There are many body piercing types you can get. Body piercings are extremely diverse, so there’s something for everyone. In early history, humans have shown their inner selves using various art forms. One such art form is body piercings. If you want a body piercing but don’t know exactly where to start, See the body piercing guide below for ideas and details about each piercing.

Types Of Body Piercing

We created this body piercing article so you can have all the important tips about body piercings at your fingertips. From ear piercings to face piercings and many more. Let’s know all about the various body piercing types. 

• Ear Piercing
• Nose Piercing
• Lip Piercing
• Face Piercing
• Oral Piercing
• Surface Piercing
• Genital Piercing
• Dermal Piercing

Body Piercing Types – Ear Piercings

Earlobe piercing is the most common ear piercing—almost everyone gets them when they’re young. However, many spots on your ear can serve piercings. Below is a list of the various ear-piercing types:

• Earlobe (First lobe): This piercing is located on the earlobe. There are 3 lobes of piercing the first (standard) lobe, the Upper (middle) lobe, and the high lobe. The first lobe is the most common and low on the pain scale due to the lack of cartilage on the earlobe. It also heals pretty quickly—within 5 to 12 weeks. Upper lobe piercing is the second usual piercing type. They can be stylish as well as the least pain scale. it is placed right above a standard earlobe piercing. The third high lobe piercing comes at the upper lobe of the ear, and It’s also really low on the pain scale.
• Transverse lobe: This piercing is totally an earlobe piercing, but it’s pierced parallel (side to side) through the earlobe, in place of front to back. It has a pain level of 5/10.
• Plugged (Stretched) earlobe: This piercing is done by gently stretching lobe holes by inserting larger body-safe jewelry(plugs, tunnel, and spiral) over time. It’s painful on the pain scale— a 7/10. It takes several months to fully heal, with the accurate time depending on the size of the stretch and separate healing rage but normally differs from 3 months to a year to fully heal.
• Orbital: An orbital piercing is two separate holes connected by a single hoop jewelry piece. They can be placed on the earlobe, helix, forward-helix, and many more. It can be more difficult to heal due to the movement of the jewelry and possible irritation from clothing. Healing time depends on the location it takes 6 weeks to 2 years and the pain scale for this piercing is 5/10.
• Helix (Cartilage): The outer rim of cartilage on the ear, expands from just upon the lobe to its apex and then curving down slightly to meet the head. Where the helix joins the head and is closest to the head is called the forward helix. This piercing typically takes 6 to 12 months to fully heal and the pain scale is 6/10.
• Industrial (scaffold): This piercing, also called the bar piercing, or scaffold piercing, marks two piercing holes joined by a single piece of jewelry. This type of piercing is generally placed diagonally on the upper ear cartilage. It advised one of the more painful piercings due to two holes at one time with a pain level often described as a 7/10. Healing time is the same as helix piercing.
• Snug (anti-helix): The snug piercing is another type of horizontal piercing that sits upon the anti-tragus, at the inner ridge of the ear cartilage. It goes a little closer to the middle of the cartilage. It is considered the most painful piercing, normally pain scale is 9/10, and takes between 4-12 months to heal due to the cartilage.
• Conch: Two types of conch piercings are Inner and Outer. An outer conch piercing is placed in the flat surface of the ear between the helix and the antihelix, while the inner conch piercing is placed at the center of the ear by the bend of the cartilage area closer to the ear canal. It can be painful during the piercing process and while healing, and the pain level differs from person to person. The pain scale is 5/10 and healing time is 6 to 12 months.
• Daith (Migraine): This piercing is placed in the inner bend of the cartilage in the ear, just above the ear canal opening. This piercing is known as a “migraine piercing”. The pain scale for a daith piercing is rated as 5/10 and healing time is  6–9 months.
• Rook: The rook piercing is located on the folded cartilage that separates the inner and outer parts of the ear, just below the forward helix and above the tragus. this piercing placement may vary due to the individual’s ear anatomy. It can be more painful. The pain scale is 6-7/10 and takes time to heal 7-12 months and more.
• Tragus: Tragus piercing is a popular option for traditional earlobe piercings. The Tragus piercing is done on the lower flap of the cartilage where your ear connects to your face, which is normally a rounded triangular shape. The pain scale is 8/10 and 8-12 months to heal.
• Anti-Tragus: The bent part of the cartilage above your ear lobe, opposite the tragus. The pain of an anti-tragus piercing is normally rated between 6 and 7 out of 10 and takes between 6 months to a year to fully heal.
• Auricle (Mid-helix): This ear piercing is placed on the area between the helix and the earlobe. The healing process for this type of piercing typically spans 3 to 9 months and the pain scale for this piercing is around 3/10.
• Constellation: Constellation piercings are a group of multiple ear piercings, typically 2-3 or more, organized to form particular constellation-style patterns on the ear. The healing time is normally around 2-3 months with proper aftercare and is often rated about a 4-6 out of 10 on the pain scale.
• Flat piercing: The flat piercing is located in the flat area of the cartilage below the helix, and the area of the cartilage where the rook sits. Pain level is moderate around 6/10 and generally takes 6 to 9 months to heal.
• The triple helix: The triple helix piercing group of 3 piercings on the ear’s upper cartilage, near your face, and just above the tragus. People normally wear small studs or hoops to create a stylish look. The pain scale is 6-7/10 and takes 7-12 months to heal.

