8 Piercings Ranked From Least To Most Painful

Imagine walking down the road with a cool eyebrow or septum piercing. So cool and edgy, right? But before you decide to get one, it is important to be aware of the most painful piercing and least painful piercing spots on the body to help determine the right one for you. Remember, a piercing requires time and commitment to ensure its longevity. So, whether you are a curious newbie or a seasoned expert looking for something different, this article provides you with insights into the healing time, pain level, and risks associated with different types of piercings. Scroll down to know more!

Why Do Piercings Cause Pain?

All forms of body piercing involve puncturing the skin with a sharp needle to create holes for the jewelry to thread in. That is why there is a level of pain associated with the piercing process. However, how uncomfortable or painful the actual process is depends on the person’s pain tolerance and the body piercer’s skill and expertise.

Some may report it as a pinch, others may report it as a quick sting or a very painful sensation. Ultimately, the perception of pain and the amount of attention given during the body modification process varies from person to person as some may deal with it better than other people (1).

Having said that, it is important to understand that pain is not always just physical, it can be mental too. Some people may like the pain they experience during the procedure, which might make their experience different from the ones who are nervous and cannot tolerate pain.

Another important factor that may play a role in this process is gender and how they cope with pain. For instance, men use problem-focused activities to distract themselves from the pain whereas women use social support to cope with pain (2).

Apart from this, the location and complexity of the piercing can also influence the pain level.

While the level of pain experienced by a person is subjective, everyone will experience an initial discomfort as the process involves puncturing the skin with a needle. However, the location also plays a key role as each body part experiences different levels of pain. Check out the section below for a piercing pain chart to get a better idea.

Piercing Pain Chart

Whether you are a first-timer or a piercing enthusiast, looking at a piercing pain chart can help you prepare yourself before you take the plunge. The different colors in the chart indicate different levels of pain. However, one must keep in mind that piercing pain can vary from individual to individual depending on the pain tolerance level, mood, or whether or not the person has had sufficient sleep the night before the piercing appointment, etc. We have provided a piercing pain chart from the front and the back portion of the body to help you get a better idea.

As stated earlier, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to piercings. Regardless of where you decide to get the piercing done, having an idea about the different piercing sports can help ensure a more comfortable experience. Scroll down to the next section for the most and least painful piercing spots in the body.

8 Most Painful Piercings To Least Painful Piercings

Piercing may hurt

more on certain parts of the body such as the face and nipples due to the presence of nerve endings and less fat under the skin. Here is a breakdown of different types of piercings from most to least painful based on the level of pain they may cause and healing time.

Most Painful Piercings

As stated earlier, body areas with more nerve endings may experience more pain during the piercing process. Some of the most painful spots for piercing include:

1. Genital Piercings

The genital area is considered the most painful place to get pierced due to the presence of a lot of nerve endings (3). Additionally, the level of pain may also depend on the location and complexity of the piercing. Similarly, the clitoris piercing may also be sensitive to pain due to the presence of abundant nerve endings (4). Another factor that contributes to the pain perception is the anxiety many people experience leading up to the piercing.

Pain Scale: 7/10
Healing Time: 4-6 weeks

2. Nipple Piercings

It is probably the second most painful piercing spot after genital piercing. This erogenous zone is replete with nerves that directly connect to the brain, which means its overstimulation can elicit sexual pleasure but can lead to increased pain (5).

Pain Scale: 7/10
Healing Time: 9-12 months

Trivia

Celebrities such as Kendal Jenner, Kylie Jenner, Bella Hadid, and Amber Rose have nipple piercings.

A blogger shares her experience of getting a nipple piercing in her blog. She said, ” I was in so much pain and my breast was so large that it felt like it was going to burst. Ended up going to the local ER because it was after hours and the pain was unbearable (i).“

3. Nose Piercings

The pain level depends on the location of the piercing. Here are some nose piercings and their pain level:

• Septum Piercing

It can be very painful as it involves piercing through the septum or the tissue between the two nostrils. On a similar line deviated septum or overactive septum nerve condition can also make the feeling of being pierced much more intense here.

