Continuing Education

Brian W Skellie bio: https://brnskll.com/about/

Short bio:

Piercer/Founder — Piercing Experience est. 1992 piercing.org, brnskll.com, and statim.us

Joined APP 1996, served on the board 1997-99, as International Liaison 2010-13, as President 2014-2016, Medical Liaison 2017-2020, Vice President 2020-2023, now serving as CIO.

Brian celebrates over three decades of sharing his body art expertise with his clients, colleagues and friends. He specializes in body piercing, safety standards, sterilization and infection control and prevention, and is an authorized dealer for the SciCan family of products. He offers expert mentorship and education for Body Art Professionals. As a long time member of ASTM International and the Association of Professional Piercers, he collaborates in the development, interpretation and publication of evidence based standards for continual improvement in the field.

 2024 Events

23 to 25 February – Seminarios de Body Piercing Canarias (Spain)
3 and 4 March – The Wee Scottish Expo Edinburgh (Scotland)
17 March – Piercer trade show Manchester (UK)
10 to 12 May – FRAPPE Bordeaux (France)
17 to 19 May – Meeting APPE Madrid (Spain)
24 to 26 May – APP-BR São Paulo (Brasil)
23 to 28 June – APP Las Vegas (USA)
8 to 12 July – RUAPP (LENINGRAD REGION Russia)
14 to 16 July – CEP Valencia (Spain)
1 to 4 August – BMXnet Berlin (Germany)
18 to 22 August – GEP São Paulo (Brasil)
7 and 8 September – APPBenelux Eindhoven (Netherlands)
15 to 17 September – APPUK Nottingham (UK)
20 to 22 September – PPP Conference Gda?sk (Poland)
?? October – Trade Show Dublin (UK)
8 to 12 October – APP Camp (Atlanta)
21 to 23 October – AUPP Melbourne (Australia)
?? – 9 Congreso LBP (Mexico)
6 to 9 November – 2 Meeting APP-PT Faro (Portugal)

Available presentations and workshops:

A rising tide lifts all boats

class description: This class will be all about the importance of organization with APP as an example, and about how we bring everyone up.

This presentation will also provide you with an understanding of the materials we use for initial piercings and why standards matter.

slides / support information

Asepsis : Theory and Practice for Piercers

120 minutes / English

class description:

This class is to show an effective use of aseptic technique while performing body piercings, and demonstrate how to improve safety, control, and accuracy.

Very commonly as body piercers we use stands and trays to place our tools on for our procedures; if the piercer is not trained to pay acute attention, this can easily lead to cross contamination during piercing procedures.

The focal point of this presentation is to show achievable practices including sterile gloves and or Aseptic Non Touch Technique that should reduce infection and disease risk with the philosophy of parsimony for simple and graceful solutions.

slides / support information

Needles : The Cutting Edge

Needles : The Cutting Edge

90 minutes / English (Long form or short form which may be combined with Asepsis)

class description:

How to make needles work for optimal accuracy using bevel geometry and shaping techniques.

In this class, you will find piercers that have pushed a haystack worth of needles, who will demonstrate how to use the needle’s cutting edge to improve safety, control, and accuracy.

We will discuss how the cutting surfaces can be manipulated simply to determine the way jewelry will rest in piercings.

Straight piercing can result in a variety of angles depending on the plastic nature of the tissue and the approach to penetration and exit.

I’m pleased to have first given this class on needle control, together with my esteemed colleague Luis Garcia, at the 2014 annual APP conference in Las Vegas. We have both gotten positive feedback from our previous courses in response to our methods of working with controlling the needle bevel and wound shaping to get optimally angled results for different kinds of piercings.

Brian

I proposed this subject to make these techniques simple and easy to understand, and I believe they will be helpful for everyone. In particular, experienced piercers who are looking for new perspectives, those still finding they could be more precise with certain placements like the septum or multiple helix, and newer piercers could benefit from the practical examples of how we use the cutting form of the needle for accuracy.

We’ll also discuss theory behind needle designs and what we recognize as important to getting from point A to point B with precision while minimizing trauma.

