The Photographic Dictionary of Modern Piercings: Body Piercings

Belly Piercing– In most individuals, this will be a piercing of the top navel rim; only in those who have a true “outie” navel can the belly button itself actually be pierced.

Bottom Belly Piercing– this is a piercing of the lower navel rim, rather than the upper, and can still be performed when a standard belly piercing is already in existence.

Cleavage Piercing– a surface piercing of the skin covering the breast plate, or the area generally referred to on females as “cleavage.”

Corset Piercing– the corset piercing is actually a set of four or more surface piercings, often done temporarily for special occasions and worn with BCRs so that ribbon or laces may be passed through to give the appearance of corset lacing.

Hip Piercing– any piercing of the skin over or just inside the hip bone (this can be a surface piercing or a dermal anchor).

Madison– a surface or dermal piercing of the skin that lays between the clavicles, at the front of the neck.

Nape Piercing– a piercing at the back (or “nape”) of the neck.

Nipple Piercing– the piercing, whether horizontally or vertically, of the areola or base of the nipple.

Sub-clavicle– the only piercing that actually enters the body cavity, the controversial sub-clavicle piercing actually run beneath the clavicle from one side to the other, and consequentially utilizes either custom titanium curved barbells or long PTFE flexible bars.

Valley Piercing– a surface or dermal piercing at the small of the back or lower, above the buttocks.

Web Piercing– this is a piercing of the “web” or thin strip of flesh that lies between the fingers or toes.

Wrist Piercing– a surface piercing at the back of the wrist. When done in multiples, this is often referred to as a “brace” or “bracer.”

Surface Piercing– surface piercings represent the vast majority of piercings that involve the actual body rather than the face, ears, or mouth. This type of piercing can be performed almost anywhere, and has both an entry and an exit point existing on the same surface of the skin, hence the name “surface piercing.” Surface piercings are most often done with a staple shaped jewelry item called a “surface bar,” but will occasionally utilize a bendable barbell made of biocompatible materials, or when temporary, a circular or curved barbell.