PIERCING PERIL

Adorning your body can backfire big time.

Belly rings and tongue studs may go in and out of fashion, but one thing is constant: They carry a risk. A recent study found that 17 percent of college students with piercing suffered a medical complication such as infection or tearing. If you still feel the need to pierce a body part, be sure to follow these tips:

Pick a skilled practitioner.

Bad piercing technique can result in injury, bleeding, and even nerve damage. So choose an expert who really knows what their doing.

Insist on a sterile setup.

To avoid contracting HIV and hepatitis B and C, make sure your technician done new sterile gloves and removes a new needle from the plastic in front of you.

Keep it clean.

You’re at risk for infection until the site heals, so wash your new piercing twice a day with a mild antibacterial soap.