Ok, for those of you that don't know, I am a Professional Body Piercer. I started my career in Michigan, now I reside in California. Only 6 months ago did I bring my craft to Bakersfield. Body Art Laws and Regulations are stricter in the county of Michigan where I'm from and where I worked. (Compared to Kern Co.)

I have been Piercing Professionally for 4 Solid Years. After an intensive apprenticeship under the hands of Rich Fisher of Division Tattoo, I felt it was necessary to continue my education. I then contacted Steve Haworth to attended his "Surface to Surface" seminar. Now adding that to my repituar, I still felt like I needed more. I then found interest in the Association of Professional Piercers (APP). Through the APP I was able to attended a dozen Industry related classes that would only help improve my skills and ethics as a professional. I attended such classes like, Aftercare, Jewelry 1, Jewelry 2, Freehand vs Forceps, Business Management, Studio Set-Up, Oral Anatomy, Body/Facial Anatomy, Aseptic Technique, Medical Risk Assessment, & Origins of Suspension.
Also, I felt it was important as a professional to have certifications in Adult/Child CPR, Standard First Aid, and Bloodborne Pathogens training. These are not required, but I feel beneficial for all artists in our Industry. These are classes that need to be updated annually.
For all classes and seminars I have listed, I have dated certifications.

Now through my years of experience and the influences of other Professionals I had the pleasure of working with, I have developed my own "Protocol" for each individual piercing. Though it is not required, I do use a lot more sterile equipment (than other Piercers) during each and every procedure. Everything involved in every procedure is sterilized to help ensure the safety of my clients. Such as all gauze or disposable towels, cotton swabs, and even Sterile Gloves. Plus, a single use sterilized needle. And as always all tools and jewelry involved are sterilized properly.

Now, it has came to my attention that some other "So Called" Professionals here in Bakersfield don't agree with my practices. They feel I offer to much when it comes to safety. That my practices are to much like an actual Medical Procedure. Included here is the Email...
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Titled: fuck you...........

acting like a md vs being a piercer
Body: when you go to the md and get a check up, the md does certion thing to with different procedure, such as:
1) sterile enviroment is a area in which only a sterile gloves can touch and if you mess up the field has to be thrown away and start over again.
2) when a md does surgrey he wares a mask and different other procedure that demand his saftey to others and himself.

now lets talk about piercers....................................
piercers have an amazing job, they get to poke holes into your body and we as the customer get to put cool ass things into to them.
so when you are getting pierced the piecer must wear glove and have his needles sterile, not a field people just the needle and jewelry and clamps an anything else that is medal. if your piercer is dressing up to be a md then you might think is it halloween or is he/she on psych drugs and live in a fantasy.

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Yes, this is an actual email sent to me and written about my practices. And yes, I do work off of a sterile field. To me, I feel it is important for every initial procedure. Yes I also use sterile equipment that isn't made out of metal. Why not? Like I stated before, all equipment involved is sterilized. Not that it is required, but I feel it can only ensure the safety and quality of every procedure. Sometimes I do wear a mask, poly sleeves, and even a disposable apron or gown. These are just tools to help protect me.

Why my practices would be questioned for ensuring "TO MUCH" safety really bothers me. Someone actually feels you (The Consumer) aren't worth taking extra steps for when it comes to your safety. Why, because of the extra costs? Or maybe that it takes up to much time in the procedure. It's only your health at risk, Right? I try to offer my clients the BEST AVAILABLE when it comes to anything evolved in your Piercing. So if you feel I offer to much when it comes to your safety, please give me the chance to prove otherwise. Because I do feel it is important to practice any steps that can only help ensure your Health & Safety.

Please Remember, Piercings are for Adults not children!

Thank You for reading.....

Anthony "Meatloaf" Benavides
www.myspace.com/meatloafthepiercer
www.myspace.com/bodmodbakersfield