Piercing Placements, Healing and Sizing

The most common of all piercings. Generally pierced with a gun it can also be pierced with a needle to a 1.2mm, 1.6mm or 2.4mm gauge with a bcr or barbell. If you are planning on stretching your ear after having it pierced a needle piercing is recommended, particularly at a 1.6mm gauge as this provides a ‘cleaner’ groundwork to stretch from. Initial jewellery change: 6 weeks. Healing time: 6 - 8 weeks. Jewellery: Plain or jewelled studex ear studs in gold or rhodium plated, titanium or solid gold 1.2mm, 1.6mm or 2.4mm titanium bcr or barbell.

Is the outer curve of your ear, commonly called a cartilage piercing. Until recently the regular practice was to pierce this with a gun as done with a lobe piercing. However with the growing realisation of the damage done to the cartilage on behalf of the piercer and general public this has gladly become more obsolete. A bcr or barbell can be used for a tragus piercing, a barbell will look more like a ’normal’ stud whereas the ring will have a definite hang, sitting as vertically as your ear will allow. Initial jewellery change: 8 weeks / 2 months. Healing time: 2 - 4 months. Jewellery: A 1.2mm titanium bcr or barbell can be used. Neither will ensure your piercing will heal faster than the other so the choice is an aesthetic one.

The tragus is the protruding cartilage at the entrance to the ear canal. It has become a common piercing but can be a little more difficult to heal than other common piercings. A bcr or barbell can be used for a tragus piercing, a barbell will look more like a ’normal’ stud whereas the ring will have a definite hang, sitting as vertically as your ear will allow. There is a large amount of jewellery available for a healed tragus piercing from a delicately small internally threaded jewelled labret to a black spiked labret to a coloured titanium bcr. Initial jewellery change: 8 weeks / 2 months. Healing time: 2 - 4 months. Jewellery: 1.2mm titanium bcr or barbell can be used. Neither will ensure your piercing will heal faster than the other so the choice is an aesthetic one.

The anti-tragus is the fold of cartilage above your lobe and just opposite your tragus. This can be a problematic piercing so to counter this 1.2mm P.T.F.E with titanium balls is used. The flexibility and lightness of the P.T.F.E does not put the stress on this delicate piercing that a titanium bcr or barbell would, ensuring a faster and easier healing process. However once the piercing is fully healed any jewellery can be used. Because of the nature of the piercing your piercer at Urban Piercings will decide on the placement specifically to your ear and shape. Therefore few anti-tragus piercings will look alike. Initial jewellery change: 8 weeks / 2 months. Healing time: 2 - 4 months. Jewellery: 1.2mm P.T.F.E with 3mm titanium balls on either end is used for an anti-tragus piercing. Generally more length is needed on the bar than other piercings but this excess can be trimmed 3 - 4 weeks into the healing process if the extra length is becoming too much.

The snug piercing is the ridge of cartilage running parallel with your rim, it starts from the anti-tragus at the bottom and becomes the rook at the top. This can be a problematic piercing so to counter this 1.2mm P.T.F.E with titanium balls is used. The flexibility and lightness of the P.T.F.E does not put the stress on this delicate piercing that a titanium bcr or barbell would, ensuring a faster and easier healing process. However once the piercing is fully healed any jewellery can be used. Because of the nature of the piercing your piercer at Urban Piercings will decide on the placement specifically to your ear and shape. Therefore few snug piercings will look alike. Initial jewellery change: 8 weeks / 2 months. Healing time: 2 - 4 months. Jewellery: 1.2mm P.T.F.E with 3mm titanium balls on either end is used for an anti-tragus piercing. Generally more length is needed on the bar than other piercings but this excess can be trimmed 3 - 4 weeks into the healing process if the extra length is becoming too much.

The rook piercing is the horizontal ridge of cartilage at the top of the snug piercing. The placement of this piercing means it is almost tucked in behind the helix, still perfectly visible when viewed from the front, Best described as ‘peeping out’ from behind the helix. Initial jewellery change: 8 weeks / 2 months. Healing time: 2 - 4 months. Jewellery: A 1.2 x 8mm titanium bcr or curved barbell can be used in a rook piercing and as neither will ensure your piercing will heal faster than the other, the choice is purely an aesthetic one.

