Cheek Piercing - Sent in by
A piercing placed through the cheek, giving the illusion of dimples. You do not need to have dimples in order to have a cheek piercing done.

Dimple Piercing - Sent in by
See "Cheek Piercing."

Lip Piercing - Sent in by
A piercing placed through the upper or lower-lip, along the lip-line.

~A~

A.P.P. - Credit to Nathan. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
- see "Association of Professional Piercers."

Acrylic - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- see “Lucite.”

Aftercare - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category AfterCare
- describes the manner in which a piercing is cared for after the initial hole is made, and also refers to any products being used when caring for the piercing. For more information, see our "aftercare" page.

Age Requirements - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Miscellaneous
- may vary per studio. There is no legal age for body piercing in Canada, however, common practice requires parental consent for individuals less than 18 years of age. Some piercers make age 16 an exception for ears, nostril, eyebrow and navel piercings regardless of parental consent. ID may be requested at the discretion of the piercer. Parent participation is encouraged.

Alcohol - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category AfterCare
- using alcohol as piercing aftercare is not recommended. While it is true that alcohol kills many germs, using alcohol twice a day every day will dry and damage your skin. This will cause trauma to the piercing which may ultimately leave the area susceptible to infection. Avoid any product containing alcohol, such as rubbing alcohol and certain types of mouthwash. (See "Biotene")

Allergies - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Miscellaneous
- sometimes the problems people experience with their piercings or tattoos are actually allergies to a component used in the tattoo or piercing process, in their aftercare, or in their jewelry. Latex items, such as gloves, are often used during the tattoo or piercing process. If you have a known allergy to latex, let your artist know before the procedure. Latex-free Nitrile gloves are available for piercers and tattoo artists to use when working on customers with sensitive skin. Most high quality piercing jewelry is made of surgical grade steel; some people who have problems with their piercings jump to the conclusion that they are allergic to surgical steel. However, this is extremely rare; so rare, in fact, that hospitals use this material for implants and hip joints without even testing the patient for allergic reactions before performing the surgery. However, not all surgical steel jewelry is high quality; for more info on jewelry, see "surgical steel." For information on soap allergies, see "antibacterial soap."

Amber - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- is a fossilized resin and has a long tradition of use in jewelry. Its most common color is a goldish yellow but it also comes in black, greenish, reddish, white, brown, blue and various blends. It can be found with natural entrapments, including small animals and plants which can be amazingly well preserved. One of the oldest plugs ever found was made of amber. Amber is commonly used for inlays in metal jewelry or in plugs made of horn, bone or wood etc. The material has a smooth surface that is kind to the skin, but tends to be a little fragile. It doesn't handle heat very well, so it shouldn't be autoclaved. During winter, it will stay warm.

Anti-Eyebrow Piercing - Credit to . View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
A piercing located on the upper-cheek, below the eye.

Antibacterial - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category AfterCare
- an antibacterial product is one that kills an extensive variety of bacteria. Unless a product says it is antibacterial, it probably is not. The active ingredient in most antibacterial products is Triclosan. It is not unusual for people with sensitive skin to experience dryness and irritation when Triclosan is used several times a day, so there are alternative products such as Satin brand soap and Provon, which do not contain Triclosan.

Antibacterial Soap - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category AfterCare
- antibacterial soaps that are appropriate for use as piercing aftercare include soaps that contain little or no dyes or fragrances. An example of a simple antibacterial soap is orange Dial in the pump bottle. If you're using Dial and having problems with dryness and redness around your piercing, your problem may be related to Triclosan. For some people with sensitive skin, other products such as Satin Antimicrobial Therapeutic Skin Cleanser or Provon Medicated Lotion Soap may work better. They are usually only available in piercing and medical supply stores. There are also organic options such as Dr. Bronner's. Alternatives to soap include sea salt soaks and Tea Tree Oil. See our "After Care" page.

Antimicrobial - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category AfterCare
- kills even more germs than antibacterial products. The active ingredient in most antimicrobial products is Chloroxylenol. An example of an antimicrobial product is Satin Antimicrobial Therapeutic Skin Cleanser.

Association of Professional Piercers - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
- (also known as the APP) this non-profit organization monitors and guides the piercing industry, helping to educate piercers and the public about piercing safety. They work hard to educate, encourage, and facilitate the highest quality of work in the industry. Visit their web site at www.safepiercing.org for information and advice you can trust.

Atrophic Scar - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Miscellaneous
Atrophic Scar - Atrophic scars are sunken, depressed areas of scar tissue. The scar tissue is generally very thin and weak, and blood vessels can be seen very close to the surface. They are caused when insufficient collagen is laid down in the wound. This sort of scar tends to be formed as the result of acne, though some scarification work (especially when no aftercare regime is followed) will result in this sort of scar. See also “Scar.”

Austrian Crystal - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- a stone commonly used in all types of jewellery settings. They shimmer and sparkle like real diamonds and won’t usually fade or become dull over time. They’re also impervious to chlorine and other such chemicals. Thought to be number one in brilliance, cut and sparkle.

Autoclave - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Miscellaneous
- a necessary sterilization appliance, that no piercing or tattoo shop should ever be without. They’re also used in hospitals and dentist offices. An autoclave uses high temperature and pressure to sterilize equipment including tools, needles, tapers, trays, etc. Before you get pierced, make sure the equipment being used has been sterilized in an autoclave. (Piercing guns CANNOT be autoclaved).

