year, andwhile there I usually end up meeting most of thelocal piercers as well as visiting some of theirstudios. It makes perfect sense for me to fill theposition of international liaison.

Most of us who have travelled outside the ushave seen the same thing: a lack of industrystandards, mostly due to lack of information,excessive competitiveness, and people out onlyto make a qUick buck (sound familiar?). Themembers of the Board, including myself, feelthat the APP can help change that. by disseminating the same information that we do with thehelp of the responsible piercers here in the us.It's all about education. right? I look forward tothe APP becoming a recognized internationalorganization and opening the lines of communication in both directions. Networking worldwidewill only make us stronger. Sharing informationwill only make us more responsible and up-todate.

Iwill be keeping you updated on new members, new legislation, and any other informationfrom around the world. If you know of any shopsor professionals that are interested or should beinterested, or if you have any questions, comments, resources, or ideas to share, please fellfree to contact me.

My itinerary from now through Novemberincludes Amsterdam, Brussels Belgium,

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Hamburg Germany, and Bordeaux France.-Crystal CrossPrimeval Body

Tel:213-666-9601Email: primevaliVpacific.net

Fireworks, Picnics, &~ ',,, Piercinos -On the 4th of July I witnessed something

shocking. I'd always heard of people not practicing hygienic piercings, piercing minors, giving out bad aftercare information, and misinforming piercees about their level of training.but I'd never had the opportunity to see itmyself. At the 4th of July celebration at lakeSacajawea in long View. Washington, I got towitness all of these things and more.

I watched a piercer pierce minors with noparental consent. This piercer worked out of atent not 25 feet from the lake, with no protectiveflooring and no running water, while claimingthat everything in her tent was "sterile. II Heraftercare advice was given as follows, and Iquote: "How anal are you? Because you will haveto clean this piercing 8 times a day withBetadine at the beginning, then 7 times a day,then 6, until you're down to twice a day. II Thepiercee agreed to this, and she showed him apiece of jewelry from her display case- thenused it to pierce him without disinfecting it!

All of this happened just in the few momentsIstopped by the booth. Before Istarted piercingin longview, I had heard that this same piercerclaimed not only to be trained by, but to haveworked for 2years with a well-known, reputablepiercer. This reputable piercer has no idea whoshe is.

Just recently, when I thought she couldn'tsink any lower, she put a sign up outside hershop: "Beware! Bad piercer in town. Ican help!"

Where is the sterility, where is the honesty,and most of all, where are the ethics?

I'm sure many of you can relate to this story;

of the type of glolles being donned. Assumingthat clean glolles are stored properly (in astainless steel or heally plastic container withno-hand access, protected from air, moisture,light, and heat), and used appropriately, I feelthat they are equillalent to sterile glolles forour purposes.

As for the cost of sterile glolles: mostpiercers I know use anywhere from three to sixpairs of glolles for a single piercing. If sterileglolles are being used to prellent cross-contamination of clean items to sterile items, then itfoftows logically that sterile glolles should beused throughout the procedure, not just for thepiercing itself That adds up to $2 per piercingusing nonsterile glolles, and $/2 per piercingusing sterile glolles. Adding in aft the other costsof disposable piercing equipment, my guess isthat few piercees would want to pay the muchhigher piercing fee, and may end up at a lessexpensille hack shop instead.

I repeat that I'm not at aft against the useof sterile gloves, or any other innovation thatmakes piercing safer, cleaner, or easier for thepiercee. But it's important not to forget thatmost "piercers" stift wear no gloves at all, andthat enforceable regulation should be kept tominimum health and safety standards, with anemphasis on cross-contamination awareness.Mandating what amount to academic finepoints is simply not realistic at this time inpiercing's growth. I'd be interested to hearwhat others halle to say on this debate. Anytakers? .

Michaela GreyGauntlet, Inc.

