Magnetic FAQ
January 2nd, 2010Due to the huge popularity of Magnetic Implants/Finger Jewelry we have designed a separate FAQ to answer the many questions we receive about this popular procedure. Please read this entire section before you send us questions about magnetic implants. We have also included CooKie and Mitch’s personal experiences with the magnetic implants, plus multiple references of others’ views, both positive and negative. We highly suggest reading all of them and being completely informed about how you choose to modify your body.
If after reading all of this information, you wish to schedule an appointment at our studio in Phoenix, Arizona, please contact us to request an appointment.. If you have additional questions not covered here, we are happy to answer them via email. Should you want to discuss additional theories of magnet use, you may schedule an appointment via email and a consulting fee will be applied accordingly.
FAQ
How much is it?
The cost is $200 per magnet and includes the implantation procedure.
Can I buy the magnetic implants from you and have them implanted by someone else?
No. Steve only sells the implants to modification professionals who have been trained by him personally in this procedure so that he knows that they will be implanted correctly. We understand this is frustrating for people who live far away, but the magnetic implant is still a somewhat experimental procedure, and Steve does not feel comfortable selling the magnets directly to customers. If you have a professional in your area who wishes to learn the procedure from Steve, please feel free to have them check our calendar for upcoming seminars.
Can I get one in each finger?
You could, but we feel it is unnecessary to do so. Having one or ten magnets won’t change whether or not you feel the magnetic fields.
Why do you recommend the ring finger?
The ring finger is the weakest finger and we place it to the side so not to inhibit pressure of lifting boxes and grasping items.
Can I get it implanted somewhere else besides the finger?
Yes. People have had them implanted on the backs of hands (including Steve and CooKie themselves) ears, etc. The only thing is that we do not recommend using them to hold anything for a long period of time (anything over 20 minutes) because that can damage the skin over the magnet.
How is it done?
The gold plated magnet is covered in a silicone and cured. A small slice in made in your ring finger and on the side, the magnet is put in and you receive one stitch. We put your finger in ice water so the finger hurts less when having it done. After 5-7 days you remove the stitch.
Will it wipe out credit cards?
No. It is a neodymium magnet graded 45 out of 50 gauss (which is very powerful) but it is still small enough that it won’t wipe anything. I have had one for 4 years now and never had a problem with credit cards or computers.
What’s it for?
Right now, to detect magnetic fields. It’s really interesting sensing these vibrations let off by electricity or in various things that carry magnets. Scientists have called it “Magnetic Vision” It’s primarily for scientific purposes at this time, but there are a lot of ideas being tossed back and forth about other uses for it in the body modification world. If nothing else, you can also use it for silly bar tricks and pick up bottle caps with your brain power.
What if any effect will it have on implantable defibrillators/pacemakers?
The two have not yet been combined in one body, however we can’t see there being an issue with it since it’s too small to even affect your credit cards.
How many problems will it create with security, since it is NOT a medical procedure and NOT removable without being cut out?
What kind of security? It doesn’t set off any metal detectors I go through at airports, so I don’t see who would have an issue with you having a tiny magnet in your finger. A wand will recognize it, but I would imagine explaining that you were testing a theory of magnetic vision so you have a tiny magnet implanted should clear it up. TSA have been known to be jerks to the modified, so that is yet another risk.
What if you have an abnormal magnetic field to begin with? I’m one of those people that drains batteries, breaks watches, and cell phones don’t last more than 3 months if they have continued contact with my physical body. Any thoughts as to what might happen if you add a magnet into this equation?
I don’t find it probable that you would drain this type of magnet. It takes thousands of years to drain a normal magnet and one rated so high as the neodymium magnet is expected to take longer. If this is truly the case with your body then I’m not sure what would happen with the magnet inside you. I’m not sure if you would receive the same response from the magnet as a normal person would. Again, keep in mind that this is an experimental procedure.
What if I need an MRI?
During a MRI (Magnetic Response Imaging) the tube you are put into is a giant magnet that turns on and off to read the changes of your bodies movement of various things. Almost any metal (with the exception of 316 LVM Implant Grade Steel which holds little to no nickle content) will be charged when turned on and PULLED to the giant magnetic tube and out of your body. OUCH! Essentially, the magnet would be ripped out of your skin and attach itself to the wall of the tube. Those who have shrapnel from whatever in their bodies can not receive MRI testing, though it may be possible to cover it. Some testing facilities may require you to remove it before testing. If you receive this procedure, you should realize that you are taking a risk that if you are unconscious and have to get an MRI, you won’t be able to tell the physicians about the magnet and it could rip out.
What if I want to remove it but I have no way to get to Steve?
Removal is as simple as insertion, but should be conducted by a professional. A small slit should do the trick, there would be no reason to lose the entire tip of your finger if you only have one on the side of it. In any case, should the professional want basic instructions from Steve, feel free to email us with a request and phone number with the best time to reach them.
What are my odds of rejection?
On some occasions, usually if it is played with too much during the healing stage, it can reject out of the body like a splinter would push out. We can typically insert another magnet and the problem doesn’t occur again. This is a possible risk, as your body is doing what it’s supposed to do.
I’ve heard magnets have healing abilities. Can this heal ____________?
We have heard of cases where having a magnet implants did bring alive what had been considered dead nerves, but there have been no studies to our knowledge to back up this theory.
CooKie Haworth’s account of Magnetic Implants
Steve Haworth and Jesse Jarrell developed the concept of Magnetic Vision with a friend and neuroscientist, Todd Huffman, in 2004. We still consider it extremely experimental, even at this time. We consider ALL modifications to the body experimental. In 2005, Shannon Larrett was the 3rd person to have magnetic implants put in various parts of his hands to see which reacted the best. He was fully aware of the fact that he was the 3rd person to get magnets and even came up with some of the positioning ideas for his hands. That same year, not long after, Steve and I were the next people to also got magnetic implants together. I had smaller ones and he had medium size ones put in. Mine failed after a year and Steve removed them and replaced them at the same time with the newer coating design. I have had no more problems with them since 2006 when they were switched out. Steve still has his medium sized implants in his hand today that was inserted in 2005. Shannon Larrett had issues with his coating just as I did in the beginning phases of testing.
Mitch’s Magnetic Implant
I have had a magnetic implant for just over 1 year in my left ring finger. It is a second generation injection coated silicone implant. When I got it I was more nervous from the cutting than would the magnet last. Now after a year, the scar is almost invisible and the magnet is stable. I have not had any degrading effects nor any other negative side effects.
I work as a full time web designer and I use my fingers A LOT. For the first week it was uncomfy with the stich in there (1 stich). And it did require me to be careful not to high five too hard or root through my pockets. BUT it has not negatively impacted my work, play or daily life. In 30 years who knows, but I strongly disagree that it will cause “serious side effects to the functionality of your hand” as earlier mentioned in BMEzine. I suspect if the implant was in every finger that may happen but as far as I know, that has not occurred. OR if you are doing a profession that requires constant touching of magnets or steel that may happen. But as a web designer it hasn’t yet and I type A LOT with the implant right in the tip of my finger.
I love the magnetic vision and I love knowing this is steel and this is aluminum with my eyes closed (because steel is magnetic) I love putting my finger near an electrical socket and feeling the magnetic impulses flow. This wont change your life, it simply adds a new perspective to it.