~B~

Bactine - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category AfterCare
- not recommended piercing aftercare. Good for first aid, but can dry and irritate skin with daily use. See "antibacterial soap."

Banana Barbell - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- (also known as Banana Bell) see “curved barbell.”

Bio-Plast - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
(also known as Bio-Flex) a non-toxic biocompatible plastic, meaning it will not cause allergies. Bioplast is comfortable, flexible and can be colorful, although is usually clear. Bioplast conforms to all worldwide standards on use of body jewelry materials. It is becoming the European standard for use by pro-piercers, quickly taking the place of titanium and surgical steel and it can be sterilized in an autoclave. A study found that people pierced with this material experienced less swelling, lower rates of infection and faster healing times.

Biotene - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category AfterCare
- a hospital-grade, dentist-recommended, alcohol-free mouthwash that is antibacterial and anti-microbial. Highly recommended for oral piercing care. Available in most drug and food stores.

Blacklight Tattoo - Credit to . View more words in the category Tattoos & Terminology
See "Ultraviolet Tattoo."

Blackline - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- adding a surface layer of highly durable black film to a titanium core, by way of Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD), produces Blackline jewelry. The base formula for Blackline has been tested by an independent biological testing laboratory, and is certified biocompatible for external and internal medical devices that come into contact with bone, skin, tissue or blood. Without exception, all noted scientific experts confirmed the appropriateness of the special formula and it's specific surface treatment for body piercing jewellery. All Blackline body jewellery involves the PVD coating applied to a Grade 23 medical titanium substrate. Blackline body jewellery also possesses an extremely low coefficient of friction and a micro smoothed surface texture. Blackline is further resistant to autoclave-induced corrosion, and is compatible with steam and chemical sterilization treatments. Blackline is suitable for piercings that are still healing, as it is lightweight, safe and durable. Although the surface layer isn't classified as permanent, it is very durable and lasts longer than for example anodized titanium. If used where in contact with hard body parts, such as teeth, the surface layer can be scraped off. See also “PVD.”

Bleeding - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Miscellaneous
- most piercings do not bleed at all when they are performed correctly by a professional piercer. Bleeding may increase if the person getting pierced is anemic, has been drinking alcohol in the last 24 hours, or is taking prescription medicine that thins the blood. Some particular piercings, especially genital piercings, often lightly bleed and may continue to do so for a day or two, due to the number of blood vessels in those areas. If a piercing will not stop bleeding, seek the help of a professional piercer or a doctor.

Boric Oxide - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
– is needed for the production of certain types of glasses, indcluding optical and telescope lenses, medical glasses, electronic glasses and glass ceramic composites. It’s benefits for use in glass formulations are reduction of melting temperature, increased thermal resistance and mechanical strength. See also “Borosilicate Glass.”

Borosilicate Glass - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- a glass containing a minimum of 5 percent of boric oxide. It’s highly resistant to heat and shock and used especially in making cookware and glassware. See also “Boric Oxide.”

Bridge Piercing - Credit to . View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
A piercing placed horizontally on the bridge of the nose, in between the eyes.

Bronze - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- bronze is often used for larger piercings in the form of earweights. It's very popular in ethnic jewelry from Indonesia among other places in the world. Bronze is an alloy of different metals but the most common blend (in piercing jewelry) is 90% copper and 10% tin. When buying bronze jewelry, make sure to buy it from a serious manufacturer as some bronzes can contain arsenic which can "bleed" into your body. Bronze can also discolor the skin, leaving behind a greenish color. The discolouration can be removed but if it gets into open wounds it can permanently discolor the tissue.

Bump - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Miscellaneous
- see "hypotrophic scarring."

~C~

Calipers - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
– An instrument/tool used by piercers and many others in various occupations, for measuring thicknesses (gauges) and internal or external diameters.

Captive Bead Ring - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
– (also known as a CBR) The most simple and most common style of body jewelry, consists of a curved piece of surgical steel wire with a bead clamped between the ends, making a closed ring. Used in a vast variety of body piercings.

CBB - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- see “curved barbell”

Cheek Piercing - Credit to . View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
A piercing placed through the cheek, giving the illusion of dimples. You do not need to have dimples in order to have a cheek piercing done.

Circular Barbell - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
– (also known as a horseshoe) due to their shape, resembling the latest in equine footwear. They are used in any number of piercings, including earrings, tragus rings, nasal septum piercings, madisons, or even horizontal clitoral hood piercings, although the latter is less common, as the clitoris is deprived of the stimulation gained from a properly positioned captive bead ring. See also “curved barbell.”

Clamp - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
- used in most piercing procedures. Clamps hold the skin in place to help with accuracy and safety during piercing. Some piercers use few or no clamps, which is fine if the piercer has a lot of experience.

Cork - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
- sometimes a piercer puts a cork on the end of the needle after performing a piercing, to avoid accidentally poking you with the needle, and for their own safety as well.

Corkscrew - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- see "twister."

Crustiness - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Miscellaneous
- see "scabs".

Cubic Zirconia - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- an artificial crystal resembling a diamond in refraction, dispersion, hardness, and color, used in jewelry. See also “gemstones.”

Curved Barbell - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- A curved barbell is mechanically identical to a straight barbell, except for being curved. Curvature on a curved barbell can range from almost straight (sometimes referred to as a bananabell or banana barbell) to circular (sometimes referred to as a CBB or CBR) with some barbells actually being spiral, with the ends overlapping but separated to allow the insertion of the jewelry (sometimes referred to as a Twister). A variation on this design is a J-bar or J-post, a slightly curved barbell with a 90 degree bend near one end, used in vertical navel piercings to position the decorative end of the jewelry more appropriately. They can be either internally threaded or externally threaded.

