1) Most commonly done at 14g (1.6mm) or 16g (1.2mm), 16g is more typically performed on women due to the more "petite" appearance of it.
2) Labret piercings usually heal in approximately 2 to 3 months.
PRODUCTS YOU CAN USE: Saline solution! Saline is the key to a quick healing – it balances piercings so you can heal faster! The easiest and most accurate way to acquire saline is in the form of SALINE SOLUTION FOR CONTACT LENSES. Preferably, the sterile type in a pressurized can with no preservatives (Most preservative free saline solutions will say “For Sensitive Eyes”, but read the label to make sure!). Do not use contact cleaning solutions or soaking/enzyme solutions.
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR PIERCING:
Saline Soak: Heat a small amount of saline in a small clean plastic cup in the microwave. Place this solution in a position that will soak the piercing. For instance, hold the cup over your navel or nipple and lie back or use cotton balls, gauze, or a clean paper towel for hard to get piercings. Leave the warm saline solution there until it is cold, then rinse the piercing with fresh saline solution. Do this AT LEAST once per day.
Saline Rinse: Soften any “crusties” on the jewelry and the surrounding skin without turning the jewelry (soaking does a tremendous job – see above). Gently clean any lymph (crusties) away from the piercing using a clean Q-tip and additional saline without turning the jewelry. Do this a few times a day, when activity may cause the ring to turn (exercise, etc.), and anytime the jewelry feels “sticky” or uncomfortable until your piercing is healed.
NEVER move the jewelry back and forth through the piercing – it does way more harm than good.
Labret piercings require special care. Care for the external part of lip is stated above. Below is the recommended care for the oral part.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED: 1. Biotene® or sea salt (non-iodized) to rinse your mouth. 2. Ice for tongue piercings (it may help a little for lips too).
WHAT TO DO: Rinse your mouth with Biotene® or sea salt (1/4 tsp. Per cup of water) after you eat or drink, but primarily after meals, for the first 4 to 6 weeks.
If your piercing is sore and/or swollen, some Alive® (naproxen sodium) or Advil® (ibuprofen) may help – please only use over-the-counter drugs according to their instructions and with your physician’s approval. Rinse the piercing with saline to keep it balanced and help heal faster. Do not play with it! If you leave them alone, they will heal fast. Alternate sides if you have fishtail labret jewelry for at least a couple hours every day (or at night while sleeping) to prevent the inside lip tissue from “growing” to one side. Avoid hot and spicy food and hot drinks which will scald or increase swelling. Yogurt, bread, beer, and wine will not harm your tongue piercing, though the latter two may cause you to become drunk. NO KISSING OR SEXUAL CONTACT until it is completely healed. Keep in mind your piercing is an opening to your blood stream.
3) bmezine.com
4) yellowpages.com then cross reference with word of mouth. Call them, visit them bug the crap out of them just make sure they have a good rep and are very clean.
Tips on finding the right place--
Ask people where they got tattooed, this is especially helpful if you really like the work you see.
At the tattoo shops ask to see photographs of the artist's work, most often, the pictures will have been taken right after the work was completed, so redness and swelling are common.
Make sure the front shop is neat and clean, this is usually a pretty good indication of how clean the rest of the shop is.
Ask questions about the shops safety procedures. Example: "What is your shop doing to ensure my health and well-being?" The personnel should be more than willing and able to answer you questions.
All equipment should be single service, this means that each needle and tube set is individually packaged, dated, sealed and autoclaved.
The artist should be wearing gloves at all times and if broke they should change their gloves immediately. This protects both you and the artist from any bloodborne pathogens that may be present.
An autoclave is the only acceptable means of equipment sterilization in the tattoo shop. It is a machine that uses a combination of heat, steam and pressure to kill all microorganisms known to man. If the shop does not use an autoclave, do not get tattooed/peirced there.
