Body Piercing Terminology [H - P]
- Helix
The outer ring of cartilage of the ear, often the site of multiple
piercings that are ‘stacked’ along this rim.
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- Hood Piercing
A female genital piercing that goes through the clitoral hood so
that the bead of the jewelry rests on the clitoris. Vertical hood
piercings go up and down, while horizontal hood piercings go through
from side to side. This is the most popular type of female genital
piercing.
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- Horseshoe Ring
Like a circular barbell, it is a barbell bent into a horseshoe
shape. It puts less pressure on the piercing this way and is easier
to keep clean for a fresh piercing.
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- Industrial
Two earlobe piercings joined by one piece of jewelry, usually a
barbell. The most common style is two helix piercings at an angle
across the top of the ear.
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- Infibulation
The act of temporarily, whether through sewing, piercing or other
means, closing up the sexual organs inside the body so that they
can’t be used. Usually part of a chastity fetish ritual, but
sometimes of interest to those undergoing gender reassignment.
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- Inner Labia Piercing
Piercing of the folds of the inner labia, primarily for aesthetic
reasons.
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- Jacobs Ladder Piercing
A series of frenum piercings (piercings along the underside of the
penis that can continue along the scrotum if desired) done in a
ladder-like pattern.
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- Keloid
Scar tissue built up around a piercing, usually thickened and
darkened. Keloids should be treated by a doctor and may have to be
removed surgically.
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- Labret
Either a piercing of the center, lower lip or the jewelry that
goes there. When referring to the jewelry itself, the labret is a
barbell with a ball or decorative piece on one end and a flattened
piece on the other so that it fits comfortably between the inside
of the lip and the lower gum line.
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- Madison
A surface piercing at the base of the neck between the collar bones
and usually using a circular or curved barbell. This is prone to
rejection.
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- Mastitis
A painful inflammation of the breast tissue usually caused by a
bacterial infection. It is sometimes caused by a nipple piercing
that has been improperly cared for.
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- Medusa
A piercing centered in the upper lip, like a Labret is in the lower
lip. Placement is very important for this style of piercing.
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- Migration
The movement or shifting of body jewelry away from its original
placement. In severe cases, the jewelry may push its way right out
of the skin. The slower the healing, the faster the migration.
Belly button rings often migrate, while ear lobe piercings rarely
do.
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- Monroe Piercing
A labret piercing on the side of the upper lip that resembles a
birthmark such as Marilyn Monroe’s. Also
sometimes referred to as a Madonna piercing.
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- Nape
A nape piercing is a surface piercing at the base of the neck and
usually uses a straight or curved barbell.
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- Niobium
A non-reactive, hypo-allergenic metal especially suited to body
piercing jewelry because it is inert and non-porous. It can also be
made more attractive by being annealed to change its color without
dyes or electroplating.
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- Nickel
A base metal found in many types of costume and inexpensive jewelry
that can cause allergic reactions. Any jewelry containing nickel
should be avoided when getting pierced.
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- Nipple Rings
Usually straight or curved barbells going through the flesh of the
back of the nipple on a man or a woman.
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- Nipple Shields
Round or elaborately shaped decorative plates that go around the
nipple behind and piercing. It is held in place by the nipple ring
that goes through it.
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- Nose Ring
A ring for a side nostril piercing that is usually a fine gauge
captive bead ring.
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- Nose Stud
A straight or curved bar with only one ball on the outer end that
is to be inserted into a side nostril piercing.
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- O-Ring
A thin, rubber ring that fits snugly on the end of a plug to keep
it in place in your piercing.
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- Oral Piercings
Any piercings that have to do with the mouth, including tongue,
lip, cheek and labret piercings.
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- Parking
The tendency for some piercings to shift slightly to one side or
the other, such as in a navel piercing, because it is more
comfortable.
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- Piercing Gun
A spring-loaded device used to shoot a piercing stud through soft
tissue for piercing. Usually this is used only to pierce the ear
lobes for standard earrings, and should not be used for other body
piercings because it is not accurate and cannot be sterilized
properly. Members of the Association of Professional Piercers will
not use a piercing gun for any type of piercing.
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About the Author:
Lori Wilkerson is a full-time freelance writer who loves her work
because it gives her the opportunity to learn more about the world
every day. Right now, she knows a little bit about almost
everything, and a lot about body jewelry, wholesale body jewelry, and
toe rings. She has two dogs who are spoiled and one teenager who
is not.
Also See: [
Piercing Aftercare &
Healing Essentials for Piercings ]
[
Historical Information About Body Piercings ]
[
The Body
Piercing Process ]
Home Page: [ Body Jewelry You Seek ]
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