The helix is the beginning of your rim of cartilage, above your tragus and by the side of your temple. This piercing generally follows the line of your head running perpendicular to it. A bcr is recommended for the helix and it is pierced so that the bcr will find a comfortable place to sit and hang as vertically as your ear will allow. Therefore few helix piercings will look alike. Initial jewellery change: 8 weeks / 2 months. Healing time: 2 - 4 months. Jewellery: A 1.2 x 8mm titanium bcr is used for the helix piercing but although a bcr is recommended a 1.2mm straight barbell can also be used.

The diath is the low ridge of cartilage following on from the helix going into the conch, beneath the rook. The diath is always pierced with a bcr, as this will sit against your conch and provide the least amount of movement during the healing process. Once healed, if a barbell is preferred, the bcr can be replaced with a tight fitting curved barbell of your choice. Initial jewellery change: 8 weeks / 2 months. Healing time: 2 - 4 months. Jewellery: A 1.2 x 8mm titanium bcr is almost exclusively used for the diath piercing.

The conch is the inner part of the ear which resembles the shell from which it is named. This can be a problematic piercing so to counter this 1.6mm P.T.F.E with titanium balls is used. The flexibility and lightness of the P.T.F.E does not put the stress on the piercing that a titanium bcr or barbell would, ensuring a faster and easier healing process. However once the piercing is fully healed any jewellery can be used. The conch is generally pierced so that when your face is viewed from the front it will just be visible. This placement also often means a bcr can be worn comfortably once the piercing is healed. Initial jewellery change: 8 weeks / 2 months. Healing time: 2 - 4 months. Jewellery: 1.6mm P.T.F.E with 4mm titanium balls on either end is used for an conch piercing. Generally more length is needed on the bar than other piercings but this excess can be trimmed 3 - 4 weeks into the healing process if the extra length is becoming too much.

A scaffold piercing is the joining of two (or more) piercings with a single bar. The scaffold is considered the most serious of cartilage piercings because of the extra care and healing time required for it. Because of the nature of the scaffold piercing, 1.6mm P.T.F.E with 5mm titanium balls is used. The lightness, and most importantly the flexibility of P.T.F.E ensures that this delicate piercing can heal as quickly as possible, so that if one of the piercings is knocked, stress is not placed on the other, as happens when scaffolds are pierced with metal bars. The scaffold is pierced where it ‘needs’ to go, Ensuring ample cartilage is pierced, no other part of the ear will put pressure on the piercing once a metal bar has been inserted and it is aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, few scaffold piercings will look alike. Initial jewellery change: A minimum of 8 weeks / 2 months. Healing time: 3 - 6 months. Jewellery: 1.6mm P.T.F.E with 5mm titanium balls is used for scaffold piercings.

A bcr, or a straight or curved barbell can be used for an eyebrow piercing. However, piercing with a barbell will greatly reduce the risk of the jewellery rejecting. Whether it is a straight or curved barbell will depend on your eyebrow and is based on your piercers’ experience. The eyebrow piercing is placed towards the outer edge of the eyebrow, closer to the temple. An ideal placement means that viewed face on the piercing will have a slight slant, the bottom in toward your nose. Viewed from the side the eyebrow piercing will seem to follow the general line of your face. Initial jewellery change: 3-4 weeks. Healing time: 2 - 3 months. Jewellery: 1.2mm titanium bcr or barbell is used. The length and, in the case of the barbell, shape used depends on your eyebrow.

Nose piercings vary in their placement depending on the shape of the nostril. As a general rule a nose piercing is placed a millimetre or two under the crease of your nostril, and about two thirds out from the closest point to your face. The jewellery used for nose piercings are titanium, with a plain or jewelled top and a ‘pig tail’ backing. Until recently the regular practice was to pierce this with a gun as done with a lobe piercing. However with the growing realisation of the damage done to the cartilage on behalf of the piercer and general public, this has gladly become more obsolete. Once the piercing has fully healed the more conventional nose studs can be worn, however many people continue to wear the pig tail backed nose studs as they don’t fall out as easily. At Urban Piercings we do not recommend having your nose pierced with a bcr. The stress placed on the piercing through inserting the jewellery and the amount of movement of your nostril with the size and relative weight of the ring, has in our experience prolonged the healing process un-necessarily. We therefore recommend having your nose pierced with a stud and once healed sufficiently, a suitably sized ring can be chosen and inserted. Initial jewellery change: 8 weeks / 2 months. Healing time: 2 - 3 months. Jewellery: 1mm gauge titanium nose studs are used to for nose piercings, with either a plain ball or a clear, pink and blue jewelled ball. Although the sizes may vary the ball size is typically 2.3mm.