CZ - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- see “Cubic Zirconia.”

~D~

Dermal Anchoring - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
- is a technique that is essentially a single-point pocketing. It gives the appearance of a small single bead on the skin, similar to a transdermal implant, but with a much more simple procedure. The technique is less invasive than a transdermal implant procedure and the removal of the piece is substantially easier than implant removal. The relative small size of the jewellery allows placement almost anywhere on the body. Healing can be difficult, as with all surface piercings, on areas that move frequently or places that get knocked regularly. See also “Transdermal Implant” and “Pocketing.”

Dermal Punch - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
- a dermal punch is used to remove a circular area of tissue, into which jewelry is placed. This method is usually used to remove both skin and cartilage in upper ear piercings, where cartilage must be removed to relieve pressure on the piercing to ensure proper healing and long term viability of the piercing. Like scalpelled piercings, the healed fistulas created or enlarged using a dermal punch will not usually shrink over time.

Dial soap - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category AfterCare
- see "antibacterial soap."

Dimple Piercing - Credit to . View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
See "Cheek Piercing."

Double-Flared - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- see “Flesh Tunnel.”

~E~

Earlets - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- see “Flesh Tunnel.”

Electro-polish - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- a sophisticated surface finishing technique, where electrochemical activity slowly erodes a thin layer from the surface of the jewellery resulting in microsmoothing. The resultant surface is ultra smooth and crevice free. It has a higher surface integrity and efficiency than jewellery polished by other means.

Eyebrow Piercing - Credit to . View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
A piercing located vertically on the brow-line.

Eyelets - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
– see “Flesh Tunnel.”

~F~

Fake Body Jewellery - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- body jewelry that looks like the real thing, but doesn't require the holes. Fake or non-piercing body jewellery lets you try out the look without a permanent commitment. Perfect for a night out to add some sparkle to your body. Fake body jewellery includes belly button inserts, clip-ons, fake flesh plugs, fake lip, tongue and nipple rings plus much more.

Fistula - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
- In the case of body piercing, the fistula is the internal "skin tube" that connects the two ends of the piercing. That is, the new skin that forms when the piercing is healed. It is literally a cylinder of skin, with each end attached to one end of the piercing. A common colloquial term for a fistula is "flesh tube".

Flash Art - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Tattoos & Terminology
- samples of artwork that may be used in tattoos. The flash art in a tattoo studio may be the original work of one of the studio's artists, or may be generic art used for inspiration.

Flesh Plug - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- see “Plug.”

Flesh Staple - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
- see "staple."

Flesh Tunnel - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
– (also known as spools, earlets or eyelets) are hollow tunnels, usually used in stretched or scalpelled piercings (generally large gauge ear piercings). Flesh tunnels may be worn with a ball closure ring or other object passed through them. Flesh tunnels can be made of many different materials, including acrylic, steel, glass, organic and other natural materials. Some flesh tunnels have flares at one (single flare) or both (double flare or saddle) ends to keep the jewelry from falling out. In the absence of flares, grooves may be cut near the edges to allow rubber or silicone o-rings to hold the jewelry in place.

~G~

Gauge - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
- a method of measurement used for thickness of wire. Body jewelry is made of surgical steel wire in different thicknesses measured by gauge. The actual thickness of the wire increases as the numbers go lower. For example, a typical tongue piercing is done with a 14-gauge barbell, whereas a typical eyebrow piercing is done with a thinner 16-gauge barbell. Softer tissue (tongues, genitals, oral, etc.) should be pierced with at least 14-gauge jewelry to help prevent tearing and rejection. Ear plugs can range in size from 16-gauge to 2 inches and sometimes even larger.

Gaugeing - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
- see "stretching."

Gemstones - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- (also known as gems) are used in a wide range of body jewellery. The quality varies widely with different gems, and it can be hard to find stones big enough without cracks and/or scratches. Some stones, such as malachite, may affect the body. Malachite contains copper that can discolor the skin. Others may contain lead or arsenic or other hazardous materials. However, stones are generally not a problem for the body as long as they don't have sharp or pointy edges or aren’t very heavy. Most of the time they can be autoclaved, but some stones, such as opals and corals can't stand the heat and should be cleaned some other way.

Glass - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- is a common piercing material that has been used for thousands of years. Earplugs made of glass have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs. If correctly shaped and manufactured, glass is an excellent material. It’s comfortable to wear, tough and safe for the body. However, cheaper glass beads that are not covered in a metal shell can easily break into shards. If you drop glass jewelry on the floor, you probably won't be able to use it again. Also if you have a cheap bead in a tongue piercing and accidentally chew on it, it can break into tiny shards and cause mouth injuries. It is possible to sterilize glass in a steam-autoclave but the heat may cause cracking in cheaper products.

Gold - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- gold is a material that is good for body piercing, but since it is so soft it must be mixed with harder metals to maintain its shape. Quite often, the other metals gold is mixed with are inappropriate for body jewelry, so care must be taken when choosing the piece. Truly high quality gold body jewelry is mixed with palladium and is not coated but is made entirely of this gold-palladium mixture. Because this method of jewelry making is so specific to the piercing industry and because palladium is actually even more valuable than the gold itself, high quality gold body jewelry can be very expensive, but is worth the extra cost. Companies that manufacture high-quality gold body jewelry usually also offer body jewelry set with real gems and diamonds. Another general rule of thumb is to stick with nothing less than a 14karat, as to avoid too many impurities.

