"To some, piercing is just another accessory; to others, it's the beginning of a new life."-Dennis Sullivan, Certified Body Piercer, Spokane, Washington

Body piercing has become more commonplace in today's society. It can be artistic and expressive and a reflection of your personality. But there is more to piercing than shoving a needle through the skin. In The Art of Body Piercing, author Genia Gaffaney provides a thorough guide to getting a body piercing and follows the procedure step-by-step to ensure a successful experience.

In this guide, Gaffaney, a certified body piercer since 2000 and business owner since 1993, answers a host of questions related to the body-piercing process-before, during, and after:

How do you select a body-piercing shop?
What is the appropriate age at which to get a piercing?
What type of jewelry should you choose?
How should you clean body jewelry?
How should you change body jewelry?
What should you know about genital piercing?
How can you avoid infection?
Should you get more than one piercing in the same area?

With charts and photos, The Art of Body Piercing details a host of practical information to let you express yourself through piercings and body jewelry.