Hip piercing is a trend that did not start now, it was already popular in the year 2000. This piercing is only for fashion and beauty, it gives this “bad girl or bad guy” vibes and style too. A hip piercing is simply piercing the skin in your pelvic area near the hip bone. It can be done on one hip or both depending on the choice of the person. Most people prefer hip piercing to other types because you can hide them on your hip when you do not want them to be seen and can reveal them anytime you feel like. There are two types of piercing: surface and dermal piercing.
SURFACE HIP PIERCING (BAR HIP PIERCING)
Surface piercing has two openings: an entry site and an exit site. This type of piercing involves threading a needle under the skin and a small metal bar (also called a barbell or curved bar) is pushed from one hole to the other, this is done to keep both holes open. A removable ball is fixed on one open end and the other end of the bar has a fixed ball. Only the ends of the barbell are seen, the rest of the body is hidden under the skin. A Surface piercing makes it look like you have two different piercings on your hip. Surface piercing is similar to belly button piercing
DERMAL HIP PIERCINGS (MICRO DERMAL HIP PIERCING)
A dermal piercing, also known as a micro dermal hip piercing, looks like the jewelry is fixed flat or glued against the skin. A needle or a dermal punch can be used for this type of piercing, it all depends on the type of jewelry you are using. When using a needle, a small pocket is made on the skin by inserting and pushing the needle through the skin. The anchor is inserted into the opening made by the needle, the anchor runs in the same line as the skin surface. A jewel is then used to top off the anchor.
If a punch method is to be used, then divers are needed. Divers are made to have pointed bases and they have a jewel fixed to the top. Your piercer will use a skin punch to insert the diver.
One difference between the needle and the punch is that while you can change the jewelry on the top of the anchor (for the needle method), you cannot do that for the diver, the jewelry on the diver is irremovable.
Hip piercing can be done either in front or at the back. When done in front, it is usually placed a little bit below the navel area but back hip is done at the back.
BACK HIP PIERCING
Back hip piercings, also called dimples of Venus are piercings on each side of the lower back above the buttocks. They are only done as dermal piercings, which means only one point is made on each side. A needle will be used to make a small pocket at the back of the hips, an anchor will be inserted into the pocket and a piece of jewelry will be used to take off the anchor. You can easily change the jewelry. If a punch is used, the jewelry on the diver cannot be removed.
HIP PIERCING FOR MALE
Hip piercing is not limited to any gender, just like men pierce their ears, noses and other part their bodies, they can do so on their hips as well. Some people argue that guys with hip piercings may be seen as gays or crossdressers, this is not true at all. Remember that piercing is a form of body art and beautification, anyone can adorn their body. Google has so many pictures of guys who pierced their hips, so you would not be the first.
HIP PIERCING JEWELRY
The first factor to consider when getting jewelry for your hip piercing is the type of piercing you want, is it surface or dermal? After choosing the type of piercing method, you should consider the type of jewelry material you want. Jewelry allergy is one risk associated with piercing because it can cause reactions in your pierced area or even rejection by your skin.
The Association of Professional Piercers (APP) has some quality jewelry materials that they recommend to reduce allergies and exposure to toxins. Some of these materials are:
1. Niobium: Niobium is hypoallergenic, which means that it is very unlikely to contain any substance that will cause allergic reactions. Niobium is not easily damaged or rusted and can also be used in dermal applications.
2. Implant-grade titanium: Some people have allergic reactions to nickel, one of the jewelry materials that does not contain nickel is implant-grade titanium. Apart from being nickel free, it is also hypoallergenic, although it is costly.
3. Implant-grade steel: People go for steel because it is easier to afford than the rest but it is not recommended for everyone especially if you are allergic to nickel. Depending on how severe your allergy is, steel can make you have reactions.
4. 14-karat or higher gold: Gold is a good option for a jewelry but if you are going for dermal piercing, you should not buy any gold that is higher than 18-karat. Also, be sure that the jewelry is not gold-plated to avoid the plate breaking off and exposing you to nickel and other alloys.
HIP PIERCING COSTS
The first factor that will influence the cost of your piercing is the type of piercing you will choose. Others are:
- Experience of the piercer
- The location of the studio
However, the cost of piercing is between $40 and $100 for a single piercing, the price of the jewelry is not included. The cost can additionally include between $10 to $20 for the jewelry, this price also depends on your choice of material.
Back hip piercings can cost between $70 and $80 each while the jewelry can also cost around $10 to $20 for each piece.
DOES HIP PIERCING HURT
Pain is subjective, we all have the level of pain we can comfortably tolerate. But notwithstanding, you will feel pain because an anchor or diver will be pushed through your skin. The pain can be painful but it is not expected to last for a long time.
Another factor that will determine how much pain you will feel is how experienced your piercer is. If you are handled by a skilled piercer, you will not have enough time to feel the pain.
Many reviews show that back hip piercing is painful, this may be because there is not much flesh around the area. Dermal piercing with a skin punch is less painful when compared to other types.
HEALING TIME FOR HIP PIERCING
Hip piercing takes a long time to heal than other piercings, this may be due to the pressure on the pelvic area. If your piercer is skilled and you take care of the pierced area, your healing period may not be as long as expected.
Surface piercing takes a longer time than others because of the bar underneath the skin, it takes around 6 to 18 months to fully heal for a surface piercing.
Dermal piercing takes roughly 1 to 3 months. Back hip piercing can take between 1 to 6 months to heal completely.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH HIP PIERCING
Apart from rejection of the jewelry by the body which is common in surface piercing, there are other risks that can occur, these risks are likely to happen because the pelvic area is easily pressured and have excess friction. Other risks are:
1. Infection: There is risk of contracting HIV and other blood infection if your piercer uses an unsterilized instrument. Also, the wound or hole will be fresh and porn for sometime, tetanus and other bacteria can affect the wound.
2. Bleeding: You are to bleed when the opening for the jewelry is made on your skin but it will stop after a little while. Rubbing the wound against clothing can lead to more bleeding.
3. Tissue damage: An inexperienced piercer or any mistake by your piercer while inserting the anchor can harm the nerves and other tissues around it. This will lead to a serious medical condition.
4. Scarring: Most times, removing the jewelry or retiring from hip piercing can leave a scar on the hole.
5. Tearing: The location of the piercing is delicate and can be easily pulled by clothing, this can cause the skin to tear especially if the jewelry gets stuck to a clothing material and you are trying to pull it out.
HOW TO CARE FOR HIP PIERCING
Knowing how to care for your piercing is one way to increase your healing period and help reduce some complications and risks. Some of the basic ways of caring for your piercing are:
- Before touching the area, properly wash your hands with soap and water. Avoid touching or playing with the jewelry even with cleaned hands.
- Clean the area with water and salt at least three times a day. Avoid using harsh products like alcohol, body wash, lotion or perfumes around the area.
- Wear loose and comfortable clothing.
- Lie on your side.
- Shower instead of bathing and gently use sponge around the area.
- Use standing sex position so as not to irritate your piercing.
- Wash your clothes and bedding after use till you are fully healed.
CONCLUSION
Fashion has been coming up with different trends and hop piercing is one of them. Before getting a piercing on your hip, look for an experienced and skilled piercer to minimize risks and complications.
Follow the aftercare instructions so as not to irritate or infect the area. Choose the best method that will suit you and enjoy your piercing.