San Francisco, CA

~'l~;:, APP Archives,~~¥ffi,': "Underwa r '.~n

Professional body piercing is frequently referenced in the media. Everyone from Annlanders to Cosmopolitan seems to carry a men-

tion of piercing, and more and more, an APPrepresentative is interviewed. 'Drew lewis hasgraciously offered to archive media relating tothe topic. Send newspaper clippings. magazinearticles, videos. photographs, and other mediato him at:

Drew lewisPerforations, llC900 MSt NWWashington, DC 20001

~':'. New APP Tshirts!Pat McCarthy of Piercology in Columbus,

Ohio. made the marvelous contribution of thesegreat new APP Tshirts. We'll use the proceedsfrom this first 100 shirts to make many more,which will be sold at APP member studios forfundraising. They are available in Purple, Black,or White. in many sizes. Some have the Bill ofRights on the back, some just have the logo inthe front. They're only $15. plus $3 for postage.To get your own shirt, send a check or moneyorder to the order of APP to our treasurer:

Kent Fazekas fi) Body Accents5420 NCollege Ave, Suite A I

Indianapolis. IN 46220

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Several new members have joined the APPsince the beginning of the year. We're gratefulthat so many piercers are willing to work together with us to better the industry, and lookingforward to adding many more names to' this list!

New members since January 1996 (a completemembership list can be found at our web site, orjust look for the window decal at the studio);

Greg DinkinsThe Hole Thing345 S LimestoneLexington, KY 40508

Elayne Binnie/Tisha PalickiRings of Desire, Inc.1128 Decatur St, 2nd flNew Orleans, LA 70116

Byron WeeksEarth's Edge Body Boutique4001-H Country Club Rd..Winston-Salem, NC 27104

Curt D. WarrenThe Bille Boutique2106 S 100 ESalt Lake City, UT 84106

Brian SkelliePiercing Experience1654 McLendon AveAtlanta, GA 30307

Byriah Dailey/Michael Heath/Michael JoinerTaurian Body Piercing1505 Westheimer Rd.Houston, TX 77006

Jeff MartinRites of Ascension2158 Whitney AveNashville, TN 37210

Keith AlexanderModem American Body Arts462 87th stBrooklyn, NY 11209

Margaret Ficello/Chris ZinnellMinx Body Impressions1621 NMain #2San Antonio, TX 78250

Lisa LechnerCrowsfoot Connection c/o Sin1512 1/2 11th AveSeattle, WA 98122

Derek LoweSteve's Professional Tattoo &Body Piercing1148 Williamson St.Madison, WI 53703

Michael KraemerThirteen BC7661 1/2 Melrose Ave. #1Los Angeles, CA 90046

Jae GillantineBody of Art713 Texas St.Bellingham, WA 98225

LaRaine Murphy/Michael AddonisioAndromeda33 St. Marks PlaceNew York, New York 10011

In light of the constant quest to make thepiercing industry safer for all, I person~lly havenoticed myself becoming more analytical, to amicroscopic level. Our everyday world transforms under a microscope to reveal overlookedand unseen problems.

It all started when I was overwhelmed byinfected piercings from customers of my competition. When I had the chance, I would ask thecustomers if I could keep the jewelry I .hadremoved, if I could replace it with my own J~w

elry. After obtaining a few pieces and observl~g

them through a microscope, Inoticed a trend In

my competitor's jewelry. The jewelry was underpolished in spots, or was nicked and scratchedby pliers. The microscope reveals scratches frompliers that might otherwise be overlooked.Scratches look like the Grand Canyon under themicroscope and it became obvious to me why somany people were having probl:ms. T~e GrandCanyon was slicing through their bodies everytime the jewelry moved. I'm sure the GrandCanyons can also harbor a vast a,rray .ofpathogens that normal cleansing won t easilyremove.

Recently I was shocked when I viewed theserrations on a pair of Pennington forceps. Theserrations looked like the surface of the moon,covered with huge craters and valleys. The verynext day, Ipolished the serrations of one pair ~o

smooth them, and did a small experiment. Idida navel piercing with the polished forceps, andthen a navel piercing with unpolished forceps. Icompared the two under the microscope. Aftercareful examination, the unpolished forceps hadbits of debris lodged in tiny crevices of the ~er

rations, whereas the polished forceps had littleto no debris present. I immediately polished theserrations of all my forceps.

The benefit of polished serrations is obviou~.

It can make the sterilization process more efficient and more effective, because the debris is

more easily removed with manual scrubbiTi~

and the ultrasonic, and there will be less debTispresent to remove.