~H~

H2-Ocean - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category AfterCare
- Piercing aftercare product preferred by most professional piercers. Purified ocean salt water in a completely sterile non-aerosol dry-mist sprayer. It is the only aftercare product that is natural to your body. See our “Aftercare” page.

High Nostril Piercing - Credit to . View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
A piercing placed through the nostril, midway up the nose.

Hoop - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- see "captive bead ring" and/or "segment ring."

Horizontal Eyebrow Piercing - Credit to . View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
A piercing located horizontally on the brow-line.

Horse Shoe - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- see “circular barbell”

Hydrogen Peroxide - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category AfterCare
- using hydrogen peroxide on your piercing may have the same effect as using alcohol. See also "alcohol, aftercare."

Hypertrophic Scarring - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Miscellaneous
- is heavy scarring that appears around a piercing or other wound. The main reason that they're different from keloid scars is that they don't extend past the original scar. Moreover, They're generally more clear than keloids. Most people, including many piercers, will mistakenly call all bumps keloids, when in fact hypertrophic scarring is more common. Hypertrophic scars go away both with treatment and with time. In a lot of cases, the jewelry is inappropriate ( it's too heavy, or has a poor shape), and creates stress around the fistula. Simply change the jewelry and the scar might go away in few days. See also “Keloids.”

~I~

Ibuprofen - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category AfterCare
- see "swelling".

Implantatium - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- when the EU passed the nickel law and 316L was no longer an alternative for new piercings, Implantatium, a new alloy with less nickel, was created with the aim of replacing surgical steel as the leading healing jewelry. However, Implantatium never became successful, mainly due to its high prices, uneven quality and a limited choice of jewelry. Instead titanium became the leading material. The alloy consists of less than 0.05% nickel and is therefore compatible with the EU nickel law. It is safe to use in a healing piercing but as stated above, the choice of jewelry is very limited.

Industrial Bar - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- a single bar connecting two piercings along the ridge of the ear cartilage. Variations include vertical industrials through the conch; dathe industrials through the dathe and cartilage; tragus industrials through the tragus and cartilage, plus many more. Industrials can be done many different ways on different people because ear shape varies greatly from person to person. Ask a good piercer which industrial they can do for you.

Infection - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Miscellaneous
- infections aren't nearly as common as people think. If you think you have an infection, you should talk to your piercer about it. Most of the time when a piercing seems unhealthy, it is irritated due to handling, improper jewelry, lack of proper daily cleansing and various other reasons. Indications of an infection include a dark color around the piercing, pain, a bad smell coming from the piercing or a green or dark yellow discharge. White or vanilla colored discharge isn't an infection, but is a natural part of the healing process.

Internally threaded jewelry - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- refers to jewelry that has no threads on the outside of the post, but the ball has a tiny threaded post attached to it. The ball then screws into the post.

~J~

J-Post - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
– (also known as J-Bar) a special kind of jewelry used in belly buttons of a particular shape. Some navels need to be pierced at an angle, which makes it difficult to see the bottom ball. A barbell in the shape of a “J” makes it possible to see both the top and bottom balls easily, and can look nicer. See also “Curved Barbell”

~K~

Keloid - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Miscellaneous
– a keloid is a special type of scar that results in an overgrowth of tissue at the site of a healed skin injury. Keloids are firm, rubbery lesions or shiny, fibrous nodules and can vary from pink to flesh-colored or red to dark brown in color. A keloid scar is benign, noncontagious and usually accompanied by severe itchiness, sharp pains and changes in texture. In severe cases, it can affect movement of skin. For most people, keloids are a cosmetic problem. Keloids should not be confused with Hypertrophic scars, which are raised scars that do not grow beyond the boundaries of the original wound and may reduce over time. See also "hypotrophic scarring."

~L~

Labret Piercing - Credit to . View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
A piercing placed through the lower-lip, located towards the chin.

Labret stud - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- a piece of threaded jewelry used in the labret. Similar to a small barbell, but one end is a disk instead of a ball. The disk goes on the inside of the lower lip to prevent damage to teeth and gums.

Ladder - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
- multiple barbells placed horizontally, creating two vertical rows of visible steel balls. Most common in frenum piercings and nape piercings, but can be performed in many places on the body.

Latex - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Miscellaneous
- most piercers use latex gloves during procedures, so if you're allergic to latex let your piercer know right away. Your piercer should have alternative non-latex gloves. See also “Allergies.”

Lip Piercing - Credit to . View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
A piercing placed through the upper or lower-lip, along the lip-line.

Lucite - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- (also known as acrylic) is a transparent or coloured plastic, mostly used for plugs, tapers, tunnels, belly, tongue, eyebrow and various other piercings. Due to the material's slipperiness, it is widely used for stretching. Jewelry made of acrylic has a tendency to collect body fluids and skin parts in tiny pores. This calls for regular cleaning to avoid bad smell and infections. It's not a good material for damaged or new piercings. It should’t be autoclaved as it can become discolored. It is also a fragile material and can easily shard if dropped.

~M~

Madonna Piercing - Credit to . View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
A piercing placed through the upper-lip, located towards the right side of the upper-lip. This piercing gives the illusion of a beauty mark, such as Madonna's.

