Body Piercing Tips and Techniques

In the early days, people used to pierce their bodies to show their importance in a group, or because they thought it protected them from the evil. But in the current scenario, it is merely a style quotient. If you wondering what a body piercing is then you must know that it is exactly how it sounds! A puncture made in your body with the help of a needle. The popularly pierced body parts are the ears, nostrils and the belly button. Since piercing has come a long way, the methods are varied too. Some prefer the needle and the others would like a gunshot done. Doing your homework before visiting the piercing expert is essential. For example, it is always a good idea to find out about the risks involved and how best to protect yourself from infections and other complications. People with medical problems such as allergies, diabetes, skin disorders or immunodeficiency should weigh out the precautions beforehand. Listed below are a few body piercing advice tips for you to dwell on.

Body Piercing Precautions

Get your piercing done by a professional. There are no two ways about it. Since it is more than just create holes on your body, it is absolutely essential that you interview the piercer. Enquire about their policies on disease prevention and hygiene. Major diseases like AIDS and Hepatitis spread through the use of dirty and infected needles. Do not hesitate to gather all the necessary details.

Before deciding on an expert, ascertain the success rate of the piercing. This means to mentally and physically prepare for a piercing in a particular area of your body.

Visible body piercings could be a major discriminating factor against you and sometimes maybe viewed in poor light by individuals. Before you decide, take into consideration what impact it would have on your image and consequently, on your life.

Infection can be caused by perspiration, water, chlorine or salt water as all these are forms of fluids. Ensure that the piercing hole is kept free from any form of liquid else the infection could spread.

Post-piercing, it is imperative to make sure that the piercing is kept clean. The body sees this as an injury. It is your job to make sure that it doesn't feel like it's had one! To achieve this, maintaining hygiene is a must.

In case of facial piercings, avoid clogging the hole with bucket loads of makeup! Almost all cosmetic products contain oil in some form or the other and this can cause severe infection and pus formation.

Seek medical help immediately if your piercing shows any signs of contamination. The same needs to be followed if the healing time is noticeably slow.

Do's Of Piercing

You should clean your new piercing twice a day with anti-bacterial soap and warm water.Leave the soap on the piercing for a few minutes before washing it away.

After cleaning, remember to apply the approved ointment by your piercer. If you are unsure of this, contact your doctor and get a second opinion too.

An excellent would be to take a sea salt soak immediately after this cleansing so that healing process and the body's natural ability to fight infection is hastened.

In case of a navel piercing and a teenager who loves his jeans, then it is advisable to wear low cut or hip hugger style jeans! This helps as it reduces the constant source of pressure and irritation.

Don'ts Of Piercing

Avoid consumption of alcohol, drugs and tobacco before and after getting pierced and the wound is completely healed. This must be followed especially in the case of lip piercings.

Do not touch your piercing with dirty fingers. Maintaining hygienic and sanitized hands are important. Clean with an antiseptic if required.

Don't change the body jewellery until your piercing heals completely. This is the most convenient harbor for germs and infection to thrive.

Avoid swimming as the presence of chlorine in pools and hot tubs irritate and retard the healing of a new piercing.

Tight fitting or rough clothing such as wool should be avoided to aid in fast recovery and reduce local irritation.

A body piercing gives you a chance to look appealing as well as unique. What is important is to take good care of your body by keeping in mind, the aftercare tips.

Body Treatment Tips and Techniques

Body treatments mainly comprise of massages and body wraps. Gentle strokes help in revitalizing the body, reducing stress, increasing blood circulation, treating many ailments and also strengthening the immune system and muscles. The most popular body treatment is a scrub; sometimes referred to as body polish, salt glow or sea-salt scrub. Read the article below for an idea about the methods and types of body treatments which could take you to a whole new level of existence!

Body Massage Techniques

Fan Stroking- To begin, place your hands with palms facing down on the side of the body to be treated. Then fan your fingers out on both sides by slowly releasing the pressure. Glide them down, pulling them back toward the original position. Repeat.

Circular Stroking- Circular stroking calls for both the hands to work on the same side at once. One hand completes a full circle, while the other does a half circle.

Thumb Stroking- Place your hands on the body and stroke firmly up and outwards with your left thumb. Then repeat this same motion with your right thumb, slightly higher. This is a great way to release tension in delicate areas such as the neck.

