Piercing Glossary

A

ANATOMY
For certain piercing positions (navel, industrial, snug, smiley, tongue web, genital) it is necessary to have the appropriate anatomy. Every part of the body can be pierced, but piercing is not sustainable in the long term for every position and every anatomy. For some people, we do not recommend doing a certain position if there is an increased possibility that the body will reject jewelry in a relatively short time. Before booking an appointment for these positions, it is necessary to stop by the salon for a mandatory anatomy check to determine if the piercing is feasible. You can come without notice during our opening hours. Be aware that you may need to wait a few minutes for one of the piercers to become available to perform the examination. Anatomy check-up is free of charge.

ANODIZATION (anodic oxidation) is a process in which the natural oxide layer on metal objects is electrochemically thickened. In the piercing industry, we use anodizing to dye titanium jewelry. The resulting color depends on the thickness of the oxide layer, which is determined by voltage. No pigments are added, but the color is visible due to the mixing of light that is reflected from the surface of the oxide layer with the light that passes through it and is reflected from the surface of the metal below it. The most common colors on titanium are purple, green, blue and yellow, and their variations, i.e. nuances. Black, gold, and rose gold colors are achieved using PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating.

ABSCESS
An abscess is a localized collection of pus that can form in subcutaneous tissue, as well as in deeper tissues or organs. A skin abscess is characterized by the typical signs of inflammation: redness, swelling, warmth, and pain. If you notice a firm, painful swelling near a piercing but not directly on it, contact your piercing studio or general practitioner immediately. Abscesses usually don’t have external discharge because the infection is located deep beneath the skin. Treatment involves drainage and antibiotics.

AUTOCLAVE is a high-pressure steam sterilizer used in medical institutions for the sterilization of instruments, and in piercing parlors for the sterilization of piercing equipment and jewelry. Sterilization with water steam takes place under a pressure of 2 bar at a temperature of 134°C for a period of 30 minutes. More information under ‘sterilization’.
Tattoo and piercing studios must use autoclaves, not dry heat sterilizers!

B

BEZEL SET is the name for a method of making piercing attachments with zircons, in which the zircon is embedded in a metal base that surrounds it on all sides like a cup. You can find more about the types of jewelry here.

C

CURATION is a piercing project of ear decoration in collaboration with a piercer who suggests positions and jewelry according to the individual anatomy and wishes of the client. Regardless of whether you already have ten piercings in your ear or none, it is possible to arrange a consultation with a piercer and together with him see which jewelry would suit you best, what can or cannot be pierced on your anatomy, what would be the schedule of the piercing itself (how long to wait between individual piercings) and arrange the financial structure of the entire project. The piercer can help you find unique models of branded jewelry, e.g. Anatometal, Junipurr, Shanga etc.

D

DISINFECTION can be defined as a procedure that removes vegetative forms of microorganisms, but not necessarily bacterial spores. Disinfection is a less accurate procedure than sterilization. To achieve disinfection, disinfectants (chemical agents) are used, which are weakly selectively toxic and have a germicidal effect. Initial piercing jewelry, as well as all accessories used during piercing, must be sterile, not just disinfected, to effectively prevent the transfer of any microorganisms to the fresh wound. Please note that ‘sterilizing’ baby bottles by boiling them in a pot of water is not the same as an autoclave sterilizing objects that are implanted in the human body. Jewelry boiled in boiling water or soaked in alcohol for three hours is not sterile! For changing jewelry in healed piercings, the jewelry does not need to be sterile, but it must be disinfected. Disinfected is clean, BUT clean is not sterile.

DERMAL ANCHOR – see microdermal

E

EPITHELISATION is the process during which cells on the surface of the skin or mucous membrane divide more rapidly to cover the damage. In the case of piercings, epithelialisation should take place within the piercing canal, i.e. below the surface of the skin. The epithelialisation (healing) process will take longer in long (e.g. surface piercing) or wide (e.g. scalpel earlobe) piercing canals. The epithelialisation process is not visible from the outside, so it is important to follow the instructions for piercing care and not change the jewellery before a certain part of the healing period has passed, in order to avoid damaging the piercing canal.

