Different Types of Body Piercings

The significance of body piercing is different in different cultures. It is a form of body modification that has existed in society since ancient times. The traditional way of body piercing is by inserting a needle in some part of the body, due to which a small opening is created in the body which is then adorned with a piece of jewelery. Earlier body piercing was common only in ancient and tribal societies. It was only in the 1970s that this art became popular worldwide. People pierce their different body parts for various reasons, ranging from religion and culture to sexual pleasure or fashion.

The traditional needle method is still used for piercing. However, with the advent of technology many body piercing techniques, like, piercing guns, indwelling cannula method, dermal punching, etc. have come up. Though body piercing is a common phenomenon in most countries of the world, some types of body piercings are not accepted in many cultures. Moreover, piercing a body part can be a painful process and it can also lead to certain infections. So, before one goes about getting one's body pierced, one should know about the different types of body piercings.

Ear Piercing
This is supposedly the most common type of body piercing in the whole world. Though ear piercing is largely done by women, in many cultures even men do it. Earlier, piercing was usually done on the earlobes, but nowadays piercing in all areas of the ear has become a fad. Ear piercing is done for ornamental purposes. It is believed that gay men pierce their right ear to show that they belong to that particular group. However, nowadays there are no such restrictions. One can also find a variety of earrings to adorn the ear, including metal, precious stones, etc. This is the simplest form of body piercing and the healing time does not extend to more than a week.

Nose Piercing
Piercing the nose is as simple as ear piercing, however it is mostly done by women than by men. The most common position for nose piercing is on either side of the nostrils. This kind of nose piercing is very common in India, where it is said that piercing the left nostril of the woman makes childbirth easy. This became quite popular in the western countries in the 1960s and 1970s. Another type of nose piercing is done in the center of the nose, that is the dividing wall between the nostrils, called the nasal septum piercing. However, this type of piercing can lead to certain complications.

Tongue and Other Face Piercings
Tongue piercing is done on the tip of the tongue. If done properly by an experienced person, there are very less chances of infection. However, after the piercing, proper care should be taken to avoid any problems. There also chances of infection occurring on the teeth and gums. Usually, it takes 6 - 8 weeks for the piercing to heal properly. One would have to face certain difficulties while talking and eating initially during the recovery period.

Other types of face piercings include lip piercing where a ring or a stud is inserted in the lower lip of the person. Eyebrow piercing is another form of body piercing that is popular among both the sexes. Other than this, one can also go for piercing that is done between the eyes and the nose.

Nipple Piercing
More and more young men and women are going in for nipple piercing because it is believed to be attractive and is also said to increase sensation. A person's nipple can be pierced with a stud or a metal ring, either once or multiple times. However, this can be a little dangerous and of course painful too. It is said that nipple piercing can cause problems in women while breast feeding. The usual time required for this kind of piercing to heal completely is 6 - 7 months.

Navel Piercing
Navel piercing, also known as belly button piercing has become the second most common type of body piercing after ear piercing. This is said to be a difficult form of body piercing and can take 6 months to a year to heal completely, varying from person to person. The healing period can be filled with pain and discomfort. The area should be cleaned twice a day and one should avoid using soaps and ointments that may cause some allergy or infection.

Genital Piercing
Genital body piercing is done by both men and women for increasing sexual pleasure. For men, genital piercing can be done in different ways, on the scrotum and the public bone. In women, this is commonly done on the clitoris, but can also be performed on the triangle, hood and on the inner and outer labia. However, this type of body piercing should be done only after doing research about the body piercer. The healing period can extend from six months to a year.

In recent times, body piercing has gained great popularity among youngsters because it adds to their style and appearance. In the run for style, many people do not care about hygiene, which results in infections and other complications. To avoid all this, it is important to do a thorough medical check up before piercing any part of the body. One should only go to a professional body piercer who has a good experience in this field. After the piercing is done, the recovery period is a very crucial time when proper care should be taken of the area that is pierced. One should not change the jewelery before the pierced part of the body is fully healed. Taking proper care and precaution after body piercing will ensure that one does not have to face any serious complications in the future.