There are as many reasons for modifying one's appearance as there are people who want to do it - aesthetic, fashion, or maybe identification with a group. Often, visible piercings go with other forms of body adornment, such as tattoos. It is becoming mainstream. Some people who originally got pierced for the punk shock effect are vexed to find that the bounds of acceptability have spread to embrace them.

Piercings can be used for restraint. Some women lace their labia together. There have been women who had a zip fitted. Men have other options.

You may have it done for your partner, but be sure you trust him or her. A woman agreed to have her nipples pierced on condition that her partner had a Prince Albert (PA) at the same time. He went first. As soon as he was done, she laughed and walked out. (He liked his PA, so he forgave her in the end.)

While piercing almost always makes a sensual area more sensitive, the opposite can happen. One man's earlobe stopped being erogenous. A woman had so many rings through her labia that they just went numb. If you lose sensitivity, take the ring or bar out for a few days to give the hole a rest. If you end up with a numb and ugly piercing that you can't even hang your keys or wallet from, take the ring out and let it heal up.

The things you see most are ball-closure rings and barbells. In a BCR, a ball has two dimples, which the ends of the ring grip. You need a special tool (circlip pliers) to open it. The ball can be changed for other shapes. Barbells have a ball at each end, one of which screws on. It needs no special equipment.

Some people stretch their piercings, to get larger jewelry through. You can get a "flesh tunnel", like a steel grommet, for larger holes.

The most usual material is surgical stainless steel. You can also get gold (white or yellow) up to 18ct, or niobium, a hypoallergenic metal. UV-glow plastic is fun in clubs with lighting.

Navel piercings are most popular at the moment. It takes longest to heal, but is not sensitive after that, so it's purely visual.

The pain and swelling from a tongue piercing can stop you eating properly for a week, but once healed you don't notice it. People who have them just love the effect on other people when they kiss or lick them. Time for that diet!

Women with piercings in both inner labia and clitoris hood prefer the labial piercing. Almost all the men with Prince Alberts were pleased with the effect.

The very worst bit is the time between making the appointment and going to it. This can be very stressful. Particularly when you are woken on the day by a bomb going off (as happened to me).

The moment it's done, all the stress is released. This (not the pain) causes a few people to faint. The most common reaction is a quick "Aah!" followed by a laugh.

Skin Grafix does not use piercing guns for any piercings. AVOID anyone who tries to use one of these for piercings other than earlobes. It is NOT suitable. It will HARM you. Piercers use a hollow needle, which they wield freehand. This removes a plug of flesh, so it cuts a hole instead of poking one. It sounds worse, but hurts less if done well.

It's a wound. Keep it clean. Never touch it without washing your hands properly first. Don't use antiseptics unless you need them, but use them as directed if you do. At any sign of pus or nasty smells, go straight to the doctor.