If you've heard about a Jacob's Ladder piercing and have questions, or are curious if it's right for you, then you've come to the right place! In this guide, we'll cover everything about this unique piercing, from the planning process, healing time, and frequently asked questions!
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So, what exactly is a Jacob's Ladder piercing? In short, it’s a series of frenum piercings, placed on the underside of the penis shaft. These are horizontal piercings that go through the loose skin of the frenulum. Because the multiple piercings look like the rungs of a ladder it was nicknamed the Jacob's Ladder. It's a a reference to the Bible's book of Genesis, where Jacob describes a ladder that connects heaven and Earth. It’s sometimes also called a frenum ladder or Devil’s Ladder piercing, though Jacob’s Ladder is the more common name.
Since the Jacob's Ladder is a series of piercings in one area, it's important to properly plan your piercing. Find a professional piercer who has experience with genital piercings, and explain to them what you want. They will look at your anatomy and help you decide the amount of piercings and their placement. If you think you may want a Prince Albert or any other penis piercings down the line, tell your piercer. This may change the placement of your Jacob's Ladder, or your piercer may suggest other options.
Be aware that, depending on how many rungs you want, you may not get the full ladder in one sitting. Most piercers will limit how many piercings they will do in a single session, as each new piercing added is another piercing your body needs to heal. More piercings can lead to more swelling and a longer healing time. Your piercer will help you decide a plan and a timeline for your piercing.
As with any piercing, make sure to be hydrated, fed, and to get a good night's sleep the night before. Avoid alcohol, nicotine, or blood-thinning medications for 24 hours before your appointment. Also, make sure to wear loose, comfortable clothes. Those tight jeans may be comfortable on the way in, but less so on the way out with a fresh new set of piercings.
Your piercer will mark where the piercings will go, and sterilize the area. They'll pierce the skin with the needle and follow through with the initial piercing jewelry. Initial jewelry will be implant grade titanium, and measure around 12g-8g. The length and gauge will depend on your anatomy. Your piercer will choose barbells slightly longer than what you will eventually need, to accommodate for initial swelling. Your piercer will let you know when to come back for a follow-up and downsizing of jewelry.
While everyone’s pain tolerance is different, most report frenum piercings to be lower on the scale, since the piercing goes through a thin, flexible piece of skin. However, keep in mind that a Jacob’s Ladder is multiple piercings, Getting more than one piercing at a time can increase pain and discomfort.
So how much does a Jacob’s Ladder piercing cost? The price will vary depending on the shop and artist, but on average, a 3-4 rung ladder will cost around $200-$300. Bear in mind, the more rungs - or piercings - you want, the higher that price will go. Make sure to talk to your piercer about what to expect.
The average healing time for a Jacob’s Ladder piercing is roughly 3-6 months. It may take longer if you have complications or if add more piercings later. As with any piercing, you may experience swelling, tenderness, and mild bleeding for the first couple weeks. Frenum piercings are also known to slightly migrate during healing. If you notice anything odd or experience any worrying symptoms, contact your piercer for a professional opinion.
While the best advice for a healing piercing is to avoid touching it, we know that’s not always possible with some genital piercings. Instead, make sure your hands are clean when doing so, and don’t touch them more than absolutely necessary.
Clean the new piercings twice a day with a saline solution. Make sure to wear clean, loose-fitting clothing.Avoid bodies of water such as the lake, beach, or pool, as they could contain bacteria that can irritate or infect your new piercings.
You will also need to avoid any fun in the bedroom until your piercings heal.And remember to go back to your piercer to downsize your jewelry.
The most standard jewelry for a Jacob’s Ladder is the straight barbell, though some people opt for curved barbells. The gauge size is generally 12g--18g. The length will vary depending on your anatomy. Implant grade titanium is the go-to material for this piercing, as it’s lightweight, nickel-free, and won’t tarnish, which makes it great for long-term wear. Implant grade steel or niobium are also options for some.
You may also want to opt for internally threaded jewelry. It's a must for fresh piercings. It's a good option even once you're healed, as the exposed threading of externally threaded jewelry can be uncomfortable in delicate areas like the genitals.
Not sure what gauge or length you need? See our body jewelry measurement guide.
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Is it safe to have sex with a Jacob’s Ladder piercing? Generally speaking, once you’re fully healed, yes! People with healed Jacob's Ladder piercings often report increased sensitivity during masturbation and intercourse. And most people who have a partner with a Jacob’s ladder report either not feeling it at all, or comparing it to a ribbed condom. That said, everyone’s body is different. Make sure to have open communication with your partner about both their comfort, as well as your own.
As with any piercing, the Jacob's Ladder is anatomy dependent. If there isn't enough loose skin along the shaft or enough spacing for the amount of piercings you want, a professional piercer will let you know how many piercings are realistic for your anatomy.
The healing time for the Jacob's Ladder can also be quite long if you have to go in for multiple sessions. If your lifestyle can't support extended aftercare, this might be one to reconsider. Whether it's anatomy or commitment that makes this piercing a wrong fit for you, your piercer can help you decide on one that might work better.
Lastly, if you are prone to keloids or have issues healing piercings, such as infection, migration, or rejection, this might be a piercing to skip.
There is no set number of piercings that makes a Jacob's Ladder The exact amount someone gets will depend on what they want and what their anatomy can accommodate. Generally speaking, as long as it's two or more frenulum piercings, it's a Jacob's Ladder.
Yes! You can get a Jacob's Ladder piercing even if you're uncircumcised. Your piercings exact location and spacing may vary. This depends on how your foreskin sits and retracts. Your piercer will examine your anatomy and help you decide what option is best for you.
Yes, you can have both a Prince Albert piercing and a Jacob's Ladder piercing. But you will need to plan accordingly, as both piercings sit rather close. Make sure to tell your piercer that you want both during the planning phase, so they can make sure to space your piercings properly to accommodate both.
This will likely depend on your piercer's policy. Most piercers limit the amount of piercings they will do in one sitting, as healing multiple fresh piercings at once is harder on your body and will make your healing time longer.
In short, numbers! A frenum piercing is a singular piercing, while a Jacob's Ladder is a set of multiple frenum piercings in a row.
Yes, and each individual frenum piercing can be removed independently, though remember not to touch or remove your piercings before you've fully healed. Removing the jewelry from a healed piercing may leave behind a mark or small dimples in the frenum. If you're wanting to put jewelry back into your frenum piercings, do it quickly, as piercings can shrink faster than you think.
No, generally speaking, a Jacob's Ladder piercing will not affect urination the way a Prince Albert often does. A frenum piercing doesn't pass through the urethra. Some people notice minor changes right after getting pierced, but this shouldn't last and urination will go back to normal once things like swelling go down.
A Jacob's Ladder is a long-term project, but for the right person, it's a rewarding one. If you're considering it, start with a consultation with an experienced professional piercer. Talk through your goals, and plan the placement before your first appointment. Take it one piercing at a time and keep up with aftercare for the best results.
If you have any questions, talk to your piercer. And as always, follow us on all our socials @Bodyartforms!