Basic Kneading- This technique is relaxing and the motion is similar to kneading dough. It has been proven to be a very successful method for fleshy areas of the body.

Circular Pressure- Start by applying light pressure with your thumbs. Begin moving them in a circular motion by gradually increasing the pressure. Slowly release your fingers and glide it on to the neighbouring areas. Repeat.

Static Pressures- Place your thumbs on the skin and slowly lean into them so that you are constantly increasing the pressure. Hold this for about 10 seconds and then move to the next point. Make sure to never use your nails for fear of hurting the person.

Cat Stroking- Place your left hand on top of the area you are massaging. By applying very light pressure, slowly glide down the body (as if petting a cat). If these methods are done correctly then the receiver might even fall asleep!

Knuckling- Curl your hands in such a way that the middle portion of your fingers are against the skin. Continue by rotating your knuckles in a rippling movement in small circles on the shoulders, chest, palms and feet.

Types Of Body Treatments

Swedish Massage

 
This is the most popular style of massage in the U.S. and other countries. It basically comprises of stroking the skin and kneading the muscles. A professional therapist uses firm but gentle pressure in five different movements. The five movements are long and gliding strokes, kneading of individual strokes, friction, hacking/tapping and vibration. Swedish massage improves blood circulation, reduces muscle ache and tensions, improves flexibility and creates relaxation.

Thai Therapy 

 
Thai massages use passive stretching and gentle pressure along the body's energy lines. A simple way to look at it is - yoga without effort! The masseurs push your body into various positions while you lie down and absorb the relaxation. The function of the Thai massage is to increase suppleness, relieve muscle and joint tensions and balance the energy systems in your body.

Body Wraps 

 
A body wrap is also termed as a body cocoon or body mask. They are highly therapeutic treatments that detoxify the body by using simple and natural ingredients. The latter help in tightening and toning the skin and stimulate the body in the process. Body wraps also help in getting rid of trapped toxins, excess fat and lymph fluids.

A body treatment is a pampering experience that ensures various health benefits apart from being absolutely divine. So take out sometime of your busy schedule and treat yourself to a soothing body massage!

Essential Oil Treatment

An essential oil refers to a liquid that gets distilled generally from leaves, stems or flowers. They are used in aromatherapy and also have classic therapeutic uses. These oils contain the true essence of the plant that it is derived from. Other characteristics include its concentrated nature and volatility. Introducing these aromatic oils into your daily life can be relaxing as well as advantageous. But you need to keep in mind that every one of these lubricants has an individual quality where some of them are even flammable! Storage of these oils must be in a childproof and pet-proof area. In specific cases such as a pregnancy, diabetes, skin allergies and epilepsy, taking advice from an aroma therapist is required so that the precautions can be gauged. Essential oils can vary greatly in quality and price. Scroll down to read more about uses of essential oils and herbal extracts and also some tips on how to use them.

Frankincense Essential Oil

Either you can take this oil through your nose (steam distillation) or rub it onto the bottom of your feet to help alleviate nervous disorders. The other ways that Frankincense essential oil can help is by curing arthritis, extreme coughs, stretch marks and stress related problems. These are one of the oils that can calm and soothe the whole body and mind.

Lavender Essential Oil

 
Massage this essential oil on dry or chapped skin so that it moisturizes the affected area. It can also be used to repel moths and insects by adding a few drops of this to a cotton ball and placing it in closets and drawers. Rub a few drops of this oil onto your child's pillow to help them sleep better.

Lemon Essential Oil

 
Use 1-2 drops of this aromatic oil to remove gum, grease, glue or and crayon marks from most surfaces. Combine a few drops with water can help in cleansing and sanitizing a particular area. Place a drop of the Lemon essential oil on oily skin or blemishes to help balance the olfactory glands and minimize oil production.

Peppermint Essential Oil

 
Add a drop of peppermint oil to herbal tea to aid complete digestion. Place 2 drops of this on the tongue and another drop of oil under the nose to help improve concentration. Inhale this aromatic on your abdomen to soothe minor stomach discomforts. Owing to its menthol properties, it could also cure headaches and migraines.

Essential Oil Treatment Tips 

• Do not apply any undiluted essential oils directly onto your skin because they are too harsh and may lead to a burns and ultimately scars. Also, remember that essential oils are absorbed through the skin. Thus using too much of it can result in an overdose.

• Make sure that you store essential oils out of the reach of children and pets. Kids under the age of 5 should not be exposed to the powerful aroma of these lubricants.

