Piercing Glossary

AMPALLANG

A horizontal piercing through the head of the penis. Said to have originated from Borneo. This piercing is done with a 10ga or 8ga barbell placed either through or above the urethra. The initial barbell is longer to allow a comfortable fit during erection, once healed a shorter barbell that fits snug when erect is ideal.

ANTI-TRAGUS

An unusual piercing of the ear cartilage located below and opposite the tragus. This piercing suits a 14ga curved barbell as initial jewellery.

APADRAVYA

A vertical piercing through the head of the penis. It passes through the urethra, possibly of Indian origin as it is written about in the Kama Sutra. An Apadravya can be done as an initial piercing, or an existing Prince Albert can be extended. Usually Apadravyas are pierced at 10ga or 8ga, or larger if desired. The barbell is longer to allow for a comfortable fit during erection, and a shorter barbell that fits snug during erection can be fitted after the piercing has healed.

BRANDING

Design applied to the skin via heat, resulting in a scar of the image used. The most common branding methods are:

Strike branding uses pieces of steel heated and applied with one or more strikes. Results are less detailed and more painful.
Cautery branding uses a Medical Cautery Unit to draw the design onto the skin. Results have finer detail and are less painful.

CHRISTINA

The Christina piercing is a surface piercing travelling from the small ridge of the pubic mound where the outer labia meet down to the very top of the clit hood. This piercing maybe anatomy dependent and prone to rejection except when flexible biocompatible material is used.

CLITORAL HOOD HORIZONTAL

A 14ga or thicker ring is placed horizontally through the clit hood so that the bead/ball rests over the clitoris. This is an anatomically dependent piercing; the hood must be exposed (like a hump not a valley) during natural body movement so the jewellery sits comfortably without undue stress.

CLITORAL HOOD VERTICAL

A 14ga or thicker ring or curved barbell is placed vertically through the clit hood so that the bead/ball rests over the clitoris. Jewellery makes contact with the clitoris with pleasing results, The different style of jewellery create rather differing sensations and can easily be swapped after the hood has healed. The most popular of the female genital piercings. Very fast healing and very little discomfort.

CLITORIS

A very rare piercing of the actual clitoris. Most women's clitorises are too small to support this piercing. As an example if it is smaller than an eraser on a pencil it is probably too small. Pierced either horizontal or vertical through the base of the clitoris. Vertical placement is best with a barbell and a ring for horizontal placement. The best initial jewellery thickness is 14ga, however women with smaller but suitable clitorises are best to start with 16ga.

CONCH

A piercing of the inner shell of the ear, which suits a barbell or flat back stud as the initial jewellery. Conches can be pierced from 14ga to 6mm; larger sizes are done with a dermal punch.

CUTTINGS

Designs cut into the flesh with a blade; usually a scalpel. Once healed the resulting scar will be a raised or flattened representation of the chosen design, depending on the individual's healing tendencies. See also Scarification.

DAITH

Piercing of the ridge of ear cartilage above the tragus and below the rook. This piercing suits either a 16ga or 14ga ring or curved barbell.

DERMAL PUNCH

A disposable medical punch used for larger gauge cartilage piercings (2mm-6mm) a twist motion cuts out a core of flesh leaving a very clean hole..

DOLPHIN

A Ring or Curved barbell placed through a Prince Albert and exiting 12-16mm down the shaft. Initial jewellery is a 10ga or thicker curved barbell. Once healed a 10ga or thicker ring may be worn. A difficult piercing to heal and only suited for a circumcised man.

DYDOES

Placed through the rim of the penis head, often in pairs. Most suitable jewellery are 14ga barbells. The piercee needs to have a well-defined rim around the head to support these piercings and circumcised to help with healing.

EAR LOBE

The most common piercing of all. Piercing from 16ga and larger. Many options for jewellery: Rings, Studs, Tubes and Plugs. The lobe can be pierced, stretched or scalpeld depending upon the size the piercee wants.

ERL

aka Bridge. Horizontal piercing located through the bridge of the nose, between the eyes. A 14ga Barbell is generally the best jewellery to heal this piercing. Rings or Barbells can be worn in a healed Erl.

