Piercing has a long history and has been practiced in various cultures around the world. Piercings originally served religious, cultural or social purposes, but over time they have gained importance and function in our everyday lives and today a piercing often serves purely as body decoration.
History and spread of piercing
Today, piercings are a common form of body decoration that expresses personal aesthetics and individuality. This report examines the evolution of attitudes toward piercings, highlights cultural backgrounds, modern motivations for piercings, risks, and care instructions and common types of piercings.
Piercings can be traced back to the Stone Age. Archaeological finds, such as mummies and statues, show that nose, ear and labret piercings were common in early civilizations such as the Egyptians and Mayans. In these cultures, piercings often had a spiritual or symbolic meaning. In Egypt, piercings were considered a sign of nobility and religious rank. The most famous mummy with ear piercings is that of King Tutankhamun. Among the Mayans and Aztecs, lip and tongue piercings were common religious practices.v
In many indigenous societies, piercings are deeply rooted and have symbolic meanings ranging from maturity tests to status symbols. In various African cultures, lip and ear piercings served as signs of beauty, social status or tribal affiliation. Nose piercings have a long tradition in India and are often linked to the wedding ceremony and marital status.
Modern motivations for piercings
Over time, the reasons for piercings have changed. Today, aesthetic considerations and personal expression are central motives. Many people get pierced to emphasize personal style preferences or to stand out from others. For some, it remains an expression of cultural or ethnic identity, and some people still get pierced to mark spiritual or emotional transitions. And especially among adolescents and young adults, piercings are often seen as a sign of rebellion against societal norms.
Risks of piercings
Piercing should not be demonized, but as with any procedure that affects the body, there are short- and long-term risks that we would like to briefly discuss.
Short-term risks include infections, as unsterile tools or inadequate care can lead to infections. This can happen even to a good piercer. Allergic reactions are also possible, as materials such as nickel can cause allergic reactions. Piercing in areas with a high blood flow can lead to heavy bleeding. And of course there is the issue of pain, as sensitivity to pain varies depending on the part of the body and the individual pain threshold.
Long-term risks include scarring, as lack of proper care or improper care can lead to permanent scarring. Some piercings can change position over time through what is known as migration. Excessive scarring can lead to keloids, which are difficult to remove. And mouth piercings can lead to tooth enamel wear and gum recession.
Basics of care
Proper care is crucial to minimize risks and promote rapid healing.
- Hygiene: Regular washing with a mild soap solution, saline solution or special care products
- Avoid irritation: Do not excessively touch or twist the jewelry.
- Avoiding swimming pools and hot tubs: Such areas should be avoided until complete healing.
Common types of piercings
A Ear piercing is a form of body jewelry in which one or more holes are pierced in the earlobe or other parts of the ear to accommodate jewelry such as rings, studs, or dangles. This piercing can be placed on the earlobe, auricle, cartilage, or other specific areas of the ear such as the helix, tragus, daith, or rook. Ear piercings are a popular way to customize one's appearance and add fashion-forward accents. The procedure is usually performed by a professional piercer using sterile equipment to avoid infection and complications. After piercing, ear piercings require a certain amount of care and hygiene to ensure proper healing.
A nose piercing can take a variety of forms, with the most common styles including the nostril piercing and the septum piercing. A nostril piercing is a piercing that is pierced through the side of the nose. It is traditionally placed on one side of the nose, but can be present on both sides. The choice of side is often a matter of personal preference. Jewelry for nostril piercings can include rings, studs, or small, sparkling stones.
Septum piercings, on the other hand, go through the thin tissue that separates the nostrils, also known as the nasal septum. The piercing is not pierced directly through the cartilaginous part of the nasal septum, but through the soft spot underneath, known as the "sweet spot." Typical jewelry for septum piercings are horseshoe rings, closed rings, or septum clickers, which are available in a variety of designs. Both types of nose piercings are popular forms of body jewelry and can enhance the wearer's appearance and personality.
Lip piercing is a piece of jewelry worn through the skin near or directly on the lips. There are several different types of lip piercings, each with its own placement and style. Here are three common types:
- A labret piercing is located directly under the lower lip and can be placed either in the middle or slightly to the side. The jewelry often consists of a bar with a ball at one end and a flat or round plate at the other end that rests on the inside of the lip.
- The Medusa piercing is located directly in the middle of the upper lip, above the vermilion part of the lip and below the nasal septum. It emphasizes the symmetry of the face and is usually worn with a labret stud.
- Named after icon Marilyn Monroe, the Monroe piercing mimics the look of a beauty mark on one side of the upper lip. It is commonly worn with a small, sparkling piece of jewelry and can be placed on either the left (Monroe) or right (Madonna). Each of these variations can be customized to suit the wearer's style and preferences, and they come in a variety of jewelry designs and materials.
A tongue piercing is a piece of jewelry that is pierced through the tongue. It typically consists of a straight bar (barbell) with two screw-off balls on the ends, most commonly made from surgical stainless steel, titanium, or plastic to prevent skin irritation. Bar length varies to accommodate tongues of different thicknesses, and ball sizes may also vary to provide individual style or comfort. The piercing is usually placed in the center of the tongue, and a professional piercer performs it after thoroughly disinfecting the area. The healing process usually takes several weeks, during which attention must be paid to hygiene and special caution when eating and drinking to avoid infection. A well-maintained tongue piercing can adorn the aesthetic appearance of the tongue and often serves as an expression of individual personality and style.
A belly button piercing is a form of body jewelry in which a piece of jewelry is pierced through the skin around the belly button. It can be placed at both the top and bottom of the belly button, with the most common placement being at the top. The piercing typically consists of a hollow needle being pierced through the skin, followed by the insertion of the piece of jewelry. The jewelry for a belly button piercing can be made of various materials, such as surgical steel, titanium, gold, or bioplast, and comes in a variety of designs. Curved barbells (banana bars) or rings decorated with pearls, crystals, or other decorative elements are often used. The healing process of a belly button piercing can take several months, and it requires special care to prevent infection and complications. This includes regular cleaning with a saline solution and avoiding trauma or excessive friction to the pierced area. A belly button piercing is a popular choice for people who want to customize their body and make a fashion statement.
A Eyebrow piercing is a piece of jewelry that is pierced through the skin above the eyebrow. It is often used as a form of body jewelry to emphasize individual style or personality. An eyebrow piercing can be placed horizontally or vertically and is usually made of metallic materials such as stainless steel, titanium or even gold. Commonly used jewelry is barbell bars or small rings. When caring for an eyebrow piercing, it is important to keep the area clean and disinfected after piercing to avoid inflammation.
The Intimate piercing can have several very different shapes and positions for men and women. Each type of intimate piercing has its own healing times, risks and care requirements. It is particularly important for an intimate piercing to be well informed and to consult an experienced piercer.
Piercings are an ancient tradition that today serves both cultural and aesthetic functions. While modern motivations are primarily self-expression and individuality, the risks and the need for careful care remain. The variety of piercing types shows that this type of body decoration is an important expression of personality and identity for many people.