Do Piercings Hurt?

1. Ear Piercing (Ear Lobe)

When most people think of piercings, I’m sure the first thing that comes to mind is ear lobes. Generally, a lot of peoples first introduction into the world of piercings is through this one and it is a great choice to start off with if you’re a little nervous.

This soft tissue area makes the thought of getting a piercing a little less scary for many people. weather it’s your first, second or fourth piercing there’s not much you need to be concerned with when sitting in the chair for this one. The vast majority of people that get their lobes pierced will experience a small sharp pinch for each side which is over in a matter of seconds.

Pain Level: 3/10
Approximate Healing Time: 6 to 8 weeks
Age Limit: 14+ (With a parent), 16+ (Without)

2. Helix Piercing (Cartilage)

Moving on from Ear lobes the next thing a lot of people think about adding to their ears are helix piercings. These are positioned around the cartilage/rim of the ear. For this reason, positioning can vary with some people choosing to have them more towards the middle of the ear and others choosing to have them closer to the top.

Choosing to have this piercing either slightly higher or lower doesn’t really have an impact on the pain of the piercing. The procedure for doing this piercing is much the same as getting an Ear lobe done. However, as this one is going through cartilage it is a slight bit more of a pinch. With it still being rather easy to handle a lot of people even tend to get this done in the same sitting as 1 or both ear lobes.

Pain Level: 4/10
Approximate Healing Time: 8 to 12 weeks
Age Limit: 14+ (With a parent), 16+ (Without)

3. Nose Piercing (Nostril)

Nostril piercings are definitely a popular choice amongst all age groups. There are many different looks you can achieve with this piercing depending on the type of jewellery you decide to wear once healed. Anything ranging from a dainty top to a show stopping cluster or ring can be worn to achieve the look you desire.

With beauty comes pain a lot of people like to say but when it comes to nostril piercings it it very bearable. The biggest thing to expect is for your eyes to start watering. If you have ever been in the room with a friend getting their nose pierced you would most likely of noticed their eyes watering after the piercing was performed. This happens very often with nostril piercings due to the tissue connected to your sinuses and when the nose is irritated it sends nerve signals which result in the eyes watering.

Pain Level: 7/10
Approximate Healing Time: 8 to 12 weeks
Age Limit: 14+ (With a parent), 16+ (Without)

4. Tragus Piercing

In general, the more relaxed you are getting a piercing the less it will hurt. I know it can sound like an impossible thing to do when you’re nervous but relaxing your body and controlling your breathing really can help you have a better experience. Tragus piercings can act as quite a dainty addition to your ear collection.

Another piercing with many jewellery options once it’s healed, you can expect to feel a sensation of pressure with this piercing. In terms of the pain I would say that it is similar to that of a helix piercing where you will generally feel a slight bit more of a pinch than you would with an ear lobe.

Pain Level: 5/10
Approximate Healing Time: 8 to 12 weeks
Age Limit: 14+ (With a parent), 16+ (Without)

5. Navel (Belly Button Piercing)

In general, i would say that Navel piercings are one of the most popular and this is definitely reflected in our studio with lots of people opting to get one. Unfortunately, not everyone’s Navel will be suitable for this type of piercing due to different anatomy. If this is something that applies to you your piercer will generally go through another option that they may be able to offer or recommend.

Navels are definitely another slightly easier option then some other piercings when it comes to the pain factor. Much like Ear lobes the tissue around your navel is generally quite soft. meaning it will not cause you a high amount of pain when getting it pierced. Anatomy permitting some people even get top and bottom of their Navel pierced.

Pain Level: 4/10
Approximate Healing Time: 12 to 24 weeks
Age Limit: 14+ (With a parent), 16+ (Without)

6. Conch Piercing

The Conch piercing is an incredibly customisable place to get pierced. A favourite among a lot of piercers for its ability to make a high impact on a lot of ear projects. located in the middle portion of the ear cartilage and with a little flexibility on placement this could be a great addition to many ears.

The great thing about conch piercings is the ability to wear large cluster jewellery in this area creating the illusion of 3 or even 5 piercings close together from 1 piercing alone. In terms of pain you can expect to feel a sharp pinch as the piercing is done.

Pain Level: 7/10
Approximate Healing Time: 8 to 16 weeks
Age Limit: 14+ (With a parent), 16+ (Without)

 7. Forward Helix Piercing

Forward helix piercings are located on the upper cartilage of your ear that faces forward, directly above your Tagus. a lot of people come in wanting this piercing with the idea of having either a double or a triple forward helix to create a clustered effect in this area. Once again something of this formation requires the correct anatomy to support it, but done correctly can be a wonderful addition.

in general, much like the other type of helix piercings you will likely experience a small pinch whilst getting this done, making it very bearable. Moving on from getting a standard helix piercing this would be a very good choice if you’re a little nervous.

Pain Level: 5/10
Approximate Healing Time: 8 to 12 weeks
Age Limit: 14+ (With a parent), 16+ (Without)

 8. Septum Piercing

Another facial piercing that a lot of people make the choice to get done is a Septum piercing. This piercing can look great by its self or accompanied by a single or double nostril piercing. The jewellery choices for healed piercings can include circular barbells (Horseshoes), Segment rings and clickers. Another great attribute to this piercing is that pierced correctly it can actually be flipped up and hidden with certain types of jewellery making it more discrete.

When pierced correctly this will go through your “sweet spot” the soft fleshy area under the bridge between the nostrils. This helps to prevent the placement being both uncomfortable and taking a very long time to heal. similar to nostril piercings a lot of people may experience their eyes begin to water when having this piercing done.

Pain Level: 6/10
Approximate Healing Time: 8 to 12 weeks
Age Limit: 14+ (With a parent), 16+ (Without)

9. Daith Piercing

If you and your friends have ever had a conversation about daith piercings you may have heard them refer to them as the “migraine piercing” Although a lot of people may of heard this information somewhere unfortunately there is nothing to scientifically prove that this piercing will in fact help in the prevention of migraines. Although daith’s may not be a miracle migraine cure they are a slightly more unusual and eye-catching piercing and definitely worth considering if you’re thinking about what to add next.

The daith piercing is located in the inner most cartilage fold of the ear. The Daith piercing can be described as feeling a sharp pinch and some pressure as the piercing is being performed and jewellery is inserted. These piercings can really make a wonderful statement piece once healed with a lot of different jewellery options such as “clickers” being able to be worn in them.

Pain Level: 5/10
Approximate Healing Time: 8 to 12 weeks
Age Limit: 14+ (With a parent), 16+ (Without)

 10. Nipple Piercing

Nipple piercings can be a great choice for someone looking to get a piercing that is in more of a hidden spot. This over 18’s piercing has been popular for a very long time and is a great way to add a new addition to your collection if you need your piercings to be discrete.

The opinion on Nipple piercing pain tends to differ a little person to person. This is due to everyone having a slightly different pain threshold and tolerance. like most other piercings the thought of it is generally worse than the actual pain you will feel. Again, it is mostly the sensation of a sharp pinch which only lasts for a couple of seconds. A lot of people opt to have both done in the same sitting if they’re eventually wanting 2 as they can take quite a while to fully heal.

Pain Level: 5-8/10
Approximate Healing Time: 12 to 36 weeks
Age Limit: 18+