Some people feel like a big change for them is 2 inches of their hair at the hairdresser, others feel like it’s a different frame of glasses, or getting their eyebrows microbladed. Yet, for a growing population of people that ‘change’ is adding multiple colours and designs to their skin, different styles of jewellery to adorn their body, and even scarification.
But where did it start? What are the different types of piercings? How do you take care of them and can you modify those too?
Body Modification Throughout History
Piercing and body modification dates back to the Aztecs and beyond. There were many rules attached to piercings and adornments of most kinds. They were, in general, used as a sign of military success and social standing. The men of the tribes or settlements would most often have their nose pierced, lips and ears pierced and would be decorated with gold and gems.
In order to show that you were of higher social standing, men and women would stretch their piercings. Often lips and ears would be stretched using wood or bone.
Ear and nose piercings have been customary in many cultures for hundreds and thousands of years. However, nipple piercing rose to popularity in Ancient Rome. Men would have their nipples pierced to show their virility. Surprisingly in the 14th-century women had their nipples pierced as decoration for the plunging necklines of the era.
There was a period where piercings and body modifications became a requirement for those considered lower in society, but the arrival of the 17th century put paid to that notion. And once again, piercings and jewellery were a sign of wealth and the readiness to be married.
The role of piercing and body modification in society has shifted again and is now something anyone can enjoy. To the point that ear stretchers, nose piercings and tattoos aren’t frowned upon or banned from most work environments.
Types of Piercings
We have come a long way since it was simple ears, nipples, lips and nose piercings. You’d be harder pushed to find somewhere on the body that can’t be pierced.
Ears
The ears are the most common starter piercing, and it is incredibly versatile too. Most opt for the lobe, followed by the top of the ear cartilage. After that the conch, tragus, rook and upper lobes. The ear lobe is usually the first place people choose to stretch their piercings too. Starting with a regular healed ear lobe piercing, then using a tapered ear stretching kit to increase the size of the holes. Here are a few more popular options for ear piercings:
Industrial – a bar joining two piercings on opposite sides of the ear.
Anti-tragus – where the ear lobe and cartilage meet and form a slight lip
Daith – a piercing through the smallest fold of cartilage within the ear
Nails
Looking some of the modifications and upgrades offered here on this list nails are probably the least crazy. At least those can be the least crazy, but if you opt for some drastic changes, it will be in line with some other mods that are mentioned here.
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With some of these colors, your nails will certainly become your highlight and something that most people will notice first.
Lip Piercings
Lips are a very popular place to get pierced, and there are a number of different lip piercing styles too. The most common lip piercing is the labret, which is just below the bottom lip. The labret is another place that people stretch; however, it is much less common than ear stretching.
The Medusa piercing nestles itself in the space between the nose and the upper lip. The Madonna, Monroe and Crawford piercings mimic the look of an upper lip mole – also known as a beauty spot. Visit boelry to know more details of lip piercing Snake bites and viper bites either side of the bottom lip.
Here are some other options:
Dahlia bites – piercings at either corner of the mouth
Angel bites – the opposite to snake bites, situated at the top of the lips on the side
Spider bites – double piercing on the bottom lip to the side
Shark bites – double piercing on either side of the mouth, (a snakebite doubled).
Cyber bites – Medusa and labret
Jestrum – a vertical Medusa starting in the middle of the top lip and exiting the skin the same place as Medusa.
Belly Button
The belly button or navel piercing gained huge popularity in the 90s and 2000s. Although it isn’t as common as it once was. A bar usually sits in the middle of the belly button with a ball at the top and a gemstone or other design sitting in the belly button itself. Although you can have the piercings on any side, and multiple piercings if you choose to.
Facial and Oral Piercings
There are so many options for facial and oral piercings, but a few of the most popular are tongue, cheeks, septum, eyebrows as well as some gum piercings. If you want to know more about plugs you can visit customplugs.
Popular Body Modifications
There are a number of body modifications that are popular with people who want to make a statement and transform their look into something unique.
Scarification
Rather than have permanent ink like a tattoo, scarification slices a pattern into the skin and after a few months, the scar will be prominent. It has been used in tribes for thousands of years to have raised designs.
Subdermal Implants
Silicone implants are placed under the skin to give the impression of horns or lumps. However, subdermal implants are available in a range of other shapes and sizes, and can be safely placed almost anywhere.
Tongue Splitting
Giving the impression of a snake tongue. A professional will slice the tongue down the middle and stitch it back up, creating two separate parts. Healing up quickly, and it doesn’t impact a person’s much at all. They can move independently after a short while too.
Microdermal Piercings
These are super cool, and make it possible to wear a piece of jewellery anywhere on the body. It is a single point piercing that lies flat on the surface of the body. It is held in place by a dermal anchor that is placed under the skin.
Some of these body modifications are small and subtle, while others are more prominent and detailed. And of course, the cost varies for each piercing and modification. The important thing is to do research into care and only going to professionals for any piercings or body modifications.
