Number Of Piercings Research Articles

The Influence of Facial Piercings and Observer Personality on Perceptions of Physical Attractiveness and Intelligence

The primary aim of the present study was to examine the influence of facial piercings on observer ratings of physical attractiveness and intelligence. A total of 440 women and men rated a set of stimuli that depicted a female and a male model, respectively, with varying numbers of facial piercings. Participants also completed measures of the Big Five personality factors and sensation seeking, and provided information of their own piercings. Results indicated that, controlling for participants’ own piercings, stimuli with piercings were rated as less physically attractive and intelligent than those without piercings, with multiple piercings being accorded the most negative ratings. In addition, men with piercings were rated more negatively than women with piercings. Further results showed that participants’ openness to experience and sensation seeking were associated with more positive ratings of pierced individuals, and that greater number of participant piercings was correlated with the Big Five personality factors of Emotional Stability, Extraversion, and Conscientiousness, and sensation seeking. These results are discussed in relation to the extant literature on body modifications.

People with Multiple Tattoos and/or Piercings Are Not at Increased Risk for HBV or HCV in The Netherlands

BackgroundAlthough published results are inconsistent, it has been suggested that tattooing and piercing are risk factors for HBV and HCV infections. To examine whether tattooing and piercing do indeed increase the risk of infection, we conducted a study among people with multiple tattoos and/or piercings in the Netherlands who acquired their tattoos and piercings in the Netherlands and/or abroad.MethodsTattoo artists, piercers, and people with multiple tattoos and/or piercings were recruited at tattoo conventions, shops (N = 182), and a biannual survey at our STI-outpatient clinic (N = 252) in Amsterdam. Participants were interviewed and tested for anti-HBc and anti-HCV. Determinants of HBV and HCV infections were analysed using logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe median number of tattoos and piercings was 5 (IQR 2–10) and 2 (IQR 2–4), respectively. Almost 40% acquired their tattoo of piercing abroad. In total, 18/434 (4.2%, 95%CI: 2.64%–6.46%) participants were anti-HBc positive and 1 was anti-HCV positive (0.2%, 95%CI: 0.01%–1.29%). Being anti-HBc positive was independently associated with older age (OR 1.68, 95%CI: 1.03–2.75 per 10 years older) and being born in an HBV-endemic country (OR 7.39, 95%CI: 2.77–19.7). Tattoo- and/or piercing-related variables, like having a tattoo or piercing in an HBV endemic country, surface percentage tattooed, number of tattoos and piercings etc., were not associated with either HBV or HCV.ConclusionsWe found no evidence for an increased HBV/HCV seroprevalence among persons with multiple tattoos and/or piercings, which might be due to the introduction of hygiene guidelines for tattoo and piercing shops in combination with the low observed prevalence of HBV/HCV in the general population. Tattoos and/or piercings, therefore, should not be considered risk factors for HBV/HCV in the Dutch population. These findings imply the importance of implementation of hygiene guidelines in other countries.

Tattoos and piercings: Bodily expressions of uniqueness?

The study aimed to investigate the motivations underlying the body modification practices of tattooing and piercing. There were 80 participants recruited from an Australian music store, who provided descriptions of their tattoos and piercings and completed measures of need for uniqueness, appearance investment and distinctive appearance investment. It was found that tattooed individuals scored significantly higher on need for uniqueness than non-tattooed individuals. Further, individuals with conventional ear piercings scored significantly lower on need for uniqueness than individuals with no piercings or with facial and body piercings. Neither appearance investment nor distinctive appearance investment differed significantly among tattoo or piercing status groups. Strength of identification with music was significantly correlated with number of tattoos, but not number of piercings. It was concluded that tattooing, but not body piercing, represents a bodily expression of uniqueness.

Piercing Numbers for Balanced and Unbalanced Families

Given a finite family \(\mathcal{F}\) of convex sets in ℝd, we say that \(\mathcal{F}\) has the (p,q) r property if for any p convex sets in \(\mathcal{F}\) there are at least r q-tuples that have nonempty intersection. The piercing number of \(\mathcal{F}\) is the minimum number of points we need to intersect all the sets in \(\mathcal{F}\). In this paper we will find some bounds for the piercing number of families of convex sets with (p,q) r properties.

