Gone are the days when getting one piercing in each earlobe was the norm.
One key in of piercing that’s starting to gain traction is the dermal piercing.
This is largely thanks to various celebs sporting the look.
What is a dermal piercing?
The names may sound a little intimidating, but this piercing isn’t as scary as you might think.
Dermal piercings are designed to appear like it’s part of the skin.
This look is achieved by creating a piercing that has no exit point.
Yup, a dermal piercing is one-sided, so to speak.
Dermal piercings are semi-permanent, lasting anything from 3-7 years.
Because of this, your body is much more likely to reject the piercing.
Because the dermal piercing doesn’t have an exit point, the body can’t reject it as easily.
Dermal piercings heal faster and more easily than surface piercings, and the risk of infection is also lower.
Where on your body can you have a dermal piercing?
There is a catch, however.
It’s important to discuss the desired placement of your dermal piercing with your piercer beforehand.
If you opt for a diver, you won’t be able to change the top of the jewelry.
If you don’t opt for a diver, your piercer will insert an anchor and a dermal top.
The anchor is a piece of jewelry that’s inserted into the skin to keep the piercing in place.
This leads to a more secure piercing that’s less likely to reject early or fall out.
Once the anchor is in place, your piercer will attach the dermal top.
What is the process of getting a dermal piercing like?
A dermal piercing might be semi-permanent, but it actually takes only a few minutes to get it done.
Next, they’ll let you have a look to ensure you’re happy with the placement.
Your piercer might fiddle with the anchor a bit to ensure it fits well.
And that’s it!
How much does a dermal piercing cost?
Sure, that’s pretty pricey, but Loheide explains that manufacturing the anchors correctly requires quite the process.
Loheide says that implant-grade titanium is often best because it’s safe for most medical procedures.
Does it hurt to get a dermal piercing?
Youaremaking a tiny hole in your skin, so you will feelsomething.
“It lies on the easier side of the spectrum when done properly,” Gottschalk adds.
What is the aftercare for a dermal piercing?
How long is the healing process for a dermal piercing?
You’ll be happy to learn that dermal piercings pretty much heal within the same timeframe as other piercings.
you’ve got the option to expect it to be all healed up within 1-3 months.
If you follow a good aftercare regimen, you should have little to no discomfort while it heals.
Dealing with some mild crusting and swelling is perfectly normal, especially shortly after you get the piercing.
While the piercing is healing, check that you leave it alone.
As much as you might want to change the jewelry, wait until it’s completely healed.
Changing the top before the piercing is fully healed can really set you back.
Don’t fiddle with it this means no touching, turning, or fidgeting with the jewelry.
“They’re not permanent piercings by any means,” professional piercer Tom Gottschalk tells PopSugar.
“It’s so different for everybody.
It could [happen in] a month or three months it could be 10 years!
But eventually, it’s coming out,” Gottschalk says.
Because our bodies are so unique, we all have different experiences.
So, is there a possibility to save the piercing once it starts to reject?
Risks associated with dermal piercings
No piercing comes without risks, and dermal piercings are no different.
They are, however, more likely to cause complications than some other piercings.
Another undesirable complication is scarring.
Because dermal piercings reject at some point, some scarring is inevitable.
Tissue damage is also a possibility, especially if the piercer places the anchor too deep beneath the skin.
This can have a negative effect on the nerves and blood vessels in the area.
This is why it’s important to go to a reputable professional.
Another pesky risk that comes with dermal piercings is hypergranulation.
Jewelry that’s way too tight for the piercing can also cause this condition.
You may also deal with jewelry displacement.
This usually happens when the piercer failed to insert the anchor deep enough.
What jewelry can you use for your dermal piercing?
So, how do you choose?
Well, it all depends on your skin jot down and personal preference.
The most popular choice is surgical-grade stainless steel this is a great choice for many because it’s hypoallergenic.
Niobium is also a good choice for the same reasonandit’ll be a little cheaper than titanium jewelry.
Titanium is the queen of metals, especially when it comes to dermal piercings.
Because surgical-grade titanium is known for being very kind to sensitive skin.
If you’re worried about allergies or irritation, this is one of the best metals to go with.
Gold (and rose gold) can also be a good choice, given you opt for 14-karat gold.
It’s pretty tough and doesn’t require a lot of extra care to keep it looking good.
How do you change your dermal piercing jewelry?
check that it’s secure so you don’t lose it.
Once you’re done, use some saline solution to clean the area again.
If you end up not being able to loosen the top yourself, pay a visit to your piercer.
What should you do if you don’t want a dermal piercing anymore?
If your dermal piercing is no longer appealing to you, you do have the option to remove it.
However, never venture to remove the piercing yourself.
This is a bad idea for a myriad of reasons (including causing permanent damage to your skin).
The removal process is pretty simple.
After this, they’ll use a scalpel to make a very small incision around the anchor.
They’ll then extract it from the skin and stitch up the wound if necessary.
Most piercers will apply a bandage to keep the area clean and protected.
If the wound continues to hurt excessively or appears slow to heal, make an appointment with your doctor.