I think you’ll find this class engaging and useful in your daily practice.

slides / support information

Needle Blanks : Tips and Tricks ( by: Ruben Triguero & Brian Skellie)

90 minutes / English

class description: What is a needle blank? The use of needle blanks in disposable piercing technique, how to make single use instruments with them.

slides / support information

Skin Preparation and Draping

90 minutes / English

class description: This course covers the proper selection of skin prep chemicals and evaluates their applications for body piercing.

slides / support information

Available online at https://safepiercing.org/online-courses/

Safe, Accurate, Aseptic Piercing With Less Tools :

Freehand and Single Use Instruments (Long form)

120 minutes minimum/ English

class description:

Over the last three decades of piercing, Brian has developed conscientious techniques for a safe, simple and gentle piercing experience without the use of clamps.

The focus of this class is to introduce freehand piercing techniques to novice piercers as well as experienced piercers that want to learn methods without clamps. The class will focus on the safety and accuracy aspects of freehand piercing, and different hand positions most commonly used in this technique for alignment and management.
The workshop will cover demonstration of an adaptable freehand piercing system that integrates point of process sterilization [Statim 2000], anodization and sterile single-use disposable instruments [primarily blade needles].

slides (versions EN/FR/ES/PT/RU) / support information

Versatility of Techniques for Body Piercing

120 minutes minimum / English

class description: Hands on workshop discussing multiple alternative approaches to different piercing placements.

slides / support information

A Brief History of Sterilization

60 minutes / English, French, Spanish

class description:

Selected highlights regarding the international understanding and development of asepsis, antisepsis, disinfection, and sterilization over the centuries.

slides / support information

Sterilization With STATIM for Body Artists

120 minutes / English

class description:

This educational session will cover the proper use of a Statim autoclave for body art procedures, important work practices for a busy studio, and how to safely maintain these machines in your everyday operation, and answers to your questions.

This educational session will cover the proper use of a Statim autoclave for body art procedures, important work practices for a busy studio, and how to safely maintain these machines in your everyday operation, and answers to your questions.

Brian introduced these autoclaves to our industry in the 1990’s, and hundreds of professionals have come to work with them over the years. The Statim has fully validated fast sterilization cycles, which makes them ideal for sterilizing jewelry and all the items as needed for each piercing In this class we will explore how they should be handled in our daily routine.
If you have a Statim in your studio or you plan to invest in one, this will be a familiarizing perspective you won’t want to miss!

slides / support information

STATIM Autoclave Preventative Maintenance and Repair for Body Artists

STATIM Autoclave Preventative Maintenance and Repair for Body Artists

Statim care for the operator and maintenance tips and tricks.

class description / slides / support information

Sterilization for Immediate Use

Effective sterilization for jewelry and equipment for immediate use.

class description / slides / support information

Understanding Materials and Standards for Initial Body Jewelry

90 minutes / English

class description:

Making sense of the APP Minimum Standard for Jewelry for Initial Piercings. This presentation will provide you with an understanding of the materials we use for initial piercings and why standards matter.

slides / support information

Anodizing is Awesome! : Anodization for Titanium, Tantalum and Niobium Body Jewelry

90 minutes / English

class description:

Anodizing Class + Scientastic Demonstration!

Brian Skellie makes it easy for you to anodize your titanium and niobium body jewelry with detailed information and rationale, accompanied by live demonstration and step by step instructions. How can this surface finish process make a difference in your client’s healing results? How can you re-anodize for client jewelry if the color has worn off? These questions and more answered in this class.

Topics covered:

  • How and why to include anodization into your workflow for a cleaner and less reactive titanium surface finish
  • How to offer instant coloration / re-colorization for customers

slides / support information

Advanced Anodizing Techniques for Body Jewelry

Advanced Anodizing Techniques for Body Jewelry

class description: Advanced class is paid or free for those who purchased their anodizer from Brian, and includes membership to Brian’s training group.

About: A LIVE online one-on-one instructional course (Not a DVD) all about anodizing body jewelry.
Approximately two hours by Video conference or telephone.
*Includes membership to our private professional anodizing forum full of videos, photos and expert user advice.

