Everything you need to know about ear, facial, and body piercings--from how to find a qualified professional piercer and choose appropriate jewelry, to proper care and maintenance of your piercing.

Piercing expert Elayne Angel has performed over 50,000 piercings since the 1980s and has pioneered many placements, including tongue piercing and the triangle, lorum, and other genital piercings. Her authoritative and groundbreaking guidebook has been the definitive resource on body piercing since its publication in 2009.

Many people are unaware of the elevated risks of getting pierced at a mall kiosk, by an untrained tattoo artist, or by a novice piercer; a skilled professional is necessary for safety and optimal results, whether piercing the ear, nose, or elsewhere. This is the only comprehensive reference book available to help readers navigate the entire piercing process, including:
  •  The best piercings and placements for various body parts and body types
  •  Terminology, techniques, and tools of the trade
  •  Vital sterility, sanitation, and hygiene information
  •  Jewelry designs, sizes, materials, and quality
  •  Piercing aftercare and troubleshooting advice for successful healing
  •  How to become a piercer, piercing in modern culture, and the future of body piercing

The Piercing Bible, Revised and Expanded, includes essential medical and technical updates, as well as refreshed illustrations and jewelry photography, to reflect today's standards and best practices for safe, professional piercing.

Elayne Angel has been an innovator and advocate of safe piercing for more than thirty years. She is a contributing writer for PAIN Magazine, and performs online consultations for anyone with piercing problems or questions. Angel is a proud member of the Association of Professional Piercers and has been honored with their President's Lifetime Achievement Award. She lives in Mérida, Mexico.