The Most Difficult Piercing to Heal, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the piercing you think is the most difficult!

Updated on May 8, 2024 06:25

Deciding on a new piercing often comes with a mix of excitement and apprehension, particularly concerning the healing process. The healing duration and difficulty can vary significantly from one type of piercing to another. Understanding which piercings present the greatest challenge in healing can be crucial for making informed decisions and setting realistic expectations for aftercare. Our site offers a dynamic ranking system where users can vote on their experiences with different piercings. This collective insight helps to provide a clearer picture of what potential piercers might expect. By participating, you contribute to a broader community knowledge base, assisting others in making choices that suit their lifestyle and healing capabilities.

What Is the Most Difficult Piercing to Heal?

1

55
votes
Smial · CC BY-SA 2.0 de

Surface piercings

Surface piercings are prone to rejection and migration due to their placement on flat surfaces of the body. They also have a longer healing time and require proper aftercare.
Surface piercings are a type of body piercing that involves the insertion of jewelry just beneath the surface of the skin. Instead of going through a specific anatomical point like other piercings, surface piercings are placed horizontally or vertically on flat areas of the body.

Healing Time: 6-12 months

Pain Level: Moderate to high

Migration and Rejection Risk: High

Possible Complications: Infection, scarring, jewelry embedding

Jewelry Types: Surface barbells, curved barbells, dermal anchors
2

39
votes
Angeline Belmann · CC BY-SA 3.0

Industrial piercing

Industrial piercings involve two piercings connected by a single piece of jewelry, making them prone to irritation and movement during the healing process.
The Industrial piercing is a type of ear piercing that involves the placement of two separate piercings connected with a single barbell, creating a visually striking and unique look. The first piercing is usually placed in the upper cartilage of the ear, towards the head, while the second piercing is in the cartilage towards the outer edge of the ear. The barbell passes through both piercings, allowing them to be connected.

Healing Time: 6-12 months

Pain Level: Moderate to high

Jewelry Type: Barbell or straight bar

Gauge Size: 14-16 gauge

Piercing Placement: Upper cartilage of the ear
Industrial piercing in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular ear piercing
3

30
votes
Marnanel · CC BY-SA 3.0

Tongue piercing

Doug Malloy

Tongue piercings have a high risk of infection due to the bacteria in the mouth. They also require strict aftercare to avoid complications.
Tongue piercing is a type of body modification that involves inserting a jewelry through the center of the tongue. It is considered one of the most difficult piercings to heal due to its location and constant movement.

Location: Center of the tongue

Procedure: Piercing needle or cannula is used

Jewelry: Barbell with threaded ends

Healing time: 4 to 8 weeks

Swelling: Common after the piercing
4

18
votes
bigbk1962 from USA · CC BY-SA 2.0

Nipple piercing

Nipple piercings are prone to infection and can take up to a year to fully heal due to their placement on a sensitive area of the body.
Nipple piercing is a body piercing located at the base of the nipple. It involves puncturing the nipple in order to insert a jewelry piece, such as a barbell or captive bead ring.

Pain Level: Moderate to high

Healing Time: 6 to 9 months

Initial Jewelry: Barbell or captive bead ring

Gauge Size: Usually 14 or 12 gauge

Jewelry Material: Surgical stainless steel, titanium, or niobium
5

5
votes
Nzfulla · CC BY-SA 4.0

Genital piercing

Genital piercings have a high risk of infection and require strict aftercare. They can also be uncomfortable during the healing process.
Genital piercing refers to a type of body piercing located on the external genitalia, either on male or female genitalia. It involves placing jewelry, such as a ring or barbell, through the skin or natural openings in the area.

Healing Time: 4 to 12 weeks or longer

Pain Level: Moderate to high

Potential Risks: Infection, bleeding, scarring, migration, rejection, nerve damage

Jewelry Options: Rings, barbells, curved barbells

Placement Variations: Clitoral hood, labia, Prince Albert (male), frenum (male), etc.
6

11
votes
Niemayer · CC BY-SA 3.0

Daith piercing

Daith piercings are located in the innermost cartilage fold of the ear and can take up to a year to fully heal. They are also prone to infection and migration.
The Daith piercing is a type of ear piercing that passes through the innermost fold of the cartilage of the ear, just above the ear canal. It has gained popularity for its unique placement and aesthetic appeal.

