Piercings, as we know them, date back almost 5,000 years, when ancient cultures used piercing to symbolize various things. For example, piercings could be a mark of prostitution, symbolize a husband’s wealth, and even as a precaution against demons entering your brain.
There are numerous types of piercings you can get on various body parts these days. Usually, piercings are only done for cosmetic purposes these days. The world of body modification is vast, and almost any spot on your body can be adorned in some way.
Keep reading to find out more about the different types of piercings and how to pick the right one for you.
Ear Piercings
Pierced ears are the most common type of piercing available. Many people get their lobes pierced when they’re extremely young and stick to small studs or hoops while they’re still in school.
Multiple lobe piercings are an extremely popular piercing option as there isn’t any cartilage to deal with. Healing a lobe piercing is much easier than other ear piercings, and the piercing can completely heal within a few weeks.
Cartilage piercings, like tragus or helix piercings, will take a few months to heal. While cartilage is softer than bone, cartilage piercings take so long to heal because there is less blood flow to the upper area of your ear.
When it comes to ear piercings, you can get creative. Stacking piercings and jewelry to create a signature look can be an incredibly fun experience.
Some popular ear piercing styles to consider:
- Lobe and orbital
- Helix
- Conch
- Daith
- Rook
- Tragus and anti-tragus
- Industrial
- Snug
There is no right answer when it comes to ear piercings. If you like the look and feel of a piercing, then there is nothing stopping you from getting it.
Ear piercings are the most accepted type of piercing so you’ll easily find a wide variety of jewelry that matches your style and needs. Precious stones and metals are often used to create a variety of earrings, so you can shop around until you find the perfect set.
Facial Piercings
A few years ago, facial piercing may have been frowned upon, but nowadays, it’s common to see someone with a cute nose piercing or an edgy eyebrow ring.
When it comes to getting a facial piercing, you need to be ready to wear something you might not like. The initial piercing needs to stay in until the piercing heals. Most piercing jewelry is on the plainer side and can be bigger than what you might want to wear later on.
The size and material of the piercing jewelry are designed to help your piercing heal properly. If you immediately switch to smaller plated jewelry, you run the risk of jewelry rejection and skin damage.
Facial piercings need to be carefully handled until they are completely healed. While you can hide scarring or keloids on your ears, it can be much harder (and uncomfortable) if you have to deal with it on your face.
If you enjoy wearing makeup, keep the area free from products until it is completely healed. You don’t want your makeup getting into the piercing and getting an infection. Simply treat your piercing like an open wound.
Once your facial piercing is healed, you can shop around for some beautiful jewelry pieces that you can wear every day. Since facial piercings are more accepted these days, you can even find jewelry at some high-end jewelry stores.
Body Piercing
Belly button piercings were all the rage in the 90s, but they aren’t the only type of body piercing available.
When it comes to nipple piercings, you’ll be pierced with a straight barbell. Like all other piercings, the area will be clamped to ensure the piercing goes in straight. Currently, horizontal nipple piercings are the popular option.
The initial barbell will be much longer than you expect, as your nipples will swell considerably after the piercing. Once the swelling goes down, you’ll need to get the barbells resized, as a too-long barbell can cause irritation to the fresh piercing.
The biggest issue many people face after getting their nipples pierced is the fact that they can’t be touched until it is healed. This means you or your partner need to stay away from the area.
Dermal piercings are another form of body piercing that are becoming popular. Dermal piercings are single-point piercings since there isn’t a separate entry and exit point for the jewelry.
Dermal piercings are inserted into the dermal layer of your skin with an anchor base to support the jewelry. Dermal piercings can be placed anywhere on the body where the skin is flat enough. The only requirement for a dermal piercing is that the skin needs to be thick enough to hold the piercing in place.
Popular spots to get dermal piercings to include the following:
- Cheekbones
- Nape of the neck
- Chest
- Lower back
- Abdomen
- Thighs
The Different Types of Piercings Explained
When it comes to the different types of piercings available today, personal preference will play a big role. While your anatomy might prevent you from getting some piercings, your piercer should be able to advise you on what piercing will be able to give you a similar effect. So go ahead and start planning for your next piercing.
Now that you know how a piercing can change your look, go check out our blog for some fashion tips to help you bring your style to life.
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