EXTERNALLY THREADED
An externally threaded piece of jewelry has the thread on the post or barbell, while the decorative end (ball, gem, etc.) has the receiving hole. You can find more about different jewelry types and threading systems here.

H

HYPERTROPHIC TISSUE – see under ‘scar’

I

INFECTION of piercings is most often the result of touching the area around the piercing (or the jewelry itself) with unwashed fingers, putting cosmetics over the piercing, bringing the piercing into contact with pet hair, dust, dirt, etc. You will recognize the infection by increased yellowish or whitish discharge from the piercing canal. In fresh piercings, a slight discharge of lymph is possible, which is usually clear and thin and is not a cause for concern during the healing period. The discharge that occurs with infection is thicker and the entire area around the piercing may be slightly (or very) swollen. In this case, the jewelry serves as a drain, i.e. it allows the canal to be cleaned. All purulent discharge should be cleaned from the canal before the jewelry is removed, otherwise the holes around the infection may close, which then moves towards the bloodstream because the pus cannot drain out of the canal. If you notice such changes in the piercing, be sure to contact the studio for an examination as soon as possible. Do not let the piercing area swell to the point that the jewelry starts to sink into the tissue, as this can lead to further, very painful problems.

INTERNALLY THREADED is the name for jewelry that has a hole in the base (labret, barbell, etc.) and the attachment has a thread. You can find more about types of jewelry and threads here.

INFLAMMATION in a piercing is usually accompanied by swelling, redness, and pain when touched. It may or may not be associated with an infection.
If the area around the piercing feels very firm and there’s no discharge from the piercing channel, visit the studio for an examination, this may indicate the formation of an abscess.

IMPLANT MATERIAL is the name for materials that, due to their composition, purity, durability and other properties, are suitable for long-term implantation into the human body without the possibility of allergic reactions. In the piercing industry, these are titanium grades Ti6AL-4V ELI (ASTM F136) and steel SS316L (ASTM F138, ISO 5832-1 standards). Piercing jewelry is also made from other materials such as gold, bioplastics, acrylic, glass, and organic materials used for jewelry for enlarged earlobes (wood, bone, horn). However, for initial jewelry that is placed in a fresh wound (piercing), it is necessary to choose an implant material in order to reduce the possibility of complications with the piercing and facilitate healing. You can find more about piercing jewelry materials here.

K

KELOID – see under ‘scar’

L

LYMPH is one of the body’s fluids that is first formed as tissue fluid and then enters the lymphatic ducts through filtration. In piercings, lymph is a slimy fluid (clear or yellowish white) that sometimes leaks from the piercing ducts during the healing period or after an old piercing has been injured. People sometimes mistake it for pus – purulent discharge from an infected piercing is usually much thicker than lymph and is often accompanied by inflammation / swelling / pain, which is not the case with just lymph drainage. The amount of lymph discharge from fresh piercings depends on the location on the body (e.g., with a lip piercing, lymph will appear up to two months after the piercing), your immunity (in people with weaker immunity, lymph discharge may be thicker and stronger and last longer), and the way you care for the piercing (aftercare).

M

MEDICINKA is croatian term for the type of earring used as initial jewelry when ears are pierced with a piercing gun. Older versions of these earrings were made from low-quality metals that oxidized over time, while newer models are typically made of steel and sometimes gold-plated. Piercing gun stud earrings are simple earrings designed only for short-term wear. In professional piercings, there are no ‘medicinkas’ — only standard piercing jewelry, which is made for long-term wear inside the body. For some piercing placements, the initial jewelry must be a few millimeters longer to allow room for swelling and easier healing. If the extra length doesn’t bother the client (i.e., it doesn’t snag or irritate the piercing once healed), it can be worn indefinitely without replacement, as implant-grade materials won’t oxidize or cause allergic reactions. Certain types of piercing jewelry (especially those with gemstones or cubic zirconia) are more prone to wear over time since they are worn continuously — including while sleeping, showering, or swimming in pools or the sea.

