Body piercings are the current rage. The chest is one of the body parts which can be pierced and decorated with attractive jewelry. If you are planning to get a piercing done, you need to collect all the basic information related to it. Following is an account which tells you how a surface chest piercing is done and how you can care for it. Piercing Procedure There are two methods to do chest piercing. The first method involves a simple barbell piercing which travels under the skin layer between the skin and muscle layer. The second method is a process called dermal anchoring where the jewelry or a dermal anchor is placed in a hole made into the skin layer down to the muscle layer. This jewelry has a metal foot whose function is to get anchored into the skin. Thus, both microdermal and dermal chest piercing are possible. In both the methods, there is more or less a standard method which is followed. It begins with cleaning the area on the chest where you wish to have the piercing. Cleaning is done with a commercial cleansing agent containing alcohol. The piercing professional may also make use of 70% alcohol solution as it acts as a sterilizing agent. If required, the hair present on that particular area of the chest may be removed. The exact location of the piercings are marked with a surgical pen. A surgical needle is taken and sterilized with 70% alcohol. It is then inserted into one of the markings and brought out through the other. Immediately, the jewelry, which you want to wear there, is inserted through the piercings. Alternatively, the jewelry may be attached with its anchor to the inserting needle and directly made to go inside and get anchored along with the needle. Aftercare Alike all other body piercings, deep chest piercings are prone to a few risks, and thus needs good after care. It remains red, swollen, and tender in the first couple of weeks. You need to take care of it on a daily basis at least till the wound heals properly. If left unclean, it may get infected. Do not touch it unnecessarily, surely not with unwashed fingers. Always wash your hands with a good quality antiseptic soap before touching the piercing and the area surrounding it. Wash it once with a solution of common salt and water. To make this solution, take a cup of water and add a teaspoon of common salt, preferably non-iodized. Mix the ingredients well to make a solution. Take a cotton ball, dip it into this solution and bring it out. Put the cotton ball over the piercing, squeeze it to drop the solution on it. Repeat these steps till the piercing is wet thoroughly. Allow it to air dry. Salt water cleanses the piercing, and prevents it from infection causing bacteria. Do not over clean the piercing as it may hinder its healing and give rise to a new set of problems. One important thing that you can do to speed up the process of healing of piercing is to follow a healthy diet. Intake of all the necessary vitamins and minerals in appropriate amounts will boost the functioning of the immune system of your body. In case of any complications like severe pain, inflammation, presence of pus, you need to go to a doctor for necessary medical assistance. You may or may not have to take out the jewelry to resolve the negative effects of body piercings. It depends upon the seriousness of the problem. However, if all seems well with the chest piercing, you would enjoy the appreciation and attention it brings to you.