Effects of Body Piercing

Written by Cassandra Merkling (last updated March 17, 2021)

Putting a piercing in an adult body of any size opens it up to the chance of infection. And even though your piercing heals, it will always be susceptible to infections because it is an unnatural hole in the body. The most common infections that are cited as being contracted from insufficiently disinfected piercing instruments are those of hepatitis (which causes liver damage) and HIV (which causes AIDS), as well as tetanus, bacteria, and yeast. And, as a side note, do not let anyone do any of your body piercings with a piercing "gun" of any kind, as these instruments cannot be disinfected.

Other risks: oral complications resulting from tongue piercings, such as chipped and broken teeth, choking on loose jewelry, speech impediments, and swollen, infected tongues; nerve damage (leading to permanent numbness in the area pierced); keloids (thick scars at the point of piercing); allergic reactions to the jewelry used to keep the wound open; the formation of deep cysts (which is a sac filled with fluid or semi-fluid matter); and other possible ill effects.

The other effect of body piercing is healing time, and here it is, by each area pierced:

  • Ear cartilage: Four months to one year
  • Ear lobe: Six to eight weeks
  • Eyebrow: Six to eight weeks
  • Female genitalia: Four to ten weeks
  • Lip: Two to three months
  • Male genitalia: Four weeks to six months
  • Nasal bridge: Eight to ten weeks
  • Nasal septum: Six to eight months
  • Navel: Four months to one year
  • Nipple: Three to six months
  • Nostril: Two to four months
  • Tongue: Four weeks

Author Bio

Cassandra Merkling

MORE FROM CASSANDRA

Eating Healthy while On the Run

Eating properly when you're away from home can be a challenge, but you may find that it is entirely manageable even for ...

Discover More

Closet Organization

A closet can be a pleasant place or an unpleasant place, and which it is largely depends on how organized you keep it. ...

Discover More

Getting Rid of Mold and Mildew

Eeeeew, mold! Not only is it gross, but it can be dangerous. Since no one really ever wants to have mold and mildew ...

Discover More
More Beauty Tips

Body Sculpting Made Easy

Weightlifting isn't just for men and is just as beneficial for women. Referred to as body sculpting, weightlifting for ...

Discover More

Ways to Combat Body Odor

Offensive body odor can be a problem for some people. If you need to reduce your body odor, there are several things you ...

Discover More

Understanding a Winter Person

While the actual season of winter may not be a general favorite, those with the winter color palette remind us what ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is two more than 3?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.