Makeup - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category AfterCare
- should be blended in such a way that it does not get into a fresh piercing.

Marilyn Piercing - Credit to . View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
See "Monroe Piercing."

Medusa Piercing - Credit to . View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
A piercing placed through the upper-lip, located centrally below the nose.

Monroe Piercing - Credit to . View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
A piercing placed through the upper-lip, located towards the left side of the upper-lip. This piercing gives the illusion of a beauty mark, such as Marilyn Monroe's.

Mouthwash - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category AfterCare
- it is important to rinse with a good alcohol-free, antibacterial mouthwash 3-5 times a day after getting a new oral piercing. Examples are Biotene, which is available in most major drugs stores and Tech-2000, which is available in professional piercing studios and dentist offices. Using products that contain alcohol (such as Listerine and Scope) may dry out and irritate a fresh piercing and prolong healing time.

~N~

Needle - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Miscellaneous
- professional piercers must only use sterile needles to pierce with and use them only once. Needles should be made of surgical steel and should be autoclaved prior to use. Needles should never be used more than once, even on the same person. Make sure your piercer is using new, sterile needles, which they dispose of in a sharps container.

Neosporin - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category AfterCare
- not recommended piercing aftercare. Good for first aid, but with daily use can make piercings gooey, attracting dust and bacteria. See "antibacterial soap."

Niobium - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- is a metal resembling titanium but is heavier. When using niobium as a piercing jewelry it has to be as pure as possible, the threshold value being 99.9% niobium. This is sometimes referred to as "999 Niobium". Lower purity shouldn't be used as it can lead to allergic reaction. Pure niobium doesn't react to body fluids, oxygen or cleaning agents and can be safely autoclaved. It is allowed in healing piercings by the EU nickel law. Niobium can be treated to obtain a permanently dim black surface. The selection of niobium jewelry is much smaller than that of titanium and blackline, mainly because niobium jewelry is more expensive and more difficult to produce.

Nipple Shield - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- a piece of decorative jewelry worn with a nipple piercing. A nippe shield usually encircles the nipple, partially covering the areola and is held in place by a barbell or ring. Variations, including dangle ornaments, are common.

Nose Bone - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- a type of nostril jewelry that consists of a tiny metal post with a decoration on one end and a bead of metal on the other. The bead is popped through the piercing to the inside of the nostril, which then holds the jewelry in place. This type of jewelry can damage new or unhealed piercings because the metal bead stretches and tears the tender tissue. This jewelry can be used for fully healed piercings, but if the jewelry is frequently removed and re-inserted the metal bead will stretch the piercing, possible causing irritation. See also "stretching."

Nose Piercing - Credit to . View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
See "Nostril Piercing."

Nose Pin - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- same as a nose bone but longer with no bead of metal on the end. Once inserted into the nostril, a simple bend to its shaft will produce an L-shape, creating a custom fit. Very popular.

Nostril Piercing - Credit to . View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
A piercing placed through the nostril, most commonly located along the crease of the nostril.

Nostril Screw - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
– it is recommended jewelry for the nostril. This jewelry resembles a thin steel post that is bent into an L-shape and then curved. The post should be made of surgical-grade steel. As anatomy varies from person to person, some piercers will use straight nostril screws that they bend by hand to custom fit the client's nostril.

~O~

O-Ring - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
–small rings of silicone rubber used to keep jewellery in place. O-rings are commonly used on retainers, plugs and tunnels. O-rings are easy to lose but usually inexpensive to replace. Some people find o-rings to be very annoying and avoid using them at all by wearing "flared" or "double flared" plugs or tunnels. See also “Flesh Tunnel.”

Oral Piercing - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
- refers to any piercing inside the mouth such as tongue, web, scrumper, etc. Oral piercings heal faster than any other type and are some of the least painful. Piercings that enter the mouth from the outside, such as labret, cheeks, and Marilyn, are a little different from completely oral piercings, in that the outside (skin) part of the piercing should heal in six to eight weeks but the inside (oral) part of the piercing should heal in thirty days. Both sides of the piercing should be cared for appropriately. Piercings that are entirely oral (i.e. tongue) should always be pierced at 14 gauge or larger, to prevent tearing and/or rejection. For oral aftercare, see our "Aftercare" page.

Orbital - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
- a single CBR (hoop) passing through two piercings, usually on the ear. There are many creative variations of this piercing. Ask a good piercer what would be best for you.

~P~

Physical Vapour Deposition - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- (also known as PVD) since it's introduction to the medical device industry in the late 1980's, Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) has become widely used to deposit wear resistant, thin film coatings onto medical devices (including heart pacemakers, surgical instruments, and orthopaedic implants). The main value in PVD technologyy rests in the ability to modify the surface properties of a device without changing the underlying material's peroperties and biochemical functionality. The surface coating is tremendously adhesive to the substrate, is conformal and pinhole free, is an excellent permeation barrier, and is sterile on preparation. The biocompatibility of a componant is an absolute pre-requisite when applied in medical device situations.

Piercing Gun - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
– are used in malls and accessory shops around the world to perform un-sterile piercings. Guns cannot be autoclaved and are usually "sanitized" with spray-on cleansers or alcohol, neither of which kill bacteria or viruses, including HIV and hepatitis. Piercing guns use the jewelry itself (which is sometimes sterile, which becomes redundant once place into the un-sterile gun) to perform the piercing. The jewellery is usually not sharp enough to gently “pierce” the flesh, but instead violently puncture it. The end result is a flesh wound that is difficult to heal. This process is disruptive to tissue and is much more painful than the use of a needle.

