Popular Types of Body Piercings

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This is a comprehensive guide to different types of body piercings, from facial to bellybutton, but do you know the name of each piercing? We covered in this blog and also common gauge size of each body piercing.

Table of Contents

Popular Types of Body Piercings

Ear Piercings

Ear Piercing Chart

Different Ear Piercing Names:

Standard Lobe Piercing – A standard lobe piercing is usually carried out with a standard earring gun using a 14-karat post or sterling silver. Professional piercing makes use of hollow needles. A 18-gauge post and 20-gauge post are common to be used.
Upper Lobe Piercing – Also called doubles, upper lobe piercings are positioned above the standard area for regular lobe piercing. An 18-gauge and 20-gauge are used.
Helix Piercing – Helix piercings are done just above the outer cartilage of the year. It sits beneath the flap covering the cartilage. A 16 gauge post may be used for helix piercings.
Forward Helix Piercing – This area stretches down to the point where the earlobe begins. 16-gauge post is used for forward helix piercings.
Tragus Piercing – Tragus piercing is done on the small flap of cartilage nearest the face. 16-gauge post is common to be used for tragus piercings.
Anti-Tragus Piercing – This is done opposite the tragus area (on the other side) and is aligned with the ear canal. This type of piercing may require eighteen months to heal, and the jewelry should remain until fully healed. A 16-gauge post is normally used.
Daith Piercing – The piercing crosses the innermost region of the cartilage fold. Either a 14-gauge or 16-gauge post is used. It is said that daith piercings can sometimes help with migraines.
Inner Conch Piercing – The inner region of the conch area of the ear is pierced with a 16-gauge hollow needle. This is the more difficult version of the conch piercing.
Outer Conch Piercing – The outer region of the conch is easier to reach, and the procedure is, therefore, easier to carry out. A 16-gauge post or needle is also used.
Industrial Piercing – An industrial piercing involves two piercings usually created on the upper ear. The jewelry traverses the two piercings. A 14-gauge industrial barbell-type post is used.
Orbital Piercing – An orbital piercing also involves two piercings. The piercings are placed above the earlobe and the starting point of the outer earlobe. The bar is placed vertically, connecting the two piercings. A 16-gauge or 14-gauge post is used to accomplish this type of piercing.
Rook Piercing – A rook piercing is located just beside the spot for daith piercings. Curved jewelry is normally picked for this type of piercing, especially curved barbells. The average post size is 16-gauge.
Snug Piercing – Snug piercings are placed halfway down the outer ear, near the lob. 16-gauge bead rings are best for snug piercings.
Transverse Lobe Piercing – This is almost like a standard earlobe piercing, except that it’s done through the lobe in a horizontal manner instead of a front to back orientation. 14-gauge and 16-gauge posts can be used.

Further reading: Ear Piercings – The Complete Guide

Nose Piercings

Nose Piercing Chart

Different Nose Piercing Names:

Nose Ring Piercing – 18-gauge to 20-gauge posts are used for standard nose rings.
High Nostril Piercing – High nostril piercings used the same gauges as nose ring piercings.
Bridge Piercing – Smaller posts like the 12-gauge or 14-gauge are used for bridge piercings.
Septum Piercing – Pierced septum requires a 16-gauge post.
Nasallang Piercing – 16-gauge to 18-gauge posts are used for Nasallang Piercing.
Vertical Tip Piercing – 16-gauge post may be used for vertical tip piercings of the nose.

Further Reading: Nose Piercings – The Complete Guide

Eyebrow Piercings

eyebrow piercing - type of body piercings

Eyebrow Piercing Chart

Different Eyebrow Piercing Names:

Horizontal Eyebrow Piercings – Horizontal brow piercings run across the bridge of the eyebrow. 16-gauge post may be attached.
Vertical Eyebrow Piercings – This piercing vertically traverses the eyebrow region, with the post resting on the bridge. It uses the same post sizes as the horizontal version.

Oral and Tongue Piercings

Oral and Tongue Piercing Chart

Different Oral and Tongue Piercing Names:

Standard Tongue Piercing – A safe and professionally done tongue piercing is placed at the midsection of the tongue, around ¾ inch from the tip of the organ. A 14-gauge post is often used.
Tongue Web Piercing – This is the “under the tongue” type of piercing, normally carried out with a 16-gauge barbell measuring six to eight millimeters.
Uvula Piercing – 12-gauge, 14-gauge, or 16-gauge posts are used for this rare piercing. The piercing is done on the soft tissue of the palette. It’s rare because many possible problems can arise from it.
Smiley Piercing – The smiley piercing requires the frenulum to be punctured by a hollow needle. Sanitizing the mouth is an absolute must. Either a 16-gauge or 18-gauge post is used for smiley piercings. Smiley piercings are considered “secret piercings” because they’re often hidden from view.
Vampire Piercing – Vampire piercings are so-called because you have to open your mouth wide to show them off. They’re made just above the flap of the frenulum. Again, a 16-gauge or 18-gauge post can be used for vampire piercings, like the smiley piercing.
Venom Piercing – A venom piercing is done on the tongue with two barbells opposite each other at the midpoint of the tongue. There are certain risks involved in all oral piercings. 14-gauge posts can be switched for 18-gauge posts if you want.
Frowny Piercing – This is the third variant of frenulum piercing. It has to be carried out with delicate jewelry. 14-gauge posts are used.

Further Reading: Tongue Piercings – The Complete Guide

Lip Piercings

Lip Piercing Chart

Different Lip Piercing Names:

Labret Piercing – Also called the tongue pillar piercing, a labret is any piercing done on the lower lip. 14-gauge or 16-gauge posts can be used.
Monroe Piercing – This piercing is so-called because the piercing looks similar to Marilyn Monroe’s mole. It’s done on the left quadrant of the upper lip. The standard gauge for the Monroe piercing is the 16-gauge.
Medusa Piercing – Medusa piercings are done on the midpoint of the philtrum with a 16-gauge labret post.
Vertical Labret Piercing – A vertical labret traverses the entire lower lip from top to bottom. It goes through the lip with a 16-gauge vertical labret post.
Snake Bites Piercing – True to its name; snake bites look like punctures from two fangs. The piercings are vertical (going through the lip) on opposing sides of the lower lip. 14-gauge or 16-gauge posts are often used.
Jestrum Piercing – This is a variation of the Medusa piercing, but instead of a front to back orientation, a vertical orientation is used. A 16-gauge post is used for Jestrums.
Spider Bites Piercing – Spider bites are two piercings placed side by side either on the left side of the lower lip or the right side. 16-gauge jewelry can be used as well as specialty spider bite jewelry that resembles springs.
Cyber Bites Piercing – Cyber bites combine a vertical labret on the lower lip (center) and a front to back Medusa piercing.14-gauge to 16-gauge labret posts can be used.
Dolphin Bites Piercing – This piercing involves two equidistant lower lip piercings (labrets) and one Medusa piercing combined. 16-gauge to 18-gauge posts may be used.