📌 Things to Consider Before Getting a Surface Piercing

Thinking about getting a surface piercing? Whether it’s your nape, hip, chest, cheekbone, or collarbone, surface piercings are a bold and beautiful way to express your style. But before you commit, it’s important to understand what makes surface piercings different from traditional ones — and why they need extra care to keep them looking great and healing well.

Here’s everything you should know and consider before getting a surface piercing:

🧬 1. Anatomy Matters – A Lot

Surface piercings go through flat areas of skin rather than through tissue with an exit point on the other side (like ears or nostrils). That means they rely on your skin’s flexibility and depth to sit properly.

If the skin is too tight, too thin, or moves too much (like around joints), the piercing may:

Not sit flat
Reject quickly
Heal poorly

👂 Pro Tip: Always get an anatomy check with a professional piercer who has experience in surface work.

🕐 2. They Take Time to Heal — and May Never Be "Permanent"

Surface piercings are semi-permanent at best. Even with perfect care, many will eventually grow out over time — usually within 1–5 years depending on location, jewellery, and your body.

Healing typically takes 3 to 9 months, sometimes longer, and you’ll need to be consistent with aftercare the entire time.

⚠️ 3. Higher Risk of Rejection and Migration

Because surface piercings are closer to the surface of the skin, the body is more likely to see them as a “foreign object” and try to push them out.

Signs of rejection include:

The jewellery becoming more visible
Red, tight, or shiny skin
A "moving" piercing
Thinning skin over the bar

📍 Tip: If you notice early signs of rejection, remove the jewellery ASAP to avoid permanent scarring.

💥 4. They're Easily Irritated by Clothing, Movement, and Pressure

Surface piercings are more prone to irritation from friction — especially in high-contact areas like:

Hips (waistbands rub)
Nape (collars and hair get caught)
Chest (bras and tops)
Face (makeup or sleeping positions)

Even a simple thing like sleeping on it can delay healing or cause rejection. Be prepared to adjust your routine and wardrobe during healing — and possibly long after.

🧼 5. Aftercare is Everything

Surface piercings need gentle but consistent care. That means:

Cleaning twice daily with sterile saline solution
No twisting, moving, or rotating the jewellery
Keeping hair, clothes, and fingers away from the area
Avoiding submersion in pools, hot tubs, or baths during healing

Over-cleaning or using harsh products (like alcohol or peroxide) can dry out the skin and cause irritation — so stick to saline and clean hands.

🔩 6. Jewellery Choice Makes or Breaks It

Only surface bars or flexible materials like PTFE should be used in surface piercings — never curved or straight barbells.

Proper jewellery:

Reduces pressure and rejection
Moves with your skin
Allows the piercing to settle comfortably

A knowledgeable piercer will choose the correct size, shape, and material based on your anatomy and placement.

🧑⚕️ 7. Choose a Piercer with Surface Experience

Surface piercings are a specialized skill — not every piercer offers or should offer them. Make sure your piercer:

Has a solid portfolio of surface work
Uses high-quality, implant-grade materials
Gives detailed aftercare instructions and offers downsizing if needed

Don’t be afraid to ask for photos of healed piercings they've done, not just fresh ones.

📸 8. They’re Gorgeous — But High Maintenance

There’s no denying it: surface piercings look amazing. They’re unique, customisable, and incredibly striking. But they’re also:

High maintenance
Prone to rejection
Not guaranteed to last forever

If you're okay with those risks and ready to care for them properly, they can be a beautiful form of expression.

🧷 Final Thoughts

Surface piercings aren’t for everyone — but with the right placement, jewellery, and aftercare, they can be a stunning (if temporary) addition to your look. Just make sure you're making an informed decision, and choose an experienced piercer who prioritizes your anatomy and your safety.

Thinking about a surface piercing?
Book a consultation first to check if your anatomy is a good fit — we’ll walk you through every step to make sure you feel confident before you commit.

Initial Piercing - Dermal Anchor