Plastastic - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- is a relatively new plastic. It is non-toxic, safe against the body's chemical reactions and does not cause allergies. It's available in several different colors and shapes. The material is also widely used in the medical industry for sutures, synthetic arteries, reconstruction of tendons, replacement of cardiac valves and bone-plates and screws.

Plug - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- a cylindrical shaped piece of jewelry, usually worn in the earlobe or labret. Most plugs require a piercing to be stretched to fit. Plugs can be made of many different materials, including acrylic, steel, glass, organic and other natural materials. See also “Stretching.”

Pocketing - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
- Pocketing is often described as an "anti-piercing." In piercing, the middle of the jewelry is under the skin and the ends are exposed. In pocketing, the ends of the jewelry are under the skin and middle is exposed. Small "pockets" hold the jewelry in place. The jewelry is usually just a custom curved bar with smooth rounded ends. It is extremely important that the jewelry be perfectly fitted to the skin, as pocketings have a similar rejection rate to traditional surface piercings. Placement is extremely important. Depending on the way the skin moves, the pocketed jewelry could actually fall out or stretch incorrectly.

Polytetrafluoroethylene - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
– (also known as Teflon) was invented in 1938 and is used in the medical industry as well as for cooking instruments, such as pots and frying pans. It is biocompatible, meaning it will not cause allergies. It's a lightweight plastic, it's bendable, autoclaveable, not visible with X-Rays, not magnetic, and very stable. It's well suited for implants and piercings, especially if you want a little elasticity in the jewelry. It's also a good material to use as retainers, when you need to take out any metal jewelry, like when in surgery or when X-rayed, so that the hole doesn't shrink.

PTFE - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- see “Polytetrafluoroethylene.”

PVD - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
– see “Physical Vapour Deposition”

Pyrex - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- a brand name for items made of borosilicate glass. See also "borosilicate glass."

~Q~

Q-tips - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category AfterCare
- q-tips can be a valuable aid to cleaning hard-to-reach piercings, such as the inside of a nostril. However, q-tips only cover a tiny area and the more area you clean the more germs you kill, so wash your hands well with antibacterial soap and use your fingers to clean your piercing when you can.

~R~

Rejection - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Miscellaneous
- occurs when it is "easier" for your body to push the piercing out, like a splinter, than it is for your body to heal a fistula (skin tunnel) around it. Rejection is common among surface piercings as well as navel and eyebrow piercings. Rejection is affected by placement, blood flow, irritation and abuse, as well as your general health. The healthier you are, the less likely you are to have problems.

Removing Jewelry - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
- is not always the best answer to a piercing problem and should not be attempted without the help of a professional piercer. Removing jewelry from an infected piercing can cause the area around the infection to heal, sealing the infection in thus causing further complication. If you have a problem, try to find a solution, like speaking with your piercer, before taking the jewelry out.

Retainer - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- a clear or flesh-toned piece of high-grade acrylic used to conceal / hide a piercing or to replace steel jewelry during surgery or x-rays.

Reverse Pliers - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
– see “Ring Openers.”

Rhino Piercing - Credit to . View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
A piercing placed vertically through the tip of the nose.

Ring Closers - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
- are ideal for closing captive bead rings (CBR) enough to be able to insert the captive bead or ball. From there, they’re also used to tighten the ball in place. The pliers usually have a small groove in them so that they can grip high gauge piercing jewellery easily. These are a necessity for any piercer or for anyone with lots of high gauge piercings.

Ring Openers - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
(also known as reverse pliers) are one of the most useful tools to piercers and enthusiasts alike. They’re used to release the ball from a CBR, by spreading the “hoop” portion apart.

~S~

S.T.D. - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Miscellaneous
- see "sexually transmitted diseases".

Saddle Plug - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- see “Flesh Tunnel.”

Scabs - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Miscellaneous
- (also known as crusties) a white or light yellow crusty scab forming on a new piercing is very common and is part of the healing process. This substance is a buildup of sweat, dead cells, dust, and other debris your body is expelling from the piercing in order to heal and is also a barrier against infection. It should be gently washed off during daily cleaning, but don't pick at it. It is just like picking any other scab and will lead to scarring and irritation. If the scab is dark yellow, greenish or brown in color, it may be a sign of infection (see "infection").

Scalpelling - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
- a medical scalpel is used to cut a slit, allowing for the insertion of large gauge jewelry. This method is often used in the creation of large gauge ear piercings. Scalpelling can also be used to correct an improper placement on piercings. An example of this would be cutting existing large gauge ear piercings to match symmetrically. If the jewelry is removed from a scalpelled piercing the fistula may not shrink or close over time and unwanted piercings may have to be surgically repaired. Scalpelling is most commonly used on earlobes, but can be used anywhere where large gauge piercings are desired.

Scar - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Miscellaneous
- In its simplest medical sense, scar tissue is connective tissue that has formed over a wound through tissue such as skin, muscle or internal organs. The human body is incapable of reforming damaged areas back to their original composition, so a fibrous tissue is rebuilt in its place. This replacement tissue has limited capabilities compared to the original -- for example in its ability to produce sweat. Most of the time a scar that occurs from a healthy piercing is not permanent. Everyone is different however, therefore some scar more easily than others. Unhealthy or poorly done piercings may result in more scarring than normal. For a product you can use to dissipate scarring, see "Tea tree oil." See also, “Keloid,” “Atrophic Scar” and “Hypertrophic Scarring.”