EYEBROW

Generally placed towards the outer side of the eyebrow, however multiple piercings and placements are able. Rings or Barbells can be worn in sizes from 18ga, 16ga and 14ga. Urban Legends regarding a nerve running through the eyebrow that can cause facial paralysis if pierced are just a myth.

FORESKIN

Single or multiple piercings through the foreskin on an uncircumcised penis. 14ga or thicker rings are the best choice for this piercing. Can be stretched to a considerable size or used for infibulation if the foreskin has 2 piercings, placed opposite each other.

FOURCHETTE

Located through the bottom edge of the vagina and exiting at the perineum. This is another anatomical dependent piercing, eg a pinchable ridge. J Bars aka L Bars from 14ga and thicker are the best choice for initial jewellery. Rings or Curved bars can be worn once healed. A very pleasurable piercing in an often-overlooked area.

FRENUM

Located on the underside of the penis shaft close to the cock head, this is a very popular "first genital piercing" Barbells are the preferred jewellery from 10ga and thicker. Multiple frenum piercings along the shaft are called a Frenum Ladder. Placement can also be along the top of the shaft and even the sides when worn as a ladder.

GUICHE

Located between the scrotum and anus. Single or multiple piercings can be done with 10ga or thicker rings. Once healed weights can be added for stimulation and play. Another often overlooked location. Said to have its origins in the Pacific Islands.

HAFADA

aka Scrotum Piercings. Multiple placement options however the most popular are in the centre at the underside of the penis, or in the upper corners where the scrotum has a natural fold. Rings from 12ga or thicker are suited to this piercing. Said to be of Arabic origin, the piercing only passes superficially through the skin it doesn't penetrate the scrotal sac.

HELIX

aka Ear Rim. A very popular outer ear rim piercing through cartilage. The placement can be anywhere along the ear rim and at many different angles. Rings or Flat back studs from 16ga and thicker can be worn. 2 piercings opposite each other in this area when lined up can take a long barbell that is known as a Scaffold or Industrial. Of all piercings the helix tends to be the most uncomfortable one during the healing process.

LABIA INNER

The inner lips that protect the vaginal opening. Single or multiple piercings in either of the inner labia. 14ga or thicker Rings are the most suitable jewellery. If placed opposite each other a padlock can be worn as a chastity devise. A very fast healing piercing.

LABIA OUTER

The outer lips of the vulva. 10ga Rings are the best option for these piercings. Placement can be single or multiple in either or both sides. A slower healer at 8-12 weeks.

LABRET

General placement is below the lower lip and centrally placed. A flat back stud or ring of 14ga or thicker can be worn. A variation is a vertical placement with a curved barbell so the top ball rests on the to edge of the lower lip. See also Lip.

LIP

Located along the lower edge of the lower lip most often at the sides or corners of the lip. 16ga or 14ga rings are the most popular choice.

MADONNA

Located above the upper lip in the corner. A 14ga flat back stud is the most suitable jewellery. The placement replicates a beauty spot. Aka a Crawford or a Monroe named after the celebrities own beauty spots.

MEDUSA

Upper lip piercing placed centrally between the lip and nose. 14ga flat back stud is the must suitable jewellery for this piercing.

MADISON

A throat piercing placed in the soft recess above the collarbone. A tricky piercing to heal as it can reject easily. The best results tend to be with a 14ga Surface bar worn until the piercing has healed and toughened up. Then rings or curved barbells may be worn.

MIGRATION

When initially pierced some piercings will do a little migration. This is the body adapting to the piercing and the jewellery will move and settle into place. Common sites for migration are navels and nipples however other piercings can also migrate; sometimes the jewellery may be the cause of this. See Rejection.

NAPE

Located at the back of the neck, this piercing sits horizontally and best suited healing with a surface bar. Single or multiple placements are possible for this piercing 14ga or thicker surface bars are suitable.