• Do not get essential oils in your eyes, nose or ears. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after their usage.

• If you are working with pure essential oils then you may want to get disposable latex gloves (or latex-free alternatives) from the drug store. Some of them could be slightly corrosive.

• Never take in essential oils internally. Even small amounts can be toxic and potentially fatal, when ingested.

• Before going out in the sun or to a tanning booth, stay away from aromatic and herbal oils (for example: citrus oils) as they have a tendency to increase sensitivity to the sun.

• If you have a particular medical condition such as a liver or heart disease, consult a qualified practitioner before using these essential oils. The reason being, once they are absorbed into the bloodstream, they have the capacity to damage internal organs.

• Many essential oils have antiseptic properties that have been applied in folk medicine since ancient times. Some of them are still used today. But it is advisable to note that even small amounts can cause harm if improperly used.

Hand Care Tips

It is said that even if you have no words to express it, your hands can tell innumerable stories about your life! Taking care of your hands is as good as taking care of your skin and body. They can tell the age of person, their background and a lot more that sees the eye. There is no point in having gorgeous nails, dressing up in fancy clothes or pampering yourself if your hands are neglected. More often than not, the hands play an important role in communication such as expression of self and emphasis of a point. They can be described as the most-used part of your body. Thus, it is your responsibility to take good care of your hands and treat them well. Spending a few minutes on a quick manicure will leave you with enviable hands! For a better insight into achieving soft and beautiful hands (nails included), read this article and start grooming yourself the right way!

Hand Care Tips 

1. Use gloves while washing dishes and clothing and also heavy duty chores such as gardening.

2. While washing your hands, use mild pH soaps and make it a point to immediately apply lotion on them. Do not let the skin on hands dehydrate as this leads to the formation of wrinkles.

3. Get manicures from reputable spas or nail salons that practice good sanitation. Make sure that all the equipment has been pre-sterilized to avoid chances of infection.

4. Exposure to the sun leads to damage of skin. Thus it is recommended that you use a sunscreen lotion or sun-block cream before venturing out.

5. One of the best ways to avoid fungal infections is to keep the hands warm and patting it dry after washing. Coldness of hands often affects the body's immune system by leading to illnesses such as influenza and sore throats.

6. Special treatments such as a warm oil bath and herbal therapies can keep your hands soft and supple forever. Even simply soaking your palms in hot water mixed with glycerin, lemon juice and rose water can be of great help in acquiring supple skin.

7. The position of your computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse can have a profound effect on your hands. Repetitive motions such as typing and mouse-clicking can result in tired, sore hands or even inflammation such as Carpal-Tunnel syndrome. To correct this, make sure that your mouse is easily reachable and that your keyboard is positioned at a comfortable level.

8. Deficiencies in Vitamin B can cause ridged nail beds. Lack of calcium can result in brittle and dry nails that chip off easily. For this purpose, be sure to eat foods high in these vitamins or take supplements to improve the look of your nails.

Hand Care Treatments

Rosewater Hand Massage:

 
Mix about 1tsp of glycerin, lemon juice and 5 drops of rose water in a small bottle. Use it to massage your hands and cuticles for atleast 15-30 minutes.

Nail Soak:

Take 1cup of bottled water, the juice of 1 lemon, 1tbsp of aloe vera gel and 10 drops of lemon essential oil. Use it as a finger soak for about 10 minutes, alternating each hand.

Nail Manicure Treatment:

Take a bowl and mix equal parts of distilled water and witch hazel, 1 1/2 tsp honey and 1/2 tsp alum powder. Soak your nails for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Proceed with rinsing with cool water. Repeat for both hands and discard the mixture.

How To Keep Hands Beautiful & Soft

Cucumber juice and glycerin can be mixed and applied on the hands once a day. This gives a moisturizing as well as a fresh look.

Another great tip to keep your hands looking beautiful is a combination of milk cream, ground almond, glycerin and lemon juice. This bleaches your hands as well as removes the dead cells.

Honey and orange juice contains AHA that proves to be an excellent way to keep your hands protected from the harsh rays of the sun and remove the tan.

Application of egg white also makes a good hand mask. It makes the skin tight and prevents formation of wrinkles.

Beautiful hands are the result of dedicated hand care and maintenance. Follow the above mentioned tips and keep your skin looking soft, supple, young and beautiful forever!