Popular Types of Body Piercing & their descriptions:

Body piercing refers to the practice of cutting or puncturing (with a needle or other similar device) various parts of the body so that jewelry or other adornments can be worn. This practice has existed all over the world and has been done for myriad reasons including: religion, mark of social status, marriage, showing bravery or fierceness of warriors, ethnic identity, luck or other superstitious reasons, and even simply for decorative purposes.

Since people are constantly inquiring about different popular styles of body piercing, we have decided to add an alphabetically arranged list of the most common body piercing styles. The following list includes most styles of body piercing, but may not contain every possible type of piercing. In addition to a list of the types of body piercings which are commonly done, we have included a description of each one.

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Anti-Tragus Piercing

The anti-tragus piercing is done by piercing the raised peice of cartilege just above the ear lobe toward the outer edge of the ear. It is directly across from the tragus tab and, in many people, is either non-existant or too small to pierce. This piercing, like other cartilege piercings, is known for extended healing times and the tendancy for captive beads or other jewelry to flop around in this location often aggrivates the condition and prolongs the healing time even further.

Auricle Piercing

An auricle piercing, also known asa rim piercing, is done through the folded over rim of cartilege at the back to top of the ear. Commonly done at 14 gauge, this piercing is a very common one and captive bead rings are a popular choice for jewelry. 

Bridge Piercing

A bridge piercing is a type of nose piercing which is much less common than either a nostril or a septum piercing. The bridge piercing is done through the skin at the top of the nose (not through the cartilige) between the eyes. Common jewelry for a bridge piercing includes: straight or curved barbells, captive bead rings, or horseshoe circular barbells. This type of piercing has a high rate of infection and is very slow healing. Scarring is common if the absolute closest attention is not given during the healing process. We do not recommend that any but the most experienced of piercers attempt this piercing.

Ear Lobe Piercing

Probably the most common piercing (and definitely the most universally socially acceptable piercing) is the ear lobe piercing. Although no description is probably needed here, this piercing is done in the fleshy lobe at the bottom of the ear. The "standard" earring size is 20 gauge. Most body piercing in the lobe is done at 14 gauge today, and this piercing is also commonly stretched to larger gauges. The soft fleshy tissue of the ear lobe makes it very easy to stretch and heavy gauge ear lobe piercings are now very common.

Eyebrow Piercing

Eyebrow piercings are very common. They are typically done vertically and off center on the eyebrow. Although toward the outside is most common, they are seen on the inside as well. Eyebrow piercings are typically done at 16ga or 14ga and most generally the jewelry consists of either a curved barbell or a small captive bead ring.

Fraenum Piercing

The fraenum piercing involves horizontally piercing the web between the gums and the lip. There are several different more specific names for the fraenum piercing depending on if it is done in the upper or lower lip / gum area. If done in the upper part of the mouth, this piercing may also be called a medusa piercing and if done in the bottom they are sometimes cales a interior fraenum piercing. Fraenum piercings are usually done at 18ga or 16ga and small captive bead rings are the most common jewelry.

Lip Piercing

Lip piercings come in a fairly wide range of combinations and placements (including the very popular Monroe piercing) and may be done in either the upper or the lower lip. Multiple lip piercings are often referred to as "bite" piercings; depending on the number or exact location of the multiple piercings they may be called: snake bite piercings, spider bite piercings, viper bite piercings, angel bite piercings, or any of various other names which seem to spring up commonly in various groups. Lip piercings generally are done at either 14 gauge or 16 gauge and jewelry can be labret style studs, captive bead rings, circular barbells, "lippy loops", or other styles.

Monroe Piercing

A monroe piercing is done off center on the upper lip and is intended to resemble a beauty mark. This type of piercing is usually done at 14ga or 16ga and a labret stud type jewelry is worn. Small gems are the most popular for this piercing. This is also one of the quicker healing piercings; common healing time is usually only 6 to 8 weeks.

Nostril Piercing

The nostril piercing is the most common form of nose piercing and one of the most common body piercings in general. It is done on either side of the nose and generally just along the edge of the curve of the nostril. Common gauges for nostril piercings are 20 gauge or 18 gauge and jewelry includes: nose screws, nose bones, and bend to fit nose studs. Small captive bead rings are fairly common as well--especially for initial piercing jewelry as they are easier to clean and may speed healing time.

Septum Piercing

The septum piercing is another form of nose piercing. Although technically the septum is the cartilige which divides the nose vertically between the nostrils, this piercing is almos always done through the flesh just below the end of the cartilige. The most common gauge is 14ga, buut this piercing can (and often is) stretched to larger gauge sizes. There are numerous types of septum jewelry including: captive bead rings, curved horseshoe circular barbells, buffalo talons, and others.

Tongue Piercing

A tongue piercing is most commonly done at 14 gauge and involves piercing the tongue from top to bottom. This is a piercing that should only be performed by very experienced piercers as there are 3 arterial veins in the tongue which, if accidentally pierced, will result in profuse bleeding.

Tragus Piercing

Sometimes called a "tab" piercing, the tragus piercing is done through the small tab like protrusion found immediately in front of the ear canal on many people. This is a very painful piercing and the most common tragus piercing jewelry is either a 14 gauge or a 16 gauge captive bead ring.