(by 34 people)
Body piercing can run the gamut from minor fashion adjustment to intense, body-reclaiming ritual
Knowing as much as you can about the procedures used in body piercing, about healing and aftercare, or potential legal limits before you get anything done to your body can help ensure you have a better and more successful piercing experience in the long run.
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If you know someone planning to get pierced and think they need more info first, email them this lens!
photo of Rachel's left ear by Mark I. Chester
guide to body piercing
table of contents
- About Body Piercing
- Body Piercing Books
- Head and Face Piercings
- tribal earrings
- Laws and Legalities
- Body Piercing Photo Gallery
- Torso Piercings
- nipple shields
- Body Piercing Information
- Belly Rings and Jewelry
- Piercing Below The Belt
- Piercing Equipment and Gear
- Piercing: Going Deeper
- Ever Wonder What Getting A Piercing Is Like?
- Piercing Guestbook
- INK CITY
About Body Piercing
In Western culture, there hasn't been much of a tradition of body piercing. Girls would pierce their ears themselves, often with things like sewing needles and a potato to push against. The 1970s saw some jewelry stores add ear piercing as a service as little devices that would just pop a stud right through the ear were invented. These were very blunt and unsterile piercing techniques, and are heavily frowned up now.In the early 1980s, modern piercing techniques were invented and the first piercing studios began to open by the end of the decade. The movement of modern body art seems to have started on West Coast but has now gone global with club kids all over the world sporting eyebrow piercings, nose rings and heavily-stretched ear loops.
Body Piercing Books
These books are either specifically about piercing or have more comprehensive info about piercings than the average body art book.
Nose Piercing - $2.95, 14pp. Nothing but 100% nose piercing info is what you get in this body piercing eBook. There's everything you need to know here, starting with the history of the nose piercing, providing piercing procedure descriptions plus health and safety risks, right up through healing tips and how to prevent or get rid of keloid scars, aka those pesky "bumps."
Nose Piercing - $2.95, 14pp. Nothing but 100% nose piercing info is what you get in this body piercing eBook. There's everything you need to know here, starting with the history of the nose piercing, providing piercing procedure descriptions plus health and safety risks, right up through healing tips and how to prevent or get rid of keloid scars, aka those pesky "bumps."
Head and Face Piercings
Ears and beyond.... waaaay beyond.
Here is a list of some of the most commonly performed body piericings that relate to the head and face. With the exception of nostril piercings and ear piercings, these tend to be modern-day adornments, most of which have been invented within just the last twenty years.
- Bridge - horizontal piercing through the bridge of the nose, sometimes also called an "earl" after one of the first people to have this piercing.
- Cheek - can imply surface piercings in the cheek, but more often refer to piercings which run from inside the mouth to the surface of the face.
- Chin - can be a labret piercing in that area, or a piercing in the surface of the face below the mouth.
- Conch - piercing of the main shell of the ear.
- Daith - inner ear cartilage piercing done just above the opening to the ear canal.
- Ear - almost any part of the ear can be piercing now, but most often, it's the lower lobes where the tissue is soft.
- Eyebrow - piercing anywhere along the ridge of the eyebrow. An anti-eyebrow is a surface piercing through the upper cheek, placing it below the eye area, opposite from the eyebrow.
- Helix - outer cartilage ridge piercing of the ear.
- Industrial - multiple ear piercings worn with one piece of jewelry (barbell).
- Jungle - Piercing straight out the front of the nose.
- Labret - lip piercing, most often referring to lower lip piercing. A madonna is a labret placed to look like a beauty mark. A medusa is the name sometimes given to a labret the is in the middle of the top lip.
- Nostril - piercings anywhere along the rim of the nostril opening.
- Scrumper - a piercing in the thin webbing between your upper teeth and lip.
- Septum - this piercing goes through the cartilege that separates the chambers of the nose. It's sometimes called a "bull ring" piercing by people trying to explain what it is.
- Tongue - this muscle can be pierced right through the middle, along the rim, or through the webbing underneath.
- Tragus - The tragus is the small tab of tissue which projects over the opening of the ear canal. It is usually placed in the natural fold where the tragus attaches to the side of the face.
tribal earrings
bone ~ wood ~ glass ~ horn
Laws and Legalities
Many states now have stipulations about how old you have to be to get pierced, what sort of proof of age/ID is required and sometimes what types of piercings can be done on teens under the age of majority (18). Here are some links to help you sort out what may be going on in your home state.
Some states have passed laws so strict, a parent must not only show legal ID but the ID has to show they have the same surname as the teen-to-be-pierced or they have to then show paperwork that identifies them as having legal guardianship. Yes, in some instances it's gotten that extreme...
Also, what are your legal rights when it comes to wearing piercings in the workplace?
Some states have passed laws so strict, a parent must not only show legal ID but the ID has to show they have the same surname as the teen-to-be-pierced or they have to then show paperwork that identifies them as having legal guardianship. Yes, in some instances it's gotten that extreme...
