Stretch It Body Jewellery
SIBJ is one of the world's leading online specialist retailers and wholesalers in ear stretching kits, plugs, aftercare and body jewellery. We have over 10 years of experience in selling high-quality, unique ear stretching jewellery providing the knowledge, expertise and tools to stretch up confidently and safely.
"Pain is a mere momentary hurdle on your journey to body mod bliss. Wear it as a badge of honour"
Wondering what the most painful piercings are, you beautiful rebels of the body mod world? Welcome to the SIBJ piercing pain meter, where we'll rank those daring adornments from "Ouch!" to "OMFG!".
This guide will help you tread the prickly path of painful piercings, whether you're a seasoned pin cushion or a newbie thinking about your first prick (metaphorically speaking!)
Let’s not waste a second longer to dive in at the deep end of the most painful piercings. (Plus, you’ll also get the lowdown on the piercings you’d expect to be real shockers, but don’t hurt much at all.)
Discussed In This Post
Genital Piercing - The Undisputed Champion on the Body Piercing Pain Scale
Enter the daddy (or mummy)… undeniably most hurtful piercing on the piercing Richter Scale for both males and females. The genital piercing.
You’ve got to be dedicated to the cause and have serious kickass attitude at the top end of the body piercing pain scale. Get set to bite down hard as we look at penis and clitoris piercings:
Penis piercings
Let's start with the big guns (or little guns, no judgment here). Penis piercings lead the pack on the piercing pain meter. We're talking in the region of about 4,000 nerve endings, after all! It figures you’re in for some intense sensations, whether you're thinking about a Prince Albert or a deep shaft piercing. Like many types of piercings, the pain level varies depending on the specific location. But one thing’s for sure – this is going to hurt. A lot. But hey, pain is temporary. Whereas cool piercings are forever (if you want them to be).
Clitoris piercings
Ladies, if you're looking for the pinnacle of piercing pain, look no further than the clitoris, where thousands of nerve endings are concentrated in one tiny area. This piercing isn't messing around. So, you’ll want to think twice before going under the needle down there. On the other hand, a clitoris piercing promises a unique experience if you can hack one of the most painful piercings on the chart, (in fact, off the chart!).
It's pretty rare (and potentially dangerous) to have the actual clitoris pierced. Most people opt for the clitoral hood to be pierced, which is a lot safer and nowhere near as painful.
Does Nipple Piercing Hurt?
Ah, the nipples, those tiny erogenous buds connecting directly to your brain. It's no surprise nipple piercings are fairly high on the body piercing pain scale. But it’s a case of grinning and bearing it. The initial sting is sharp and intense, but it's over quickly.
In addition, it’s a trick of the mind that the first nipple always seems to hurt more, even though there’s no physical difference. It’s just your brain hardwiring your body for the short, sharp shock. For this reason, you can sit back and take solace in knowing the second bite of the cherry will feel like a nibble in comparison.
Not to mention they look stunning once they’re healed and adorned with different styles of ball closure rings (known as BCRs), hinged segment rings or seamless rings in all sorts of modern and mystical designs.
And a Nose Piercing – Does it Hurt too?
Yes and no. Truthfully, there isn’t a single, definitive answer to the question “does a nose piercing hurt?” This is because there’s a mixed bag of most painful piercings when it comes to the nose. Where they rank on the piercing pain meter depends on what part of your nose you’re embellishing.
Let’s look at what’s what with the most painful piercings in the nasal area:
Lower nostril piercing
Getting your nostril pierced at the lower part of your nose is the most common nasal piercing, and the lowest charting on the body piercing pain scale. It’s like experiencing a swift pinch, hurting for just a nanosecond, and then it’s over. Your eyes might water a bit, which is standard when it's cartilage getting pierced. Additionally, it can feel slightly raw when your jewellery’s first put in. And there’s no lying it can get sore if you accidentally bump or snag your piercing. Otherwise, it’s nothing too unbearable.
Septum piercing
The septum piercing is also referred to as the ‘bull ring’, for pretty obvious reasons. And it’s a popular choice for many, due to its unique and edgy appearance. In terms of piercing pain meter, it falls in the middle of the nasal scale. Yes, the pain is sharp and intense. But fortunately, it’s over in a flash.
Does a nose piercing hurt if you’ve got a deviated septum? This is a very common condition, where the bone and cartilage dividing the nasal cavity is off centre or crooked, resulting in symptoms such as:
- Nosebleeds
- Facial pain
- Headaches
- Congested and/or runny nose
- Loud breathing and snoring during sleep
The experience might be a bit more intense. But not so much to let it put you off.
High nostril piercing
Piercings near the top of your nose might not hurt as much during the initial puncture. But the healing process can be a slow burn. So, it’s not as much the process as the aftermath that makes these the most painful piercings of the nasal range. That said, many people feel the aesthetic payoff is well worth the hassle, even though the discomfort during the recovery period can be quite bothersome.
Dermal Piercing Soars on the Most Painful Piercings Meter
There’s no sugar-coating the fact dermal piercings can be a beast!