NAVEL

The most popular piercing other than earlobes. 14ga Rings or Jewelled curved barbells are the most popular with females and 10ga or thicker jewellery for males. Traditional placement is vertical through the upper navel fold, although an Inverted navel piercing is placed on the bottom of the navel and generally with a curved barbell. Not everyone is suitable for a navel piercing and some are better suited to a curved bar rather than a ring to ensure healing. This can be a slow piercing to heal due to the location, bending, movement, and clothing that may cause irritation.

NIPPLE

Horizontal placement is the most common for a nipple piercing 14ga or thicker Rings or barbells can be worn, although Vertical placement is another option this is more suited to wearing a Barbell from 14ga or thicker. Placement for males is deeper into the surrounding areola and for females at the base of the nipple where it protrudes from the areola. Healing is slower for nipples, however women tend to heal faster due to the function of their nipples for breast-feeding. Healed nipple piercings will not hinder a mothers breast-feeding.

NOSTRIL

Popular facial piercing, suitable jewellery 16ga ring or 18ga nostril stud. Placement is best in the crease of the nostril flare. If a ring is chosen the placement is such that the ring sits parallel to the face, and a stud sits perpendicular to the nose. Either side can be pierced without any significant meaning

ORBITAL

An ear piercing where a ring follows through 2 piercings, most commonly seen in an earlobe, but can be through any 2 piercings in the ear. An appropriate diameter ring can be worn once both holes are fully healed.

PLAY PIERCING

Temporary piercings usually performed in multiples with fine gauge hypodermic needles. Originally an S/M activity piercing the nipples or genitals for heightened awareness or genitorture. More commonly seen in live piercing shows where numerous needles are placed in patterns anywhere on the body arms or legs.

PRINCE ALBERT

The most famous of all male piercings, Queen Victoria's husband was rumoured to have this piercing and its name was adopted due to this. A ring 10ga or thicker enters through the underside of the penis head and exits out the urethra. A fast healer and easy to stretch up to thicker jewellery. Suitable for circumcised and non-circumcised men. With a little practice a cut man can still stand to urinate, he doesn't need to sit every time he needs to urinate.

PRINCESS ALBERTINA

The female equivalent of the Prince Albert. Very rare and one to avoid for those prone to urinary tract infections. A speedy healer, this piercing enters the urethra and exits just below the urethral opening. 12ga or thicker rings are the most suitable jewellery.

PUBIC

More decorative than functional this is placed in the dip of the pubic area above the penis. Options for a healed Pubic are rings, barbells or curved barbells. As this is a surface piercing the healing is better if a surface bar is fitted as the initial jewellery. 12ga or thicker is suggested. Larger men with a fattier layer in this area are less likely to heal this piercing.

REJECTION

The worst part of healing a piercing is that suddenly there is very little flesh left supporting the jewellery. The piercing is rejected and your body is trying to heal itself as quickly as possible so pushes the jewellery out somewhat like a splinter. Rejection can be the result of illness, harsh cleaners, trauma to the piercing or constant infection and other circumstances. If a piercing is rejecting it is advisable to remove the jewellery to prevent too much scarring.

ROOK

The upper most cartilage ridge running diagonally above the tragus. This piercing can be done at 16ga or 14ga Rings or curved barbells are suitable, Curved Barbells are more comfortable to heal and wear

SCAFFOLD

aka Industrial is the name given to 2 ear rim piercings with a long Barbell linking the 2 together. Placement can be a matter of choice and anatomically suited. Correct alignment is necessary to so the piercings aren't distorted when the barbell is worn. It is advisable to have these piercings done at the same time and to heal them with short barbells or rings. Once healed and there is no further tenderness a barbell can be worn. 14ga jewellery is the most common sized used.

SCALPELLED LOBE

This method is used to make a very large sized stretched earlobe. Generally for 10mm and larger a line is marked along the lobe close to the cartilage, an incision made and the jewellery is tapered through the slit. No flesh is removed, thereby allowing plenty of lobe to accommodate larger sized jewellery. Scalpels can also be use to enlarge an existing stretched lobe that was originally pierced lower down the lobe. Healing time is remarkably fast.

SCARIFICATION

See Cuttings. Technically a method to enlarge or raise cuttings via irritating the healing scars. People with higher melanin levels are more likely to heal a raised scar that those with lower melanin levels.

