Piercings

Before I get to the BDSM question, I would like to take a little time to answer the one question I have gotten ad infinitum: “How did you come up with that BaadMaster name you use?”  Of times they insert a colorful descriptive into the question such as “lousy, awful, dumb, idiotic.”  I have heard them all, so it is time to explain the unexplainable.  Quickly stated, I moved to California at the beginning of the Internet-based BDSM world. As AOL chatrooms ruled the day (thus I still maintain, as an homage, my baadmaster@aol.com email addy), it seemed that every self described Dom’s handle was some variant of the following: GoodMaster, WiseMaster, GreatMaster, etc.  I, being a lifetime member of the Contrarians (there is no such organization), I did just the opposite – I chose BaadMaster. (I should have chosen Sir Osis!)  Over time the name became so integrated into the community, it was too late to change my baad name! And there you have it.  Now on to the regular part of our program.

Reader: When a guy gets an Apadravya piercing, or any of the “extreme” piercings, how does it affect urination? Do these piercings have other effects to be concerned about? Are these concerns the same for female piercings?

For starters, let’s explain what an Apadravya is. It is the generic name for piercings that increase the size of penis during intercourse, primarily to satisfy the partner. This would also include the Prince Albert.  Of course, when piercing the penis, there are more concerns than the run of the mill earlobe piercing.

So here is my advice: “Find a piercer whom you trust.”  Although this is great advice, it is easier said than done.  One of the things that concerns me about piercings is that the more popular they become, the harder it is to find a good piercer.  This sounds like an oxymoron; so let me explain.  A few brief years ago, before the current piercing rage, there was a network of people who could steer you to the best and — more often than not — the only good piercer in town.  Now, with a piercing/tattoo parlor on just about every street corner, how can you choose?  And with everybody pierced by a different piercer (the result of so many piercing venues), how can you choose a good one if you are new to this?

Unless you know of a piercer whose work you can verify by personal references, I recommend you select a member of the Association of Professional Piercers to do the piercing.  They have an awesome website (http://www.safepiercing.org ) which provides information and a list of approved, member piercers.   Piercing is not to be attempted by a beginner.  This group not only has professional criteria for their members, but they also have set minimum jewelry standards, too.  This is critical because piercings done with the wrong metals can contribute to infections or improper and/or unaesthetic healing.  Keep in mind, urination will only be a problem if your piercing is done improperly.

1. APP Minimum Jewelry Standards
2. Jewelry placed in new piercings must be made of one of the following metals:

• Surgical Implant Stainless Steel CrNMo 316L or 316LVM ASTM F-138 
• Surgical Implant Titanium Ti6A4V ELI ASTM F-136 
• Niobium (Nb)
• 14 karat or 18 karat solid white or yellow gold
• Metal must be free of nicks, scratches, burrs, and polishing compounds
• Must have internal tapping (no threads on posts) for 16 gauge and thicker.
• Must have rounded ends on rings.
• Threads 1.2 mm for 14 gauge and 12 gauge; .080 for 10 gauge.

3. When choosing a piercer, make sure he follows these standards with respect to the jewelry he uses for the piercings.  And, at least here in California, they cannot pierce you with your own jewelry.  They sterilize the jewelry they sell and shrink wrap it.  After it heals, if you want, you can swap out their jewelry for yours.
4. Danger of infection, hepatitis, and general aesthetic screw-ups are present whenever an amateur does the piercing.  I actually witnessed a nipple piercing at a garage at a play party.  The garage was pretty filthy.  Sure enough, the female submissive’s  nipples got infected and she had to remove her piercings.  In this case the she  was lucky because her nipples healed up perfectly.  But this is not always the case when infection occurs.  Infected piercings can scar, so sterility – both at the piercer’s studio and in aftercare – is of primary importance.  Insist on a general sense of professionalism and sterility in the piercer’s studio.  And remember,  in this covid world (I guess I had to mention it one more time!), sterility is next to Godliness.  If the piercer’s shop looks like Borat and his animals slept there, leave and find another place.
5. One other common problem is a general sense of frustration with the time it takes for the more exotic piercings to heal.  You cannot believe how many people get impatient with their piercings while they are healing.  Nipples can sometimes take up to six months to heal; a Prince Albert can take even longer if you are a slow healer and play with yourself a lot!  
6. As with so many BDSM activities, take your time and do it right.

After a ten year run as head writer for the legendary bondage.com, and an equally long run as the host of the hit internet show “Baadmaster’s Dungeon,” we are pleased to welcome the one and only Baadmaster to KinkWeekly. His thoughts about all things BDSM will now appear regularly on these pages. From the mental aspects of D/s to the nuts and bolts of S&M play, Baadmaster will cover every facet of this ever expanding lifestyle.