Lip piercings can be placed anywhere along the lower lip without going too far towards the corners. Consideration will need to be made towards placement in relation to your teeth and gums, however your piercer at Urban Piercings will advise you on any potential problems. Lip piercings can either have a bcr or labret inserted. However because of the size of the ring needed to allow for swelling, particularly in a central lip piercing, a labret is often advised to ensure a fast healing process, without a large ring unable to ’seat’ itself properly and the subsequent movement. Initial jewellery change: 3 - 4 weeks. Healing time: 2 - 3 months. Jewellery: a 1.6mm titanium labret or bcr is used in a lip piercing, the size of which will depend on the placement of the piercing and the shape of your lip.

Similar in most respects to a lip piercing, but placed on the upper lip and further from the lip line. Madonna and Monroe piercings are meant to imitate the beauty spots of the celebrities from whom they are named. A labret is used in a Madonna piercing and as most do not swell excessively not too much extra length is needed. Initial jewellery change: 3 - 4 weeks. Healing time: 2 - 3 months. Jewellery: A 1.6mm titanium labret is used in a lip piercing, the size of which will depend on the placement of the piercing and the shape of your lip.

A medusa piercing is a central upper lip piercing always pierced with a labret. This piercing can be a sharper pain than the other lip piercings and is inclined to more bruising. However as with the Madonna most do not swell excessively so not too much extra length is needed on the labret. Initial jewellery change: 3 - 4 weeks. Healing time: 2 - 3 months. Jewellery: A 1.6mm titanium labret is used in a lip piercing, the size of which will depend on the shape of your lip.

Septum piercings can be fitted with a bcr or a u-shaped keeper, allowing the piercing to be hidden if needed. There is a very specific placement of septum piercings which rests in the ‘sweet spot’ below the cartilage and above the gristle. This membrane is relatively thin so the septum, when placed correctly, is not as painful as commonly thought to be. Initial jewellery change: 6 weeks. Healing time: 2 - 3 months. Jewellery: Either a titanium 1.6mm bcr or u shaped retainer is fitted initially. And as neither will ensure your piercing will heal faster than the other the choice is an aesthetic one (or necessary, depending on work, family etc!).

Bridge piercings are placed perfectly horizontally at the top of your nose, through the fleshy part As a bridge piercing is technically more of a surface piercing a P.T.F.E plastic bar is used. The lightness and flexibility of this ensures that the bridge piercing has more chance to form the scar tissue needed to stop rejection. At Urban Piercings we recommend that once healed the P.T.F.E is kept in the piercing and trimmed down to a suitable length, only changing the balls on the end. This way you can ensure your bridge piercing does not migrate over time. Initial jewellery change: Balls can be changed after 3 - 4 weeks, also initial trimming of P.T.F.E. Healing time: 2 - 5 months. Jewellery: 1.6mm P.T.F.E with 4mm titanium threaded balls is fitted initially.

The anti-eyebrow is placed under the eye, following the line of the cheek bone, generally just above it. As an anti-eyebrow piercing is a surface piercing, P.T.F.E plastic is used. The lightness and flexibility of this ensures that the anti-eyebrow piercing has more chance to form the scar tissue needed to stop rejection. At Urban Piercings we recommend that once healed the P.T.F.E is kept in the piercing and trimmed down to a suitable length, only changing the balls on the end. This way you can ensure your anti-eyebrow piercing does not migrate over time. Initial jewellery change: Balls can be changed after 3 - 4 weeks, also initial trimming of P.T.F.E. Healing time: 2 - 5 months. Jewellery: 1.2mm P.T.F.E with 3mm titanium threaded balls is fitted initially.