Infective complications of tattooing and skin piercing

Body piercing appears to be gaining popularity and social acceptance. With the increase in the number of piercings and tattoos, it is likely that health care providers may see an increase in the complications resulting from these piercings. These may include the transmission of hepatitis viruses and bacteria at the time of the piercing or in the course of wound care. We review the infectious complications that have resulted from body piercing and tattooing that has been documented in the medical literature.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection of the Auricular Cartilage Caused by “High Ear Piercing”: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Piercing of various parts of the body has gained tremendous popularity among adolescent and adult populations in recent years. There are no exact statistical reports on the number of body piercings being performed in the United States. One study among 481 college students in New York revealed that 42% of men and 60% of women had body piercing.1 In the past, the majority of complications of ear piercing were associated with the lobule. Torn ear lobes, localized infection, hypertrophic scars, allergic contact dermatitis, and keloid formations were among the most common, with no significant morbidity.

The Maximum Piercing Number for some Classes of Convex Sets with the $(4,3)$-property

A finite collection ${\cal C}$ of closed convex sets in ${\Bbb R}^d$ is said to have a $(p,q)$-property if among any $p$ members of ${\cal C}$ some $q$ have a non-empty intersection, and $|{\cal C}| \ge p$. A piercing number of ${\cal C}$ is defined as the minimal number $k$ such that there exists a $k$-element set which intersects every member of ${\cal C}$. We focus on the simplest non-trivial case in ${\Bbb R}^2$, i.e., $p=4$ and $q=3$. It is known that the maximum possible piercing number of a finite collection of closed convex sets in the plane with $(4,3)$-property is at least $3$ and at most $13$. We consider the following three special types of collections of closed convex sets: segments in ${\Bbb R}^d$, unit discs in the plane and positively homothetic triangles in the plane, in each case only those satisfying $(4,3)$-property. We prove that the maximum possible piercing number is $2$ for the collections of segments and $3$ for the collections of the other two types.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Body Piercing and Tattooing Among High School Students

Although body piercing and tattooing seem to be gaining popularity among a diversity of social and age groups, studies of these practices in general adolescent populations are scarce. This study establishes the prevalence of body modification (tattooing and body piercing) among high school students in grades 7-11 (aged 12 to 18).Data come from a 2002 in-school survey conducted among a representative sample of 2,180 students (81% response rate) enrolled in the 23 high schools of the Outaouais region in Quebec. Systematic sampling was performed. Specific data on tattooing and body piercing are available for 2,145 students (1% non-response rate).A prevalence of 27% for body piercing and 8% for tattooing is observed among high school students. Differences between girls and boys are observed in many ways: i.e., frequency and number of tattoos or piercings; aftercare practices. While most teens say that a "professional" in a studio performed their body modification and that they received aftercare instruction, a high percentage of students report health complications following the procedure.Results show that tattooing and body piercing are common among adolescents and may involve health risks. Consequently, appropriate preventive measures should be adopted by professionals such as school counsellors, nurses, physicians and others who are in contact with teenagers to help them make informed choices.

Prevalence and characteristics of body piercing and tattooing among high school students.

Although body piercing and tattooing seem to be gaining popularity among a diversity of social and age groups, studies of these practices in general adolescent populations are scarce. This study establishes the prevalence of body modification (tattooing and body piercing) among high school students in grades 7-11 (aged 12 to 18). Data come from a 2002 in-school survey conducted among a representative sample of 2,180 students (81% response rate) enrolled in the 23 high schools of the Outaouais region in Quebec. Systematic sampling was performed. Specific data on tattooing and body piercing are available for 2,145 students (1% non-response rate). A prevalence of 27% for body piercing and 8% for tattooing is observed among high school students. Differences between girls and boys are observed in many ways: i.e., frequency and number of tattoos or piercings; aftercare practices. While most teens say that a "professional" in a studio performed their body modification and that they received aftercare instruction, a high percentage of students report health complications following the procedure. Results show that tattooing and body piercing are common among adolescents and may involve health risks. Consequently, appropriate preventive measures should be adopted by professionals such as school counsellors, nurses, physicians and others who are in contact with teenagers to help them make informed choices.