Placement: Through the innermost fold of cartilage above the ear canal

Difficulty to heal: Considered one of the most difficult piercings to heal

Jewelry: Usually a small curved barbell or captive bead ring is used

Pain level: Varies from person to person, but generally considered to be moderately painful

Healing time: Around 6 to 12 months, but can take longer in some cases
Daith piercing in other rankings
- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular ear piercing
7

2
votes
Cartilage piercings

Cartilage piercings have a longer healing time and are prone to infection due to the lack of blood flow in the area.
Cartilage piercings involve piercing through the cartilage of the ear, nose, or other parts of the body. It is a type of body piercing that is generally more challenging to heal compared to piercings conducted on softer tissue.

Healing time: 6-12 months

Pain level: Moderate to high

Initial jewelry: Stud, hoop, or barbell made of surgical steel or titanium

Risk of infection: High if not properly cared for

Recommended aftercare: Twice-daily saline solution soaks, avoiding touching or twisting the piercing
8

6
votes
Septum piercing

Septum piercings can be uncomfortable during the healing process and require strict aftercare to avoid infections and complications.
Septum piercing is a type of facial piercing that passes through the soft piece of skin called the septum, which separates the nostrils. It is a popular and versatile piercing option that can be adorned with various types of jewelry.

Healing Time: 6 to 8 weeks

Pain Level: Moderate to high

Jewelry Options: Circular barbells, captive bead rings, septum clickers, etc.

Placement: Through the soft, fleshy part of the nose between the cartilage and the bottom of the septum

Risk of Infection: Moderate, if not properly cared for
9

10
votes
Metalhead64 · CC BY-SA 3.0

Lip piercing

Lip piercings are prone to infections due to their location near the mouth. They can also be uncomfortable during the healing process.
Lip piercing refers to the practice of inserting jewelry through the lips for aesthetic or cultural purposes. It involves puncturing the skin or mucous membrane of the upper or lower lip, typically at the center or corners of the mouth.

Healing Time: 6-8 weeks for initial healing, up to 3-6 months for complete healing

Pain Level: Moderate to high

Jewelry Size: Gauges ranging from 18-14

Jewelry Types: Labret studs, rings, horseshoes, or captive bead rings

Aftercare: Rinse with saline solution, avoid oral contact, maintain oral hygiene
10

8
votes
Jonny · CC BY 3.0

Eyebrow piercing

Jim Ward

Eyebrow piercings have a longer healing time and are prone to infection due to their placement on a sensitive area of the face.
The eyebrow piercing involves the insertion of jewelry through the eyebrow, typically horizontally above the eye. It is a popular form of self-expression and body adornment.

Location: Above the eye, through the eyebrow

Healing Time: 6-8 weeks

Pain Level: Moderate

Jewelry Options: Barbells, captive bead rings, curved barbells

Jewelry Size: 16-18 gauge

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Discussion

Ranking factors for difficult piercing

Location of the piercing

Some body parts have a better blood supply, which can help with healing, while others are more prone to infection or complications. The denseness and thickness of the tissue being pierced can also affect healing time.
Type of piercing

Certain types of piercings, such as surface piercings, dermal anchors, or transdermal implants, may be more complicated and take longer to heal compared to standard ear or nose piercings.
Individual's immune system

The ability to heal depends on an individual's general health and immune system. A strong immune system will likely lead to a quicker recovery.
Aftercare and hygiene

The way the person takes care of their piercing can significantly impact the healing process. Proper cleaning, avoiding unnecessary touching, and following the piercer's recommendations are crucial to prevent infection and promote healing.
Piercing technique and experience of the piercer

A skilled piercer will likely cause less trauma to the tissue, reducing the healing time and potential complications.
Allergies and sensitivities

Some people may have allergic reactions to specific materials, such as metals used for the jewelry. This can complicate the healing process and may require a change in jewelry material.
Lifestyle and external factors

Factors like smoking, stress, and an individual's overall lifestyle can also impact the healing process. Activities such as swimming or sports may introduce potential complications during the healing period.
Infections and complications

If a piercing becomes infected or experiences other complications, the time it takes to heal may be much longer, and sometimes might never heal properly.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult piercing to heal. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Piercing is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

3205 views
184 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Piercing once every 24 hours. The rank of each Piercing is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most difficult piercing to heal

Piercings have been a popular form of body modification for centuries, and while they can be a great way to express individuality and style, they also come with their fair share of risks and challenges. One of the most significant challenges is the healing process, which can be long, painful, and sometimes even dangerous. While all piercings require proper aftercare to heal correctly, some are more difficult than others. In this article, we'll explore the most difficult piercing to heal and what you can do to ensure a successful healing process.