Definition of Body piercing

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Body piercing literally means to have a part of your body pierced, in order to wear jewellery in the hole made.Ear piercing is the most common form of body piercing. A hole is pierced through the fatty tissue of the earlobe and an earring (usually a small gold stud) is inserted. Ear piercing is normally done using a specially designed gun.

All other types of piercings must be carried out using a hollow needle, which is pushed through the skin and tissue of the body part being pierced, ensuring that there are clear entrance and exit holes. A piece of jewellery, usually a decorative bar or ring, is then pushed through the hole formed.

Common piercings:Â·

Navel (belly button). The piercing is usually made just above the navel, and a short, straight bar with screw-on metal balls on either end is inserted through the hole. A small metal ring fastened with a clip-on ball may also be used.
Nose. A hole is pierced through the skin and cartilage of the nostril. A nose stud (a piece of jewellery much like an earring but with a right-angle shaped stem) is inserted through the hole.
Oral (tongue). The tongue is clamped and turned on its side in order to be pierced. A bar with a screw-on metal ball at each end is inserted through the hole.
Nipple. The piercing is normally made through the vascular (meaning that blood flows through it) tissue of the end of the nipple. A thin metal ring is then inserted through the hole.