SEPTUM

Located between the nostrils, the septum is a fairly pain free and fast healer, often ½ the healing time of a Nostril piercing. When placed correctly in the thin dividing cartilage inside the nose the septum can remain invisible with a retainer. Rings or retainers from 16ga-8ga jewellery can be worn in the initial piercing pierced at the relevant gauge. Rings, Spikes, or tusks may be worn.

SCROTUM

See Hafada

SMILEY

aka Scrumper. A Ring worn in the frenulum web inside the upper lip and sitting against the front teeth. Generally only visible when smiling. 16ga or 14ga Rings the most suitable jewellery option. Painless and a quick healing piercing

STRETCHING

Refers to any enlargement of a piercing in order to wear thicker jewellery. Most commonly seen in stretched earlobes. Most piercings can be stretched either with an insertion taper or multiple rings and even layers of Teflon tape wrapped around a barbell or plug. Only fully healed piercings should be stretched and then only one gauge thicker each stretch. Cartilage piercings do not respond well to stretching but with time can be enlarged.

SURFACE PIERCING

Refers to any piercing that is placed parallel to the skin. These are tricky to heal unless to correct type and size of jewellery is inserted. A surface bar is the only practical jewellery for these piercings, the ball ends are bent outward at a 45 or 90-degree angle that avoids tension at the exit points of the piercing. 14ga or thicker are the suggested gauge for Surface piercing.

SUSPENSIONS

The person is hung by a number of hooks (between 2.4mm - 4mm thick) these are pierced just prior to being suspended above the ground. The hooks are removed after the victim has finished their suspension, very minimal scarring results from the hooks. Time scale for hanging can be a few minutes upwards of a few hours. The 3 most common forms of Body suspension are:

1. Suicide...This is generally the first type of suspension people try. This suspension can use 2 - 8 hooks placed horizontally across the upper back, the person is in a vertical position whilst hanging.
2. Superman...This position has the victim face down and horizontal hence the name "Superman". This position uses a minimum of 8 hooks but can use as many as 22 hooks if desired..The more hooks used the greater the weight distribution.
3. Coma... This position has the victim face up and horizontal with arms at their side. A greater number of hooks are used in this position as more support is needed to keep the victim horizontal.

One form of suspension that has been seen by many people is the 2 Point Chest Hanging. This was portrayed in the Film "A Man Called Horse" and was based on the ritual performed by Native Americans in Dakota. This is also widely acknowledged as the most painful suspension to do. Recently at the fetish Ball 7 in Christchurch NZ, Nik Fletcher (former Flesh Wound apprentice) did this suspension with the assistance of Lukas Zpira from France......Yes it really f...... hurt.

TAPER

Term used to describe an insertion taper pin. Used to insert jewellery into a piercing that has shrunk or to stretch up an existing piercing. The taper is rounded and thinner in gauge at the tip and progressively thickens at the jewellery-coupling end.

TONGUE

This is one of the most popular piercings as it has shock value, fairly pain free to pierce and very fast healing. Initial healing requires a longer barbell to accommodate the swelling during the first week; after the piercing has healed a comfortable fitting barbell is worn. Starting at 14ga is the most popular size for a tongue, however thicker gauges can be pierced or the piercing stretched up a gauge at a time. The tip of the tongue heals quicker, but is a sharper piercing in comparison to the standard placement. Most people can support multiple tongue piercings, the longer your tongue the more room there is. See also Viper Bite.

TONGUE WEB

The Underside of the tongue is pierced horizontally through the frenulum web. A unique piercing that is fast to heal but tends to migrate over time. 14ga curved barbells or rings tend to be the best jewellery.

TRIANGLE

A horizontal piercing resembling a horizontal hood piercing except that it passes underneath the clitoral shaft , providing stimulation not possible with other piercings. This piercing is anatomy dependant and requires a very prominent clitoral shaft and room for a 12ga or thicker circular barbell.

VIPER BITE

aka Venom. This is a double tongue piercing, placed opposite each other and to the side of the centre line of the tongue. Viper Bites are best done in a single sitting to ensure symmetrical placement and to heal them both in one healing period.