#2 - Holes in your flesh

 

    Piercings are growing more and more in popularity. Before not many people had piercings. Frequently looked down upon, much like tattoos or really any body mods, piercings still have negative traits and ideologies attached to them. However, piercings are nothing to be afraid nor ashamed of. 

    So hear my rant about them and the knowledge I have collected over the years. Who knows you might learn something new and it might possibly inspire you to get your first piercing or even your next one! 

(dancing skeleton meme)

    First off there are a numerous amount of piercings one can get. Let me preface by saying this first, while all piercings (or any body mods really) can pose risks, some have a more elevated risk level. And just because you can get it pierced, doesn't mean you should. It is up to you and your lifestyle to determine which one(s) are best suited for you. 

    I will also caution, not everyone can get every piercing. Some piercings require the right anatomy in order not to cause serious damage to you. For example, if you pierce your tongue without the proper anatomy, the effects can range from a wonky piercing, nerve damage, or worse case scenario, paralyzing of the tongue. If you are unsure, go to your piercer and ask them if your anatomy is proper for the piercing you want.  

(question cartoon gif)

And finally, the moment we've all been waiting for...

Allow me to list some of the piercings you can get!

Ear 

• Lobe (upper and lower) 
• Orbital 
• Snug 
• Industrial 
• Helix 
• Forward helix 
• Daith 
• Tragus 
• Anti-tragus
• Conch 
• Rook 

Facial 

• Nostril
• High nostril 
• Septum 
• Bridge 
• Third eye 
• Septril 
• Rhino 
• Austin bar
• Nasallang 

Oral

• Labret 
• Vertical labret  
• Monroe 
• Medusa 
• Cheek/dimples 
• Tongue 
• Dahlia 

Body 

• Nipples 
• Navel (belly button) 
• Inverse navel 
• Dermal 
• Surface 

Body Candy is a popular jewelry website, you can click the pictures with the piercing placements for more info! 

 

(surface barbell)

Surface piercings has an entry point and exit point, with a bar connecting the two. Can come in many different forms including straight, curved, and horseshoe barbells.

 

(dermal jewelry)

Dermal piercings is a single point with only one hole in which the dermal anchor sits. The anchor is implanted beneath the skin.

    Getting into the needle used for piercing, technically speaking, there are two types of needles to pierce with, hollow and blunt. Although, the blunt method is always advised against from professionals, despite it still being in practice. 

(blunt versus hollow needle)

    See how the needle on the left is hollow. Which means when it pierces through the skin, it removes the flesh with it. The needle on the right is blunt, unsharpened if you will. Meaning it forces itself through the skin without actually removing flesh but rather tearing it, traumatizing the skin itself and around. 

    To see it in action, here is a video I found that demonstrates it! Top is blunt needle, bottom two are hollow needles. Notice the stretching and eventual tear from the blunt needle. As compared to the hollow needle which passes through with ease. 

(video taken from SARA PIERCED ME) 

    In conclusion, I can go on and on about this subject because honestly it is a massive passion of mine. I will have to cover more of the subject in another post though! 

The big take away is get piercings because you want them. Get them because you love them. Keep being your bizarre self but please be smart about it! 

Thanks for reading, till next time! 

(spinning Minecraft bee)