The navel piercing is placed vertically at the top part of your belly button. At Urban Piercings we pierce all navels at a standard 10mm length as this will allow you the greatest choice of navel bars to replace the original. A barbell is thoroughly recommended for the initial jewellery as a bcr never ’sits’ right, constantly aggravating the piercing and taking an over-long time to heal. The initial titanium barbell used to pierce navels come in a large variety of colours, combination of plain and jewelled balls and different sized gems. And the choice for a healed navel piercing is the most expansive of all the body piercings. Any other navel piercing than the standard vertical piercing is considered a surface piercing by Urban Piercings and is pierced and treated accordingly. Initial jewellery change: 3 months. Healing time: 3 - 12 months. Jewellery: 1.6 x 12mm titanium curved barbell is used. The combination of gem colours and sizes is on display at Urban Piercings.

Surface piercings cover a wide range of different placements, lengths and groupings. The more common surface piercings, which include the nape (bask of the neck), wrist and hip, are popular because they stand the most chance of successfully healing. All surface piercings should be sympathetic to the lines and shapes of the surrounding body. Your piercer at Urban Piercings is experienced at placing your surface piercing where it will work with your body, and not look like it has been ’stuck’ there. Therefore few surface piercings will look exactly alike. There is much stigma attached to surface piercings regarding their longevity however at Urban Piercings we have, for many years, used P.T.F.E plastic on all surface piercings. The lightness and flexibility of this ensures that the surface piercing has more chance to form the scar tissue needed to stop rejection. It also means that absolutely any length that is required for the piercing, from 16mm to 55mm can simply be cut to size and used, ensuring the piercing is marked out to what it needs to be, not what the jewellery length available dictates it. The P.T.F.E is then never changed or removed but simply trimmed down as required and the ball attachments can be changed. You can expect your surface piercing to reject to some degree however with strict adherence to the aftercare guidelines set out by Urban Piercings there is a high chance your piercing will fully heal with only a few ’trimmings’ required. Initial jewellery change: Balls can be changed after 3 - 4 weeks, also initial trimming of P.T.F.E. Healing time: 2 - 12 months, although some may never heal. Jewellery: 1.6mm P.T.F.E with 5mm titanium threaded balls is fitted initially.

Nipple piercings, on both sexes, are pierced through the areola, about a millimetre either side of (not through) the protruding part of the nipple. This can be vertically, horizontally or any other direction you may want. Both men and women will be required to fully remove their top items of clothing for the marking up process, then, if required, clothing may be replaced as much as possible. This way your piercer can ensure your piercing will be straight and marked correctly. A bcr or barbell can be used however it is recommended that a barbell is chosen. This will reduce the chances of rejection caused by the excessive movement of the ring but still allow plenty of room for any swelling to take place. Initial jewellery change: 8 weeks / 2 months. Healing time: 2 - 6 months. Jewellery: A 1.6mm bcr or barbell can be used but as stated a barbell is recommended, the length of which will depend on the size and shape of the nipple.

Tongue piercings are generally placed centrally on the tongue. Your piercer at Urban Piercings will place your tongue piercing where it will sit most comfortably in your mouth. Multiple tongue piercings are possible and again, your piercer will place them where they will be most comfortable and provide the least interference to the day to day movement of your tongue. While not considered particularly painful tongue piercings can swell to quite uncomfortable sizes during the healing process so to minimise the discomfort of a healing tongue piercing a P.T.F.E plastic barbell is used. This flexible material allows the tongue more movement and puts less stress on the piercing, ensuring the healing process is as quick as is possible. Initial Jewellery change: 2 - 3 weeks. Healing time: 1 - 2 months. Jewellery: 1.6mm P.T.F.E with two 5mm titanium balls. Depending on the tongue and placement the bars are typically 18 - 22mm long.

Lip and tongue webs are pierced through the thin membrane in the middle of the inside of your upper and lower lip and on the membrane underneath your tongue, just above your saliva ducts. Because of how thin and delicate the webbing is only a bcr is fitted initially, as the barbell can very easily be pulled out whole before a proper amount of scar tissue has been formed. However the lower lip web is pierced with a curved barbell because so little movement occurs there, the weight of a bcr will put too much stress down on the piercing. Initial Jewellery change: 2 - 3 weeks. Healing time: 1 - 2 months. Jewellery: 1.2 x 8mm titanium bcr, with the lower web piercing a 1.2 x 8mm titanium curved barbell is fitted.