Taking a closer look at things brings issuesinto perspective, and it is important to reme~

ber that jewelry needs to be as smooth as pOSSI

ble. Avoid the use of pliers, ring-expanders, andring-closers whenever possible. If they must beused, be sure they are properly protected tokeep from damaging the jewelry. Also, when acustomer requests that you reinsert a piece ofjewelry, examine it closely for any imperfections, so that you don't insert the Grand Canyoninto their piercing.

-Rob CosgroveMystical Body

Modesto, CA

(ed. - I agree with Rob. As smooth as jewelry may appear to the eye, it can be very roughand damaging to growing scar tissue. So-called"seamless" rings, externally threaded bar:bells,and used jewelry a{{ present the potential forhuge, rough surfaces to cut and infect thepiercing, even when healed. 18k and, to a lesse.rdegree, even 14k gold are soft and scratch easIly, even when well-treated. unannea!ed orimproperly annealed jewelry can require theuse of pliers, which even padded can leavedamage on jewelry. And, of c~urse, shoddymanufacturing leaves tractor-like marks onnew jewelry. What's a piercer to do? In theabsence of a microscope, I strongly suggest aninexpensive photographer's or jeweler's .Ioupe.Look at a{{ incoming jewelry, and feel It we{{with clean fingers before bulk or individualsterilization. Check to make sure that onlyyour thickest, smallest diameter rings wiltrequire tools to open and close them. Ret~r?

any jewelry that doesn't meet your studiO sstandards.

As for the question of s.er~ated ,forceps:Anyone who's considering pollshmg hIS or herteeth should remember not to overdo it andwear away the gripping power. German-manu-

7

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factured forceps halle much smafter. smoother.finer teeth, making for a firm grip with a minimum of discomfort to the piercee. Perhapsbefore polishing the teeth of lesser quality forceps, one might see how they like the Germans.)

International LiaisonAs you already know, the professional pierc

ing industry has become a worldwide experience, and so should the APP. We already havemembers in Europe and other parts of the world;we have been trying to figure out ways of betternetworking and outreach.

My work outside of piercing requires me totravel to Europe at least 2-3 times a year, andwhile there I usually end up meeting most of thelocal piercers as well as visiting some of theirstudios. It makes perfect sense for me to fill theposition of international liaison.

Most of us who have travelled outside the ushave seen the same thing: a lack of industrystandards, mostly due to lack of information,excessive competitiveness, and people out onlyto make a qUick buck (sound familiar?). Themembers of the Board, including myself, feelthat the APP can help change that. by disseminating the same information that we do with thehelp of the responsible piercers here in the us.It's all about education. right? I look forward tothe APP becoming a recognized internationalorganization and opening the lines of communication in both directions. Networking worldwidewill only make us stronger. Sharing informationwill only make us more responsible and up-todate.

Iwill be keeping you updated on new members, new legislation, and any other informationfrom around the world. If you know of any shopsor professionals that are interested or should beinterested, or if you have any questions, comments, resources, or ideas to share, please fellfree to contact me.

My itinerary from now through Novemberincludes Amsterdam, Brussels Belgium,

8

Hamburg Germany, and Bordeaux France.-Crystal CrossPrimeval Body

Tel:213-666-9601Email: primevaliVpacific.net

Fireworks, Picnics, &~ ',,, Piercinos -On the 4th of July I witnessed something

shocking. I'd always heard of people not practicing hygienic piercings, piercing minors, giving out bad aftercare information, and misinforming piercees about their level of training.but I'd never had the opportunity to see itmyself. At the 4th of July celebration at lakeSacajawea in long View. Washington, I got towitness all of these things and more.

I watched a piercer pierce minors with noparental consent. This piercer worked out of atent not 25 feet from the lake, with no protectiveflooring and no running water, while claimingthat everything in her tent was "sterile. II Heraftercare advice was given as follows, and Iquote: "How anal are you? Because you will haveto clean this piercing 8 times a day withBetadine at the beginning, then 7 times a day,then 6, until you're down to twice a day. II Thepiercee agreed to this, and she showed him apiece of jewelry from her display case- thenused it to pierce him without disinfecting it!

