-- Posted by iamironman at 1:06 pm on July 10, 2009 I am a fan of body modification. I currently have 4 piercings(had 7 earlier today, took3 VERY lopsided ones out). I have 3 tattoos, and a few more planned. Anyway. After I stretched my lobes to a 4 gauge today, I started thinking. I want a future career in politics. What will happen with the piercings? The tattoos are easy to cover(None in areas that would be visible with long shirt and pants), but what about my pierings? Sure, one of them I can take out with ease. But I have one that is at 8g, and 2 that are at 4. What about those? If I take those out I they will still be noticeable. I really really like my piercings, and want to keep them. But what will happen later on? Politics is something I am passionate about, and that career won't look too kindly on big ear holes. What the fuck do I do? -- Posted by Cum Goblin at 1:07 pm on July 10, 2009 Lol. you won't be a politician with that shit -- Posted by iamironman at 1:07 pm on July 10, 2009 Quote: from Cum Goblin at 4:07 pm on July 10, 2009 Lol. you won't be a politician with that shit I don't want to be a politician. Just a career in the political field. -- Posted by sieeeeerra at 1:07 pm on July 10, 2009 Say you got in a fight with a man who cut open your ears. -- Posted by White Fate at 1:08 pm on July 10, 2009 What the fuck do I do? Stop doing shit to your body then? -- Posted by SnowWhiteButIDrifted at 1:08 pm on July 10, 2009 I'm sure you can get plastic surgery to fix it if a career in politics means that much to you. -- Posted by GEEraffBby at 1:08 pm on July 10, 2009 Well, if it's something you're really passionate about I suggest you find someway to let them get back down to like a 14 or smaller. That's sad though D: OR you could get skin tone plugs, or put band-aids over them. -- Posted by ViLE at 1:08 pm on July 10, 2009 I LOVE body art, and i think it's a part of you u should admire regardless of what society thinks! -- Posted by Areola at 1:08 pm on July 10, 2009 This is why you have to think about these things ahead of time. Gauging is never a good idea because it's hard to find respectable jobs. You seem to be screwed, tbh. -- Posted by Periwinkle at 1:08 pm on July 10, 2009 You choose, I guess. -- Posted by Placebo Effect at 1:09 pm on July 10, 2009 Take em out. -- Posted by w04hs3xy at 1:10 pm on July 10, 2009 with gauges, as long qas you dont go past 00 they will go back to normal. -- Posted by major at 1:10 pm on July 10, 2009 you can have ear repair surgery -- Posted by Monroe at 1:10 pm on July 10, 2009 Well, which would give you more joy and happiness..Piercings or a career in politics? Everyone knows professional people who make appearances in public and could possibly be in the media don't have piercings or things that make them look unique. Also, say you and someone else are going head to head for a job? Chances are...The most professional looking one would get the job. If your piercings make you happy, and you're willing to maybe sacrifice your future career for them, go for it! But really think about which one would be better for you in the long run? -- Posted by Monroe at 1:11 pm on July 10, 2009 Quote: from major at 3:10 pm on July 10, 2009 you can have ear repair surgery This! I've had a friend that did this. It can be a bit costly, but...It's a possibility. Best of luck! -- Posted by MindArtist at 1:11 pm on July 10, 2009 Well first of all you'd have to work REALLY hard!!! second of all sadly the peircings and tattoos will have to go. BTW if you ever do become an actual politician, please keep in mind not to fuck up the world more than it already is -- Posted by shadowpool at 1:12 pm on July 10, 2009 As our generation grows up, this sort of thing will be more accepted.  