Also, what are your legal rights when it comes to wearing piercings in the workplace?
- Tattoo & Body Piercing Laws by State
- Listings of the US States with ages for legal body piercing and references to which bills passed relate to any regulations.
- Tattooing and Body Piercing
- A number of states have laws that prohibit tattooing and body piercing of minors without written parental consent. As of January 2006, 37 states have laws prohibiting adolescents from getting tattoos, and 29 states have laws against body piercing. Twenty-six states have laws that prohibit both.
- Juvenile Law Center - Body Piercing
- In 33 states, minors under the age of 18 are either absolutely prohibited from getting body piercings or are only allowed to obtain such if a parent consents.
- Workplace Prof Blog: Body piercing, religion and the workplace
- Can your right to a body piercing be defended if you belong to the Church of Body Modification?
- Bodyart > Licensing and Regulations
- This is the Google directory listing for pages that relate to body piercing and tattooing licensing and regulations.
Body Piercing Photo Gallery
pictures of different types of body piercings
yeah, these are five 5/8
I don't think necessity is the mother of invention
ca. 1990-2000, Havana, Cuba - Man with Pierced Face --- Image by %uFFFD Joel W. R...
Brad's Nipple Rings
tattooer and piercer Matt Gabriel.
legs piercings, strung with ribbon
Endelig en der er Guld hele vejen igennem :o) and yes my belly bottom is white
My new nape piercings
implants and surface piercings
double navel piercing
Newly aqquired wrist piercing.
double surface piercig
industrial piercing
ears
corset piercing
Torso Piercings
These are body piercings variations found on the torso, from the neck down to the waist. As new ones keep being invented, this list may not reflect every single type possible.
- Hand web - piercing in the finger webbing. These have a very high rate of failure as they often don't heal or are rejecte
- Knuckle - surface piercing between the knuckles on the top of the hand.
- Madison - surface piercing at the front base of the neck
- Nape - this surface piercing is placed on the back of the neck.
- Navel - piercing can be done all around the rim of the navel, but most often are done between the 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock position
- Nipple - these piercings are enjoyed by both men and women.
- Pocketing - A new form of surface piercing where all you see is the bar, with the ends of the barbell being embedded in the skin.
- Surface piercing - piercings through flat surfaces. These are hard to heal, but people continue to experiment all over their bodies.
nipple shields
beautiful body jewelry
BLAZING SUN Nipple Shield 1" 5mm
Price: $5.99
BLAZING SUN Nipple Shield 1" 5mm Nipple Shield Body Jewelry Rise Up and Turn Heads with this Sun Nipple Ring. Enhance your look with true s... more »
DESIGNED TRIBAL Nipple Shield 7/8" 5mm
Price: $5.99
DESIGNED TRIBAL Nipple Shield 7/8" 5mm Nipple Shield Body Jewelry Unique Tribal Nipple Ring. Enhance your look with true style by accessori... more »
BLAZING FIRE Nipple Shield 1" 5mm
Price: $5.99
BLAZING FIRE Nipple Shield 1" 5mm Nipple Shield Body Jewelry Burn up the Night with this Fire Nipple Ring. Enhance your look with true styl... more »
WEB of DESIRE Nipple Shield
Price: $6.99
Nipple Shield Body Jewelry Enhance your look with true style by accessorizing with this tantalizing nipple shield body jewelry. Add our cool bod... more »
Body Piercing Information
These links offer info about piercings, infections and healing. Common piercing questions.
Most professional piercings that get infected are due to lax aftercare. Most home piercings that get infected are due to lack of sterile technique. In other words, don't pierce yourself at home and be sure to talk with your piercer BEFORE YOU GET PIERCED to make sure you know what you're really getting into.
If your piercer won't talk to you about your piercing AND aftercare *before* they pierce you, don't do it and go find one who will.
- Health & Healing - Body Art
- Health & Healing at bodyart : Issues surrounding the health and healing of body art procedures. Tattooing and piercing health-related topics and medically-oriented references.
- Nipple Piercing: Is It Compatible with Breastfeeding?
- From: LEAVEN, Vol. 35 No. 3, June-July 1999, pp. 64-65
- Body Piercing
- Wondering whether you should pierce one of your precious parts? Check out this article so you can know what to expect.
- BME: Body Modification Ezine - The biggest and best online bod-mod site since 1994
- The biggest and best online body mod community since 1994.
- Young Adult Health - Health Topics - Body piercing
- Many young people of today are discovering body piercing. Getting a piercing can be a statement about who you are, a form of body art that is less permanent than tattooing, yet still daring. Ears, necks, lips, nose, eyebrows, cheeks, tongues (ouch!), nipples, in between fingers and toes, navels and genitals are amongst the areas of the body that people have had pierced.
