Useful ideas

Biomaterials and trustworthy sources

The Point 86 cover

Why materials from countries without strict quality control requirements are unacceptable for body jewelry Brian W Skellie,  APP Medical Director (published in issue 86 of The Point Journal of Body Piercing) Does it matter where a biomaterial we use comes from? Biomaterials made in the USA and in a short list of countries who maintain … Read moreBiomaterials and trustworthy sources

Join me at the APP 23rd Annual Conference!

Join the Association and hundreds of piercers as we come together to celebrate the 23rd  Annual Conference and Exposition!  Our classrooms will once again fill with attendees from all over the world. Piercers, Studio Owners, Vendors, and Health Inspectors will all come together for a week of education and peer-to-peer sharing. Learn the core requirements … Read moreJoin me at the APP 23rd Annual Conference!

Optim 1 results in Environmental Surface Cleaning Investigation

Dental Advisor and Dr John Molinari: Environmental Surface Cleaning Investigation Are your surfaces really clean? Dr John Molinari tests alcohol and QUAT surface cleaners, as well as OPTIM 1: One-Step Cleaner & Intermediate Disinfectant.OPTIM 1 was the only disinfectant wipe to successfully clean and remove proteins with a single application. Buy direct from Brian‘s Statim.us … Read moreOptim 1 results in Environmental Surface Cleaning Investigation

Christina Blossey interviewed by Ryan Ouellette

Ryan Ouellette from Precision Body Arts follows up with a witty and conscientious interview with my former apprentice Christina Blossey of Piercing Experience.

Read moreChristina Blossey interviewed by Ryan Ouellette

Brian Skellie interviewed by Ryan Ouellette

An opportunity to share ideas with my colleagues hosted by Ryan Ouellette from Precision Body Arts.

Check out his podcast for interesting discussions with piercers, including my former apprentice Christina Blossey of Piercing Experience.

Ryan Ouellette: November 9 at 6:34pmNashua, NH, United States

My guest on the Piercing Wizard Podcast this week is Brian Skellie. We talk about sterilization, jewelry materials, and his journey from piercing fan to piercing authority.

Listen for free on itunes apple podcasts, google play music, or stream from the link below.

https://pinecast.com/…/0458f3ee-b706-42ad-9eb4-0f78c653e091…

Rose gold included in APP Minimum Standards for Jewelry for Initial Piercings

A rose by any other name… The APP Jewelry Standards for jewelry for initial or healing piercings were revised 04/04/2017 to include rose gold.  Body piercing jewelry should be biocompatible and safe for prolonged contact with skin and mucous membranes. The APP continues to revise their body jewelry standards for initial and healed piercings as … Read moreRose gold included in APP Minimum Standards for Jewelry for Initial Piercings

Avoid Long Delays in Instrument Decontamination, Reprocessing

Leaving instruments unprocessed for any period of time can lead to the development of biofilm. The recommendation is to begin the cleaning process as soon as possible. As a matter of fact, a number of manufacturer’s instructions for use (IFUs) are now specifying the time frame that cleaning should be implemented. This ranges from “immediately after use” to “within 10, 20 or 30 minutes;” it varies with the device/instrument manufacturer. The manufacturer’s IFUs should always be followed.

2016 BMXnet event interview on needles, steel and wound care

Here is a 22 minute interview that I did at BMXnet this year for Russian colleagues.
(In English with Russian subtitles)

The first question was: Can a professional piercers use a catheter?
The second question was about the use of steel for totally healed piercing.
The last question: What way of care is correct for a fresh piercing?

Unrelated, but interesting in light of the recent election and psychohistory:

http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/when-newt-met-hari-seldon

seminars | UKAPP 2017

Come to the 2nd annual UKAPP seminars. Sunday 4th & Monday 5th at the Radisson Blu hotel in Birmingham England

See you there to share! I’ll be here just before BMXnet to help my colleagues further their organizational momentum!! It gives us great pleasure to announce the 2nd annual UKAPP seminars. Sunday 4th & Monday 5th at the Radisson Blu hotel just a 2 minute walk from Birmingham Moor street train station This year the UKAPP … Read moreseminars | UKAPP 2017

APP: The Point #73

As President of the Association of Professional Piercers, I have a regular editorial column in The Point magazine. Issue 73 editorial   Please enjoy my article on asepsis in the new issue of The Point by the Association of Professional Piercers  

Novel Chemical ‘Washes Away’ Alzheimer’s Plaque in Mice

Researchers have found a molecule that breaks down the clumps of protein linked with Alzheimer’s disease. Source: Novel Chemical ‘Washes Away’ Alzheimer’s Plaque in Mice Can this be applied to treat or protect from TSE? Reference http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2015/151208/ncomms9997/full/ncomms9997.html PDF of original journal submission

President’s Corner The Point 70

As President of the Association of Professional Piercers, I have a regular editorial column in The Point magazine.

