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You may have seen someone with a third eye or butterfly kiss piercing and wondered how they achieved that look. How exactly does a dermal piercing work?
A dermal piercing, also called a transdermal, microdermal, or single point piercing, does not go all the way through your body. Instead, it's a body piercing that relies on a unique setup involving a small oval-shaped foot called a dermal anchor, attached to a short threaded post.
This anchor cleverly sits beneath the skin, leaving only the post exposed, allowing for the attachment of various threaded ends. Some anchors are solid, while others feature holes, promoting tissue growth for a more secure hold on the jewelry.
Everyone's body and pain tolerance is unique, and different locations on the body can hurt more than others. However, most report dermal piercings to be lower on the pain scale. Talk with your piercer. They will be able to tell you what to expect for your piercing.
You might ask: where can I get a dermal piercing on my body? While technically, you can place a dermal almost anywhere on the body, there are some parts of the body better suited for them than others.
Dermal piercings are better suited for areas that are thick and flat. Some areas may be too prone to rejection, irritation, or another style of piercing may be a better option. Your piercer can let you know what your best options are.
Now that you know what a microdermal piercing is, you might be wondering: How is a dermal piercing done? Where can I get a dermal piercing?
A microdermal piercing involves making a small incision in the skin. The piercer then inserts the anchor just below the skin and attaches a threaded end to the post.
Because of the tricky nature of this piercing, not all shops and piercers will offer it. You will need to find an experienced professional piercer to perform this piercing.
So, how much does a dermal piercing cost? As with any piercing, the price can vary depending on the shop and location. Because of the precision and expertise needed to do them, dermals can be more expensive than regular piercings. The dermal piercing price often ranges from $70 to $100, not including the price of jewelry. Since this type of piercing is more prone to rejection and migration, choose high-quality jewelry such as implant grade titanium.
Dermal piercing care and the healing process is similar to any other piercing. The healing time for a dermal piercing is roughly two to six months, though it can be longer if you have any complications.
While your piercing heals, avoid touching it or changing your jewelry. Don't put pressure on it, or apply makeup or lotion near the area during this time.
How do you clean a dermal piercing? Be careful when cleaning the area and don't scrub or use any kind of cloth that could snag or catch on the jewelry. It can be easy to snag this style of piercing, especially if it's on your face. Use a saline solution to clean the piercing directly and gently pat dry or let air dry.
If you do need to touch it, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly before doing so, and clean your piercing after.
You may notice small crust formations around it. Leave them be, and they will come off on their own. Don't pick them off, as you could be opening a scab and re-exposing your piercing.
If you notice signs of infection or have any other complications, talk with your piercer immediately.
Dermal piercings offer a level of creativity and placement flexibility that traditional piercings can't match. Ever considered a third eye or the trendy anti-eyebrow (butterfly kiss)? These unique dermal piercing locations are only possible with this type of piercing!
However, there are a few things to keep in mind about this body modification:
Not all piercings are for everyone. People with a history of piercing rejections, or those who are more prone to scarring or keloids, might want to avoid dermal piercings
Dermal piercings are also difficult to hide, and you cannot temporarily remove them for a work shift. Even if you remove the top, you can still see the post. If you work somewhere that requires you to hide or remove your piercings, this might not be right for you.
Also, consider your lifestyle. Those who participate in high-contact sports or other activities that could risk injury to a piercing might want to reconsider getting a dermal.
Jewelry for this type of piercing is largely limited to internally threaded ends. Your best options will be flat or low-profile ends to avoid snagging.
That said, you still have plenty of ways to customize your look with different types of jewelry ends! You can change the color of titanium ends by anodizing them, choose from fun shapes and themes, or pick colorful gem and opal ends!
We hope you found this information helpful! Share this blog, and follow us on all our socials @Bodyartforms! And don't forget to explore our diverse range of jewelry options at Bodyartforms.com.