Mission: Clean, safe, colorful jewelry

Expert Brian Skellie makes it easy for you to anodize your titanium and niobium body jewelry with detailed information and rationale, accompanied by live demonstration and step by step instructions. How can I consistently get higher voltage colors? How can this surface finish process make a difference in your client’s healing results? How can you re-anodize for client jewelry if the color has worn off? These questions and more answered in this class.

Topics covered:

  • + How and why to include anodization into your workflow for a cleaner and less reactive titanium surface finish
  • + Scientastic live demonstration!
  • + How to offer instant coloration / re-colorization for customers

General Information

  • Free for anodizer owners purchased through our sites.
  • Discounted for current anodizer owners and those who have already attended one of Brian’s Anodizing workshops
  • Membership to a private online anodization group included for further information and inspiration.
  • Detailed educational guide and color chart as a PDF download with class.

slides / support information

2023

Technique Workshop at Mu Body Arts in Dijon 26-28 November 2023

Nous avons le plaisir d’annoncer à nos collègues qu’une deuxième édition 2023 du séminaire “piercing aseptique & traumatique, techniques avancées” se tiendra avec Brian Skellie les 26, 27 & 28 novembre prochains !

3 jours / français

class description:

Au programme : utilisation et compréhension de la géométrie des aiguilles biseautées (dites “blades”), piercing atraumatique sans outils (dit “freehand”), optimisation des procédures, marquages et placements anatomiques, pratiques aseptiques et réduction des déchets, qualité des bijoux, matériaux et finitions, anodisation et aide à la migration vers les gammes les plus convoitées !

Sur trois jours, nous alternerons présentations, explications théoriques et démonstrations pratiques, questions/réponses, retours d’expériences et étude d’une diversité de situations, morphologies et interrogations auxquelles nous sommes confronté·e·s dans l’exercice de nos métiers.

Animé par Brian Skellie, ce séminaire permet d’apprendre directement de l’un des membres éminents de l’APP, avec une traduction en langue française simultanée. Se déroulant en petit comité, l’évènement permet de recevoir un coaching personnalisé. Enfin, c’est une occasion pour perceurs & perceuses de divers niveau d’expérience de se rencontrer, et de faire communauté !

Pour toute info complémentaire et réservation, prenez contact avec Veg Silencio. Comme d’habitude, les places sont limitées. Note : le séminaire est ouvert aux professionnel·le·s en exercice de tous niveaux d’expérience, mais ne constitue pas une formation initiale au piercing. 

Invitation / support information

APP-PT 1st – 4th November 2023

  • Needles : The Cutting Edge
  • A rising tide lifts all boats
  • Understanding Materials

AUPP 23rd – 25th October 2023

BMXnet 7th – 10th September 2023

UKAPP 24th – 26th September 2023

  • Asepsis – Theory and practice for piercers
  • Skin Prep and Draping
  • Sterilization for Immediate Use
  • Anodizing is Awesome!

APP —  25th  Annual APP Conference and Exposition at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas Sunday, June 11 – Friday, June 16

F.R.A.P.P.E. 26, 27 & 28 May 2023 Bordeaux


2022

UKAPP

BMXnet

APP 2022 — Sunday, June 12 – Friday, June 17

FRAPPE


2021

Coletivo Sala Solidaria Roundtable talk December 14th 2021

APP Core Essentials

LBP/CIPP

UKAPP

BMXnet

APA RITORNO ALLE ORIGINI


2020

September 27 — 29 UKAPP in Manchester, UK

July 5 — 10 APP in Las Vegas, USA

The 25th Annual APP Conference and Exposition

#APP2020 #APPconference2020 #APPsafepiercing #APP25

September 10 — 13 BMXnet in Essen, Germany


2019

Group photo from previous UKAPP event (I’m on the right with Madame President Nicole Holmes of the UKAPP and President Jef Saunders of the APP)

October 6 — 8 UKAPP in Manchester, UK

BMXnet 2019 banner

September 12 — 15 BMXnet in Essen, Germany

August 25 Technique seminar in Buenos Aires, Argentina with Laura VIK’T and Matias TAFEL

Brian Skellie at GEP 2019
Vejo você no Brasil!