All of this happened just in the few momentsIstopped by the booth. Before Istarted piercingin longview, I had heard that this same piercerclaimed not only to be trained by, but to haveworked for 2years with a well-known, reputablepiercer. This reputable piercer has no idea whoshe is.

Just recently, when I thought she couldn'tsink any lower, she put a sign up outside hershop: "Beware! Bad piercer in town. Ican help!"

Where is the sterility, where is the honesty,and most of all, where are the ethics?

I'm sure many of you can relate to this story;

of the type of glolles being donned. Assumingthat clean glolles are stored properly (in astainless steel or heally plastic container withno-hand access, protected from air, moisture,light, and heat), and used appropriately, I feelthat they are equillalent to sterile glolles forour purposes.

As for the cost of sterile glolles: mostpiercers I know use anywhere from three to sixpairs of glolles for a single piercing. If sterileglolles are being used to prellent cross-contamination of clean items to sterile items, then itfoftows logically that sterile glolles should beused throughout the procedure, not just for thepiercing itself That adds up to $2 per piercingusing nonsterile glolles, and $/2 per piercingusing sterile glolles. Adding in aft the other costsof disposable piercing equipment, my guess isthat few piercees would want to pay the muchhigher piercing fee, and may end up at a lessexpensille hack shop instead.

I repeat that I'm not at aft against the useof sterile gloves, or any other innovation thatmakes piercing safer, cleaner, or easier for thepiercee. But it's important not to forget thatmost "piercers" stift wear no gloves at all, andthat enforceable regulation should be kept tominimum health and safety standards, with anemphasis on cross-contamination awareness.Mandating what amount to academic finepoints is simply not realistic at this time inpiercing's growth. I'd be interested to hearwhat others halle to say on this debate. Anytakers? .

Michaela GreyGauntlet, Inc.

San Francisco, CA

~'l~;:, APP Archives,~~¥ffi,': "Underwa r '.~n

Professional body piercing is frequently referenced in the media. Everyone from Annlanders to Cosmopolitan seems to carry a men-

tion of piercing, and more and more, an APPrepresentative is interviewed. 'Drew lewis hasgraciously offered to archive media relating tothe topic. Send newspaper clippings. magazinearticles, videos. photographs, and other mediato him at:

Drew lewisPerforations, llC900 MSt NWWashington, DC 20001

~':'. New APP Tshirts!Pat McCarthy of Piercology in Columbus,

Ohio. made the marvelous contribution of thesegreat new APP Tshirts. We'll use the proceedsfrom this first 100 shirts to make many more,which will be sold at APP member studios forfundraising. They are available in Purple, Black,or White. in many sizes. Some have the Bill ofRights on the back, some just have the logo inthe front. They're only $15. plus $3 for postage.To get your own shirt, send a check or moneyorder to the order of APP to our treasurer:

Kent Fazekas fi) Body Accents5420 NCollege Ave, Suite A I

Indianapolis. IN 46220

ing the exterior of the gloves. This means thatany pathogens remaining on the piercer's handsafter washing are transferred to the exterior ofthe gloves, and onto the jewelry, tools, needles,and skin of the customer. This means that anypathogens on the gloves will be given directaccess to the wound.

It can be taken for granted that responsiblepiercers sterilize their needles, instruments, andjewelry, and use sterile dressing trays to workfrom. Therefore, the only remaining part of theprocess whiCh stops the method from conforming to aseptic technique. As all other parts of theprocess used for piercing are sterile, sterilegloves must be used, and donned using aseptictechnique.

Sterile gloves come individually sterilizedand wrapped. They must be opened in a specific manner, and donned so that the hands don'ttouch the exterior of the gloves, for them to beregarded as sterile. All good nursing trainingmanuals describe the methods for donning sterile gloves using aseptic technique. Any responsible piercer must be aware of and use thesemethods.

Some people might ask, "what of the addedexpense?" As sterile gloves cost between $1 and$2 a pair Idon't think there is any excuse for notusing them. They are the last and most vitalcomponent in the aseptic method, and their useshould be compulsory for any responsiblepiercer.