Tattoos and body piercings in the United States: A national data set

Little is known about the prevalence and consequences of body art application. Our aim was to provide US tattooing and body piercing prevalence, societal distribution, and medical and social consequence data. Random digit dialing technology was used to obtain a national probability sample of 253 women and 247 men who were 18 to 50 years of age. Of our respondents, 24% had tattoos and 14% had body piercings. Tattooing was equally common in both sexes, but body piercing was more common among women. Other associations were a lack of religious affiliation, extended jail time, previous drinking, and recreational drug use. Local medical complications, including broken teeth, were present in one third of those with body piercings. The prevalence of jewelry allergy increased with the number of piercings. Of those with tattoos, 17% were considering removal but none had had a tattoo removed. This was a self-reported data set with a 33% response rate. Tattooing and body piercing are associated with risk-taking activities. Body piercing has a high incidence of medical complications.

Sensation seeking, exposure to psychosocial stressors, and body modifications in a college population

A sample of 281 (females=160) college students with body modifications completed a demographics questionnaire, questions about body modification practices, the Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS-V; Zuckerman, 1994), the Impulsivity subscale of the Zuckerman–Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ; Zuckerman, Kuhlman, Joireman, Teta, & Kraft, 1993), and a selected portion of the History of Psychosocial Stressors (HPS; Scotti, 1992, 1999). Gender differences were found on the number of body modifications and when they were first obtained. In general, males with tattoos and piercings had higher scores than females on subscales of the SSS-V. Females with piercings and tattoos had higher scores on the Impulsive Sensation Seeking subscale of the ZKPQ. No gender differences were found when participants were asked if he/she would obtain another body modification or if his/her friends had a body modification. Gender and sensation seeking preference were predictive of number of tattoos but not number of piercings. Exposure with psychosocial stressors was predictive of number of piercings but not number of tattoos. These results suggest that sensation seeking preferences and exposure to a psychosocial stressor may be associated with obtaining a body modification in some college students.

Investigation of infection control practices and knowledge of hepatitis C among body-piercing practitioners

Background: Body piercing has become increasingly popular, leading to concerns about the associated risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission during piercing. Many body-piercing practitioners (BPPs) have recently entered the industry but little is known about their training and understanding of HCV transmission. This study measured BPP knowledge about HCV and infection control procedures. It also tested for HCV contamination within body-piercing establishments. Methods: BPPs completed a questionnaire about the number and type of piercings performed, their methods for disposing of and reprocessing piercing equipment, and their training and knowledge of HCV. Environmental swabs were collected and tested for HCV RNA. Results: BPPs at 35 establishments were recruited. A total of 31 BPPs had training as a BPP, ranging from 1 hour to 6 years (median: 15 days). Reprocessing of equipment was variable; 8 establishments inadequately reprocessed piercing guns and 4 inadequately reprocessed forceps or guiding equipment. All BPPs were aware of HCV but many did not know how the virus was transmitted. A total of 19 BPPs performed extra cleaning after piercing a customer known to be HCV positive. No environmental swabs tested were positive for HCV RNA. Conclusions: This study showed that many BPPs had inadequate training, and lacked knowledge and understanding of HCV transmission, infection control, and universal precautions. To reduce the risk of HCV transmission, BPPs should be required to undergo formal training in infection control before being registered as BPPs. (Am J Infect Control 2003;31:215-20.)

Tattoos and body piercings as indicators of adolescent risk-taking behaviors.

