7. JEWELRY surfaces and ends should have no irregular surfaces that could scrape or irritate healing tissue and prevent proper healing of the PIERCING (APP, 2020).
8. JEWELRY must have a consistent mirror finish to promote healing of a PIERCING. JEWELRY with uneven or porous surfaces could scrape or irritate healing tissue and cause scar tissue to form (APP, 2020).
9. The ASTM F2999 standard outlines the requirements and test methods for specified elements and mechanical hazards in adult jewelry (ASTM, 2019).
10. The ASTM F2923 standard outlines the requirements and test methods for specified elements and mechanical hazards in children’s jewelry (ASTM, 2020). It also includes recommendations for age labeling and warnings. 4. Specific Regulations for Specific Types of Body Art
4.1 Specific regulations for piercing
1. Clarification of other piercing instruments. 1. EAR-PIERCING GUNS; presterilized SINGLE-USE, stud-and-clasp ear-piercing systems; and similar devices are to be held to the same standards as all other BODY PIERCING techniques because they still pierce the skin or mucosa and thus present pathogen exposure and infection risks. As stated by the Association of Professional Piercers, “the health and safety issues concerning body piercing apply equally to the ear and to all parts of the body” (APP, n.d). 2. EAR-PIERCING GUNS use blunt force to drive JEWELRY through the skin. The effect of this blunt force trauma is more similar to a crush injury than a piercing. Because of the damage this can cause to surrounding cartilage, use of EAR-PIERCING GUNS is limited to the earlobe. Complications that can occur when EAR-PIERCING GUNS are used on structural tissues include, but are not limited to, shattered cartilage, excessive scarring, and auricular chondritis. Cartilage infections take longer to heal than lobe tissue infections because the area has less blood flow. For this reason, cartilage infections can be much more severe, in some cases requiring antibiotic therapy and reconstructive surgery (APP, n.d.a). Potential damage from EAR-PIERCING GUNS is not limited to cartilage. Lobe tissue can also become damaged and infected from EAR-PIERCING GUNS and associated processes. For example, EAR-PIERCING GUNS can malfunction and the force of their spring-loaded mechanism might be insufficient to force the blunt JEWELRY through the skin. In such instances, the JEWELRY must be manually removed or forced through the flesh. Both options present the risk of injury and infection, especially in workplaces that do not meet the regulations for BODY ART ESTABLISHMENTS. Thus, it is required that any establishment that uses an EAR-PIERCING GUN meet the hygiene standards and regulations set forth in this Code to reduce the risk of infection, complications, and disease transmission.
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