Cheyenne MorrisonThe Piercing Temple

Cairns, Australia

(ed: I feel it necessary to make a few- comments on this article. In doing so, Iam not at all .implying that sterile gloves are an invalidoption. Ifyou find the funds and means to usesterile gloves in your piercing studio, then by allmeans, please do so. However, I disagree thatthe use of sterile gloves is compulsory forpiercers.

4

Cheyenne draws an analogy between piercing and insertion of catheters; I am assumingurethral catheters. The urethra is a sterile vacuum, and a direct path to the delicate andinfection-prone bladder. Of course the moststerile materials would be used in this procedure. By contrast, let's take a realistic look atbody piercing:

The piercee enters the studio, covered withcity dust, sweat, and dirty clothes. The immaculately clean studio, equipped with an aircleaner, hopefully prevents him/her fromadding significantly to the pathogen load in theair, and the piercer watches all piercees carefully to prevent any cross-contamination, buteach individual piercee is walking germ ball, ifyou'll pardon the expression.

In the room, the piercer thoroughly disinfects the area to be pierced, and uses sterileinstruments and jewelry. We all know whathappens next: the piercee gropes at the jewelry,says, "1 love it! Thanks!" and then proceeds toput his or her dirty clothes back on and walkback out into the city streets. The jewelry willhave already rotated matter into the freshpiercing several times before the piercee haseven left the studio. While we as professionalpiercers do our very best to minimize incidentsof transmission, we aren't in "sterile" operatingroom conditions, and can't expect to maintainabsolute control over our environment wherepiercees are involved.

My greatest concern with sterile gloves istheir potential for abuse due to the inaccuratename. "Sterile" gloves aren't any more or lesssterile than "clean" gloves once they're in theopen air ofyour studio, but Ihave heard of tattooists, piercers, and even doctors touchingthings left and right without changing theirgloves. Why notJ Because the gloves are magically "sterile!"

Cheyenne very correctly states that there isa right and wrong way to put on a pair ofgloves. That method should be used irregardless

what can we do about it? First and foremost is toeducate! Educate the piercees and their friends.Post the Piercee's Bill of Rights wherever you can.Give away free information about piercing safety to everyone you meet. But most of all, educateby example. Never lose your ethics, and act likea true piercing professional at all times. Thepetty behavior of your competition will onlyprove to the public that they're scared-orunprofessional. The piercees don't care aboutcompetition between studios. They just wantgood service and safe, attractive piercings!

Other alternatives to dealing with hacksinclude addressing your city council, and writing letters to State and local health departmentsto show them the difference between welltrained, professional piercers and dangerous,unethical hacks. Education, dispensed liberallyamong piercees, other piercers, and legislators,is the only professional way to solve the problemof irresponsible or unethical piercers. We can'tbe piercing police (and who would want to be?),but we can be piercing professionals and teachby example.

Tracy FaracaMary 6 Patty's Tattoos

Longview, WA

The Triangle ofDeath

Bridge piercings have become extremelypopular over the past few years. It is a piercing Ihave seen many times. Sometimes they'vehealed appropriately, but more often I've seenthem with multiple complications. As a piercer, Ihave been approached to perform this piercingand have had great hesitation. After consultingwith physicians, I feel it necessary to share whatI've learned. Even though I do not condemnthem, I will not perform a bridge piercing. Aspiercers we must fully understand the anatomical areas in which we work, and the possiblecomplications which could arise from ~ given

piercing- from the least to the most severe. Inthe process of educating ourselves, we are in abetter position to educate our clients as to theappropriateness of certain piercings.

The bridge, the small area between our eyes,has a very poor tissue source and in most cases,is very tight and close to the bone bridge of thenose. Being that it is a poor tissue source immediately the bridge is predisposed to rejectionand infection. Directly behind the tissue there issome bone to protect what lies beneath it; however on either side in the inner canthus of the eyeare the tear ducts. The tear ducts drain into theethmoid sinuses, the uppermost and largestsinus in the face, which extend slightly under thecranial cavity. Directly behind the ethmoidsinuses is the passageway for the olfactorynerves- a direct access to the brain.

