There's not a piercer I have met that doesn't have something to say about regulating the piercing industry. Proponents of regulation say piercing is analogous to minor surgery, therefore, requiring strict guidelines to protect piercees. Conversely, opponents of regulation argue that this is just one more way for someone to tell them how to perform their craft--not to mention another out of pocket expense. But does it really matter what the piercers think? Regardless, the people getting pierced are the ones who will ultimately determine what's best for the industry.

What? Some punk kid is gonna come into my shop and dictate how I pierce? Pretty much. Let's think about the situation from the piercee's perspective:

I think I want to get my tongue pierced. I've heard so many good things about it. But I'm worried about getting pierced because I know there are health risks involved. What if the piercer reuses needles? What if she doesn't wear gloves or wash her hands before piercing me? What if the piercing booth and starter jewelry aren't sterile? Shit. Maybe I won't get pierced. I don't want to get the hep...

Although this is not a direct testimonial, my years of experience watching my friends get pierced, getting pierced myself, and performing professional piercings, leads me to believe that this is a very common thought process for the prospective piercee. The piercee doesn't care if you are a laissez-faire political philosopher despising all forms of government interference. They also don't care that you have to pay an extra annual fee. I mean the piercee really doesn't understand why a tongue piercing costs about $50 to begin with. So, why not suck it up and help make the industry more legit?

Let me make an allusion to both the food and medical industry. After reading Upton Sinclaire's novel The Jungle--a famous literary expose on the meat packing industry in the late twenties-you will probably consider giving up meat forever. Then, after realizing that the food industry regulates the standards by which companies must clean, inspect and package meat, you'll most likely regain confidence that being a carnivore is safe.

In addition, consider the recently regulated abortion industry. Before the ruling in Roe v. Wade tens of thousands of women experienced severe health complications due to poor facilities, unlicensed medics with no medical education, and unsanitary tools. Sounds like some of the hacker piercers that are giving the piercing industry a bad name, huh? In the case of abortion procedures, with regulation women could feel confident that they were receiving legitimate and safe health care, no longer having to risk health problems (or even death) to address an issue with their body.

So, what's all the fuss about? O.K. You'll have to spend an extra 30 or more minutes cleaning your booth, wash your hands a few more times for just a little bit longer, make sure everything has been properly sterilized, pay a small fee to have an inspection, and fill out a couple more annoying forms. You may even have to go to a piercing seminar to get certified (oh no, you might actually improve your technique and become a better piercer). And the end result, every prospective piercee who walks into your shop will feel safe, clean, and garner a powerful reassurance about going through with the experience. This type of feeling will undoubtedly spread to other people considering a piercing, in turn, bringing more people into your shop on which you can perform your art.

Let's remember: we're not Pablo Picasso, we're piercers. You wouldn't be cool with your dentist cross-contaminating and using inferior sterilization techniques-even though I'm sure he considers himself an artist, as well. The bottom line: the benefits of industry standards far outweigh the costs … for everyone. This includes the piercee, the shop, the piercer, and the industry. I'm confident that every year many people choose to pass on a desired piercing merely because of safety concerns. Wouldn't we all like to see those people partaking in the rite of passage that we have experienced and enjoyed?

Also, think about the reaction from the medical community and media. They might actually have to say something nice or shut the phuck up. I know a lot of piercers more meticulous about sterilization than some of the medics from which I've had the misfortune of receiving treatment. If this became the norm, the general public would not get bombarded with negative persuasions when talking with a physician about piercing. Take this imaginary conversation as an example:

Hey doc, I think I want to pierce my nipple. (Pointing to the Med School Diploma) Oh, I highly recommend against that.

Why? Haven't you seen or heard about those unsafe, un-sterile places to get pierced? Would you want a self-proclaimed "professional" to perform minor surgery on you? You don't want to get the hep … or the HIV … (getting all up in the patients face) do you?

Now let's consider a response from a well informed person with a regulated piercing industry:

Doc, you're old school! Do you get out much? Everyone knows that piercing shops and piercers have to meet requirements before they can go around poking people. In fact, the last piercing shop I was in seemed to be cleaner than this place … (Mouth wide-open, a droplet of drool drips onto the floor-the good doctor quickly wipes his mouth) … doc, did you just cross-contaminate?

Now who seems legit? The piercers. Even if the doctor was Mr. Clean, if a patient can feel as safe in a piercing shop as in a doctor's office there will be less horror stories (which are still the rarity) for the media to salivate over and comment on in their piercing-phobic articles and opinion columns.

With enough discussion and proactive involvement, piercers can bring down the costs of regulation and certification. As demand for anti-microbial and anti-bacterial soap increases, the price will decrease. As shops start posting their shiny new certificates to prove their establishment is pro (for real), clients will know that needles aren't reused, the booth is sterile, and the piercer won't be passing on infections, viruses, or diseases. Now, don't get me wrong, the overwhelming majority of piercers probably already meet the same requirements that regulation would pose. These piercers have everything to gain and nothing to lose. The hacker smacker who cross-contaminated 12 times since getting the piercee in the booth is the one who should be scared … because in the jungle only the fittest piercers will survive.

This article is not meant to piss-off anyone...just get some dialogue going. Respect to all.