MICRODERMAL, also known as a dermal anchor, is a type of “semi-implant” piercing — part of the jewelry sits beneath the skin, while a decorative top remains visible on the surface. Unlike standard piercings, microdermals don’t have an entry and exit point, so they can’t simply be removed or reinserted. Removal must always be done by a professional piercer. Since a microdermal is a single-point piercing, it doesn’t have a long channel that needs epithelialization, making it relatively easy to heal. The base of the jewelry (under the skin) contains small holes that allow tissue to grow through, anchoring it in place. Because the jewelry cannot move inside the tissue, it often appears fully healed after just a week — with minimal redness, flaking, or lymph discharge.
Microdermals tend to bleed more during the procedure than standard piercings, but bleeding typically stops within a day or two. It’s important to avoid snagging or bumping the area, as this can cause migration or rejection.
They can be placed almost anywhere on the body where the skin is thick and stable enough, and where there’s no risk of the base pushing through to the other side — meaning they are not suitable for areas like the earlobe, cartilage, lip, or nostril. It’s generally not recommended to place microdermals on the hands, as that area is constantly exposed to external elements, dirt, and friction, increasing the risk of irritation, trauma, or loss of the jewelry.

MIGRATION is a process in which a piercing gradually shifts from its original position, causing it to heal at an angle. In some placements (such as navel, nipple, or eyebrow piercings), migration can eventually lead to jewelry rejection. Migration occurs due to sleeping on the piercing, fidgeting with the jewelry, or wearing jewelry that is too large or too heavy. Once a piercing heals at an angle, the only way to correct it is to remove the jewelry and re-pierce the area after the tissue has fully healed. To prevent migration, try to avoid sleeping on your piercing as much as possible, regardless of how old it is because migration can begin at any time.

P

PIERCING BUMP – see under ‘scar’

HEALING PERIOD is a period in which the piercing should be given a little more attention and the jewelry should not be removed because the canal is in the process of epithelialization. For example, if the helix heals for 6 months, this does not mean that you should ‘wear it under a glass bell’ for half a year and then you can comfortably sleep on it every night. After the healing period is over, the jewelry is still a foreign object in the body and problems can occur regardless of the age of the piercing.

PRONG SET refers to a style of jewelry setting where a gemstone (usually a cubic zirconia) is held in place by small metal prongs or claws. You can find more information about different types of jewelry here.

PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) COATING is a specialized vacuum coating process typically performed at very high temperatures. During the process, the coating material (usually a metal like titanium) is vaporized or bombarded with ions. At the same time, a reactive gas (such as nitrogen) is introduced to form a compound with the metal, creating a thin but highly adhesive layer.
The PVD coating technique provides several key benefits – a durable, wear-resistant finish that doesn’t easily tarnish or change color, and a smooth, glossy surface that maintains its appearance even after long-term wear. PVD coating is hypoallergenic and safe for body jewelry, even for individuals with highly sensitive skin. In the piercing industry, it is used to obtain colors that are not available through anodizing, such as gold, black, and rose gold.

R

Jewelry REJECTION is a process in which the body begins to push the piercing jewelry to the surface of the skin. The skin that holds the jewelry is getting thinner, and if the jewelry is not removed in time, the skin can crack, which leaves quite a scar. Rejection occurs due to sleeping on piercings, playing with jewelry, wearing inadequate jewelry, and sometimes for no apparent reason, the body simply does not accept jewelry, especially with surface piercings that are located on a flat part of the body or on very thin skin. Individual anatomy can play a significant role in the migration and/or rejection of jewelry. Especially with navel piercings, where it is necessary to pay attention to the shape, depth, width and expression of the skin folds on which the jewelry will be held. It is also necessary to choose anatomically appropriate jewelry and adjust its dimensions to the specific anatomy.

RETAINER is a piece of jewelry made from bioplast (a biocompatible plastic) used for fresh piercings when a person needs to undergo a medical examination that requires the removal of metal jewelry (e.g., X-ray, MRI). The retainer keeps the piercing canal open, since without jewelry the piercing would begin to close. It can also be used to make the piercing less visible, as it is semi-transparent. Wearing a retainer for longer than one month is not recommended because bioplast is not as durable as titanium or steel and will gradually wear down and degrade with use.

