Analysis The perception of body piercing has changed from extreme to generally accepted. While exact numbers are hard to come by, some studies have stated that 83% of the U.S. population has their ears pierced, and only 10–20% of women do not (The Academy of Responsible Tattooing, 2018; Hallman, 2005). As piercings are becoming more common, further studies and experiences have shed more light on the most common methods used. Ear piercing guns are frequently used to pierce the ear lobe, high ear, and occasionally other areas of the face and body. The instruments are designed to pierce the skin by driving a starter earring through the desired area. The most common type of ear piercing gun is spring loaded and when the trigger is released, the earring is driven through the skin and into the provided earring back. Some models of ear piercing guns use disposable cartridges (the stud‐and‐clasp holder is entirely disposable), while more traditional ear piercing guns require manual loading of the earring and back into the device for each procedure. In either case, most ear piercing guns are made at least partially of plastic and cannot be sterilized to the same extent as other piercing equipment, leading to a greater risk of infection. Ear piercing guns are typically used in mall kiosks or cosmetic shops and are rarely found in tattoo and piercing studios (More, Seidel, & Bryan, 1999). Regulation of ear piercing guns varies across the country. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains the position that ear piercing devices should be restricted to prescription dispensing, which means they cannot be used by people without medical training. Furthermore, FDA has attempted to regulate such devices on an ad hoc basis. Due to the lack of uniformity in state regulations, however, FDA is unable to enforce this position. In fact, many states do not require prescription dispensing as FDA suggests. A recent opinion from the California attorney general stated that because “ear piercing does not constitute the practice of medicine, it follows that . . . there are no circumstances that would prohibit a nurse or any other licensed or unlicensed person from performing earlobe piercing” (Food and Drug Administration, 2015). Indiana and Tennessee piercing regulations exclude ear piercing guns from piercing instrument definitions, thereby eliminating most sterilization requirements (Indiana State Department of Health, 2017; Tennessee Department of Health, 2002). In contrast, several state regulations limit the use of ear piercing guns to the ear lobe or the lobe and the outer ear due to the increased potential for tissue damage. Ear piercing guns use blunt force to pierce the skin and can damage the surrounding cartilage and lead to serious infection. Ohio, Oklahoma, and Massachusetts limit the use of the ear piercing gun to the lobe alone, while Mississippi and Texas allow the device to be used on the entire ear but nowhere else on the body (Mississippi State Department of Health, 2012; Ohio Administrative Code, 2014; Oklahoma State Department of Health, 2017; Ridley, 2001; Texas Department of State Health Services, 2005). Some ear piercing gun operators have reported that the guns malfunction at times, requiring removal of the jewelry with pliers that are later used on other clients, creating a pathway for disease transmission. Occasionally the force of the gun is insufficient to force the earring stud through the client’s ear, leading to contamination from the employee attempting to remove the earring or excessive trauma if the earring is forced through the lobe. Ear piercing guns are also misused despite manufacturer instructions. Piercings have been documented on ear lobes, upper ear cartilage, nostrils, navels, eyebrows, tongues, and other areas of the body although many
45
Powered by FlippingBook