AboutBrian Skellie Expertise I can answer questions in regards to and not limited to: jewelry safety, specifically material, shape, proportion, and related issues; aseptic technique and sterilization as it applies to piercing safety; ethical issues of technique and bedside manner; the aftercare and recovery process for piercings.
Experience
Past/Present clients
Tens of thousands of one on one client experiences. http://www.piercing.org/ Body jewelry design and safety expert: Member ASTM committee F04(www.astm.org)
Member AAMI (www.aami.org)
Research advisor and educator for the APP for over a decade(www.safepiercing.org) teaching advanced studio setup, sterilization and equipment management, freehand piercing, aseptic/sterile technique and much more.
Distributor for SciCan StatIM sterilization and cleaning products. http://www.piercing.org/statim/
Expert: Brian Skellie Date: 7/21/2008 Subject: cartilage piercing
Question I already have one cartilage piercing at the top of my ear but I want another one below the one I already have. However, I've heard recently that if piercers don't pierce in the right place on the ear the earring could hit a nerve and cause paralysis in the face or in the muscle or other complications. So now I'm skeptical about getting it done even though it sounds silly. Is it true?
Answer Placement and technique have a lot to do with the sensation of the piercing during and after the procedure, but the myth of paralysis is not only overstated, but entirely untrue. Piercing in an inappropriate manner can be painful, cause infection and even spread hepatitis and other diseases, but does not cause paralysis.
An unrelated condition, known as Bell's palsy which can appear in the facial area is sometimes confounded with this myth.
