What are surface piercings?
Surface piercings are a type of body piercing that involves placing jewellery through a flat, relatively smooth area of skin, with the entry and exit points on the same side. Unlike traditional piercings, which go through a hole that extends through the body part, surface piercings are designed to be shallow. They are usually placed on areas where the skin is stretched tight and relatively flat, such as the nape of the neck, the forearm, or the upper chest.
How does it work?
Surface piercings insert jewellery through a small section of skin, with the entry and exit points on the same side. Here’s how they function and what you need to know:
Procedure:
- Piercing: A professional piercer creates a small puncture in the skin and inserts the jewellery. The jewellery is usually a surface bar or micro dermal, designed to lie flat against the skin.
- Jewellery: The jewellery used in surface piercings is specifically designed to minimize movement and reduce the risk of rejection. Surface bars are long, straight pieces with flat ends, while microdermals have a small anchor that sits beneath the skin.
Surface Piercings Healing Time
Surface piercings typically take longer to heal compared to other types of piercings because they are placed on flat areas of the body. The healing time for a surface piercing can range from 6 months to 1 year. However, this can vary depending on factors like the location of the piercing, your body’s healing process, and how well you follow aftercare instructions.
It’s important to keep the area clean, avoid irritation, and follow your piercer’s advice to help ensure proper healing.
Types and names of surface piercings
Certainly! Here’s a detailed description of famous skin diver piercing placements:
Anti-Eyebrow (Top of Cheek): This piercing involves placing an angled barbell beneath the eye, generally along the top of the cheekbone. The barbell is positioned to follow the natural curve of the cheekbone, creating a subtle yet striking appearance.
Belly Button (Navel): A navel piercing can be placed anywhere along the rim of the belly button. The jewellery typically used is a curved barbell, and it can be positioned either at the upper or lower edge of the navel or even along the sides, depending on the desired look.
Chest (Sternum): This piercing is done with a vertical barbell that goes through the central area of the chest, between the breasts. Women more commonly choose it and involves careful placement to ensure symmetry and avoid irritation from clothing.
Collarbone: A barbell runs perpendicular to the collarbones, placed either directly on top or slightly above them. This piercing can accentuate the collarbone area and is often chosen for its aesthetic appeal and visibility.
Eyebrow: A barbell is inserted through the skin beneath the eyebrow for piercing, emerging just above it. This type of piercing follows the natural arch of the eyebrow and is known for its popularity and versatility in terms of style and jewellery options.
Finger: Located on the top side of the finger, where the fingernails are situated, this piercing involves placing a small barbell or ring across the finger’s surface. It’s typically positioned slightly away from the knuckles to avoid discomfort.
Hip: This piercing is positioned along or just above the pelvic bone, often angled parallel to the bone and placed above the belt line. It’s designed to follow the natural curve of the hip, creating a sleek and visually exciting effect.
Nape: The nape piercing is centred on the back of the neck. It involves placing a barbell or other jewellery horizontally across this area, highlighting the neck and adding a bold statement.
Surface Tragus: This vertical piercing is placed in front of the tragus, the small cartilage partially covering the ear canal. P piercing through the flesh in front of this cartilage structure creates a distinctive look.
Third eye: Located just above the nose, between the eyebrows, this piercing can be either vertical or a dermal implant. It sits prominently on the forehead and is often chosen for its unique and eye-catching appearance.
Tongue (Snake Eyes): This piercing involves inserting a horizontal barbell through the tip of the tongue. Two small balls are typically visible on the tongue’s surface, giving the appearance of “snake eyes.”
Transverse Lobe: A barbell is inserted through the earlobe horizontally rather than in the traditional front-to-back orientation. This placement requires precise positioning to ensure the barbell sits comfortably and looks aesthetically pleasing.
Wrist: This piercing is placed on the outer side of the wrist, slightly up the arm from the fold of the wrist. Its placement helps avoid irritation and friction from everyday activities, making it functional and stylish.