Dermal Piercing Jewelry & Parts

What is Dermal Jewelry?

Dermal jewelry — also known as microdermal or single-point piercing — describes any piercing made on a flat body surface held in place by a dermal anchor, which is implanted under the skin surface.

How Do Dermal Piercings Work?

To make a dermal piercing, a piercing needle or skin puncture is used to create a pocket into which the dermal anchor fits. The anchor is implanted into the dermis, the middle layer of the skin, and then dermal jewelry is secured to the anchor. 

Where do People Get Dermal Piercings?

Dermal jewelry can be implanted on any flat body part with enough skin to hold the anchor in place. Common locations include the chest, abdomen, thighs, lower back, chest, cheekbones, and the nape of the neck. 

Whats the Difference between Dermal and Surface Piercings?

Dermal piercings are sometimes confused with surface piercings. Surface piercings have an entry and exit point though which jewelry is threaded. Dermal piercing has only the one pierced point.

Types of Dermal Jewelry

Dermal jewelry typically consists of two parts: the anchor and the jewelry that sits on the skin surface. Anchors typically have a rounded base or flat feet on each side of the post. 

Toppers describes any surface barbells or other jewelry that sits atop the anchor. Dermal jewelry options include beads, flowers, novelty toppers, and captive beads. 

A diver describes a special type of dermal piercing jewelry. Divers have arrow-shaped bases that are approximately the size of the diver’s gem, which is not removable. 

Dermal Piercing Jewelry Materials

As dermal anchors lie under the skin, it’s important they be made of biocompatible material. The most common metals used for dermal anchors are titanium and surgical-grade stainless steel.

Dermal piercing jewelry tops come in a wider variety of materials, including synthetic opal, sterling silver, 14kt gold, and hematite. 

How Large is Dermal Piercing Jewelry?

Dermal anchors are restricted in size by your skin — the dermis can only support so much weight before the dermal anchor comes loose. As a result, the gauge for dermal jewelry tends to be small: between 18g and 12g.

Are Dermal Piercings Permanent?

Dermal piercings are considered semi-permanent. Over time, as the skin grows, the dermal anchor is pushed to the surface of the skin. There’s no exact timeline for this: take care of your dermal jewelry and the anchor can remain embedded in the skin for years, while neglecting dermal piercings can result in the anchor coming loose within a few months. 

Dermal Piercing Jewelry Tops

With the exception of dermal divers, most dermal jewelry has interchangeable tops. As long as dermal piercing jewelry tops are the same gauge as the dermal anchor and use the same threading system, you can switch gems and jewels out as you want. Dermal jewelry may have external threading, internal threading, or threadless methods of connecting the surface jewelry with the anchor. 

Dermal piercing jewelry tops may be simple anodized titanium beads, opals, or shaped jewelry. You’ll find hundreds of dermal ideas in our two jewelry lines: Painless Pleasures and Painless Pleasures - USA. 

Remember to visit Painful Pleasures for one of the world’s largest selections of dermal piercing jewelry at some of the best prices you can find online.