I think you might be alright. -- Posted by Disposition at 1:13 pm on July 10, 2009 Quote: from Katx at 4:08 pm on July 10, 2009 You seem to be screwed, tbh. He's not *screwed*, c'mon now. I'd talk to some people about it in the field of politics. If they think it would be a problem, you might have to sew them up. -- Posted by Areola at 1:15 pm on July 10, 2009 Quote: from Disposition at 4:13 pm on July 10, 2009 Quote: from Katx at 4:08 pm on July 10, 2009 You seem to be screwed, tbh. He's not *screwed*, c'mon now. I'd talk to some people about it in the field of politics. If they think it would be a problem, you might have to sew them up. Unless he takes them out and lets them go back to their normal size, he is. And he seems passionate about his piercings which makes me believe he won't do that so yes, in that case, he would be screwed. -- Posted by The Phantom at 1:17 pm on July 10, 2009 grow your hair long so it covers your ears? -- Posted by Disposition at 1:19 pm on July 10, 2009 Quote: from Katx at 4:15 pm on July 10, 2009 Quote: from Disposition at 4:13 pm on July 10, 2009 Quote: from Katx at 4:08 pm on July 10, 2009 You seem to be screwed, tbh.    He's not *screwed*, c'mon now.    I'd talk to some people about it in the field of politics. If they think it would be a problem, you might have to sew them up. Unless he takes them out and lets them go back to their normal size, he is. And he seems passionate about his piercings which makes me believe he won't do that so yes, in that case, he would be screwed. I simply said that because there was a solution to his problem. You don't have to be so defensive about it.   -- Posted by Gaelle at 1:20 pm on July 10, 2009 Maybe the world will change and we'll take people with "modified" bodies seriously. Or you'll have to figure out a way to close those back up. -- Posted by Areola at 1:22 pm on July 10, 2009 Quote: from Disposition at 4:19 pm on July 10, 2009 Quote: from Katx at 4:15 pm on July 10, 2009 Quote: from Disposition at 4:13 pm on July 10, 2009 Quote: from Katx at 4:08 pm on July 10, 2009 You seem to be screwed, tbh.   He's not *screwed*, c'mon now.   I'd talk to some people about it in the field of politics. If they think it would be a problem, you might have to sew them up.    Unless he takes them out and lets them go back to their normal size, he is.    And he seems passionate about his piercings which makes me believe he won't do that so yes, in that case, he would be screwed. I simply said that because there was a solution to his problem. You don't have to be so defensive about it. Being defensive on this site is second nature. But I apologize for being rude. -- Posted by iamironman at 1:24 pm on July 10, 2009 Quote: from Katx at 4:08 pm on July 10, 2009 Gauging is never a good idea because it's hard to find respectable jobs. . Stretching, not gauging. A gauge in an increment of measurement, not a verb. Quote: from w04hs3xy at 4:10 pm on July 10, 2009 as long qas you dont go past 00 they will go back to normal. *facepalm* That is not true. First off, everyone's body is different, and second off, you're a dumbass. Quote: from MindArtist at 4:11 pm on July 10, 2009 the peircings and tattoos will have to go. The tattoos are fine, they are easily covered. -- Posted by Disposition at 1:26 pm on July 10, 2009 Quote: from Katx at 4:22 pm on July 10, 2009 Quote: from Disposition at 4:19 pm on July 10, 2009 Quote: from Katx at 4:15 pm on July 10, 2009 Quote: from Disposition at 4:13 pm on July 10, 2009 Quote: from Katx at 4:08 pm on July 10, 2009 You seem to be screwed, tbh.       He's not *screwed*, c'mon now.       I'd talk to some people about it in the field of politics. If they think it would be a problem, you might have to sew them up.   Unless he takes them out and lets them go back to their normal size, he is.   And he seems passionate about his piercings which makes me believe he won't do that so yes, in that case, he would be screwed.    I simply said that because there was a solution to his problem. You don't have to be so defensive about it.   Being defensive on this site is second nature.   But I apologize for being rude. Okay :] -- Posted by JTHM at 1:34 pm on July 10, 2009 Silicone earskins are great for hiding piercings, so long as you maintain them well and find a color close to your skin tone. There are all manners of hider plugs available, so if you're unwilling to remove any of your larger gauge piercings, the hider plugs remain a possibility. BodyArtForms.com sells great body jewelry, all of high quality, so it's worth looking into. (example: http://www.bodyartforms.com/productdetails.asp?jewelry=retainer&ProductID=2705&index=12) I have my second lobe piercings stretched up to 4g now and as far as hiding the piercings has gone, clear earskins have worked pretty well. It's clear that there is a piercing, but the gauge is relatively small, and can be masked