Surface Piercings & Anchors

Piercing of flat surfaces is a rather new development in piercing, thanks to the technology of new jewelry options. While they can be successful, these are more challenging placements to heal and are more prone to migration and rejection. Proper piercing technique is crucial, as are placement issues like movement of the tissue, pressure from clothing, and snagging/trauma during healing.

For either of these options, the visible, decorative portion needs to be a flat, low profile option such as a disk or flat gem. Cluster options like trinities/trios, flowers, and pave disks also work well.

AVERAGE HEALING TIME: 6 MONTHS OR LONGER

Surface Bars vs Surface Anchors

A surface bar is a staple shaped piece of jewelry that allows piercing of a flat surface. Surface bars are closer to “standard” piercings and can be placed on many flat areas of the body.  This includes facial placements, like in front of the tragus and horizontal eyebrow, and on the sternum.

For these piercings to heal correctly, a proper surface bar must be used and the piercing must be shaped to fit the bar. When these are done with curved bars, they almost always reject.

A surface anchor (aka single point piercing or microdermal) is a piece of jewelry for flat surfaces with only one end. While it may seem that these can be placed anywhere, it’s important that they are placed in areas of low movement where snagging is not an issue. Otherwise, the lifespan of the piercing can be compromised. These piercings are considered “long term temporary” even in the best of circumstances, with an expected lifespan of 6 months to several years. We find that the best placements for these are around the eye area, near the center of the chest, or in back dimples if the dimples are prominent enough.

The internet may say that these must be surgically removed, but that is generally not true. We can usually remove them with standard piercing tools. The exceptions would be if the top falls off and the skin grows completely over the top, or low quality anchors that become damaged in the skin. In those cases, the jewelry would need to be surgically removed by a doctor.

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