What could happen if something went wrongwith one of these piercings? There are severalpossible scenarios. If placed too shallow, thebridge piercing will reject or will give the facethe appearance of a "speed bump" between theeyes. This area can easily develop cellulitis,which could spread rapidly to the orbital tissuesurrounding the eyes. The worst case scenariowould be a severe sinus infection that couldreach the olfactory nerves, resulting in meningitis- which would in turn cause a long hospitalstay or death. One of the things we need to realize is that the distance from the bone to theolfactory nerves is apprOXimately 2 millimeters,or the thickness of a dime. An argument couldbe made that a nostril piercing could react verysimilarly to a bridge piercing. The differencebetween the two piercings is that the tissue in anostril piercing is much more likely to show thesigns of infection that a piercee can easily recognize. The piercee would then call their pierceror doctor for evaluation. The bridge piercing isless likely to manifest recognizable signs of serious infection until it is too late.

I think this information is extremely important, and something we truly need to considerwhen performing this piercing and educating

~

10

our clients in its aftercare. Realize that infectionsin this area will not readily show noticeablesigns. When redness and edema appear, medical attention is needed immediately. It's alsoimportant for us to consider that this area isspecifically excl uded from piercing liabilityinsurance. If a serious infection or death occursas a result of your performing this piercings,you'll be liable.

Let me reiterate that I am not saying thispiercing cannot be done successfully- Iam saying that we must constantly educate ourselvesand our clients, and always strive to offer thesafest piercing experience.

David AVidraBodywork Productions, Inc.

Cleveland, OH

l. lystad, MDNeuroopthamology

Consultant to Bodywork Productions, Inc.

A Word Fr0l11our Treasurer

Dear APP members and Point subscribers,This letter is to inform you of a few changes

that were made during the las Vegas APP meeting this May.

Point subscriptions are being raised from $20to $25 for overseas subscribers (anywhere outside the us). This increase will help cover theextra postage for international mailings. Also,the Point will be coming out on a quarterlybasis. You should receive issues in January,April, July, and September from now on.

We have recently adopted a new system forkeeping track of when renewals are due. Manyof you have been receiving the Point for wellover a year. If you know you've received morethan one year's worth of the Point, and wish tocontinue to receive Points, we'd appreciate yoursending in $20 or $25 for another year. Many of

you will receive last issue notices in the nextissue! We'd love to have you stick around, soplease send in your subscriptions! APP businessmembers do not need to renew-the Point is partof membership.

The other change we made regards membership fees. Dues are now $150 for each piercerfrom 1-4 piercers. If you have 5 or more piercersper location, the dues will be $125 for eachpiercer. That's it, and thanks!

Kent FazekasTreasurer

Body AccentsIndianapolis, IN

,,~'Madacide Efficacy~~ Bulletin

Technical Bulletin #100Subject: Questions Regarding the Efficacy of

Madacide Against the Hepatitis BVirusFrom: The Technical Service Department• The Human HBV organism cannot be cul

tured in the laboratory.•There is no current EPA approved test proto

col for HBV.• No diSinfectant can claim "specific effica-

cy" for HBV because of the above. .• According to the OSHA standard entitled

"Occupational Exposure to Blood BornePathogens," tuberculocidal disinfectants a~e

required to clean surfaces/equipment contaminated with blood or other potentially infectiousmaterials. OSHA compliance documents that "Agermicide must be tuberculocidal to kill thehepatitis A virus." MADACIDE MEETS THISREQUIREMENT.

• In the order of resistance to various germicidal agents it indicates that the herpes simplexvirus (HSV) and the human immunodeficiencyvirus (HIV) are in the same classification as thehepatitis Bvirus (HBV).

• The efficacy studies on Madacide indicates

Breakino Down WallsI really enjoyed the APP Open Meeting. It is

comforting to know that we have a way to protect not only ourselves but the community aswell. Ifound the meeting to be very informative,plus it was nice to put some faces with names.

I really took to heart what was said in themeeting about stopping wars and getting alongwith each other so that we can make the APP amore effective body-besides, I don't like thesewars and confrontations anyway. Well, Sky ofGauntlet LA and I spoke, and we plan to have aGauntlet/Thirteen BC evening with a representative from Cedar Sinai Nurses Research andDevelopment Center, and another evening ofCPR/First Aid training. I am very excited that weare going to be doing this- I feel that it is amilestone in the achievement of getting alongtogether.