August 18 — 22 GEP in Sao Paulo, Brasil

May 12 — 17 APP in Las Vegas, USA

The 24th Annual APP Conference and Exposition

#APP2019 #APPconference2019 #APPsafepiercing #APP24


2018

September 6 — 9 BMXnet in Essen, Germany

September 2 — 4 UKAPP in Manchester, UK

August 13 — 16 RuAPP in Moscow, Russia

July 15 — 20 APP in Las Vegas, USA

The 23nd Annual APP Conference and Exposition

#APP 2018 #APPconference2018 #APPsafepiercing

January 28—30 Technique Seminar at Mu in Dijon, France 


2017

November 25 — 26 YouModify in Milan, IT

YouModify banner

November 10— 11 Pro Piercers League Workshop in Joinville, BR

Pro Piercers League – Joinville 2017 Edition

I really want you to enjoy the coming of Brian Skellie, even though we are bringing to Brazil one of the most important names in the Body Piercing industry, my physical and virtual mentor who helped me and helped in various situations related to Body Piercing. And I have no doubt that your coming will help us and much in every way!

Excited and with great strength of will I am bringing to Brazil one of the most respected Professionals that has been working since 1992 and now

Those who really live this Body Piercing scene know that the name Brian Skellie crosses continents and his sympathy involves everyone around him, as well as being considered by the most experienced piercers a mind in favor of the industry.

Topics covered:

  • Responsibilities of Body Piercer (POP’s) with Ronaldo Sampaio
  • Understanding the Needle: Twists / Tips and Tricks
  • Security Standards
  • Anodizing What You Should Know
  • Bio Materials from the perspective of Brian Skellie

Duration 16 hours – Two consecutive days of a lot of information exchange

Ronaldo Sampaio

October 30 — November 3 LBP 5o Congresso in Santa Cruz TlaxcalaMexico

October 13 — 15 2017 BMXnet in Essen, DE

September 17 — 19 UKAPP in Birmingham, UK

August 13 — 15 Technique Seminar at Mu in Dijon, France 

June 11 — 16, 2017 APP Conference in Las Vegas, USA

APP_2017_Conf_web_Header_Large_1.2.jpg

Visit the event website. 22nd Annual Conference,
Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel and Casino

#APP2017 #APPconference2017 #APPsafepiercing

2016

LBP

BMXnet

UKAPP

July 24 — 29, 2016 APP Conference in Las Vegas, USA

Visit the event website. 21st Annual Conference,
Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel and Casino

#APP 2016 #APPconference2016 #APPsafepiercing


2015

November 2nd-6th, 2015 LBP Congreso in Metepec, Mexico

 3ER CONGRESO INTERNACIONAL LBP MEXICO 2015 2 AL 6 DE NOVIEMBRE ATLIXCO – METEPEC - PUEBLA
3ER CONGRESO INTERNACIONAL LBP MEXICO 2015 2 AL 6 DE NOVIEMBRE ATLIXCO – METEPEC – PUEBLA

September 29th – October 3rd, 2015 Camp APP in Rutledge GA, USA

Camp APP : Members' Retreat - September 29th - October 3rd, Hard Labor Creek State Park, Rutledge GA Who can come: Business Members and Business Members at Large
Camp APP : Members’ Retreat – September 29th – October 3rd, Hard Labor Creek State Park, Rutledge GA
Who can come: Business Members and Business Members at Large

September 2015 BMXnet in Essen, Germany

BMXnet - Next Conference 3rd-6th September 2015
BMXnet – Next Conference 3rd-6th September 2015

June 2015 APP Conference in Las Vegas, USA

Visit the event website. 20th Annual Conference June 7 — June 12, 2015, Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel and Casino

#APP2015 #APPconference2015 #APPsafepiercing

November 2014 Body Art Development workshops in Venice, Italy

Three Days of Inspiration! November 10th - 12th 2014 , MO.VE Hotel - Venezia Body Art Development in collaboration with WWTC Worldwide Tattoo Conference presents three days of classes and workshop about body piercing
Three Days of Inspiration!
November 10th – 12th 2014 , MO.VE Hotel – Venezia
Body Art Development in collaboration with WWTC Worldwide Tattoo Conference presents three days of classes and workshop about body piercing