with the proper jewelry. BAF also sells great glass/steel retainers, so if you're concerned about other piercings, the possibility also exists there (http://bodyartforms.com/products.asp?jewelry=retainer). (edit: typo.) -- Posted by iamironman at 1:41 pm on July 10, 2009 Quote: from JTHM at 4:34 pm on July 10, 2009 Silicone earskins are great for hiding piercings, so long as you maintain them well and find a color close to your skin tone. There are all manners of hider plugs available, so if you're unwilling to remove any of your larger gauge piercings, the hider plugs remain a possibility. BodyArtForms.com sells great body jewelry, all of high quality, so it's worth looking into. (example: http://www.bodyartforms.com/productdetails.asp?jewelry=retainer&ProductID=2705&index=12) I have my second lobe piercings stretched up to 4g now and as far as hiding the piercings has gone, clear earskins have worked pretty well. It's clear that there is a piercing, but the gauge is relatively small, and can be masked with the proper jewelry. BAF also sells great glass/steel retainers, so if you're concerned about other piercings, the possibility also exists there (http://bodyartforms.com/products.asp?jewelry=retainer). (edit: typo.) On most of those it's really easy to tell. -- Posted by JTHM at 1:58 pm on July 10, 2009 Quote: from iamironman at 4:41 pm on July 10, 2009 Quote: from JTHM at 4:34 pm on July 10, 2009 Silicone earskins are great for hiding piercings, so long as you maintain them well and find a color close to your skin tone. There are all manners of hider plugs available, so if you're unwilling to remove any of your larger gauge piercings, the hider plugs remain a possibility. BodyArtForms.com sells great body jewelry, all of high quality, so it's worth looking into. (example: http://www.bodyartforms.com/productdetails.asp?jewelry=retainer&ProductID=2705&index=12)    I have my second lobe piercings stretched up to 4g now and as far as hiding the piercings has gone, clear earskins have worked pretty well. It's clear that there is a piercing, but the gauge is relatively small, and can be masked with the proper jewelry. BAF also sells great glass/steel retainers, so if you're concerned about other piercings, the possibility also exists there (http://bodyartforms.com/products.asp?jewelry=retainer).    (edit: typo.)   On most of those it's really easy to tell. It's just an option. Depending upon where you buy them, you may be able to be matched for a color, instead of just guessing from the website. So long as you're not going for a very public position within politics, it should not be too much of a problem. It will really depend upon what type of position you're looking at. I have friends who are heavily modded, to the point that nothing can really be hidden entirely, and they have positions high up in corporations, where no one has paid any mind to their modifications. Depending upon the type of office you're interested in, mods may or may not matter. I have piercings the same size as yours, and in my eyes at least, they really aren't that big. It's all a matter of perception, but it really isn't the dreaded 'point of no return.' All bodies respond differently, but if you were forced to remove your piercings, oil massages and increased general care could almost certainly shrink them to a smaller, less noticeable size. The types of retainers I mentioned above are merely an option. The best thing I could suggest is to wait and see how things pan out. If you're not  pursuing public office and you're not really in the public eye, I'm sure most would not pay much mind to your modifications. If you do find your modifications a problem, all that really remains is to pick the modifications or the profession. It sucks, but if it is what is you truly hope to excel in, some sacrifices may be necessary. :/ -- Posted by RachLeigh13 at 5:45 pm on July 10, 2009 Thats sort of what I'm worried about with my nose piercing, however, I can get a clear retainer and pretty much be set. It's a lot to think about with piercings and all.... I liked yours, but I understand how people "Freak out" over piercings. I think piercins are becoming more and more accepted, but we have this image of professionalism that we're supposed to uphold. Do what makes you happy, find a happy medium or compromise. :)