It was only about twenty years ago that when a guy got his ear pierced, it was still somewhat "counter-culture."  Then Ed Bradley wore an earring on "60 Minutes" and bodies were being punched so full of holes you thought vital organs were going to slip out.

After years of people trying to out-do one another with needles, the scientists have had enough time to study the trends, and the outcomes.

The New York Times is reporting on a new study that says a full quarter of all piercings involving something other than the ear are now leading to complications such as infections, swelling and bleeding.  The study goes on to say about one in every one hundred (likely including at least on of the ones in the guy pictured above!) is putting putting someone in the hospital!

Of course the study was done in Britain, and they still haven't figured out dentistry, so who knows?