They can be placed pretty much anywhere if the skin is flat and thick enough to support the piercing. Popular spots include:
- Abdomen
- Cheeks
- Chest
- Lower back
- Nape of the neck
- Thighs
The pain level depends on the location. But realistically, you’d be naïve not to expect a sharp bite as the jewellery goes into your skin layers. How much it ranks on the body piercing pain scale depends on various factors such as:
- The placement of your piercing (fleshier areas tend to hurt less)
- Your personal tolerance level
- Your piercer’s experience and expertise
But, you know how the saying goes – no pain, no gain. At the end of the day, dermal piercings give the appearance of beads on your skin. They look super cool and futuristic. But they call for a solid pain tolerance and scrupulous aftercare.
The Classic Choice – But, what Does the Pain Ear Piercing Chart Look Like?
Like other piercing types with multiple choices, the answer is subjective regarding the most painful piercings in your ears.
Let’s start by defining the three main categories of ear piercings:
- Lobe piercings
- Outer ear piercings – including auricle, helix, industrial, snug and tragus
- Inner ear piercings – including anti-tragus, conch, daith, helix, orbital and rook
Naturally, one of the big questions on your mind before getting your ears pierced is, "How much will this hurt?" In short, it’s largely down to the position of your piercing, coupled with your individual pain threshold. What might be a minor pinch to you could be sheer agony to somebody else.
The lobes usually hurt least, like a quick squeeze. At the opposite end of the spectrum, cartilage piercings are a different story. Brace yourself for a sharper shock followed by a dull throbbing pain.
Among the most painful piercings, snug and tragus piercings top the list, while upper cartilage piercings like the helix are slightly less painful, but still no laughing matter.
Also, bear in mind the pain doesn't necessarily end once the needle is out. For example, cartilage has less blood flow. This means longer healing time, often leading to extended soreness. Plus, cartilage is more prone to infections, which can add to the discomfort.
Eyebrow Piercing – Not a Hair-Raising Experience
The exact spot and the number of nerves involved is the deciding factor whether eyebrow piercings are painful or not.
For instance, piercings closer to the middle of your eyebrow, near the supraorbital nerve, can be more painful. But generally, eyebrow piercings are a medium on the pain scale, giving you a dope look without too much agony.
The Tongue - Surprisingly Tolerable
You might expect tongue piercings to be excruciating. Without doubt the idea of a great big needle through your tongue sounds terrifying. But thankfully, the pain is fleeting and they’re surprisingly low on the piercing pain meter.
The biggest challenge with tongue piercings is the aftercare. The thing is, your mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria. Solid hygiene is crucial to avoid the infections responsible for causing a whole load of misery.
Do Belly Button Piercings Hurt?
Belly button piercings are a wildly popular choice when you’re looking for a body mod with minimal pain. Surprised? Many people are, because they expect belly button rings or belly bars to really hurt.
The thick, fleshy tissue of the navel is the reason they don’t. It’s not very nerve-dense. So, the initial sting is more about pressure than pain.
Returning to the original question, “do belly button rings hurt?” the answer is no, not particularly. Healing can take a while. But you'll be flaunting that midriff in no time with proper care.
The Healing Hustle
The piercing sensation itself is typically brief but intense, where ever you decide to get pierced, (with the exception of the most painful piercings). All the same, the real challenge often comes during the healing process, which can involve soreness, swelling, and tenderness.
Our best advice? Play it by ear (pardon the pun!) depending on your piercing location and your body's ability to recover.
Take ear lobes. They might heal in a few weeks. Whereas more complex piercings like cartilage or high nostril piercings can take several months, even a year in some individual cases.
Ultimately, a committed aftercare routine is crucial to ensure a smooth healing process and avoid infections. So, what does that look like?
Show Your Piercing Some Love
You don’t want painful piercings through neglect! So, it’s essential to look after your new piercings to minimise pain and avoid unnecessary complications. Here are some pro tips:
Clean regularly
Use a saline solution to clean the area twice daily. Our expert recommendation is LobeLove™ Professional Saline Piercing Spray hands down.
Avoid messing
Don’t encourage bacteria by over-fiddling with your piercing.
Be Patient
Healing takes time. But, keep your patience in check and avoid changing your jewellery too soon.
Watch out for infections
Redness, swelling, and pus are signs of infection. Consult your piercer or a healthcare professional if you notice any of these.
Most Painful Piercings from Mild to Wild
Let’s wrap up with a quick recap of our piercing pain meter, from the least painful at 1 to the most excruciating at 10:
1. Ear Lobes - Barely a pinch, quick healing
2. Belly Button - Mild nip, moderate healing time
3. Tongue - Quick sting, watch for infections
4. Eyebrow - Medium pain potential, depending on the position
5. Nose (nostril and septum) - Quick pinch, moderate healing pain
6. Ear cartilage (conch, daith, rook) – Sharper pain, longer healing
7. Nose (upper nostril) - Intense but brief pain, mid-range healing
8. Dermal – Acute jab, location dependent
9. Nipple - Strong and intense, fast recovery
10. Genital - Ultimate pain, long healing
Decision Time
It’s time to make a choice now you’re well-versed in the body piercing pain scale. But remember, the pain is a mere momentary hurdle on your journey to body mod bliss. Wear it as a badge of honour, whether you're going for the subtle sophistication of an ear piercing or the audacious statement of a genital piercing.
At Stretch It Body Jewellery, we’re experts in everything you need to know about the most painful piercings and the best products to care for your new bling. Visit our website for all the jewellery, tips, tricks, and tools for fearless trailblazers!
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