Sea Salt Soak - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category AfterCare
- soaking your piercing in a sea salt mixture can be an excellent aftercare solution, especially for a trouble piercing or for dramatic swelling due to piercing or stretching. Make sure you get actual Sea Salt, not table salt or any other kind. Use 1/4 tsp. salt to 8oz. (1 cup) of warm water and soak your piercing for about 10 minutes two or three times a day. It is best to completely submerge your piercing in the mixture, but if it is too difficult to dip your piercing (like an eyebrow) you can use a well-saturated cotton ball instead. Sea salt has wonderful antibacterial properties; it kills germs, cleans out your piercing, reduces swelling and is an effective all-natural aftercare solution. Just make sure you get the right stuff, and mix it correctly.

Segment Ring - Credit to . View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
A circular piece of metal with a small removable segment. When the segment is in place, it gives the illusion of a continuous ring.

Self-Piercing Kits - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
- no kit can replace the experience and knowledge of a professional piercer or the safety and cleanliness of a good piercing shop. Piercing yourself or letting someone who is not a professional piercer make a hole in your body, puts you at risk of disease, infection, pain, and permanent damage or impairment. These kits often include improper low-quality jewelry and un-sterile components or so-called "sterile" components that are actually un-sterile, as a result of being packaged alongside other un-sterile products by people that are not wearing gloves. There is no way to know if the components are unused. Don't put yourself at risk using questionable materials in an un-sterile environment; it's not worth it.

Septum Piercing - Credit to . View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
A piercing placed through the nasal septum.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Miscellaneous
- may be easier to contract via a fresh genital or oral piercing. A new piercing is a direct path to the bloodstream and will remain that way until the body has had enough time to form new skin inside the piercing.

Silicone - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- a lightweight rubber-like material, commonly used for earplugs and tunnels. Silicone body piercing jewellery should be manufactured from certified biocompatible silicone. It should meet the requirements of the following: European Pharmacopoeia, Deutsches Arzneibuch and U.S. Pharmacopoeia Plastics of Class V1. The dye should only be mixed in a ratio of 1:300 and pass the German BGA medical standard. The silicone you decide to purchase should also have been tested for 30 days continuous body implant, without complication. Most silicone accessories, however, are intended for temporary application only.

Silver - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- silver is a material that is inappropriate for body jewelry unless it is part of an external decoration that is not going through the skin. Silver tarnishes easily and its relatively rough surface can trap and hold bacteria. Parts of jewelry that enter the skin should never be made of any kind of silver. Fully healed nostril and earlobe piercings are usually an exception, however, should be avoided by people with sensitive skin or low tolerance to nickel.

Single Flared - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- see “Flesh Tunnel.”

Spiral - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- see “Curved Barbell”

Spool - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- see “Flesh Tunnel.”

Stainless steel - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- this term is used for a wide range of different qualities of metal. There is an important difference between stainless steel and surgical-grade steel; stainless steel is used in the manufacture of a vast range of tools and appliances, from forks and knives to toasters, door handles, chairs, and everything else we use in our daily lives. Surgical steel is a similar material but has been tested for impurities that could be hazardous when inserted into living tissue. Make sure your jewelry is surgical steel, not just stainless. See also “Surgical Steel.”

Staple - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
- (also known as flesh staple) a surface piercing performed with a staple-shaped piece of surgical wire. It appears as a bar of metal attached to the surface of the skin. They can be easily taken out for cleaning or comfort during sleeping once they are fully healed. See also "surface piercings."

Sterling silver - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- see "silver."

Stretching - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
- (also known as gauging) is the gradual opening or widening of a piercing to insert larger-gauge jewelry or plugs. This is something that should be done slowly and patiently over time, allowing the piercing to fully heal before stretching to the next bigger size. Rushing through the process will result in the tearing of tissue, scarring, pain, and sometimes even permanent damage. It is recommended that stretching be performed by a qualified piercer with sterile equipment, including a surgical steel taper. Everyone heals differently: for some people, a stretched piercing will stay that size forever. For others, a stretched piercing will heal back to normal size over time after the jewelry is removed. If you stretch your piercing, there is a chance that the changes will be permanent. Cosmetic surgery will, in most cases, correct any changes you’ve made.

Surface Bar - Credit to . View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
A straight barbell with 45 to 90 degree angle bends pointing in the same direction, on each end of the barbell.

Surface Piercing - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
- a piercing performed on an area of the body that does not have a lip or protuberance of skin, e.g. arm, chest, back, belly, etc. Although it is possible for surface piercings to heal, they are usually considered temporary.

Surgical-Grade Steel - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
– is one of the few types of metal suitable for piercing jewelry. Surgical-grade steel is also known as 316L or 316LVM(low-carbon vacuum-melted) steel. Surgical-grade steel can come in different qualities. Care should be taken that jewelry is manufactured well. Just because a piece of jewelry is surgical-grade steel, does not mean it is high quality. Check to see if threads are visible even when the ends are screwed on tightly. Also check for scratches or dents and make sure the jewelry is shiny and smooth. Brightly shining jewelry can (although not always) mean that the jewelry is well coated with chromium, which is a self-healing metal that protects the jewelry and protects you as well.

