Page 21 - Cosmopolitan India (January 2020)

PA I N -O -M ETRE
by Clem Kirchmeier GOLDEN RULES
OF OTT EARS
1
SLIGHT SCRATCH SQUEEZE A HAND BITE SOMETHING PREPARE TO SWEAR *SILENT SCREAMS* Do your research. Go to your
piercer the same way you would
your hairdresser—armed with
research and ideas for how you’d
HELIX INDUSTRIAL like to look. “I use Instagram and
Pinterest as my sources
of inspiration,” says multi-pierced
influencer Monikh (@Monikh).
AURICLE FORWARD HELIX 2
Rome wasn’t built in a day. You
can never have too many piercings
(within reason), but, “We
SNUG ROOK recommend having no more than
three done per session,” says
Penny at Maria Tash. So if you’re
aiming for six, speak to your
ORBITAL DAITH piercer about staggering them.
3
Go maximal (not minimal). “Large
layered earrings is the next big
CONCH TRAGUS trend,” says Monikh. ”Think gold,
layered, shells, and dangly,
alongside tiny studs.”
4
ANTI TRAGUS TRANSVERSE LOBE
Get crafty. “I have tiny, good-
quality gold hoops, and I often
hang little charms or pendants
from flea markets from them,"
UPPER LOBE LOBE
says Cosmo US's Fashion
Director, Amy Bannerman.
Unrelated fact: save tarnished,
“The upper lobe is a fun accent to an existing first lobe piercing, especially one that silver earrings by placing them in a
has a low placement. Our stylists normally suggest a small metal or diamond stud as it bowl with ketchup for five minutes,
matches the first lobe jewellery and can be worn continuously,” says Penny. then using a toothbrush to gently
rub off any discolouration.
one to two hours before”. You could surgical-grade titanium is the safest 5
also channel your inner zen, as The metal to pierce with: “Certain types of If you don’t want to go the whole
Circle’s piercers use yoga breathing stainless steel are made to contain the way, fake it till you make it with
cuffs and huggers, which are
during the procedure. nickel within the metal, so it isn’t essentially pretend hoops. “They
released into the body. Despite this, stay put even when sleeping or
showering and look so realistic.
Why do I get metal allergies? personally, I’d avoid it for a fresh Instant pain-free style!” says Amy.
“Allergies to certain metals often lie piercing.” She adds, “If you’ve ever
within the nickel content. We don’t reacted to jewellery, watches, or belt 6
Layer, layer and layer again.
know how or why certain people are buckles, it’s also important to get this “You can sometimes fit a tiny stud
more sensitive than others,” says assessed before piercing.” into the same hole as a hoop so it
Penny. “At Maria Tash, we only pierce ends up looking like one earring,”
with completely nickel-free gold. What should I do if my piercing Amy explains. Nifty, eh?
Some other studios pierce with gets infected? 3 PLACES TO
titanium, which also has a low nickel “Don’t take it out immediately. You GET PIERCED
content. Never get pierced with silver might trap the infection in your ear if • Body Canvas Studio, New
because it oxidises and increases the it heals up,” says Penny. To help avoid Delhi and Mumbai. Specialises in
(almost) painless piercings.
risk of infection and allergic this, Clem advises, “Use the right Vikas Malani, Owner and Chief
reactions.” Rhianna says, “We only aftercare products, like a pre-made Piercer, is also a great
recommend piercing with implant- sterile saline solution, don’t touch it, conversationist, aka distraction.
• Devilz Tattooz, New Delhi.
grade titanium, which is used in use fresh towels and pillow cases Offers an especially large range
surgical procedures like knee and hip regularly, and don’t swim in public of piercings.
replacements. Anything of a lower pools for a while.” If you’re concerned • Kraazyonz Tattoo Studios,
grade isn’t suitable to live in the body.” about an infection, or there doesn’t Mumbai, Bengaluru. Known for
their aftercare: from baby
Dr Emma Wedgeworth, a renowned seem to be any improvement within a concerns to big-ish queries.
dermatologist in the UK, agrees that couple of days, see your GP. n

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