very well said.  lots of intresting info too.

Read back through here for more info, but the usual warning signs are redness, soreness, etc.
The chances of dermal anchors rejecting are much, much, lower than surface bars. As long as you take care of them, everything should be fine with dermal anchors. :D

i could do with a bit of advice...
i had a surface piercing on my arm the start of this year, it got bruised, but didnt really hurt but i kept knocking it, and one night i hit it and bled. profusely. and wouldnt stop for ages. after a while it did and just stayed bruised.
but anyway with much deliberation and pushing by my ex, i took it out, and it healed up
then about two months ago, same time i got my septum pierced, i had it done again, and its fine. but still a little bruised from when i had it done last time

thing is
i get the occasional bit of blood, and it goes hard to move the bar, it happens rarely though, but i was wondering if its still ok?
itdoesnt hurt until it goes funny

heeeeeelp!

the bruising has gone down now, but i get the odd day when i can see it
last time i had a staple in it, but now i have a PTFE bar in so it doesnt catch as much, and feels a lot better

Hello all!  It has been very interesting to read all of the posts on here.  However, I do have to disagree with some of the comments on here.  I trained as a piercer 2 years ago by somebody who was very experienced with surface piercings and taught me his techniques.  As a result of this, I always use 1.6mm staples (surface bars) and recognise the stupidity of barbells or banana bars for this purpose.  However, I DO use a needle and usually clamps as well.  I have found this to be an effective method.  Placement is of course an extremely important issue.  I hope to learn to do microdermals soon as I do feel that these really are the way to go.  I don't want to be responsible for scarring people up, but, as has been pointed out, a release form is signed as there is nothing the piercer can do to aid the healing process once the customer has left the studio.  I do resent being told that I don't know what I am doing because I don't do dermal punches.  I DO know what I am doing and have been well trained.  I would not begin to do any piercing of which I was unsure as it would be unfair of me to practice on the paying public!  There is more than one way to skin a cat, as the proverb goes.  We can all learn from each other and employ the techniques that work for each of us, but we will never all do things the same way.  As long as the jewellery and the placement is good then there is a good chance of success.