If you’re not heavily pierced or if the piercing world is new to you, you may have some questions about what jewelry goes in which piercing. While you can change your jewelry and jewelry style after your piercing heals, there are some styles that are generally considered less ideal to get pierced with. We want your piercing experiences to be as perfect as possible so today we’re going to discuss perfect piercing jewelry.
Very few piercings are meant to be done with a curved barbell. (A curved barbell is exactly what it sounds like – neither a straight barbell, nor a ring.) The navel is always done with some version of a curved barbell. Depending on your anatomy, the piercer may use something called a “J Bar”, which is still a curved barbell and just has a different angle to the curve. A rook piercing is a piercing of the thick ridge of cartilage that’s close to your face and at the top of your ear. This piercing will also always require a curved barbell, possibly even long after it heals. Another piercing that may always need a curved barbell (and certainly for piercing) is the vertical eyebrow. The final one is a hot one – the vertical labret. This newcomer to the piercing world is a vertical piercing of the lower lip, where the length of the barbell stays contained inside the lip itself. Between the protection from dental damage and just how amazing it looks when done properly, this piercing is sure to be around for a long time!
Circular jewelry isn’t just confined to the captive bead ring. Circular barbells, frequently referred to as a "horseshoe”, are still circular jewelry. There are only two piercings where circular jewelry is recommended for piercing with. One is the daith, a very popular piercing that is done at the root of the helix, right above the ear canal. This piercing requires a ring, frequently a captive bead ring, for piercing. The other is the septum, which can be done with a captive bead ring or a circular barbell. It depends on your taste and your piercer’s recommendations.
Nearly all other body piercings should ideally be pierced with a straight barbell. While you CAN get a helix or nipple or other piercing done with a ring, they are liable to slow down your healing time and make for a very uncomfortable experience. (Not including surface piercings which are a whole other thing and not included in the scope of this post.) Surprisingly, even nostril piercings should ideally be pierced with a straight jewelry. Both barbells and labrets are available in a huge range of gauges and lengths and your piercer should have little problem finding one that best fits your nose. The same is true is earlobes. (And remember – ALWAYS a needle, NEVER a piercing gun!!)
Piercing and piercing jewelry can seem complicated at first and it can be a painful blow to hear that the jewelry you’ve been dying to get is going to have to wait another six months while your piercing heals. But it’s important to start off correctly so your piercing heals properly. You don’t want your jewelry moving around a lot in a fresh piercing and you definitely want it to heal without a problem that may result in it having to be removed. So just remember – follow your piercer’s advice and exercise as much patience as you’re capable of. That special jewelry you’re longing for will be there when you’re healed!
Happy piercing!
