title: Body adornment: piercings and tattoos.
abstract: Body adornment through tattoos and piercings is on the increase, making adverse side effects more common. Practitioners should be prepared to give advice, either before the event, or post-procedure in written and oral forms. The aim of this article is to inform practitioners of the sites and types of piercings, likely adverse side effects and estimated healing times.
authors.affiliation: St Peter's Hospice, Bristol. wilvers@lineone.net
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chivers
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D011677:Punctures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology / Q000639:trends; D013653:Tattooing / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology / Q000639:trends; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing