Did you think that piercings are something new? Well, guess again. They’ve been a part of human history for a very long time. Some research shows that it goes back 25,000 years back. It was always closely related to culture, spirituality and religion. Nowadays, it’s a way for someone to express their personality and beliefs. Piercings today are still an inseparable part of some religions and cultures, but it’s still a universal thing.
Types of Body Piercings
People are very inventive when it comes to body piercings. They’ve come up with plenty of ways to decorate their bodies with these jewels. Of course, the most common ones are ear piercings. They can go on the upper or lower part of the earlobe. You can mix and match earrings of different sizes and shapes. From large and luxurious pieces to small, elegant studs.
It’s like your earlobe is a blank canvas for you to decorate as you wish. You can arrange them in a unique way and express your personality. Facial piercings are also a big thing. Every piercing from the eyebrows to the chin belongs in this category. Keep in mind that only high-quality facial piercing jewellery can complement your face and make a statement.
Lip piercings are a very common choice. You can go for the dahlia bites, angel bites or cyber bites. Your cheeks can also handle a variety of piercings in different sizes. Nose and eyebrow jewellery can also look great if done the right way. You can get your nose pierced in a variety of ways. The classic nose piercing looks fantastic with a simplistic stud earring.
The nasal piercing is very unique. It’s basically a bar that’s pierced through your nostrils. It has a more aggressive look because of the tribal vibe it brings. There’s also the septum piercing that penetrates the centre of the nose. If you want something more extreme, there’s the “third eye” piercing. In this case, the jewellery goes between your eyebrows.
If you’re feeling daring, you can try out the nipple piercing. The jewellery you can use here are the barbells and hoops. They can vary in size and design but will look good either way. But these piercings can be tricky to heal. Do your research and get familiar with the healing process that can last up to 6 months. If you can’t commit to this healing time, don’t make this piercing.
Belly piercings were a big hit in the early 2000s and are having a big comeback right now. If you go for the top-mount belly piercing, choose jewellery with a dangling charm. If you do it below the navel, the charm won’t make a big difference. Some people decide to get piercings on much more sensitive places like the clitoris, labia or the penis. All of these require a lot of aftercare and time to heal so don’t make any rushed decisions.
Types of Body Jewellery
There are plenty of body jewellery you can choose from. Captive bead rings and hoops are a common choice. They can work on almost any pierced body part which makes them very versatile. A captive bead ring includes a bead or jewel in a basic metal circle known as a hoop. Some are sophisticated, while others have an edgy look.
Barbells, studs, bones and screws belong to another piercing category. They can go on your belly button, intimate parts, ears or be facial piercing jewellery. Almost all of them have some sort of gem at one or both ends that adds a bit of bling. They can also have draping chains that look amazing on your ears.
Materials They’re Made Of
Titanium
Titanium is a very strong and durable material. It’s the number one choice of material when it comes to jewellery because it’s rust-resistant and hypoallergenic. Every piece of titanium can act as jewellery. But there’s the ASTM coding which ranks the types of titanium from least to most suitable for jewellery. Check this list to see which one you should choose.
Gold
Gold is a good option, especially for face piercings. it’s hypoallergenic and can vary in price depending on the karat weight. If you’re looking for a pure gold piercing, you won’t find one. Gold is very fragile and soft on its own so manufacturers mix it with other metals to make it durable and safe to wear.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel has a shine to it that makes it very appealing and pretty. It’s also affordable and durable. Oftentimes, manufacturers mix it with nickel which can be allergenic. So, if you’re sensitive to nickel, check your stainless-steel jewellery and make sure it’s not mixed with nickel.
How to Measure Jewellery
Since every person’s body is unique, not every piercing will fit you perfectly. Don’t rush to just buy the piercing. You’ll need to measure the pierce’s gauge, diameter and length. The gauge is determined by the width of the bar that passes through your piercing. Or in simpler words, the thickness of the barbell.
For the length, you need to measure the wearable length of the piece of jewellery, or barbell, that goes through the piercing. Leave out the charms, gems or balls and only measure from the top to the bottom of the barbell. Finally, the diameter is a measurement that refers to hoops, round barbells and circulars. You do it by measuring from the centre point to the widest part of the circle.
Aftercare
Once you get a piercing, you should expect some things to happen. In some cases, there might be some bleeding. During the first few days, it can bleed or get swollen. But this is a problem that a bit of ice can solve. The area can also be bruised, sore and itchy for a few weeks. Sometimes even a whitish-yellow fluid may appear, which is the healing part of the process.
But if you experience any severe pain, itching, or more fluids than usual, go to your doctor, because bigger issues may arise. Cleaning your piercing properly is essential. Always use sterile wound wash saline along with gauze or cotton pads. Always wash your hands thoroughly before cleaning the place. Rinse the piercing after showering and pat it dry.
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