S

A SCAR is an area of connective tissue (fibrosis) that replaces normal skin after an injury. Scar tissue is composed of the same protein (collagen) as the tissue it replaces, but it is structured differently.
Types of scars:

• Hypertrophic scar – forms within the boundaries of the original wound, with a thin layer of reddened skin rising slightly above the surface. This is the most common type of scar seen in piercings.
• Keloid scar – darker in color and grows beyond the edges of the wound. People with darker skin, which has more melanin, are more prone to keloids, and they can grow to the size of a golf ball.
• Atrophic scar – sunken scar. Sometimes appearing after the removal of a microdermal.

Piercing jewelry is a foreign body in your skin, and sometimes scar tissue begins to form around it. The most common occurrence is hypertrophic scars, but the type of scar also depends on your skin type. A hypertrophic scar looks like a small fleshy growth and can be skin-colored or reddish. It looks similar to a subcutaneous pimple and may (or may not) be accompanied by infection (purulent discharge). The appearance of hypertrophic scars is very common with ear cartilage and nostril piercings (the nostril also contains cartilage) because cartilage is connective tissue with very poor circulation. Since there are no larger blood vessels to supply nutrients from the body, sleeping with the piercing causes the tissue to press on the jewelry, cutting off circulation to that part of the body, which results in various problems. In addition to sleeping with the piercing, the most common causes of scar tissue growth around the piercing are touching the jewelry, getting it stuck, or getting hit. Piercings inside the oral cavity (tongue, smiley, tongue web, inner side of the lip) can also develop scar tissue, and this is most often caused by irritation of the piercing – playing with jewelry, biting jewelry, frequent use of chewing gum, getting stuck or accidentally biting jewelry can cause the tissue around the piercing to thicken. If scar growth is not prevented in time, it can continue to grow until it covers the entire piercing. So get checked out as soon as you notice such changes.

STERILIZATION is a process that destroys all forms and types of microorganisms, including bacterial spores. The term “sterile” means completely free of any form of life. Sterilization is carried out in an autoclave (see the beginning of the glossary) under 2 bars of pressure at 134°C for 30 minutes. All piercing equipment sterilized in an autoclave is first manually cleaned using disinfectants, then undergoes deep cleaning in an ultrasonic cleaner. After drying, the equipment is packed in special semi-permeable sterilization pouches with a color indicator that changes from pink to dark brown once sterilization is successfully completed. In addition to daily indicator checks, the autoclave’s effectiveness is verified through spore testing, performed by the Institute of Public Health. The sterilized spore samples are analyzed in a lab, and a certificate of successful sterilization is issued if the test is passed. Everything that comes into contact with the wound, the piercing itself, must be completely sterile, as well as all additional tools used during the procedure, in order to prevent infections, disease transmission etc.

SURFACE PIERCING is located on the surface of the skin and can be placed on almost any part of the body.
The most common positions for surface piercing are: surface tragus (sideburn), horizontal eyebrow, vertical bridge (vertically between the eyebrows), anti-eyebrow (high on the cheek, under the eye), nape (back of the neck), sternum (between the breasts). We do not recommend doing it on positions where the skin is very thin or moves a lot, e.g. near the collarbone, lower back, wrists, etc. The jewelry used is called a surface bar, shaped like a squared-off “C.” This specific shape is ideal because the bar sits evenly beneath the skin, covered by a sufficient layer of tissue, while the ends (balls) rest at a 90° angle to the surface, minimizing pressure on the skin. Due to their sensitivity, tendency to migrate or reject, and long healing period, surface piercings have been largely replaced by microdermals (dermal anchors).

T

TAPER is a steel insertion tool shaped like a small tube, narrow on one end and wider on the other. The wider end matches the gauge (thickness) of the jewelry being inserted. It is used for gradual stretching of earlobes, reinserting jewelry when a piercing has slightly tightened after not wearing jewelry for a while, and easier insertion of jewelry during the piercing process.

THREADLESS refers to jewelry without threads, meaning the base (labret, barbell, etc.) has a small hollow opening, while the top has a thin pin that slightly bends when inserted, creating tension that holds it securely in place.
You can find more information about different types of jewelry and threading systems at the link.