Types of body piercings

If you’re considering getting a piercing, there are few things you should consider. First and foremost, you should decide where you’d like to be pierced. While the ears are an obvious choice, there are many different areas of the body that can be pierced as well as many different options once you’ve decided on a specific area.

Take a look at the many different possible piercing options for you to choose from.

Ear Piercings

While the ears may seem to be the most obvious choice, there are almost a dozen options to choose from. The most common ear piercing is the lobe and upper lobe, but you can also choose from the tragus (or cartilage), the conch piercing (which can be found inside the ear, also through the cartilage), and the rook which is a piercing of the upper cartilage above the ear opening.

Other popular ear-piercing options include the industrial, which uses a bar that pierces through two sections at the top of the ear, as well as the helix which pierces the top of the ear.

Oral and Facial Piercings

Take your pick of the many options available when considering one of these piercings, including the cheeks, eyebrow, eyelid, nostrils, septum, tongue, or web piercing. The web piercing in particular is an interesting one as it includes piercing the flap of skin between the upper lip and gums. This often means that you can only see this piercing when smiling.

Lip Piercings

Deserving of an entire section of their own, lip piercings are extremely popular with many options to choose from. The most common lip piercing is the labret which pierces just below the bottom lip and is usually in the form of a stud. You can also find the Medusa piercing which sits centred between the upper lip and the nose.

Snake bites or Viper bites are also a popular choice as these piercings appear on either side of the lower lip. Finally, the Monroe, Madonna, or Crawford Piercing mimics an upper lip mole, hence being named after the famous stars sporting the trademark beauty spot.

Genital Piercings

While this may make some cringe at the very thought, genital piercings are extremely popular among both men and women. Piercings in the nipples, labia, scrotum, anal rim, and even through the foreskin are all entirely possible. However, it’s important to note that these piercings can only be performed on anyone over the age of 18 and it’s wise to seek medical counsel before proceeding with the piercing appointment.

Navel Piercings

Extremely popular in the 90’s and early 2000’s this particular piercing is not as common as it once was. Having faded out of the limelight, there are still those that get a belly button ring which pierces the top of the navel and usually involves jewellery hanging below it.