The Complete Guide to Body Piercings (2026)
Body piercings everything below the neck and outside the face span one of the widest ranges of placements, aesthetics and healing complexities in the piercing world. A navel piercing heals in under a year and is one of the most forgiving placements in the body. A nape piercing is a surface placement that many bodies will never fully accept. Understanding where each type sits on that spectrum is the foundation of choosing piercings that last.
This guide covers the seven main body piercing types, with full detail on anatomy, pain, healing, jewellery and aftercare for each.
Body piercings include: navel, nipple, eyebrow, surface piercings, dermal anchors, anti-eyebrow and nape. Healing times range from 6 months (navel initial) to 12+ months (nipple, surface). The key difference between traditional and surface piercings is tissue depth surface piercings have a significantly higher rejection rate. All fresh body piercings should use implant-grade titanium ASTM F-136.
Traditional vs Surface Body Piercings
The most important distinction in body piercing is between traditional piercings and surface piercings. It determines healing expectations, rejection risk, and whether a piercing is likely to be permanent.
| Type | How it works | Rejection risk | Expected longevity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional (through tissue) | Bar passes through a defined volume of tissue with anchors on both sides | Low with correct jewellery | Many years or permanent |
| Surface piercing | Bar passes through a pinch of skin with no deep tissue anchor | Moderate to high | 1–5 years on average; variable |
| Dermal anchor | Single point; anchor plate sits under the skin with one visible end | Moderate | Variable; can last many years |
All 7 Body Piercing Types
1. Navel Piercing
The navel (belly button) piercing is the most popular body piercing in Europe. It passes through the upper fold of skin above the navel rim. The standard placement has the bar entering at the top of the navel hood and exiting below it, with the decorative end hanging into the navel.
Healing time: 6–12 months. Pain level: 4/10. Starter jewellery: 14G curved barbell, 10mm length.
Read more: Navel Piercing: The Complete Guide
2. Nipple Piercing
The nipple piercing passes horizontally through the nipple, with the bar centred at the base of the nipple tip. It is one of the more intimate body piercings and one of the slower to heal, due to the high-movement nature of the chest area. Nipple piercings are worn by all genders and have seen a significant increase in popularity across Europe over the past decade.
Healing time: 9–12 months. Pain level: 5–6/10. Starter jewellery: 14G straight barbell, length measured for anatomy.
Read more: Nipple Piercing: The Complete Guide
3. Eyebrow Piercing
The eyebrow piercing passes through the skin above the outer third of the eyebrow at a diagonal angle entering from the brow ridge and exiting above the eyebrow. It is a surface-adjacent piercing, meaning rejection is possible, but experienced placement and correct jewellery significantly reduce this risk compared to flat surface piercings.
Healing time: 6–9 months. Pain level: 3–4/10. Starter jewellery: 16G curved barbell, 8–10mm.
Read more: Eyebrow Piercing: The Complete Guide
4. Surface Piercing
Surface piercings pass through a flat pinch of skin with no structural tissue beneath collarbone, sternum, wrist, hip, nape. The body treats the bar as a foreign object with limited anchoring, which is why surface piercings have a higher rejection rate and shorter average lifespan than traditional piercings. Correct jewellery (surface bars with 90-degree bends), implant-grade material, and realistic expectations are essential.
Healing time: 6–12 months. Pain level: 4/10. Starter jewellery: 16G titanium surface bar.
Read more: Surface Piercing Guide
5. Dermal Anchor (Microdermal)
A dermal anchor is a single-point piercing with an anchor plate that sits under the skin and a decorative top that protrudes above the surface. Unlike traditional piercings, there is no exit point. The anchor integrates into the surrounding tissue over time. Dermals can be placed almost anywhere on the body cheekbones, chest, back of the neck, fingers.
Healing time: 1–3 months initial; full integration 6–12 months. Pain level: 4/10. Jewellery: titanium flat-base dermal anchor + top.
Read more: Dermal Anchor (Microdermal) Guide
6. Anti-Eyebrow Piercing
The anti-eyebrow sits below and to the side of the eye on the upper cheekbone, diagonally opposite the eyebrow piercing placement. It is a surface piercing through the skin over the cheek, which gives it moderate rejection risk. The placement is visually striking and relatively uncommon.
Healing time: 6–9 months. Pain level: 4/10. Starter jewellery: 16G surface bar or curved barbell.
Read more: Anti-Eyebrow Piercing Guide
7. Nape Piercing
The nape piercing sits at the back of the neck a horizontal surface bar through the skin at the nape. It is one of the highest-rejection-risk placements available because the neck skin moves constantly with every head movement. Most nape piercings will eventually migrate and require retirement. Many experienced piercers will discuss this candidly before proceeding.
Healing time: 6–12 months. Pain level: 4/10. Starter jewellery: 16G titanium surface bar.
