What Are the Names of the Different Body Piercings?
Beyond the ears and face lies a whole world of body piercings, from the popular navel and nipple to tongue, dermal and surface placements. This guide names every body piercing by where it sits, explains the difference between a piercing through a fold and one anchored in flat skin and rates the pain and healing for each.Body Piercing Names Explained
Body piercings are named for the part of the body they sit on. The navel, also called the belly button piercing, is the most popular body piercing and passes through the small fold of skin at the top rim of the navel. The nipple piercing passes horizontally through the base of the nipple. The tongue piercing sits vertically through the centre of the tongue. These are the classic body placements and each has a clear name that describes exactly where the jewellery goes.
Two families of body piercing work differently to the rest. A dermal, also called a microdermal or single point piercing, has only one visible end because it is anchored under flat skin with a small foot, so it can be placed almost anywhere from the cheekbone to the chest or hip. A surface piercing crosses flat skin with both ends showing on a staple shaped bar and appears on the nape of the neck, the sternum and the hips. Genital piercings form their own extensive category and are always carried out with an eighteen or over age check and a private consultation.
Every Body Piercing by Area
The cards below name each body piercing and describe where it sits. Fold piercings pass through a pinch of skin and heal reliably. Dermals are anchored under flat skin with one visible end. Surface bars cross flat skin with both ends showing.
How Much Does a Body Piercing Hurt?
Body piercings cover a wide range. A navel through a soft fold is one of the more comfortable placements, while a nipple through denser tissue rates higher. Dermals surprise many people by feeling milder than expected because only a small anchor is placed. The chart below rates each body placement out of ten so you know what to expect before you sit down.
How Long Does a Body Piercing Take to Heal?
Healing times vary more across the body than anywhere else. The tongue settles in a matter of weeks because the mouth heals quickly, while a navel or a nipple can take up to a year because the area moves constantly with clothing and daily activity. Dermals and surface piercings sit in between and depend heavily on aftercare. The chart below shows the typical full healing time in months.
The Complete Body Piercing Chart
This table brings the main body placements together so you can compare position, pain, healing and jewellery in one view before your consultation.
| Piercing | Placement | Pain (out of 10) | Healing time | Typical jewellery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navel | Top rim of the navel | 4 | 6 to 12 months | Curved barbell |
| Nipple | Base of the nipple | 7 | 9 to 12 months | Straight barbell or ring |
| Tongue | Centre of the tongue | 5 | 4 to 6 weeks | Straight barbell |
| Dermal | Flat skin, single point | 5 | 3 to 6 months | Anchor and gem top |
| Surface | Nape, sternum or hip | 6 | 6 to 12 months | Surface bar |
What Jewellery Suits a Body Piercing?
Jewellery for body piercings follows the shape of the placement. A navel wears a curved barbell that sits neatly in the fold, with a decorative charm hanging at the front and a smaller ball behind. A nipple takes a straight barbell or a ring once healed. A dermal uses a small anchor set under the skin with an interchangeable gem top, while a surface piercing relies on the flexible staple shaped bar that lies flat and moves with the body to reduce pressure.
Material and fit protect the piercing. OSCO London fits implant grade titanium as standard because it is light and well tolerated by fresh piercings. Body placements that move a great deal, such as the navel and surface piercings, depend on the correct length and shape so the jewellery is not tugged during everyday movement. Your piercer will size every piece at your appointment and advise on the safest options for your chosen placement.
Weighing up how much each placement stings across the whole body? See the full Piercing Pain Chart by Type or browse every chart on the Piercing Charts hub.
Book your body piercing at OSCO London
Every piercing is just £10. Expert placement, a private studio in Northwood, implant grade titanium as standard and honest advice on what your anatomy can carry.
OSCO London is a professional piercing studio in Northwood, London where every piercing is priced at £10. To choose your body placement in person and have your anatomy assessed by an experienced piercer, visit the OSCO London homepage and book an appointment before you decide.
How to Care for a New Body Piercing
Clean the piercing twice a day with a sterile saline solution and pat dry with clean kitchen paper. Wash your hands before you touch the area and leave the jewellery in place throughout the healing window. Wear loose clothing over a fresh navel so the fabric does not rub, avoid high waisted waistbands that press on the piercing and take care during exercise while a body piercing settles because sweat and friction slow healing.
Surface piercings and dermals need extra patience because they sit in flat skin that the body tends to push against over time. Keep them clean, avoid knocks and snags and watch for the jewellery shifting or the skin thinning over a surface bar, which can be early signs of rejection. Avoid swimming pools, saunas and soaking the area until healing is complete and see your piercer promptly if a placement stays sore or looks like it is moving.
This body guide completes the OSCO London Piercing Charts collection. To plan the rest of your look, read the Ear Piercing Chart and Names, the Face Piercing Names and Chart and the Nose Piercing Names and Placement guide.
Body Piercing Questions
The navel or belly button piercing is the most popular body piercing. It passes through a soft fold of skin at the top of the navel, rates around four out of ten for pain and suits a wide range of curved barbell jewellery from simple gems to hanging charms.
A dermal is anchored under flat skin with a single visible gem, while a surface piercing crosses flat skin with both ends showing on a staple shaped bar. Dermals suit tiny single accents and surface bars suit longer lines across an area.
The tongue is the quickest body piercing to heal at around four to six weeks because the mouth has a rich blood supply. Navel and nipple piercings sit at the other end of the scale and can take up to a year, as the healing chart above shows.
Age rules vary by placement and many body piercings have a higher minimum age than a simple lobe. Genital and nipple piercings require you to be eighteen or over with valid photo identification. OSCO London will confirm the policy for the placement you want.