There is a lot to consider when getting a body piercing. But there is even more to look into when deciding on a dermal piercing, which is a single-point surface piercing. Traditional piercings have an entrance point and exit point — dermal piercings do not. The piercer has to do a bit more work to get your dermal appropriately placed, and you may have to give a little more TLC to your new body modification (via Painful Pleasures).
Dermals can be positioned on the face, the chest, back of the neck, arms, lower back — or just about anywhere — so here’s the truth about where and when to get this unique-looking piercing (via Healthline).
Dermal piercings aren’t the easiest things to take care of
A dermal punch or a needle is used to remove or separate a small bit of flesh, and then the piercer places a dermal anchor with forceps into the resulting space. The anchor serves as a base and becomes more secure over time (via TatRing). The jewelry is then threaded into the anchor.
Healing time for a dermal is between one to three months — however, it may take longer depending on where it is located.
The downfall of this type of piercing is that they are very prone to migration and rejection due to the fact that they aren’t placed deep into your tissue, which means that if it starts to migrate, the piercing will have to eventually be removed if it doesn’t pop out on its own.
In order to prevent the dermal anchor from migrating, you have to protect your piercing more than usual. Don’t let it snag, become exposed to sweat, or be pulled during the healing process. Another way to avoid rejection is find an area of the body that has more skin. Areas on the sternum, face, nape, or throat are more likely to be rejected. Nevertheless, the piercing may still reject because of the body’s natural ability to push out foreign objects (via Painful Pleasures).
Dermal piercings may be tough to get and tough to heal but they look fantastic
Another reason dermals can be a bit tricky is that if they do reject, they may result in a scar, and while this is not as obvious as getting tattooed, it will be a reminder of something you did in the past that didn’t exactly work out. While some people are more sensitive to scarring than others, they may also develop something called a keloid which is an overgrowth of scar tissue. If the piercing is removed, it may even leave a small discoloration on the area where the piercing was implanted (via Grazia Daily). According to Healthline, dermals are also a pretty penny — they can cost upwards to $100 — and removing them down the road by a piercer will cost you again.
As you can tell, dermal piercings aren’t for the faint of heart. It’s more of an implant than a piercing, and the healing process isn’t for the casual body modifier, just like you’re not likely to sit down for a conch piercing if you’re not up to the aftercare. Chat with your piercer and do your research before investing in this one-of-a-kind statement.
The Truth About Rook Piercings
If you’re in the market for a new piercing or two, now’s the perfect time. With 2019 having been the year of the curated ear, multiple piercings and cultivated “earscapes” (as the cool kids are calling it) are starting to gain mainstream traction (via Fast Company). But if you’re struggling to try to figure out where you want to get your next hole, we totally feel you.
If you’re looking to stand out with a unique and less common piercing, the rook might just be the spot for you. However, before you jump in ears first, here’s what you need to know about rook piercings.
The healing process for a rook piercing might take longer than a regular lobe piercing
The rook is in a very particular spot above the daith. It can be a delicate spot to pierce, so the piercing can take six to nine months to heal, depending on how diligent you are in your post-piercing care. London-based piercer Rhianna Jones told Byrdie, “It is always advisable to try to avoid sleeping on any new ear piercing until fully healed as it can cause problems and delay the healing.” To keep it healthy, clean it regularly (and carefully) and don’t remove it, even temporarily (via Bustle). She also recommends a titanium or 18-carat gold bar for the initial healing period (it’s also what she offers her clients).
In terms of pain, it’s not one that’s going to have you sobbing, but be warned — it will definitely hurt more and for longer than your regular lobe piercing, just like other piercings that involve cartilage, such as a tragus piercing. Even though it’s not the most painful piercing you can get, you’re not going to want to try piercing it yourself. It’s always recommended that you find a professional piercer to do this work for you.
What’s it like to get your rook pierced?
According to Healthline, your piercer will first take a look at your ear to determine whether or not your ear is a good fit for this kind of piercing. They’ll then mark the spot where they’re going to pierce and check in with you to see if you want to move it or not. Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask them to move it! You’ll be stuck with this piercing for a long time, so you have a say in where it should go.
The puncture will be quick, but the actual insertion of the jewelry might be the most painful. The jewelry is thicker than what you put in your lobe, so that’s part of why you’ll have to leave it in for longer than the typical six to eight weeks you left your lobe piercings in for. The chance of side effects for this particular piercing are higher, so your aftercare is super important to maintain. And while swelling and redness are common after your rook gets pierced, if you experience pain, tenderness, yellow or green discharge, or flu-like symptoms that last a week or more, you’re going to need medical attention.
However, as long as you keep your piercing healthy, you should have no problems with your cool (and conversation-worthy) piece of jewelry!
The Truth About Bridge Piercings
Piercings can completely make (or break) your look. Depending on where you get it, whether it’s on your ear, like a helix piercing, or on another part of your body, the perfect piercing can totally elevate your look and give you an edgy and cool vibe. However, in order to keep that vibe, you need to make sure you can commit to taking care of that piercing. Unique piercings, like the bridge piercing, are especially important to take care of and monitor.
So what do you need to know before getting a bridge piercing? When it comes down to it, you need to make sure you’re aware of the piercing process and how to take care of it.
What should you expect from a bridge piercing?
A bridge piercing, also known as an Erl piercing, is technically classified as a surface piercing because it doesn’t puncture cartilage, like an ear piercing does (via Bustle). The pain level is lower compared to more sensitive body parts (via Piercing Mania). You may experience some swelling or pain, but most of the pain is associated with the clamps that your piercer will use before gliding the needle through your skin.
When it comes to choosing the jewelry, Byrdie recommends choosing a curved barbell. However, if you’re noticing the bars out of the corners of your eyes, you’re going to need a smaller piece of jewelry.
The healing process is relatively simple — it should take somewhere between eight and 12 weeks to heal, which is far less than some cartilage piercings take, such as a conch piercing. Keep makeup, harsh cleansers, and hair products away from it while it heals, and if you’re having any issues with the piercing, head back to your piercer ASAP.
What are the risks associated with bridge piercings?
Since it pierces the soft skin, there is a chance that the piercing could experience rejection or migration. Rejection happens when you place a foreign object in your body (which in this case is the piercing), and your body considers it a threat to your health (via Byrdie). Migration is what happens when the piercing moves from one spot to another, and if it goes on long enough, it can be rejected completely.
Either way, if you don’t get the jewelry taken out relatively quickly once it’s on the move, you could be at risk for scarring or an infection. In order to prevent this from happening, you need to make sure that the piercer you choose is experienced and well-versed in these types of piercings. They’ll know exactly how much skin to pierce and how to treat any potential issues, and if your piercing does seem to be migrating, they can help you work through that as well, even if it means removing the piercing.
When in doubt, always make sure you always do your research and know what you’re getting your body into when you decide to pierce your body. It’s a cool piece of body art, but you need to make sure you take care of it.