Point70-coverIssue 70 editorial

Brian Skellie headshot at 2014 APP conference by April BerardiBy Brian Skellie
APP President

Sir Arthur C. Clarke’s Third Law states: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” Had I been at Arthur’s elbow as he wrote those words, I’d have suggested adding: “to the uninformed observer.”

— James Randi, WHY MAGICIANS ARE A SCIENTIST’S BEST FRIEND

 

Read morePresident’s Corner The Point 70

Sterile gloves use rationale

Are you using sterile gloves for body piercing procedures? If you are not, using an Aseptic Non Touch Technique with sterile engineering controls to prevent client contamination is an alternative that you can use now with equipment that you already have. The burden of proof Fitness for purpose: Sterile gloves, be they exam or surgical are designed … Read moreSterile gloves use rationale

President’s Corner The Point 69

As President of the Association of Professional Piercers, I have a regular editorial column in The Point magazine. Issue 69 editorial Some of the most fundamental ideas about piercing are those that are most intriguing and still relevant to question. What materials are available now to make jewelry for initial healing and prolonged wear in the … Read morePresident’s Corner The Point 69

Passing the buck on contaminated instruments, washer placement

Original article: December 2014 – CS Solutions. How this applies to body artists: Start the cleaning process for instruments right away in the procedure area at the point of use by wiping them off and wetting them with a foam enzyme cleaner product such as the all-in-ONE™ Surgical Instrument Cleaners and Conditioners. Transport the instruments to an … Read morePassing the buck on contaminated instruments, washer placement

“Didn’t Wash Hands” Alarm

Didn't Wash Hands alarm, Gary Larson — The Far Side

Our friends at the CDC created a helpful website about hand washing, which is worth the time to read through. I particularly appreciate their “Show me the science” section. ;) How to make your own “Didn’t Wash Hands” Alarm | MAKE. Big brother says, “wash your hands” More on Germ theory by How Stuff Works: Related: … Read more“Didn’t Wash Hands” Alarm

Fantasy and Science Fiction: ‘Kiosk’ by Bruce Sterling | Beyond the Beyond | WIRED

The Fabrikator by Bruce Sterling

THE FABRIKATOR WAS UGLY, noisy, a fire hazard, and it smelled. Borislav got it for the kids in the neighborhood.

One snowy morning, in his work gloves, long coat, and fur hat, he loudly power-sawed through the wall of his kiosk. He duct-taped and stapled the fabrikator into place.

The neighborhood kids caught on instantly. His new venture was a big hit.

The fabrikator made little plastic toys from 3-D computer models. After a week, the fab’s dirt-cheap toys literally turned into dirt. The fabbed toys just crumbled away, into a waxy, non-toxic substance that the smaller kids tended to chew.

Borislav had naturally figured that the brief lifetime of these toys might discourage the kids from buying them. This just wasn’t so. This wasn’t a bug: this was a feature. Every day after school, an eager gang of kids clustered around Borislav’s green kiosk. They slapped down their tinny pocket change with mittened hands. Then they exulted, quarreled, and sometimes even punched each other over the shining fab-cards.

The happy kid would stick the fab-card (adorned with some glossily fraudulent pic of the toy) into the fabrikator’s slot. After a hot, deeply exciting moment of hissing, spraying, and stinking, the fab would burp up a freshly minted dinosaur, baby doll, or toy fireman.

Foot traffic always brought foot traffic. The grownups slowed as they crunched the snowy street. They cast an eye at the many temptations ranked behind Borislav’s windows. Then they would impulse-buy. A football scarf, maybe. A pack of tissues for a sneezy nose.

Once again he was ahead of the game: the only kiosk in town with a fabrikator….

via Fantasy and Science Fiction: ‘Kiosk’ by Bruce Sterling | Beyond the Beyond | WIRED.

The Fabrikator by Bruce Sterling

What is Aseptic Non Touch Technique ANTT?

Aseptic No Touch Technique may be used in conjunction with sterile gloves as an alternative to full surgical asepsis for body piercing procedures. I demonstrated variations on this with colleagues during the Versatility in Piercing Techniques series of workshops for the 2014 APP conference. The following is from ANTT.org:   What is Aseptic Non Touch Technique ANTT? ANTT is … Read moreWhat is Aseptic Non Touch Technique ANTT?

How It’s Made – Hypodermic Needles

This is very similar to what I saw when I visited Industrial Strength LLC Sharp Ass Needles, without the hubs, followed by cleaning and chemical passivation. They are ready to be sterilized and used. We use 304 SST and keep on file for every lot of needles we make a passivation certificate. We also have an … Read moreHow It’s Made – Hypodermic Needles

Somatic Piercing

Nick completed his Masters degree at the Ohio State University in Somatic and Cultural Studies in 2002. His final project, “Somatic Piercing: The Art and Ritual of Body Piercing” portrays his experiences in body rituals as well as illuminates other piercers’ views on the matter.

11 Things You Should Know About Piercings

“This article presented some sound information, but there’s still much more to know. When piercings are performed by a trained professional using sterile equipment and high quality jewelry, and appropriate aftercare is followed, the risks are drastically minimized.” — Elayne Angel, APP President