I personally want to thank all the foundingmembers of the APP for taking the time to putthis organization together.

Michael KraemerThirteen BC

los Angeles, CA

, Sterile Gloves:Why All Re_sponsible

Piercers Must Use ThenlThe hands are the major source of pathogen

transmission in medical procedures. Doctorsdidn't even wash their hands as an infectioncontrol measure until 1847, when IgnatzSemmelweiss showed that the incidence ofpleural sepsis in a Vienna maternity ward couldbe reduced from 18.7% to 1.27%, if doctors simply washed their hands in chloride ,of I.imebetween performing post-mortem examinationsand attending women in childbirth.

At first, his methods were met with contemptand ridicule by the established medical community. It wasn't until 1861 when Joseph lister usedlouis Pasteur's discovery of microbial infectionto develop a method of antisepsis in surgery,that the medical profession began to pay proper attention to handwashing. lister's methodreduced the death rate in surgery by over 50%,but gloves weren't adopted by medical practitioners until the turn of the century.

Even though hand washing has long beenrecognized as the greatest disease prevention,doctors still don't follow this practice responsibly. Arecent study of the intensive care unit ofthe Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne,Australia, showed that only 4.3% of doctorscomplied with the standard of handwashingbefore and after coming into contact with apatient.

Even if hands are washed properly, there arestill remaining pathogens which can causeinfections. This is why gloves were adopted forsurgery-they provide a more effective barrieragainst transmission. The closest analogy I canfind to performing a piercing in medical procedure is the insertion of a catheter into a patient.All the nursing manuals that I have examinedsay that the procedure must be carried out usingaseptic technique. using sterile gloves.

Aseptic or "sterile" technique is a methoddeveloped to diminish the spread of potentialpathogens to a bare minimum. There are stri7tprinciples governing the methods of aseptictechnique; objects which are only clean (notsterile) are regarded as potentially contaminated by pathogens, because only sterilization cancompletely remove all pathogens. If a cleanobject comes into contact with a sterile object,both must be regarded as contaminated.

Even clean gloves must be regarded as contaminated. because they are exposed to the air,and therefore airborne pathogens. Because ofthe way they packed, they cannot be donned inan aseptic manner-they're all pushed intogether and can't be pulled out without touch-

3

....

. Provis}onal Memberships for qualified profes-sionals with less than Iyear experience?

More membership incentivesAPP approved jewelry - discount for membersTreasurer's Report; Kent Fazekas$2000 in accountRaising Point SubscriptionsAdjustment of membership dues structurefundraising Efforts: Gahdi

Advertising in the Pointpublic Awareness Efforts: Tracy FaracaColor pamphlet of disgusting piercing pictures

etc.Sky and Good Art have volunteeredPamphlet against piercing gunMaking local changes with information via fly-

ers, ads, public speaking, etc.Press Releases - Send them to your local papersEuropean APP auxiliary branch; Crystal CrossEPPA discussionCABA nothing yetGauntlet Paris RepresentativeSwitzerland repAPP Minimum lewelry Standards: Rob PetroffInternal vs ExternalFresh vs Well healed - ethics issueAnnealing discussion - softer is better

. I~k or 18k solid white or yellow only in freshplercmgs

Niobium/Titanium good-tantalum is in ques-tion

Next Year's Open MeetingNext Meeting - Disney WorldRaffle Tickets - Prizes given out

Immediately follOWing the general meetingwas a manufacturer's meeting, at which weaccomplished less than we had hoped. More on thislater, as a small group of the manufacturers present want to continue to work with us to developstandards for the piercing jewelry industry.

Minutes provided by:Allen falkner

ObscuritiesDallas, TX

2

Olanoes in dle BoardThe APP is pleased to introduce two new

Board members:David A. Vidra, of Bodywork productions in

Clevel,and, Ohio, has over ten years of piercingexperience, in addition to being a wound-carespecialist, practicing nurse. David has been anactive contributor to the Point and to other APPprojects, and we are looking forward to workingwith him on the Board!