- Body Piercing: A Guide for Teens
- Providing education, clinical care, research, and health care information for adolescent girls and young women
Belly Rings and Jewelry
jewels for your belly
5m-8m Crystalline Gem BCR Belly Button Ring
Price: $3.99
5m-8m Crystalline Gem BCR Belly Button Ring Fabulous and Sleek Gem Belly Ring. A classic style on a BCR Belly Ring you’ll absolutely love. Add... more »
Crystalline JEWELED POT LEAF Dangle Belly Ring
Price: $11.99
Crystalline JEWELED POT LEAF Dangle Belly Ring Get High on Style with this Ganga Charm Belly Ring. Pot Leaf Belly Ring. Fashionable Belly Ring De... more »
NBA Chicago BULLS Crystalline Gem Belly Ring
Price: $17.99
Officially Licensed National Basketball Association Belly Ring / NBA Belly Ring NBA Chicago BULLS Belly Ring . A great gift for the NBA Fan in... more »
TOP MOUNT Rainbow GEM VINE Belly Ring
Price: $12.99
TOP MOUNT Rainbow GEM VINE Belly Ring Jeweled Reverse Belly Ring! A brilliant vine styled belly ring with intertwined crystal gems. Add our c... more »
Rebel CONFEDERATE FLAG Belly Ring
Price: $8.99
Rebel CONFEDERATE FLAG Belly Ring CONFEDERATE FLAG Belly Ring . If you want to display your Southern Pride, then this belly ring is for you. A... more »
Piercing Below The Belt
Men and women can choose from a variety of intimate piercings. Reasons for doing so can range from sexual enhancement (your mileage may vary) to personal reclaiming and healing rituals.
For more info on these types of piercings, you might like to visit Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Men's Genital Piercing or Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Female Genital Piercing.
For more info on these types of piercings, you might like to visit Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Men's Genital Piercing or Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Female Genital Piercing.
- Ampallang - male genital piercing placed horizontally through the head of the penis.
- Apadravya - male genital piercing placed vertically through the head of the penis.
- Christina - female clitoral hood piercing, sometimes called a "Queen Christina." Can be horizontal or vertical.
- Clitoris - piercing of the large, knobbed nerve bundle that is related to sexual stimulation. Due to potential for damage to sexual function, it is actually rare for a woman to really have her clitoris pierced.
- Dydoe - male genital piercing through the ridges next to the head of the penis.
- Fourchette - piercing at rear of vagina opening, sometimes called the female guiche.
- Frenum - penis skin piercing perpendicular to the shaft.
- Guiche - male genital piercing through the perineum.
- Hafada - surface piercing of the testicle sack.
- Labia - female genital piercing, with majora and minora variations available.
- Prince Albert - male genital piercing that goes through the shaft, just under the head, going through and exiting via the urethra. When done so that the ring goes over the top of the penis, it's called a reverse pa or a cleopatra.
Piercing Equipment and Gear
Here are some auction listings for piercing supplies and equipment.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Piercing: Going Deeper
Take a deeper look at the health and medical issues around piercing. Professional piercing organizations and training.
- Guidelines for the practice of Body Piercing
- This guidance has been produced to aid practitioners in understanding their obligations relating to body piercing
- Health Educators, Inc. - Education for the Body Modification Community
- Health Educators, Inc. provides modern, accurate, leading-edge educationn and information designed specifically to meet the needs of today's modification professional.
- Fakir Intensives Body Piercing and Branding Intensives
- Fakir Body Piercing and Branding Intensives
- The Association of Professional Piercers
- The APP is an international non-profit association dedicated to the dissemination of vital health and safety information related to body piercing to piercers, health care providers and the general public.
- Tattooing and Body Piercing Information
- Information on preventing viral hepatitis transmission during tattooing and body piercing procedures
- Complications of Body Piercing - November 15, 2005 -- American Family Physician
- In recent years, body piercing has increased in popularity and social acceptance. Piercing of various body parts with jewelry is no longer limited to teenagers, as evidenced by the growing number of adults with multiple ear piercings. Family physicians should be familiar with body piercing practices and associated health risks.
- JAMA -- Body Piercing, February 25, 2004, Torpy et al. 291 (8): 1024
- Body piercing has been recorded from ancient civilizations and can be seen in art and antiquities. Body piercing has recently become common in many countries, particularly among young persons. The February 25, 2004, issue of JAMA includes an article about serious infections related to piercing of the ear cartilage.
Ever Wonder What Getting A Piercing Is Like?
See video snippets of piercing in action
Here are some brave souls, who not only chose to go under the needle, but film what was going on and then post the results to the internet.
Remember, your individual perception of what is painful WILL vary, so you shouldn't be either put off or encouraged by what sorts of reactions you see here.
Each movie here will show you a different type of body piercing as it's actually being done.
Remember, your individual perception of what is painful WILL vary, so you shouldn't be either put off or encouraged by what sorts of reactions you see here.
Each movie here will show you a different type of body piercing as it's actually being done.
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