Have you seen people with gemstones on their fingers, arms, chests, hips, and cheeks? Believe it or not, those aren’t stickers; they’re piercings! It’s hard to believe, but many people have discovered that it is possible to pierce odd areas of your body. It’s not magic. In fact, they have a name - surface and dermal piercings.
Surface and dermal piercings are different from each other, although they may appear similar.
Many people confuse one with the other. If you do your research and dig deeper, you will discover that they are different in so many ways.
It’s important to know their differences and learn about the complications and possible risks involved so you can decide what type of piercing suits you best.
Understanding Dermal Piercings
A dermal piercing is a unique type of piercing because it only has an entry point with no exit point. Unlike conventional piercings, a dermal piercing doesn’t have a backing to secure your jewelry.
To keep your jewelry from falling off, your piercer will add a dermal anchor inserted under the dermal layer of your tissue while the dermal top stays on the surface of your skin. Two of the most common dermal anchors are round-based and footed anchors.
Footed anchors, as the name implies, look like a foot. They are longer and are designed to go beyond your skin for added security. Round base anchors are circular and are a bit smaller compared to footed anchors. Because of their size, they are less invasive and are not as secure as the footed anchors.
Dermal piercings are given through a dermal punch or a needle. If your piercer uses a dermal punch, a small part of your tissues is removed to provide space for the anchor.
Compared to a needle piercing, a dermal punch is less painful with a low risk of rejection. When a needle is used, the piercing needle will be pierced directly through your skin and separate the tissues to make room for the anchor.
Understanding Surface Piercings
What makes a surface piercing different from a dermal is the fact that it has an exit point. This piercing is used on flat areas of your body, like the nape of your neck or your cheekbone. Belly button piercings and eyebrow piercings belong under this category.
In a surface piercing, your piercer will squeeze a part of your skin on the area you want to be pierced. After pinching a chunk of your skin, a needle is used to pierce through it. After the puncture is made, it will be filled with a staple or surface barbell or a curved barbell. The type of jewelry used will depend on the location.
Which Among the Two Is Better?
It can be hard to decide which type of piercing to get. So to help you make an informed decision, we’ve come up with a few considerations.
Style
As far as style is concerned, you only get to have one option with a dermal piercing, but you get to choose two with a surface piercing. So if you only want a gemstone on your skin, you’re better off with a dermal piercing.
With a surface piercing, there will be a barbell under your skin that connects the entry and exit point. So although it's discreet, it’s still visible.
Health
A dermal piercing is more medical because the anchor is settled inside your body. If you want to have it removed, it has to be done by a professional. On the other hand, a surface piercing is just like the typical piercings you see.
Some piercers use a scalpel to embed surface piercings deep into the skin. However, you don’t need a professional to take it out once it's healed. You can do it yourself.
What Are You Getting?
Both piercings are beautifully unique in their own way. But, to fully enjoy their aesthetic appeal, piercers recommend you strictly follow aftercare instructions making sure you clean the piercings at least twice a day with a saline solution. If you don’t follow piercing aftercare, there’s a high chance of getting infected.
Are You Looking For A Reliable Cleaning Solution For Your Piercings?
A more convenient way to clean your piercing is getting Dr. Piercing Aftercare swabs. These conveniently packaged swabs use advanced technology for easy, sanitary application.
At Dr. Piercing Aftercare, we’ve developed convenient medicated swabs that you can use to clean your piercings and keep infection away. We are proud of our products. They are made and tested in a cGMP compliant and FDA-registered facility in America.
We use advanced technology on our swabs for easy application. Each pack contains thirty-six medicated swabs that are proven and tested to promote your body’s natural healing process while preventing infection. Contact us today, or you can check out our website to learn more about our products.
