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Q. In Rock Star, Jennifer Aniston pierces Mark Wahlberg's nipple with ice and an alcohol-laced needle. How dumb is that?

A .Oh, the needle and the damage done. Dr. Janet Keating of Duke University Health Services says home piercing is unsafe -- there's no way to sufficiently sterilize the equipment -- and could lead to scarring and infection. ''Heating a needle up with a match is not good enough,'' she warns. Experts also scoff at piercing kits available online. ''They're sold by someone who doesn't care about safety,'' says Jason Malec of piercing site tribalectic.com. Keating adds that even pros should be grilled about their methods. ''If they're not willing to answer questions, look elsewhere.'' Ouch.

(Send your queries to BurningQuestions@ew.com)

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''Noah's going to be there for a very, very long time. I don't know if I'd have that sort of patience, though if I had his millions...I'd probably find that patience.'' -- ER's Erik Palladino on costar NOAH WYLE (left)


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Posted Sep 21, 2001 | Published in issue #616 Sep 21, 2001 | Order Article Reprints