Pain Scale: 6/10
Healing Time: 2-6 months

• High Nostril Piercing

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This type of piercing involves piercing the top area of the nose with thicker cartilage, which may hurt more compared to areas with more fat and take longer to heal as well.

Pain Scale: 5/10
Healing Time: 4-6 months

4. Dermal Piercings

This skin piercing involves creating a puncture with no exit hole, unlike traditional piercings. The pain level can vary depending on the amount of nerve endings present, the skin thickness, and the closeness to the veins.

Pain Scale: 6/10
Healing Time: 1-3 months

Did You Know?

Dermal piercings, also called micro dermals, evolved from micro-piercings in the early 2000s.

If you are someone who does not have a good pain tolerance, then here are some of the least painful piercing spots you should be aware of. Scroll down to find out.

Least Painful Piercings

Areas with fat and fewer nerve endings are likely to cause less piercing pain as compared to bony areas. Some of the least painful spots for piercing include:

1. Ear Piercings

Ear piercings are a popular and common choice among newbies and enthusiasts because they generally hurt less due to the presence of delicate tissues. Some of these types of ear piercings include:

• Helix Piercing

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It involves piercing the outer edge of the upper ear cartilage. Many people get double or triple ear piercings in this area due to the thin cartilage tissues.

Pain Scale: 4/10
Healing Time: 3-6 months

• Earlobe Piercing

The earlobe piercing involves piercing the lower, flesh part of the ear. This is one of the most common ear piercings among children and adults due to the low pain level.

Pain Scale: 3/10
Healing Time: 4-6 months

2. Belly Button Piercing

Navel piercings are considered one of the least painful piercings due to the presence of thicker skin and fewer nerve endings, making them a popular and edgy piercing around the globe.

Pain Scale: 4/10
Healing Time: 6-12 months

3. Eyebrow Piercings

This facial piercing does not usually hurt too badly. Even though there are some nerves present in the brow area, the needle doesn’t puncture through a lot of skin, making the pain level low. These piercings are considered more masculine and even make for a popular piercing for men.

Pain Scale: 3/10
Healing Time: 3 months

4. Tongue Piercings

While the tongue might feel like a sensitive spot, in reality, many consider the pain low because the needle pierces through a lot of connective tissues than the cartilage or skin.

However, one must also note that this area may take some time to heal due to it being wet, which may increase the risk of infection.

Pain Scale: 4/10
Healing Time: 4-8 weeks

Infographic: 4 Most Painful Piercings

There is no doubt that the piercing process does hurt, but the pain experienced can be different for everyone and depends on the piercing location. Some areas are more sensitive and can hurt more than others. If you are someone who has decided to take the plunge and want to know what body parts can cause more pain and discomfort, check out the infographic below to find your answers.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I manage pain after getting a piercing?

To reduce pain, apply a cold compress to the area and take over-the-counter pain relievers. Avoid sleeping on or irritating the piercing, and keep it clean to help with healing.

Can certain health conditions affect the pain of a piercing?

Yes, conditions such as blood disorders, autoimmune disorders, skin allergies, pregnancy, etc can cause inflammation and make one more sensitive to pain or the perception of pain (6), (7), (8), (9).

How does the pain of a piercing compare to other body modifications?

The pain of piercing can vary depending upon the individual pain threshold, placement, and complexity of the piercing. However, most people report the pain as a brief and sharp sensation. On the other hand, a process like tattooing and dermal implants can cause severe and intense pain during the procedure.

Piercing some body parts may hurt a little more than others. So, if you are thinking of getting one, check out this video to learn about the least painful piercing spots in the body.

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Rodrigo CascoProfessional Tattoo and Body Piercing Artist

   

Rodrigo Casco is an Argentine tattoo artist. He has 21 years of experience designing tattoos. He has done tattooing by hand as well as created his own tattoo machines. He has won multiple awards and stood first in national and international tattoo conventions, is a judge at events, and also gives many seminars.

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