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Yes, people actually get their wrists pierced and although it’s not commonly seen, it’s becoming an increasingly popular type of piercing nowadays.
The wrist piercing is a type of surface piercing that was first made popular by Jon Cobb (a well-known body piercer) in the Piercing Fans International Quarterly magazine. It’s not the oldest of piercings, but it’s been around for a while. If you’re looking to get a piercing that’s unique and unusual but not too extreme, this is an excellent choice.
Here’s what you need to know before you get a wrist piercing.
What is a Wrist Piercing?
A wrist piercing is a surface piercing, resting just under the skin on either the inner or outer wrist. It’s in a clearly visible area, so there’s no hiding the fact that you’ve got a piercing there. Because there’s more flesh to pierce in this area, it’s easier to pierce and gives a lot of versatility in terms of positioning. Having a piercing on your wrist is similar to wearing a watch or a bracelet.
Wrist piercings can be done pretty much anywhere on the wrist. You can have it done on either side of the wrist, under the wrist (with palm facing upward) or on the top (with palm facing downward).
The dermal piercing (also called the micro dermal wrist piercing) is a highly popular variation of the wrist piercing. It’s done by making a single perforation on the wrist using a micro dermal anchor. One end of the jewelry can be seen on the surface of the skin while the other end is invisible as it’s under the skin, held in place by the anchor. This piercing looks stunning but it can also cause tissue damage.
Best Wrist Piercing Jewelry – Curved or Straight Barbells
Unfortunately, the jewelry options for wrist piercings are quite limited. In fact, the standard barbell is the best type of jewelry for a wrist piercing and the only suitable type.
Make sure you discuss the size and gauge of the initial piercing jewelry with your piercer who will decide on the jewelry that is most suitable for you. The recommended gauge is the standard 16-gauge barbell as your initial piercing jewelry.
You may want to look into nylon barbells as well since these are much easier to use during the healing process due to their flexibility. They also won’t irritate your piercing as much as the hard metals would.
At the time of piercing, the jewelry used should be long enough to allow for the initial swelling that occurs. Once the piercing has healed, you can replace it with a second barbell which is shorter and also has shorter rises.
Best Wrist Piercing Jewelry Metals
Wrist piercings require special jewelry made of titanium or Teflon (PTFE), the reason for this being that both types of metals are flexible and biocompatible. This is a part of the body that moves a lot so flexibility is important.
Body jewelry made from Teflon tends to cause less friction in the piercing than other types of metals. Titanium has no nickel content, so the chances of infection or rejection are less.
Other biocompatible materials include silver, platinum and gold, all of which are great choices for piercing jewelry. As always, check with your piercer about which metal is best for you.
Wrist Piercing Pain – Can I Handle It?
The good news is this is one of the least painful piercings out there. The procedure is simple, involving just one needle and will be over before you even realize it.
You are bound to feel some discomfort since a needle will be going through your skin, but it should be no more than a little sting. However, pain is entirely subjective, and everyone’s pain threshold is different.
While some people may feel a great deal of pain, others may not feel anything at all so it’s difficult to say exactly how painful or otherwise this piercing would be.
Wrist Piercing Healing and Aftercare
A wrist piercing is estimated to take anywhere from 2 weeks to 7 months to heal. During this time taking good care of it will help you to avoid complications such as infection.
If you take excellent care of your piercing, it can even speed up the healing process. Proper aftercare also makes sure that your piercing will remain in place for as long as possible. If you’re not careful, the wrist jewelry could get rejected or migrate due to the skin’s natural regenerative process. Like all surface piercings, it has a high risk of rejection and migration since the wrist is a part of the body that moves constantly.
Adhering to the golden rules of aftercare is crucial when it comes to letting your wrist piercing heal so make sure to keep the following rules in mind.
- Limit movement as much as possible – the wrist is prone to constant movement so try your best to keep it to the minimum. Avoid any heavy lifting or exercise to reduce stress on the piercing.
- Avoid wearing long sleeves, watches or bracelets – these can interfere with your piercing and cause movement and snagging, thereby impeding the healing process.
- Clean your piercing regularly – cleanliness is essential to help your piercing heal quickly and to avoid infections. Use a warm salt water solution, a sea salt soak or saline to keep the area clean and make sure you dry it well with a paper towel once you’re done. Do this at least two or three times a day until it’s well healed.
- Keep cosmetics, creams, lotions away from the piercing – the chemicals in these products can irritate the piercing so avoid using them on or near it. The piercing should be safe from all harsh chemicals that could interfere with the healing.
- Be healthy – eat well and keep yourself well hydrated since a healthy diet is essential especially after getting a new piercing. You need all the nutrients you can get to help your piercing heal faster.
If you’re opting for a wrist piercing, make sure that you’re ready to commit to it as it requires a good amount of attention and excellent aftercare than most other piercings.
Keep a close eye for signs of infections such as redness, warmth, itching, pain or a burning sensation in the piercing area. If you experience fever during the healing period, don’t take any risks by waiting for it to subside. Fever is a tell-tale sign of infection so if you experience any of these signs and symptoms, seek medical care immediately.
Wrist Piercing Cost
A wrist piercing can cost you anywhere from $50 to $100 dollars or more, but the actual cost depends on the studio and the expertise of the professional. Before you go out and get your piercing done, do your research.
Make sure you find a well-established and reputed piercer since this is a piercing that needs to be done carefully. The wrist is a sensitive area and an inexperienced piercer can cause unnecessary damage.
Pros and Cons of Wrist Piercing
If you’re still undecided on whether or not the wrist piercing is right for you, weighing the pros and cons first might make it easier for you.
Wrist Piercing Pros
- It’s a unisex style suiting both men and women
- It’s one of the least painful piercings.
- It looks attractive and stylish.
- It’s easily visible.
- It’s a refreshing change to add a little bling to your hands without watches and bracelets.
Wrist Piercing Cons
- The jewelry can snag easily on bed linen and clothes.
- There is a higher risk for jewelry rejection and scarring.
- It can be difficult to hide (if you need to)
- It requires more aftercare than most other piercings.
Before you go ahead with getting a wrist piercing, think carefully and consider how convenient or otherwise it will be for you. Once you’ve decided that this is the right piercing choice for you, go ahead, get it done and enjoy your new hot look!