Body Piercing Types – Nose Piercings

Nose piercing is one of the popular body piercing types. In India, it is deeply rooted in cultural tradition, often represents a woman’s marital status, and is a symbol of beauty, In some African cultures, nose piercings are a sign of femininity and beauty. On social platforms, it’s something bold to show your followers. No matter what, there are many kinds of nose piercings.

• Nostril piercing: This is the most common piercing. A piercing via the center of either nostril. If you pierce both sides, you have a double nostril piercing. The pain scale is 6/10 and takes 4-6 months to heal.
• High nostril piercing: This is similar to a traditional nostril piercing, but its piercing is above the nostril piercing, normally placed on the nasal bridge.
• Rhino (vertical nose tip): This looks like a rhino’s horn. It’s a vertical piercing that runs via the tip of the nose and escapes through the skin above the septum. Usually takes 6 to 9 months to heal and the pain scale is 8/10.
• Septum piercing(Bull Ring): One of the popular piercings among youngsters. It’s placed on the septum (the thin cartilage wall that separates both nostrils). The pain scale is 8/10 and takes 5-8 months to heal with proper aftercare.
• Nasallang piercing: It’s also known as a tri-nasal piercing because it passes via both nostrils and septum. This piercing usually spans 4 to 9 months and the pain scale for this piercing is around 8/10.
• Septril piercing: This one is unusual since it needs a stretched septum piercing. It goes via the septum and exits at the top or bottom of the nose. The septril piercing is a fusion of a rhino and a septum piercing. The pain scale is 8/10 and takes 4-6 months to fully heal.
• Austin Bar: The Austin bar piercing is a parallel piercing that passes via the tip of your nose. In the end, it looks like a small bead on both sides of your nose. Normally takes 6 to 9 months to heal and the pain scale is 8/10.

Body Piercing Types – Lip Piercings

A lip piercing is like a beautiful sign on the canvas of your face. It’s a kind of self-expression and a bold way to speak your style. If you’re confused about lip piercings, this is the perfect blog for you. 

• Labret: A labret stud pierces on the lower lip bottom, right above the chin. This is usually rated around 4/10 for pain and takes 6 to 8 weeks to heal.
• Monroe: This piercing is placed on the left side of the upper lip. This piercing is known as Marilyn Monroe’s beauty mark.
• Medusa(Philtrum): This piercing is located in the center of the upper lip, called the philtrum, right below the septum.
• Vertical labret: This piercing looks like a double piercing. It has two puncture holes. This piercing little painful than other lip piercings.
• Snake bites: This piercing looks like a snake bite, according to the name. It’s double-piercing on the outer corners of the lower lip.
• Ashley: This piercing is done to the middle of the lower lip.
• Jestrum(Vertical medusa): This Piercing also has two puncture holes just like the vertical labret but it is pierced via the upper lip and comes out below the septum.
• Spider bites piercings: This piercing involves two lower lip studs placed next to each other on the sides of the lower lip, close to the edge of the mouth.
• Angel bites: This is just similar to snake bite piercing but placed on the opposite, the upper lip corner near to mouth.
• Madonna: The Madonna piercing is placed above the upper lip on the right side just opposite to Monroe piercing.
• Cyber bites: This piercing gets together the medusa and labret.
• Dolphin bites: Two piercings are on the bottom of the lower lip, right in the middle. A labret stud will be stuck in both holes.
• Dahlia (Joker bites): This piercing includes two studs, one at each corner of the lips.
• Canine bites: This is a combination of snake bites and angel piercings. It’s located above the upper lip and below the lower lip.
• Shark bites: This two piercings on each side of the bottom lip.
• Side labret: This is simply a labret piercing to the side of the lip. It can located on the left or right side of the lower lip.
• Horizontal labret: This passes horizontally via the lower lip. It’s the facing of the vertical labret piercing.

Body Piercing Types – Face Piercings

Face piercing means creating holes in facial skin or cartilage to use jewelry like studs, rings, or bars. Common types include nose, eyebrow, lip, cheek, and dermal piercings, providing a special way to express personal style.

• Third-Eye: This type of piercing is called surface piercing on the forehead which goes vertically via the skin on the center of both your eyebrows. This piercing takes 7 months or even a year to heal and the pain scale is 6/10 depending on the person’s tolerance level.
• Bridge(Erl): This piercing is also a surface piercing that goes horizontally via the skin on the bridge of the nose.
• Eyebrow: This piercing is located on the eyebrow’s end either the right or left. Jewelry goes via the bottom of the eyebrows and comes out via the top.
• Horizontal eyebrow: Horizontal eyebrows are also a type of surface piercing that places a barbell horizontally under the skin right above the eyebrow.
• Anti-Eyebrow (teardrop): This piercing is placed under the eye and over the upper cheek area, creating a unique look. So, while the regular eyebrow piercing is upon the eye socket, this piercing is under the eye socket
• Dimple (cheek): Dimple or cheek piercing is usually done in pairs to achieve a dimple effect. It goes through the cheeks to the inside of the mouth.