Swelling - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Miscellaneous
– is a common problem for new piercings. It can be controlled, as long as you are wearing appropriate jewelry. For oral piercings, which often swell the most, eating cold foods like ice cream can help reduce swelling. Ibuprofen, which is found in Midol and Advil, is great for reducing swelling. If you are allergic to ibuprofen, your doctor can usually recommend an alternative anti-inflammatory. Never take more than the recommended dose. If you have a swelling problem that won't go away after a few days, talk to a good piercer about it. Inappropriate jewellery could be the culprit. Swelling can also be self-perpetuating; swelling causes more swelling, so if there's a problem it should be taken care of as soon as possible.

Swimming - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category AfterCare
- it is important to keep your piercing out of shared bodies of water for the first 15-30 days after getting pierced. This includes pools, jacuzzis, rivers, oceans or anything you'd share with another person. The reason for this, is that a fresh piercing is a direct path to your bloodstream, therefore anything floating in the water can get into your blood, including bacteria, germs, viruses and serious disease. While sea salt soaks are excellent for piercings, seawater itself is full of bacteria that can cause infection and irritation.

~T~

Taking Out Jewelry - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
- see "removing jewelry".

Taper - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- a cylindrical object that is skinny on one end and tapers up to a larger end, typically used as a tool for stretching piercings. Tapers can be made from many different materials including lucite, glass or organics, however, surgical steel is ideal as it can be properly sterilized and is not porus. See also "stretching."

Tea Tree Oil - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category AfterCare
– is an antibacterial oil that slowly dissolves and disperses scar tissue when used over time. It is great for taking care of hypotrophic scarring, commonly known as a keloid, which appears as a bump on irritated piercings. It is best to use 100% pure tea tree oil, although you can also find it in some all-natural soaps.

Teflon - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- see “PTFE”

Third-Eye Piercing - Credit to . View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
A piercing positioned vertically and located centrally between the eyebrows.

Titanium - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- jewelry is often either pure Titanium or a "Grade 23" implant-alloy called Ti6AL4V ELI. They are both sold under the name Titanium. Whether pure titanium or the alloy is best for your body is a disputed topic. The alloy has long been used for both piercings and implants without complications, but is difficult to see if long-term allergies and other complications can rise. Besides titanium, the alloy contains aluminium and vanadium. Pure titanium on the other hand, is softer and can more easily (though still not easily) be scratched by pliers and other tools. These scratches can lead to irritation in both new and healed piercings. Regardless of its type, titanium jewelry is a popular option for piercings. It is lightweight (around 60% stainless steel), it does not react to body fluids, is not magnetic and is generally allergy-safe. The material can be anodized to create a layer of colored oxide on the surface. Common colors are yellow, bright blue, blue, purple, bright purple, green, and a rainbow mix. It is the most common piercing material within the borders of the EU. The EU has strict rules regarding piercing materials. For instance, the surgical steel 316L is prohibited for use in new piercings, which has created a larger market for titanium jewelry. Titanium can be sterilized in an autoclave.

Transdermal Implant - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
- A transdermal implant falls somewhere between a single-hole pocketing and an implant. Simply described, it‘s like a labret stud with the flat part under the skin, or "a piercing without an exit." The visual effect is that of jewelery (a bead, spike, etc.) that appears to be screwed right into the body. While the end effect is not that different from a piercing, the procedure itself is radically more complex. See also “Dermal Anchoring” and “Pocketing.”

Triclosan - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category AfterCare
- see "antibacterial".

Twister - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- (also known as corkscrew or spiral) is a piece of jewelry similar to a circular barbell but has been shaped into a spiral. Usually used in the navel or ear. See also “Curved Barbell”

~U~

Ultrasonic Cleaner - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Miscellaneous
- an important piece of cleaning equipment that no piercing or tattoo shop should be without. It removes microscopic particles from tools that normal scrubbing by hand is unable to do.

Ultraviolet Tattoo - Credit to . View more words in the category Tattoos & Terminology
A tattoo created using ink that is only visible under ultraviolet light, or ink that is visible under normal light but glows under ultraviolet light.

UV Tattoo - Credit to . View more words in the category Tattoos & Terminology
See "Ultraviolet Tattoo."

~V~

Vertical Labret Piercing - Credit to . View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
A piercing placed vertically through the lower-lip.

Vertical Medusa Piercing - Credit to . View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
A piercing placed vertically through the upper-lip.

~W~

- Credit to . View more words in the category

~X~

X-rays - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Piercings & Terminology
- if you are getting an x-ray you may need to remove body jewelry so that it does not interfere with the x-ray. If you need to remove your jewelry, you should replace it with an acrylic retainer so that the piercing does not close while the jewelry is out.

~Y~

- Credit to . View more words in the category

~Z~

Zircontwo - Credit to Anonymous. View more words in the category Jewellery & Materials
- (also known as Zircon Gold) was developed as an alternative to gold jewelry. The method of production is similar to that of Blackline, but instead, a material called zirconium nitride is used in the film. The core of the material is most often a highgrade titanium alloy. Zircontwo, like Blackline, is used in medical equipment. Zircontwo is better suited to a healing piercing than real gold, since it won't discolor as 18K (75%) gold often does. It is also more lightweight and has a smoother surface so it won't cause as much irritation. It is also cheaper and significantly more durable. Although the surface layer isn't classified as permanent, it is very durable and lasts longer than for example anodized titanium. If used where in contact with hard body parts, such as teeth, the surface layer can be scraped off. Zircontwo can be autoclaved. See also “PVD.”