What Is a Dermal Piercing?
A dermal piercing places a small anchor beneath the skin with a single decorative top visible on the surface, creating the illusion of a jewel floating on the body. This guide covers how the anchor works, the most popular placements, pain levels, the 1 to 6 month healing timeline, the removal process and aftercare.What Is a Dermal Piercing?
A dermal piercing (also called a microdermal piercing or single-point piercing) is a type of body modification where a small anchor is placed beneath the skin and a decorative top screws onto the anchor post above the surface. Unlike any traditional piercing, there is no exit point: only one decorative end is visible. The anchor has a perforated foot plate that allows surrounding tissue to grow through it over the healing period, stabilising the jewellery within the skin.
The effect is a gem or disc that appears to float directly on the skin with no visible bar, no ring and no backing disc. Because there is no exit hole required, dermal piercings can be placed on virtually any flat area of the body where there is sufficient skin to accommodate the anchor. This places them in a unique category: they can go where no traditional piercing can, including the cheekbone, the back of the neck, the sternum, the finger, the hip and the lower back dimples.
The anchor integrates with surrounding tissue over 6 to 12 months. Once fully integrated, the decorative top can be changed without disturbing the anchor. Dermal piercings are not permanent: the body eventually works to push the anchor toward the surface over months to years. Lifespan varies significantly by placement, lifestyle and aftercare quality.
Where Can a Dermal Piercing Be Placed?
Pain, Healing and How Dermals Are Removed
Most people rate dermal piercing pain at 4 out of 10. The procedure itself involves either a hollow needle creating a small pocket in the skin or a dermal punch removing a tiny core of tissue to make space for the anchor. The needle method creates a sharp pinch. The punch method is more of a pressure sensation. Both are brief. Many people describe the insertion of the anchor as a feeling of significant pressure rather than sharp pain. The total procedure takes around 15 minutes per dermal.
Initial surface healing takes 1 to 3 months. Full tissue integration around the anchor foot plate takes 6 to 12 months. Tops can be changed once integration is confirmed by your piercer: do not attempt to change a dermal top yourself before then as the pressure can loosen an anchor that has not yet fully integrated.
| Stage | Timeframe | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Initial healing | Weeks 1–6 | Tenderness; possible redness; keep covered with a breathable dressing for the first 3 to 5 days; no makeup or skincare near the site |
| Surface healing | Months 1–3 | External skin closes; anchor still mobile internally; no top changes; continue twice-daily saline |
| Integration | Months 3–6 | Anchor foot plate becoming fixed by tissue ingrowth; decreasing sensitivity; piercer can assess readiness for top change |
| Full integration | Months 6–12 | Anchor firmly held; tops can be changed; monitor for rejection signs throughout the piercing's life |
Removal must always be performed by a professional piercer or medical practitioner. An integrated dermal cannot simply be pulled out: the anchor must be freed from the surrounding tissue via massage pressure (early placements) or a small incision (integrated placements). Attempting home removal risks tearing the surrounding tissue and creating a deeper, more visible scar than professional removal would leave.
Dermal Piercing Jewellery
A dermal piercing consists of two components: the anchor and the top. The anchor is a small flat foot plate made from implant-grade titanium that sits beneath the skin. The top screws onto the anchor post above the surface and is the only visible part. Tops come in a wide range of styles including flat discs, gemstones, opals, spikes and shaped designs. Because tops are interchangeable once the anchor is integrated, one anchor placement can support many different looks over its lifetime.
| Component | Material | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Anchor (foot plate) | Implant-grade titanium (ASTM F-136) | Sits beneath the skin; never visible; perforated plate allows tissue ingrowth for stability |
| Initial top | Implant-grade titanium | Screws onto anchor post; flat disc or small gem during healing; do not change until integration confirmed |
| Healed tops | Titanium or 14k gold | Endless style options; swap without disturbing the anchor once fully integrated |
For all body piercing types including belly button, nipple and surface piercings, visit the Body Piercing Types Explained guide. For every piercing type in one resource, visit the Piercing Types Explained hub.
Book your dermal piercing at OSCO London
Dermal piercings at OSCO London are just £10. Placement suitability assessed at consultation, implant-grade titanium as standard, full aftercare guidance included.
OSCO London is a professional piercing studio in Northwood, London. Visit the OSCO London homepage to book your dermal piercing and have placement suitability and anchor sizing assessed by a trained professional.
How to Care for a Dermal Piercing
Soak sterile gauze in saline solution and hold it gently over the dermal site for 3 to 5 minutes twice daily. Alternatively, spray sterile saline directly onto the piercing and pat dry with a clean paper towel. Cover the piercing with a small breathable adhesive dressing for the first 3 to 5 days to prevent catching on clothing or bedding. The single most important aftercare rule for a dermal is: do not snag it. A single hard catch on clothing or a towel can loosen the anchor from its pocket before integration has occurred.
Do not twist, rotate or push down on the top during healing. The anchor needs to remain completely still while tissue grows through the foot plate perforations. Do not apply makeup, skincare, moisturisers, perfume or sunscreen near the piercing site throughout the initial healing period. Avoid sleeping directly on the piercing for the first 3 months.
Watch for rejection signs throughout the life of the piercing: the top appearing to sit higher than it used to, skin thinning visibly above the anchor, the anchor tilting or the surrounding skin appearing stretched. Visit your piercer promptly if any of these signs appear. Removal before the anchor breaks through the skin surface leaves a smaller scar than waiting until the piercing fully rejects.
For a complete guide to every body and facial piercing type, visit the Piercing Types Explained hub at OSCO London, covering all placements from dermal and surface piercings through to ear cartilage and lip piercings.