Bodywork Productions11623 Euclid AveCleveland, OH 44106(216) 42nl81AI D. Sowers, of Playspace Ltd.lSin in

s~att~e, washingto~ also brings many years of~Iercmg and a nursmg background to his positIOn. AI D. was our first official business memberand has been an active and positive force in theAPP since joining. AI D. has worked with Statelegislators and public health officials, as well asdoing outreach to local competitors. We'reexcited to bring AI D.'s energy and skills to theBoard!

Playspace Ltd./Sin616 EPineSeattle, WA 98122(206) 329-0324Crystal Cross of Primeval Body in Los

Angeles, CA has a new Board title: InternationalLiaison. In her many travels, Crystal will connectwith piercers around the world, encouragingt~em to meet APP standards, join the organization, and network with other piercers in theirarea. If you can help, contact her at:

Primeval Body4647 Russell AveLos Angeles, CA 90067(213)666-9601Blake Perlingieri and Maria Tashjian of

Venus Modern Bodyarts in New York, NY continue as business members in good standing, butno longer sit on the Board.

~ts effectiv~ness against these viruses and organIsms mentioned in the above paragraph #5 plusthose listed on each product label. '

Debbie BendzakMada Medical

Carlstadt, NI

Ptn Ie Paoes PleaIwas overwhelmed at the huge show of hands at

the APP business meeting of those who indicatedthat they were connected to the Internet. If youhave not done so already, please email me at"lania>lava.net" to receive an application form viaemail so your shop can be listed in the rec.arts.bodyart newsgroup's "Purple Pages Directory FAQ." Thisis a totally free service to you and to our readership,to keep unsolicited advertisements off of the newsgroup altogether. The directory is posted once amonth to rec.arts.bodyart, as well as to the mainstream news.answers and rec.answers moderatednewsgroups (with a rea~ership of close to half amillion subscribers).

Keep in mind that all I require is that there be acontact at the shop who will serve as an informationresource for your business. You do *NOT* need tohave a web page.

Bonus for APP members: Acceptance into thedirectory is normally made after your shop'sbrochures and other materials are mailed to me.However, due to the screening process of APP membership, directory listing will be automatic if youare a current APP member.

-Lani Teshima-MillerManager, Tattoo fAQ

rec.arts.bodyarts

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Illinois: no information yet, possibly mandato-ry doctor in room

California: dead in legislationOregon: Tracy Faraca-Law is now in effectHawaii : lani Teshima-Miller-A hearing was

held to discuss possibly writing a bill; theDepartment of Health will be looking into it, butthey do not seem concerned.

Washington State: AI o-approached legislators and health department. Again legislators saythey are not concerned Yellow Pages : now offering Body Piercing listing in some states

Nevada :Angela Gifhom-now working on legislation

Georgia: Brian Skellie-Iegislation trying toblame piercing for suicide!

Agenda ItemsAPP Procedural Standards ManualIntroduction and Statement of PurposeSend more pictures of piercing gun misuseMembership IssuesAPP nonprofit status: Sky - moofiVearthlink.netWe now have first draft of articles of incorpora-

tionFan Cards/Enthusiast: Discount to be decided

by individual shopEnthusiast Newsletter-Allen Falkner volun

teered

f

The APP held its first official open meeting May19th at the Tropicana hotel in las Vegas. We thinkit was very successful, and want to sincerely thankthose who attended and contributed.

Among the topics discussed was next year'sopen meeting. The overwhelming majority ofattendees preferred Disneyworld as the setting,and so Disneyworld it is! Our coordinator, RobPetroff, is already hard at work making grouptravel arrangements for next Spring, so we oughtto come out with a package deal of some kind.Keep in touch with us as we work out the detailswe just wanted to give you plenty of time to planon joining us! The May meeting went as follows:

,Gahdi : Welcome and introductionMichaela Grey: Brief history of APPBoard Member IntroductionPresentationsSusan Preston: Liability InsuranceTom Burge: OSHA Compliance for piercersDavid Vidra : Provon Medicated lotion SoapAnne Greenblatt - discussion of RAB - ard-

varkiVrichmond. infi.netlegislation UpdatesWisconsin: Derek lowe-tattooing and pierc

ing separateQueensland, Australia: Cheyenne Morrison

may be regulated in next 6 months

ThePoint_Issue08

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