The most popular of the male genital piercings the Prince Albert is placed to either side of the frenum passing through the membrane beneath the glans and out the urethra. The Prince Albert is pierced with a bcr at a 2.4mm gauge. Experience has shown this to be the most comfortable gauge for the wearer as any thinner can feel like it cuts, also called the ‘cheese wire effect’. This piercing is often considered to be relatively painless however people differ widely on that. Swelling can be expected along with the surrounding foreskin, bleeding can continue slowly but steadily for up to two days and urination can be uncomfortable for a short while. Once fully healed most men prefer to keep the bcr in, often reducing the diameter depending on their shape. Curved P.A bars are available but tend to be uncomfortable as the top ball often lodges in the urethra. Initial jewellery change; 8 - 10 weeks. Healing time; 2 - 4 months. Jewellery: A 2.4 x 19mm titanium bcr is fitted initially, although this does depend on the shape of the glands.

The frenum is the triangle of foreskin directly connected to the glans. This can be pierced with either a bcr or a curved barbell depending on your preference. Placement will depend on the size and shape of your specific fraenum. Initial jewellery change; 6 - 8 weeks. Healing time; 2 - 3 months. Jewellery; 1.6 x 10mm titanium bcr or curved barbell is fitted initially.

As its name implies this is a surface piercing on the shaft of the penis. It can be, within reason, placed anywhere along the shaft but it is more common and the piercing more successful if placed horizontally across the top of the shaft. At Urban Piercings we use P.T.F.E plastic on all surface piercings. The lightness and flexibility of this ensures that the surface piercing has more chance to form the scar tissue needed to stop rejection. The P.T.F.E is then never changed or removed but simply trimmed down as required and the ball attachments can be changed. You can expect your surface piercing to reject to some degree however with strict adherence to the aftercare guidelines set out by Urban Piercings there is a high chance your piercing will fully heal with only a few ’trimmings’ required. Initial jewellery change; balls can be changed after 3 - 4 weeks, also initial trimming of P.T.F.E Healing time; 2 - 12 months, although some may never heal. Jewellery; 1.6mm P.T.F.E with 4mm titanium threaded balls is fitted initially, the length of which will depend on the placement.

Pubic piercings are surface piercings placed above the base of the penis and below the pubic hair. P.T.F.E plastic is used on all surface piercings. The lightness and flexibility of this ensures that the surface piercing has more chance to form the scar tissue needed to stop rejection. It also means that any length that is required for the piercing can simply be cut to size and used. The P.T.F.E is then never changed or removed but simply trimmed down as required and the ball attachments can be changed. You can expect your surface piercing to reject to some degree however with strict adherence to the aftercare guidelines set out by Urban Piercings there is a high chance your piercing will fully heal with only a few ’trimmings’ required. Initial jewellery change; balls can be changed after 3 - 4 weeks, also initial trimming of P.T.F.E Healing time; 2 - 12 months, although some may never heal. Jewellery; 1.6mm P.T.F.E with 4mm titanium threaded balls is fitted initially, the length of which will depend on the placement.

A hafada can be placed anywhere on the scrotum however there are better places than others. They are mostly placed under or around the base of the penis and then if any more are wanted they are used as a reference point. Though commonly pierced with a bcr a barbell can also be used. Initial jewellery change; 6 - 8 weeks. Healing; 2 - 3 months. Jewellery; A 1.6 x 12mm titanium bcr or barbell.

The guiche piercing is placed on the perineum, the space in between the back of the scrotum and the rectum. Although traditionally pierced with a bcr those involved in frequent physical activities may prefer to have the guiche pierced with a P.T.F.E plastic bar, the flexibility of which will allow for a lot more movement. Initial jewellery change; 6 - 8 weeks Healing; 2 - 3 months Jewellery; 1.6 x 12mm titanium bcr or 1.6mm P.T.F.E with 5mm titanium balls

The amphallang is a horizontal piercing through the glans of the penis. It is often placed so that it passes through the uretha, effectively becoming two piercings and greatly reducing the chances of migration. The amphallang is one of the more extreme piercings and careful consideration should be taken before proceeding. The amphallang is pierced with 2.4mm P.T.F.E which will greatly reduce the swelling and discomfort during the healing process. Initial jewellery change; 10 - 12 weeks. Healing time; 4 - 6 months. Jewellery; 2.4mm P.T.F.E is fitted initially, the length of which will depend on the placement.