Body Piercing Types – Oral Piercings

Tongue piercing is a popular and stylish body modification that uses a small barbell to place via the tongue. Its bold self-expression provides versatility with several jewelry styles.

• Lip Frenulum piercing has two types of piercings; the frowny and the smiley. These piercing usually heals in 4-12 weeks and a pain scale is 2-3/10.
  • Smiley: The smiley piercing goes via the upper lip frenulum (underside of your upper lip).
  • Frowny: This pierces through the lower lip frenulum (the skin that connects your bottom lip to your mouth).
• Tongue: The tongue piercing pierces vertically at the tongue’s center. The pain scale is 6-8/10 and takes 2 to 6 months to heal.
• Horizontal tongue (snake eyes, venom piercing): The horizontal tongue piercing runs horizontally via the tip of your tongue. It’s one more risky piercing, and it’s high on the pain scale 8/10.
• Tongue web (gum piercing): This is placed under the tongue, through the “webbed” skin flap. It heals in 4- 6 weeks and the pain scale is usually 5/10.

Body Piercing Types – Surface Piercings

The piercer will use a disposable needle to carefully pierce a hole in a part of the body where jewelry is to be passed. Once the piercing heals fully, one can change the jewelry on it as they wish. There are some common types of body piercing:

• Navel (belly button): This is performed by passing jewelry under the skin around your belly button. It usually heals within 6 to 12 months and the pain scale rated 5/10.
• Nipple piercings: Two types of nipple piercing done. One is straight and the second is a horizontal cross shape. It’s painful. The pain scale rated 9/10 and gradually improved over the next few days. Time takes 9 to 12 months to heal with proper aftercare routine.
  • Vertical nipple: This is a very common piercing in which jewelry passes vertically into the nipple.
  • Nipple cross (double nipple): This is positioned in a cross-shaped form on the nipple by two horizontal piercings and two vertical piercings. This piercing can only be pierced once per session.
• Madison: The Madison piercing is placed on the neck and inserted through the skin in front of the lower neck.
• Sternum (chest): This piercing is placed in the middle of the chest.
• Collar bone (clavicle): This is a surface piercing located on the upper part of the chest, under the collar bone.
• Vampire bite: Also known as the vampire’s kiss piercing, this piercing looks like the marks of a vampire bite. It is pierced inserting a surface bar along the side of your neck.
• Nape: This piercing goes via the back of the neck.
• Corset: The corset piercing is just like a literal corset, with two rows of piercings and a ribbon lacing via them. They are mainly done temporarily for expressive performances or photoshoots.
• Hip: This piercing is located near the hip bones.
• Wrist: This is a surface piercing placed on the skin, just under the inner or outer wrist.

Body Piercing Types – Genital Piercings

Genital piercings are intimate body modifications for attractiveness, self-expression, or enhanced sensitivity. They need expert care, proper hygiene, and precise jewelry, with healing times varying by type.

Female Genital Piercings – Female genital piercings are Christina, Clitoris, VCH, HCH, Inner/Outer Libia, Fourchette, Princess Albertina, Nefertiti, etc. Each enhances unique beauty or sensation, with proper care key to safe healing.

Male Genital Piercings – Male genital piercings include popular types like Dyode, ampallang, apadravya, Kuno, frenum, dorsal frenum, lorum, Jacob, ‘s ladder, Guiche, Prince Albert, reverse Prince Albert, etc. Each provides unique positions and benefits. Proper care is essential for safe healing. The pain scale is these piercings is moderate to high and takes a few weeks to 6 months to heal with proper care and hygiene.

Body Piercing Types – Dermal Piercings

A Dermal piercing known as Micro dermal, rests on any flat surface of the body. This piercing is not a regular piercing, they don’t have an entry and exit point for the jewelry. It needs an anchor that is inserted under the dermis layer of the skin. The base of the anchor is just long 6-7 mm secures the post and is screwed on top of the post, and it rests on the surface, so it resembles there are beads on your skin.

With only the fancy top visible, this piercing provides various jewelry options and a subtle yet prominent appeal. Perfect for rare placements, micro dermal piercings are so trendy. Some popular placements for dermal piercings are Dimple, sternum, Eye, Face, corset, wrist, collarbone, finger, hip, and more. The pain level is 4/10 and it takes 1-3 months to heal with proper hygiene and aftercare.

Conclusion

In sum, there are various forms of body piercing types. We cover almost all your doubts like pain rates, healing time, and placement so that one gets a sense of where and how exactly each of these piercings is done. The key thing to remember is that there is much to choose from regarding piercings. Whether searching for a bold new style or a reminder of meaningful moments, piercings allow you to convey your incredible story subtly yet powerful. Always choose a professional piercer to ensure safety, proper technique, and the best results. Remember, your body is your canvas—decorate it your way!