November 2014 LBP 2da Anuale Congreso in Metepec, Mexico

2do Congreso Internacional de Perforadores Profesionales 2014 3 al 6 de Noviembre de 2014 Tenemos el placer de invitarlos a nuestro Segundo Congreso LBP el cual se realizara del 3 al 6 de Noviembre 2014 y estamos trabajando duro para lograr de este un evento memorable.
2do Congreso Internacional de Perforadores Profesionales 2014
3 al 6 de Noviembre de 2014
Tenemos el placer de invitarlos a nuestro Segundo Congreso LBP el cual se realizara del 3 al 6 de Noviembre 2014 y estamos trabajando duro para lograr de este un evento memorable.

October 2014 BMXnet in Essen, Germany

Focus of our work is consumer protection, information and helpdesk to the bodymodification industries customers and by that we try to do our part in public health and education for a better, cleaner and professional industry. Education and the availability of information has always improved different parts of our daily life and it is about time to do that to the whole spectrum of bodymodification. Our goal is that regulations are made with a sense of proportion and that the industry will be involved in this. To reach all that goals one of our main instruments is the yearly conference we do to bring bodymodification professionals (tattooists, piercers and so on) together to share, learn and get updated – also for us this is the basis of our work to gather and publish information to the public. Next to this main mission, we want to develope and maintain the cultural aspects of bodymodification. To bring ancient rites like suspension, Kavadi and so on to the modern aspects of sterile and hygienic approved procedures.
A yearly conference we do to bring bodymodification professionals (tattooists, piercers and so on) together to share, learn and get updated – also for us this is the basis of our work to gather and publish information to the public.
APP 19th Banner

June 2014 APP Conference in Las Vegas

Read or download the program for the 2014 APP conference & expo

  • Workshop sponsor for infection control and instrument processing
  • Anodizing is Awesome! (2h)Learn how to anodize Titanium and Niobium body jewelry.
  • Statim Maintenance Roundtable
  • International Affairs Roundtable
  • Versatility in Piercing Techniques  (Five workshops, 2h each with Ed ChavarriaDana Dinius & Chris G Glunt)
    An overview of all techniques used for body piercing.
  • Needles: the Cutting Edge (2h with Luis GarciaHow to make needles work for optimal accuracy using bevel geometry and shaping techniques.
  • Statim Maintenance and Troubleshooting: Round Table Discussion (1h)

October 2013 BMXnet in Essen, Germany

  • Workshop sponsor for infection control and instrument processing
  • Anodizing is Awesome!
  • Statim workshop

APP_Conf_Postcards_2013_Web_A

June 2013 APP Conference in Las Vegas

  • Workshop sponsor for infection control and instrument processing
  • Anodizing is Awesome! (1.5h)
  • Minimizing Tools: An Intro to Tool-Less Piercing (Five workshops, 2h each with Ed Chavarria, Ron Garza & Chris G Glunt)
  • Statim Maintenance and Troubleshooting: Round Table Discussion (1h)

November 2012 ASAP Open Workshop in Stockholm, Sweden

On piercing side, we have the honor to present Brian Skellie from the United States for the first time who will hold the Open Workshop with Ola Hagman, president of ASAP and Senior Body Piercer at Barbarella. This workshop should not be missed as it is the first time that Brian Skellie piercing live in conjunction with a workshop in Sweden.

ASAP

October 2012: BMXnet in Essen, Germany

  • Workshop sponsor for infection control and instrument processing
  • Advanced sterilization for Tattooists
  • Advanced sterilization for Piercing
  • Anodizing is Awesome!