The dyode can be placed anywhere along the ridge of the glans, commonly on the top. As a small piercing the chances of migration are quite high, so P.T.F.E plastic is used to reduce the chances of this happening, it is also recommended that the P.T.F.E remains in the piercing and is simply cut to length. The dyode is one of the more extreme piercings and careful consideration should be taken before proceeding. Initial jewellery change; 8 - 10 weeks. Healing times; 4 - 6 months. Jewllery; 1.6mm P.T.F.E with 4mm titanium balls is fitted initially, the length of which will depend on the placement.

The clitoris hood is the meeting of the inner labia at the top, covering the clitoris. The vertical hood piercing is always done with a curved barbell, with one ball sitting centrally on the top and the bottom ball resting (once the piercing has healed and the correct size jewellery inserted) directly on the clitoris. The vertical hood is the more common of the female genital piercings. Initial jewellery change; 3 - 4 weeks. Healing time; 2 - 3 months. Jewellery; 1.6 x 10mm titanium curved barbell is fitted initially.

The clitoris hood is the meeting of the inner labia at the top, covering the clitoris. The horizontal hood piercing is always done with a bcr and is placed higher than the actual clitoris. However there is more scope for variations on placement and even number of piercings. Initial jewellery change; 3 - 4 weeks. Healing time; 2 - 3 months. Jewellery; 1.6 x 10mm titanium bcr is fitted initially.

The inner labia are the lips that run either side of the vagina, which meet up to the hood and are on the inside of the outer, fleshier labia. An inner labia piercing can be placed almost anywhere along the labia however 5mm beneath the hood or either side of the vaginal entrance are popular. For comfort reasons inner labial piercings are fitted with bcrs. Commonly pierced in pairs, one either side, they are often slightly staggered to allow each its space with the movement of day to day life and prevent any unpleasant pinching. Initial jewellery change; 6 - 8 weeks. Healing time; 2 - 3 months. Jewellery; 1.6 x 10mm titanium bcr is fitted initially.

The outside labia are the fleshier lips that run outside of the inner labia. An outer labia piercing can be placed almost anywhere along the labia however beneath the hood or either side of the vaginal entrance are popular. For comfort reasons inner labial piercings are fitted with bcrs. Commonly pierced in pairs, one either side, they are often slightly staggered to allow each its space with the movement of day to day life and prevent any unpleasant pinching. Initial jewellery change; 6 - 8 weeks. Healing time; 2 - 3 months. Jewellery; 1.6 x 10mm titanium bcr is fitted initially.

The christina is a surface piercing, beginning where the outer labia meet above the vagina and follow through to a suitable point on the pubic mound. P.T.F.E plastic is used on all surface piercings. The lightness and flexibility of this ensures that the surface piercing has more chance to form the scar tissue needed to stop rejection. It also means that any length that is required for the piercing can simply be cut to size and used. The P.T.F.E is then never changed or removed but simply trimmed down as required and the ball attachments can be changed. You can expect your surface piercing to reject to some degree however with strict adherence to the aftercare guidelines set out by Urban Piercings there is a high chance your piercing will fully heal with only a few ’trimmings’ required. Initial jewellery change; balls can be changed after 3 - 4 weeks, also initial trimming of P.T.F.E Healing time; 2 - 12 months, although some may never heal. Jewellery; 1.6mm P.T.F.E with 5mm titanium threaded balls is fitted initially, the length of which will depend on the placement.

The triangle is a deep hood piercing, pierced horizontally under the clitoral shaft so that the ball rests just slightly underneath the clitoris. This is the more extreme of the female genital piercings and not every woman has a suitable build. The triangle is always pierced with a bcr. Initial jewellery change; 6 - 8 weeks. Healing time; 2 - 3 months. Jewellery; a 1.6 x 10mm titanium bcr is fitted initially.

The forchette is a small surface piercing placed underneath the vaginal entrance through the lower meeting point of the inner labia. The forchette has a high chance of rejection and not all women are of a suitable build. P.T.F.E is used to try and reduce the chances of rejection. Initial jewellery change; balls can be changed after 3 - 4 weeks, also trimming of P.T.F.E Healing time; 2 - 12 months, although some may never heal. Jewellery; 1.6mm P.T.F.E with 4mm titanium threaded balls is fitted initially, the length of which will depend on the placement.