Read more: Nape Piercing Guide
Pain Comparison: All 7 Body Piercing Types
| Piercing | Pain (1-10) | Key sensation | Eye watering? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eyebrow / Anti-eyebrow | 3-4/10 | Light pressure through thin skin | No |
| Navel | 4/10 | Sharp pinch through the navel fold | No |
| Surface / Nape | 4/10 | Pressure through skin pinch | No |
| Dermal anchor | 4/10 | Sharp punch sensation; tool-assisted | Mild |
| Nipple | 5-6/10 | Concentrated sting through sensitive tissue | Mild |
| Nipple (inverted anatomy) | 6-7/10 | More complex procedure; more intense | Mild |
Healing Times: Full Overview
| Piercing | Initial healing | Full healing | Key challenge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eyebrow | 3-4 months | 6-9 months | Surface-adjacent; watch for rejection |
| Navel | 3-4 months | 6-12 months | Waistband friction; summer swimming |
| Nipple | 4-6 months | 9-12 months | Bra/clothing friction; high movement |
| Dermal anchor | 1-3 months | 6-12 months | Snagging; catching on clothing |
| Surface piercing | 3-6 months | 6-12 months | High rejection risk; monitor constantly |
| Anti-eyebrow | 3-4 months | 6-9 months | Glasses; facial expressions |
| Nape | 3-6 months | 6-12 months | Highest rejection risk; hair contact |
Jewellery for Body Piercings
The material standard is identical to all other piercings: implant-grade titanium ASTM F-136. For body piercings specifically, jewellery construction is even more critical because many placements are in high-movement areas.
Jewellery by Piercing Type
| Piercing | Initial jewellery | Healed options |
|---|---|---|
| Navel | 14G curved barbell, 10mm | Curved barbells with gem dangles, non-dangle hoops |
| Nipple | 14G straight barbell | Straight barbells, small hoops (once healed) |
| Eyebrow | 16G curved barbell, 8-10mm | Curved barbells, small hoops |
| Surface | 16G titanium surface bar | Surface bars; some allow straight barbells once healed |
| Dermal | Titanium flat-base anchor + 3mm top | Wide range of dermal tops |
| Anti-eyebrow | 16G surface bar or curved barbell | Surface bars, curved barbells |
| Nape | 16G titanium surface bar | Surface bars only |
Read more: Titanium Piercing Jewellery: The Complete Material Guide
Browse: Navel Collection | Barbells Collection | Best Sellers
Body Piercing Aftercare: Key Differences from Face Piercings
The standard saline routine applies to all body piercings, but each location has specific challenges:
• Navel: waistbands, belts and high-waisted clothing press directly on the piercing. Choose low-rise clothing during healing.
• Nipple: bras and tight tops create friction. Wear loose, soft fabrics. Sports bras are particularly problematic.
• Eyebrow / Anti-eyebrow: glasses frames; makeup; facial expressions. Clear frames may sit directly on the jewellery.
• Surface / Nape: clothing friction is the main risk. Nape piercings are particularly vulnerable to hair contact and collars.
• Dermal: snagging on clothing is the main risk. Cover with a breathable plaster during activities.
Full guide: Body Piercing Aftercare: The Complete Healing Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the least painful body piercing?
Eyebrow, anti-eyebrow and surface piercings rate the lowest for body piercings at 3-4/10. Navel piercings are also 4/10. Nipple piercings are the most intense at 5-6/10 due to the concentrated sensitivity of the tissue.
How long does a navel piercing take to heal?
A navel piercing takes 6-12 months to fully heal. Initial healing (surface settling) occurs around 3-4 months, but the internal channel continues maturing for 6-12 months. Changing jewellery before full healing is the most common cause of complications.
Do surface piercings always reject?
Not always, but they have a significantly higher rejection rate than traditional piercings. Factors that reduce rejection risk include: correct jewellery (surface bars), implant-grade titanium, low-movement placement, and minimising friction. Many surface piercings last 1-5 years; some last much longer.
Can I wear a bikini with a navel piercing?
During healing (first 6-9 months), avoid bikini bottoms with tight waistbands that press on the piercing. Once healed, bikinis are generally fine. Protect from prolonged sun exposure and rinse with saline after swimming in the sea.
Do nipple piercings affect breastfeeding?
Most people with nipple piercings can breastfeed successfully. The jewellery must be removed before nursing -- infants can choke on small jewellery. Fully healed nipple piercings (9-12 months minimum) that are then removed do not typically affect milk production.
What is a dermal piercing?
A dermal anchor (microdermal) is a single-point piercing with a flat anchor plate under the skin and a decorative top visible above the surface. Unlike traditional piercings, there is no exit hole. Dermals can be placed almost anywhere on the body.
How painful is a nipple piercing?
Nipple piercings rate 5-6/10 for pain -- one of the more intense body piercings due to the high concentration of nerve endings in nipple tissue. The sensation is a sharp concentrated sting followed by throbbing that settles within 30-60 minutes.
Can body piercings close after years?
Yes. Even fully healed body piercings can close or significantly shrink when jewellery is removed for extended periods. Navel piercings in particular can close within days even after years of wear. Use a retainer if you need to remove jewellery temporarily.