2012 APP conference

June 17-22 2012 APP 2012 Conference

  • Workshop sponsor for infection control and instrument processing
  • Anodizing is Awesome (2h)Anodizing Class + Demonstration
    Brian Skellie makes it easy for you to anodize your titanium and niobium body jewelry with detailed information and rationale, accompanied by live demonstration and step by step instructions. How can this surface finish process make a difference in your client’s healing results? How can you re-anodize for client jewelry if the color has worn off? These questions and more answered in this class.
    Topics covered:
    • How and why to include anodization into your workflow for a cleaner and less reactive titanium surface finish
    • Scientastic live demonstration!
    • How to offer instant coloration / re-colorization for customers
  • Minimizing Tools: An Intro to Tool-Less Piercing (1.5h with Ed Chavarria, Ron Garza & Chris G Glunt)
    This workshop is an introduction to basic piercing procedures without using clamps. The focus of the workshop is to introduce people into different methods of “free-hand” piercing and pointers as to how to start getting used to piercing with less tools. This is a great workshop for beginners as well as a good refresher for the seasoned piercer.
  • Practical usage: Statim (2h with Chris Glunt)
    This educational session will cover the proper use of a Statim autoclave for body art procedures, important work practices for a busy studio, and how to safely maintain these machines in your everyday operation, and answers to your questions. Brian introduced these autoclaves to our industry in the 1990’s, and hundreds of professionals have come validated fast sterilization cycles, which makes them ideal for sterilizing jewelry and all the items as needed for each piercing. In this class we will explore how they should be handled in our daily routine. If you have a Statim in your studio or you plan to invest in one, this will be a familiarizing perspective you won’t want to miss!
  • Advanced Materials Standards & Applications (2h with Chris Glunt)
    Materials Used For Surgical Implantation and Their Correlation with Body Jewelry

    In this presentation, we discuss commonly used surgical implants, research and studies done to show the effects of implanting various materials inside the body and their relation to body jewelry.

  • Topics covered include metal sensitivity and immune reactions, scar formations, as well as the effects of material contamination and corrosion on the body.

MARCH 2012 : APTPI CONGRESSO in Milan, Italy

  • Advantages of Immediate Use Sterilization (2h)
    Brian Skellie discusses the efficiency of sterilizing what you need, when you need it, and standards for process validation. Getting more use from a B or S cycle autoclave, reducing waste and increasing high quality jewelry sales.

MARCH 2012 : Tribe 20th in Gothenburg, Sweden

  • Minimizing Tools Piercing Technique Workshop (2h)

December 2011 : APP affiliate Conference in Sao Paulo, Brasil CONGRESSO Educativo para Perforadores Corporais da América do Sul

  • Jewelry Materials Science
  • What is the APP?
  • Anodizing is Awesome

October 2011 : BMXnet conference in Essen, Germany:

June 2011 : APP 16th annual conference and expo in Las Vegas

  • Workshop sponsor for infection control and instrument processing
  • Monday June 6 (10:45-12:15) Working with a Statim Autoclave
    This educational session will cover the proper use of a Statim autoclave for body art procedures, important work practices for a busy studio, and how to safely maintain these machines in your everyday operation, and answers to your questions. Brian introduced these autoclaves to our industry in the 1990’s, and hundreds of professionals have come to work with them over the years. The Statim has fully validated fast sterilization cycles, which makes them ideal for sterilizing jewelry and all the items as needed for each piercing. In this class we will explore how they should be handled in our daily routine. If you have a Statim in your studio or you plan to invest in one, this will be a familiarizing perspective you won’t want to miss!
  • Thursday June 9 (2:30-5:00) Materials: Steel & Titanium 2011 (with Jason King & Chris Glunt)
    Part of being a professional piercer is understanding the materials we use for initial piercings. After attending the class you will have a working understanding of why we use the grades of Titanium and Stainless Steel that we do, with an emphasis on understanding the importance of ASTM designations F136 and F138. Although the class has been offered several times, the extensive research allows the class to be updated so it is always current and factual. The class is highly technical, detailed and informative.

February 2011 : Seminarios Educativos para Artistas del Body Piercing in Atacama, Chile 2011

May 2010 : APP 15th annual conference and expo in Las Vegas

  • Workshop sponsor for infection control and instrument processing
  • Workshops on Asepsis and Sterilization (2h each)
  • Biocompatibility testing (2h with Bethra Szumski)

September 2010 : BMXnet conference in Berlin:

October 2010 : Tattoo Expo in Barcelona

October 2010 : APP in Mexico City