This study assessed tattoos and body piercings as markers of risk-taking behaviors in adolescents. A 58-question survey, based on the 1997 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior Survey, was offered to all adolescent beneficiaries that came to the Adolescent Clinic. The survey contained standard Youth Risk Behavior Survey questions that inquire about eating behavior, violence, drug abuse, sexual behavior, and suicide. Questions about tattoos and body piercings were added for the purposes of this study. Participants with tattoos and/or body piercings were more likely to have engaged in risk-taking behaviors and at greater degrees of involvement than those without either. These included disordered eating behavior, gateway drug use, hard drug use, sexual activity, and suicide. Violence was associated with males having tattoos and with females having body piercings. Gateway drug use was associated with younger age of both tattooing and body piercing. Hard drug use was associated with number of body piercings. Suicide was associated with females having tattoos and younger age of both tattooing and body piercing. Tattoos and body piercings were found to be more common in females than males. Tattoos and/or body piercings can alert practitioners to the possibility of other risk-taking behaviors in adolescents, leading to preventive measures, including counseling. Tattoo and body piercing discovery should be an important part of a health maintenance visit to best direct adolescent medical care.

Infectious complications of body piercing.

Body piercing appears to be gaining in popularity and social acceptance. With the increase in the number of piercings, it is likely that health care providers may see an increase in the complications resulting from these piercings. These may include the transmission of hepatitis viruses and bacteria at the time of the piercing or in the course of wound care. We review the infectious complications that have resulted from body piercing and have been documented in the medical literature.

𝑘-partitions and a characterization for compact unions of 𝑘 starshaped sets

For natural numbers k k and j j , define σ ( 1 , j ) = j + 2 , σ ( 2 , 1 ) = 6 \sigma \left ( {1,j} \right ) = j + 2,\;\sigma \left ( {2,1} \right ) = 6 , and σ ( k , j ) = k 2 j + 1 \sigma \left ( {k,j} \right ) = {k^2}j + 1 otherwise. The set S S in R d {R^d} has property A ( k ) A\left ( k \right ) if and only if S S is a finite union of one-dimensional convex sets and for every σ ( k , 1 ) \sigma \left ( {k,1} \right ) -member subset F F of S S there correspond points c 1 , … , c k {c_1}, \ldots ,{c_k} (depending on F F ) such that each point of F F sees via S S some c i , 1 ⩽ i ⩽ k {c_i},1 \leqslant i \leqslant k . The following results are established. (1) Let k k and j j be fixed natural numbers, and let L \mathcal {L} be a collection of sets such that every j + 1 j + 1 members meet in at most one point. Then L \mathcal {L} has a k k -partition L 1 , … , L k {\mathcal {L}_1}, \ldots ,{\mathcal {L}_k} with ∩ { L : L in L i } ≠ ∅ \cap \left \{ {L:L\;{\text {in}}\;{\mathcal {L}_i}} \right \} \ne \emptyset if and only if every σ ( k , j ) \sigma \left ( {k,j} \right ) or fewer members of L \mathcal {L} have such a k k -partition. (2) Let S S be compact in R d {R^d} . The set S S is a union of k k starshaped sets if and only if there is a sequence of compact sets { S i } \left \{ {{S_i}} \right \} converging to S S (relative to the Hausdorff metric) such that each set S i {S_i} satisfies property A ( k ) A\left ( k \right ) . The first result yields a piercing number for certain families of sets, while the second provides a characterization for compact unions of k k starshaped sets in R d {R^d} .

トマトを加害する吸収性夜蛾の生態と防除

Records of observations on the behaviour of fruit-piercing moths in tomato field were taken during August and September of 1963 in Shimabara, Nagasaki Prefecture.14 species of moths were found to feed on tomato juice by piercing fruit skin. The most injurious species were Oreasia excavata BUTLER and O. emarginata FABRICIOUS.Females composed chiefly the sucking individuals. In some fields more than 40 per cent of the fruits were found damaged by the sucking moths. It was estimated that one sucking moth can damage on the average 2 tomato fruits for night of feeding. The number of piercings for fruit ranged from 1 to 8.The damage from the moth was reduced effectively by covering the tomato fruits with vinyl nets of 7 mm mesh.